The kitchen creatives will continue elsewhere. They are looking for a commercial kitchen.
I don’t know why Fonda Balam is closing. It may be that the backing came to an end. K and J Cocina
Oakwood Hardware’s last day is today, Monday, May 27, 2024.
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Somun Superstar will close June 22, 2024.
Tough times for so many places with good food at midrange prices.
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Fewer people are dining out these days, too expensive even for “mid range” restaurants when you factor in GST and tips. Sad but true.
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I get it.
I also continue to tip on my take-out. I don’t know if it makes much of a difference but it helps.
I’ve pretty much stopped going to fast food chains, and I’ve stopped going to fancy $$$$ restaurants, so maybe this solo diner is helping out a bit. 
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Every little bit helps.
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Oh that really sucks. We were considering going there today but then ended up going out to have a sit-down lunch with friends who were in town. Now we’ve missed our last chance as we won’t be to able to go this week. The somun there were beautiful and we really enjoyed the sandwiches with cevapi and ajvar.
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FRILU is set to close July 31.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C8VT6uPuf85
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I remember chef JV once mentioned he thought of Frilu as a stepping stone, a transition. They have other visions, one of them related to their farm. Perhaps in the near future it may become something similar to the Stadtlanders Eigensinn Farm concept. Looking forward to what they have in the works and their next chapter.
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Will be making one last visit Saturday 29th!
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Thanks for the update. Another place we didn’t get to enough that we really liked. Hope their future plans work out well.
As much as anybody (except maybe Charles) I frequently dine ‘upscale’ and really enjoyed the food at Frilu - but the wine selection ‘sucked’! After getting their Michelin star (deserved IMO) they essentially doubled their prices and included ‘beverages’ “for a complete experience”.
Now I can get a reservation any evening I want (it used to be a tough reservation)! But the food isn’t worth $350 (around $500pp with tax and tip).
I know times are tough and perhaps this was a ‘lifestyle’ decision - but doubling prices is a ‘risky’ move.
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When it was around $250 (inclusive of the drink pairing) was the last time I went to Frilu …
I did enjoy their non-alcoholic pairing though.
But having to watch my spending more carefully these days, their 2 subsequent price up within a year was tough for me. Perhaps they needed to pay for their farm and the transportation … lol.
Anyway, best wishes to their future endeavours.
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Yes! I can still recall eating for less than $100, all inclusive, at Pearl Morrisette and less than $200 at Alo!
Those were the days!!
Now, newly opened ’ non-star ’ restaurant like LSL are charging $360!! for a tasting menu!..$500 if they get a star!!! 
LSL’s tasting menu is $680 pp … $340 is just the deposit!
LSL starts at $680 pp … But regardless, LSL is not a concept that attracts me. Not even for special occasion. LOL.
WOW!! For $680!..IF, Christian Le Squer is manning the kitchen with Didier LeRoy, then MAYBE, for the experience, I might be willing to dish out the mega $$$…JUST ONCE! Afterall, they are NOT even Michelin star rated, untested and their pricing is based solely on the reputation of the owners!!
BTW, I just came back from Europe and had the chance to eat in the Michelin 3* Disfruta, ranked #1 in the world on San Pellegrino’s 50 World’s Best Restaurant list! Their 27 course tasting menu is ONLY 295 Euro!! …that’s CAD$434…inclusive of tax and tips!!
Another meal at the 3* L’Assiette Champenoise in Reims ( ranked #4 in La Liste ) is also in the 300 Euro price range…inclusive of tax and tips!!
So, I really don’t know what LSL is thinking?!..since when did Toronto become a gold mining town?!
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Pusateri’s at Bayvew Village has permanently closed.
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Darn! Now I need to find another relatively close place to get my ’ Gravlax ’ fix!! 
Saw the news on CP24 about pusateri’s apparently bankruptcy and closure for all except flagship and saks at Eaton
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