This and That to move into This End Up

It’s been less than two months since Dundas West sandwich and cocktail bar This End Up closed, but already something is taking its place (and thankfully it isn’t an all-baby food spot—nice try, BlogTO). Chef Deron Engbers along with Michael Dorbyk, co-owner of the Monarch Tavern, is opening up a restaurant called This and That. (The name speaks to Engbers’ cooking style: “Whatever makes me happy that day!” he says.) Engbers, who for a short stint was a stagiaire at the venerated French Laundry, has previously worked for Rock Lobster Food Co., Oyster Boy, Sassafraz and Auberge du Pommier. Though trained in classical French cuisine, Engbers says he believes in making “accessible, fun and tasty food”: that translates into dishes like short rib croquettes, seafood cassoulet and dressed-up duck eggs. This and That is still weeks away from opening its doors, but keep an eye on Engbers’ Twitter account for practice pop-up dinners.