The Month That Was: The Toronto restaurants and bars that opened and closed in August

Openings

• Bent—Susur Lee’s sons Kai and Levi Bent-Lee take a stab at the restaurant business as they helm Bent, but the rest of the family isn’t too far away: Susur runs the kitchen, while their mother, Brenda Bent-Lee, is responsible for the restaurant’s design. Read our Introducing post »
• The Food Dudes’ Food Truck—Adrian Niman (of The Food Dudes catering company, and formerly of North 44) ventures out into the world of food trucks to bring “food-driven entertainment” to dudes and, uh, everyone else too. Read our Introducing post »
• Museum Tavern—An incredibly well-stocked ode to the great American bar has opened up across from the ROM. Read our Introducing post »
• Sanagan’s Meat Locker—One deli replaces another in Kensington Market, as Sanagan’s takes over the old locale of European Quality Meats and Sausages (Hooked will be moving into the recently vacated Sanagan’s space). Read our Introducing post »
• Moo Milk Bar—This joint serves up flavoured milk and chocolatey, home-style cookies (there’s even almond milk for the lactose-averse). Read our Introducing post »
• Red Fish—Former Fishbar employees David Friedman and Jamie Duran (chef and sommelier, respectively) are at the helm of this new seafood restaurant in the old space of Mitzi’s on College. Read our Introducing post »
• Urraca Resto Lounge—A Korean tapas bar takes root at Yonge and Finch. Read our Introducing post »
• Handlebar—The Avro’s Rachel Conduit and Bruce Dawson take on a bigger space in Kensington Market for their new gold bicycle-outfitted bar (they adorn the walls). Expect one hot meal on the menu per night (it will change based on Dawson’s fancy) and an evolving cocktail menu. Read our Introducing post »
• North of Brooklyn—With this latest addition to the gourmet pizza scene, Toronto may now be just as pizza-crazed as Brooklyn is purported to be (okay, probably not). Get oven-baked, thin-crust pizza by the slice or by the pie at this just-off-Queen-West location. Read our Introducing post »
• Rakia Bar—Try the Balkan beverage rakia at this new Queen East bar of the same name. Read our Introducing post »
• Sauce on the Danforth—A new east-end bar with classic cocktails and 17 craft beers on tap. Read our Introducing post »
• The Black Canary Espresso Bar—The shop formerly known as Bisogno Espresso Bar is now The Black Canary Espresso Bar. With new owners at the helm, little has changed in terms of the food or the coffee, but a few seats have been added and the place has received a nice fresh paint job. [BlogTO]
• Glory Hole Doughnuts—West-enders no longer need to hoof it all the way over to Paulette’s for gourmet doughnuts now that they have this cheekily named shop from Ashley Jacot De Boinod, formerly of Buca and Scaramouche. [Post City]
• House of Moments—This gallery space opened back in May, but recently added Japanese-fusion food from chef Daniel Park. Check out the doors when you enter: they were imported from India for a cool $700,000. [Post City]
• Gourmet Gringos—It’s not exactly news that Toronto has been on a bit of a taco kick of late. The popular tortilla-based means of food delivery joins quesadillas, tortas, burritos and arepas at this new food truck. [Post City]
• Pulp Kitchen—The latest spot from personal trainer Marie Crawford offers veggie juices, smoothies and foods for takeout only.  [Post City]
• Congee Queen—The fourth location of this Asian food joint opened up in Scarborough’s Agincourt Mall this month.
• Tundra—The in-house restaurant at the Hilton on Richmond Street reopened after a big makeover.
• The Prague—Now under new ownership, the longtime Queen West institution sports a more modern menu being executed by a young Slovenian chef.
• Leaside Longo’s—The 25th Longo’s grocery store takes advantage of the former Canadian National Railway building’s 48,000 square feet and high ceilings, featuring a veggie bar and a table-service restaurant with full beer and wine list. [Toronto Star]
• Johnny Jackson—Late-night diners (and drunks) stumbling around Little Italy have a new option. JJ’s tavern-style fare is $10 (including tax) and served until 3:30 a.m.

Closings

• Maléna—This Yorkville spot was sold to new owners after only two years in business. It’s expected to reopen in October with a new name and new look. Read our Deathwatch post »
• Agave y Aguacate—Affable perfectionist Francisco Alejandri has left his spot at Kensington’s El Gordo food court in search of a new, presumably more spic and span space. Until then, you can find this chef at The Raq on Queen West every Thursday. Read our Deathwatch post »
• The Toasted Tangerine—The Tangerine duo has called it quits: personal health concerns and restrictive city bylaws factored in the decision to close up truck. Read our Deathwatch post »
• The Double Deuce Saloon—This Queen and Beaconsfield-area bar has closed, but new owners already have plans in the works for its replacement (looks like it’s set to be another restaurant and bar).  [Post City]
• Café du Lac—The website for this Quebecois bistro is still up and running, but The Grid has confirmed that the Etobicoke joint has been shuttered. [The Grid]
• Goed Eten—After two years on the Ossington strip, chef Johan Maes closed his waffle house to concentrate on his other operation, Le Petit Déjeuner.

Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments.