It’s been a little while since we’ve done a Scene Update, but January was a somewhat slow month. Luckily, now that winter is starting to near it’s bitter end (well, not that bitter, it’s been pretty great to us this year), the restaurant scene is back in full swing and there have been a few openings worthy of note…
Gusto 101, owned and operated by the same woman behind Yorkville’s Cafe Nervosa, has opened at 101 Portland Street. It’s got a bold Italian menu, an in-house winery in the basement – which sends vino through draft-beer-like taps – and an awesome vibe – the building used to be an auto garage.
Lucid Cocktail and Kitchen’s opening has brought some delish molecular cocktails to Queen West, in the spot that used to house Bohemian Gastropub. Helmed by Moses McIntee, formerly the Head Bartender at the Ritz-Carlton, the new drink house has about 30 or so cocktails on the menu already, but that number is expected to soar in the coming months.
Come and Get It, a new pop-up-concept restaurant has opened in a terminal spot. Terminal because in a few months the building will be demolished to make way for condos. It’s got high-end poutine, gourmet sandwiches, and sultry salads. Delish.
Pizzeria Via Mercanti opened doors in Kensington Market just a few weeks ago, and is serving up more Neapolitan style ‘zas. (There’s another resto or two in this vein set to open in the coming months, we’ll keep you up-to-date, don’t worry.)
URSA Restaurant, helmed by brother/duo Jacob and Lucas Sharkey Pearce, touched base about a week or so ago, and is sending nutritionally-focused Canadian cuisine out the kitchen. Think vacuum-packed instead of blanched greens to retain the vitamins, that sort of thing.
And of course, $tock Restaurant in the Trump Tower opened about two weeks ago, with a beautiful cocktail lounge, excellent wine selection, and some outstanding food options. This will undoubtedly be the new spot for Bay Street’s movers and shakers.
Photo courtesy Gusto101
