The DL on Who’s gettin’ a New Job, Facelift, Closing Shop or Pullin’ out

We’re back, and under a new cover. We’ve decided to rename it as Seen + Heard, not not “Scene and Heard.” That one’s done. Don’t worry it’s not gossip. Just what we’ve Seen and Heard is going on in this big city we all love — The 6ix.

So let’s jump right in.

The Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge and suites get a facelift

Not construction, just a cosmetic facelift. So they aren’t disrupting the guests or shutting anything down, just refreshing the coveted Ritz suites we know and love. I mean we could all use a wardrobe upgrade or some filler or there from time to time, right? 😉

Melissa Andre to be hosting a workshop in Yorkville

Celebrity Event Planner, Melissa Andre, whos worked with the likes of Jlo, Drake and many more. Launched her bloom boxes last year, offering them to select US markets and the GTA. Is said to be be hosting a workshop to Toronto! She’s hinted about it several times on social media, but no dates have been set just yet. Rumour has it that it will be hosted in Yorkville, just in time for Mother’s Day.

Valentinos arrives in Canada

Despite what you might be thinking, nope, unfortunately it’s not in Yorkville…the word on the street is that Canada’s first Valentino Garavani is opening their new 4600 sqft location at Yorkdale Mall.

Toronto Restaurant Openings, Closings and Delays

RIP LBS, Hello CRU

We’ve mentioned before, LBS in the Old Toronto district (Yonge and Adelaide) closed down in December, and reopened as a new modern fine dining restaurant and bar concept called CRU. Ran by the same management and Chef Jon Williams.

Japanese chain Crazy Crepes to open on Church St.

Word on the street is that this Japanese style crepes concept, Crazy Crepes is currently set to open in Toronto, by end of March or early April at 366 Church Street. The concept Features a variety of over 60 crepe types. A quick look at their original instagram location gives you a glimpse of what they have to offer. But from what we have heard, the brand is “taking it up a notch” with their Toronto location. The decor is going to be #Instaworthy! We caught a glimpse of it, and think pink and white merry go round with all pink horses to sit on as stools. Can you picture it?

Chotto Matte expands to Toronto

London Nikkei restaurant, Chotto Matte, coming to Toronto by May 2019. Coming to Toronto’s Brookfield place, said to bring the artistic energy of underground Tokyo to the city’s chic and bustling Financial District. CHOTTO MATTE promises Torontonians a bold and authentic taste of Nikkei cuisine, an evolution of Japanese-Peruvian fare, where each dish and pairing will play on a multitude of colours and flavours that merge into one of the world’s most intriguing cuisines. Are we seeing a Latin x Asian fusion trend happening? We’re not complaining.

Salus Fresh Foods

Salus Fresh Foods, a local healthy meals fast casual restaurant continues to expand in Toronto. We recently noticed the signs go up and they are coming fast! Soon to be open in the Entertainment District on Peter St.

Green Tea Restaurant

Green Tea Restaurant is opening a second location, which is said to be a flagship, in Chinatown downtown in early March. An authentic Hangzhou-Style Cuisine and atmosphere.

My Meatball Place

This week, the team behind the Indian eatery, My Roti Place, introduced the brand-new restaurant concept on King West. Located at 617 King Street West, the new fast-casual spot offers Torontonians a variety of meatball options inspired by world cuisines and a robust selection of internationally inspired sauces.

Thoroughbred revamp

Thoroughbred is opening this week under new management and new concept. Rumoured to be a wine bar with a deli style menu. It sounds like this concept might be a match made in heaven.

Reyna on King

Yorkville’s Bar Reyna opening their new third location at King St. and Power St, under the name of Reyna on King — a play on the Queen on King thing. Rumour has it that they are opening in April.

Hutaoli Music Restaurant & Bar — Markham’s version of the Hard Rock Cafe

We caught wind of this grand opening happening tomorrow. They are giving away 100 of their famous House Special Roasted Chicken. This new restaurant concept is a matchup of spicy Sichuan food and trendy music — a live band every night to be exact. Looks like it’s worth a trek up to no man’s land. 😉

Zebu Steak bar delays

Zebu Steak bar (not a typical Brazilian steakhouse), is experiencing delays, but we got a feeling it’s because they are focusing on the details. We got a feeling this place is going to be nothing but ordinary — definitely not skimping on the details. If you’ve caught a glimpse of their front facade, they even have a quilted leather panelled door with a golden Z handle. According to Instagram, one of the walls inside will have a full wall graffiti mural of the iconic Brazilian “Christ The Redeemer” statue, done by a local Toronto artist who goes by “Art by D Snow“.

Icon Ink’s Chef Cameron x Restaurant Mogul Janet Zuccarini

Word on the Street is that Chef Stuart Cameron, formerly the executive chef of a majority of the ICON Legacy Hospitality restaurants (Byblos, Weslodge, Patria, etc.), has been hanging out with female restaurant mogul Janet Zuccarini. Playing with Middle Eastern flavours! Does this mean Ms. Zuccarini might be opening a Middle Eastern eatery in Toronto? or maybe LA…?

Speaking of Janet Zuccarini, after watching the space for he new Gusto 501 empty for months, the structure is up so hopefully this means the East side will get to enjoy the famed West side Italian eatery soon.

Fresh, and old fan favourite faces coming to Morning TV

Word on the street is that Morning TV is getting some new faces. We all know that the media space in Canada has been rocky AF. Layoffs left right and centre. Speaking of layoffs, Jennifer Valentyne, who Torontonians raged about losing from BT, is back! Not on BT though, she’s said to joining the Global Morning Show personalities for a revamp. But that’s not the only changes in the landscape, BT’s former tech guru and personality, Winston has left BT and is out on his own, starting of his own new platform called Master Travellr. On the Entertainment side, ET Canada’s digital producer, Nicole Servinis is said to have joined the extended BT team. Rumour has it that one of these morning shows will be getting a little more personality too, with rumblings that Keshia Chante might be joining one of them. That would be interesting…

Don’t quote us, but we strive to ensure they’re as accurate as possible. But like you know, the word on the street changes daily. Have a tip or heard of something coming in the pipeline? Send us an email to editor@viewthevibe.com (with a Subject line of Seen+Heard Tip), or use our contact us form for an anonymous submission.  Cheers!