Toronto Restaurant Openings: Mezu, Lovejoy, Cops, Cafe Serano, Four Barrel Holly’s

Toronto restaurant openings highlights the latest food news in Toronto and gives a preview of what's coming soon. Find us here every Thursday morning.

Open now

• Mezu, a spot for Korean tapas, has taken over what was previously Solita at 1375 Dundas Street West. 
• Lovejoy Bar Café, Pong Bar and a barber shop — all from the Vancouver-based Donnelly Group who also own Belfast Love, Death and Taxes and The Gift Shop — are now open as part of The Walrus Pub & Beerhall space at 187 Bay Street in the Financial District.
• Hunter Coffee Shop has opened at 423 Vaughan Road by Cedarvale Park.
• Cops, a place for donuts and good drip coffee from the same team behind brunch spot Baddies, has soft-opened at 445 Adelaide Street West (off Morrison Street).
• Greek bakery Serano Bakery has opened Cafe Serano at 1055 Pape Avenue (at Gamble Avenue) in Pape Village.
• Four Barrel Holly’s, a “restaurant, bar and coffee roastery” is now open at 150 Eglinton Avenue East near Yonge & Eglinton.

Recently reviewed

• Pop Coffee Works
• SoSo Food Club
• The Wild Pigeon
• The Sydney Grind
• Hype Food Co.
• Wynona
• City Betty

Opening soon

• Assembli, a "customer-centric salad and pizza restaurant" that is known for its “build your own" style, already has two locations in Vancouver and will be opening a Toronto location soon at 373 Church Street (one block south of Carlton Street).
• The Yard Public House will be taking over what was formerly Whitlock's in the Beaches. It will be from the same team behind Hogtown Smoke, which is next door, and the outdoor beer garden will be called Junkyard.

Closed

• Desmond & Beatrice has closed its storefront in Leslieville after almost 10 years. It will still keep its wholesale business, so you can continue to enjoy its baked goods in coffee shops across the GTA.
• Cut the Cheese has closed in the Junction and will be replaced by a second location of Latin American spot Maiz.

Other news

• Parkdale cocktail bar Pretty Ugly will now be offering food in the form of sushi from Chef Linh Nguyen (formerly of Shoushin). There will be nigiri, maki and chirashi, and — since it's Parkdale — the vegan and veggie-only options are a must. 
• Mayrik is now offering Sunday brunch.
• It was only a false alarm! Shiso Tree in J-town is only temporarily closed due to flooding and should reopen soon.

Have you seen restaurants opening or closing in your neighbourhood? Email tips to editors@blogto.com.

by Christina Cheung via blogTO