maximes toronto

Toronto restaurant that opened with huge hype has closed and been replaced

A Middle Eastern-inspired restaurant in Toronto known for its vegetarian menu and airy open kitchen has permanently closed, and it's already been replaced by a new business. 

Shook, previously located at 77 Portland St., drew inspiration from the open-air markets in Israel, also known as a "shuk," and cooked its dishes over an open fire using a hand-laid wood-burning hearth and charcoal grill. 

On the menu, you'd find a variety of dips including whipped feta, muhammara, labneh, and large mains like red or green shakshouka, mujadara, and eggplant and mushroom kebab.

The plant-based restaurant has now been replaced by Maxime's, a swanky new restaurant that specializes in steak, seafood, and signature cocktails. 

Starters at this Parisian nightlife-inspired restaurant include market-priced oysters, salmon crudo, ahi tuna carpaccio, lobster ceviche, and jumbo shrimp cocktail for $45. 

On the menu, you'll also find a variety of made-to-share mains, including spicy vodka rigatoni, grilled lobster, and lamb rack. 

Prime steaks at the restaurant are made using a house-made steak spice and are aged for 28 days. The cheapest steak on the menu is a two-ounce Japanese A5 wagyu, that will still run you $55. 

There's also no shortage of boozy drinks on the menu to keep your meal company. The house martini is poured tableside and includes some theatrical dry ice for a dramatic sipping experience. 

Maxime's is located at 77 Portland St. and is open seven days a week from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. 

Lead photo by

Hector Vasquez


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in Eat & Drink

Toronto man's side hustle making calzones leads to new restaurant gig

Toronto bakery known for its croissants opening second location

There's a food festival in Toronto for a good cause next month

Ontario restaurant has people obsessing over its fried chicken

Toronto has a new street food market in a surprising location

The history of what was once Toronto's most luxurious restaurant

Thousands of people want to boycott Loblaws stores 'indefinitely'

One of the most anticipated Toronto restaurants of the year is now open