restaurant openings toronto

The 10 most anticipated Toronto restaurant openings for fall 2014

There's an influx of new dining options opening in Toronto this season, including new lunch counters, snack bars and contemporary restaurants. While the concentration of new additions to Ossington and Dundas West is running especially high, the east side is due for some notable new destinations as well.

Here are the 10 most anticipated Toronto restaurant openings I'm looking forward to this fall.

Junk Bar
This new snack bar is expected open this fall (though no date has been announced) in the pretty corner lot that was once LeVack Block (88 Ossington Ave.). The collaborative effort comes from Chef Matt Blondin (formerly of Acadia and Momofuku Daisho) and The Food Dudes, who have had a spree of openings already this year.

Borealia
Aiming for a mid-November opening, this new restaurant at 59 Ossington Ave. will offer modernized versions of heavily-researched historical recipes inspired by Canada's indigenous peoples and early settlers.

Han Moto
Swish by Han may have just recently folded, but owners and brothers Leeto and Leemo Han (also behind OddSeoul) are already at work on the next new thing. A new Japanese snack bar is already in the works at at 2 Lakeview Ave. (at Dundas West).

Bar Fancy
Jonathan Poon, chef and owner of the highly acclaimed Chantecler, is soon to open this new, low-key bar (with prospects for an expanded menu on the horizon) at 1070 Queen St. West at Shaw.

Dandylion
This small 30-seat modern bistro from chef/owner Jay Carter (former executive chef for Centro, and Susur Lee's long time chef de cuisine) is looking at a tentative opening date at the beginning of November. Once they open at 1198 Queen St. West at Gladstone, expect a concise nine-item menu and a drink list that focuses on wines, beers and ciders.

NAO Steakhouse
The latest high-profile project from Hanif Harji of Icon Legacy (Weslodge,Patria) is this 120-seat steakhouse, poised to open on November 1 at 90 Avenue Rd. in Yorkville.

CJ's Deli
Smoked meat is coming to the Danforth! Splitting the former location of Zorba's in two, this new delicatessen at 681 Danforth Ave. will occupy the front half, while The Court Jester Pub relocates from down the street into the back space.

Bunas Kitchen
Described as a modern-European, quick-service cafe with a focus on local seasonal produce, this new lunch outfit and catering operation at 388 Richmond St. West is on the brink of opening in the next week or so.

The Contender
This new 115-seat sports bar is a project by Alex Sengupta and John Vetere (both of The Lakeview). Equipped with 25 TVs, 12 beers on tap and a concessions-style menu, the new sports bar might just become the newest go-to for the next big game ... or any game, really.

Name TBD
Things are happening behind the papered windows at 505 College St., the corner unit where Teatro used to be. While there's no name to announce and only rumours of a fall opening, I couldn't omit this new project from Grant van Gameren (Bar Isabel) and barmen Michael Webster and Robin Goodfellow.

Held over since summer I'm also looking forward to Little Fin, Wilbur Mexicana and b.good.

What restaurants are you excited for this fall? Let us know in the comments.

Photo of Jonathan Poon from Chantecler


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