LibbyFebruary kicks off with some great news on the foodie front in Toronto. As the new day dawned, restaurants enjoyed their first full 24 hours of being allowed to reopen. After weeks of dismal COVID protocols cutting the cord on these latest restrictions is just the tonic we’re parched for.
The month also ushers in the Lunar New Year, and if you haven’t spoiled those around you, Sonya has a few sweet finds to mark the occasion.
Valentine’s Day is also coming in hot. We have some fun eats and sweet treats flowing for your gang, or yourself. Whether you’re into going out or still sticking to your couch, we got you covered.
Oh, and there’s the Olympics of course! Molson may be the beer of choice for watching hockey, but with medal ceremonies happening at breakfast hours, the beer brains decided to craft a different course for a patriotic partner. Introducing Molson Maple Beerup, the beer-infused breakfast sauce you can pour over pancakes, or chug right from the bottle! And for every contest entry received to win also nets $5 to support Team Canada’s athletes. 19+ can enter at Molson.ca/Beerup starting February 4th.
Another hot day to mark your calendars for this month belongs to February 9th, not just because two of my best friends have birthdays that day, but it’s also National Pizza Day. Stay tuned for special pizza posts and deals all month long.
Here’s what’s HOT in Toronto this month.
EAT IT UP-NOW OPEN!
King Street West’s latest club has a new buckin’ bronco, dubbed The Hartly. Reviews are a mixed bag but it’s a strange time to try to resurrect that clubby vibe. We’ll reserve our judgement for our own girls night out.
Plant-based pasta and pizza Osteria Du opened bringing carbs to Queen West, where there’s a well-established appetite for vegan anything. Italian comfort food is a welcome departure from usual quick takeout finds. Make note of this new tipping-free concept.
Made in Toronto with love, naturally, AVOCA Chocolates creates beautiful gift-worthy gourmet finds that are perfect for treating yourself or pre-ordering for Valentine’s Day. It’s not cancelled, we checked. Their newest shop opened on Ossington serving the west-end wonkas.
CAN’T WAIT- COMING SOON!
Casa Madera is launching their first location in Canada, fresh from The Madera Group. Opening as part of the food program at The 1 Hotel, Chef Olivier Le Calvez from Mexico is helming the project. Luxurious and immersive, this Casa will be a hot spot for tourists and locals alike. Stay tuned as we track this new restaurant.
A similar story with some light and bustling to signal the renovation is running at the upcoming Cactus Club Cafe coming to Yonge and Sheppard. Cool your jets fam, this expansive reno will take some time.
Looking like a snack Aloette…It’s coming and I don’t know if I’ll ever be truly ready. It’s only 5.26km from my house, is that far restraining order far enough or what? We’ll find out when this beauty unwraps later this year.
FEBRUARY CLOSING TIME
Where there is smoke, sometimes there’s fire too, and BBQ joints have been going up in flames this year. Another one bites the dust with Buster Rhino’s in Whitby and the derelict project that was Adamson Barbecue closed in Aurora have both closed this year.
East-end Veloute has announced its closure. A reopening is in the works, stay tuned for more on this Beaches restaurant.
Wong’s Ice Cream has closed up shop. The beloved ice cream and the confectionary shop was a Toronto hotspot for our generation. RIP Ed, we’re gutted to lose you.
In a statement released on his personal Instagram, Mark McEwan confirmed the sale of ONE Restaurant, and his departure from the property. “We have sold our 50% stake in the restaurant to the new proprietors of the Hazelton Hotel and the remaining 50% will be retained by our co-founding partners.” But you can still catch Mark on Wall of Chefs anytime you wanna!
TASTE OF THE MONTH
Hot damn! We’re doing the dry Feb thing and a nice hot chocolate with all the fixings is a fitting reward. We’re slurping up these easy to make Hot Chocolate bombs from President’s Choice.
Got a burning food tip? Hit us up! food@auburnlane.com
All photos by Libby Roach.