ON THE MENU: WHAT’S OPENED AND CLOSED ON THE LOCAL RESTAURANT SCENE
Here's a list of what has come, gone and changed in Hamilton and Burlington in September.
Launched
2Maytea (518 Concession St., Hamilton)
Now open on Concession in the spot that was last occupied by Akus Family Dining, serving banh mi, fruit tea and Vietnamese coffee.
IG: @2maytea
Apothcary Kitchen (71 Main St. W., Hamilton)
The 100 per cent whole foods, plant-based market stall at the Hamilton Farmers’ Market has taken over the Common House Cafė on the first floor of Hamilton City Hall, offering breakfast options including a breakfast burrito with scrambled tofu, and lunch items such as soups and wraps. They have partnered with other farmers’ market friends to offer a Nonno’s sandwich, Sau Bake treats and Hotti Biscotti’s vegan biscotti. Open weekdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
IG: @healwithplantscanada
Aroma a Mexico (254 Locke St. S., Hamilton)
Signage has appeared announcing the arrival of a new Mexican restaurant at the former Peruviano location that closed this summer. An Instagram account has popped up, but no details have been shared yet other than that we can expect tacos and margaritas.
IG: @aroma_a_mexico
Biggs Ribs (56 James St. N., Hamilton)
The lockdown success story from Brampton chose Hamilton as its first expansion location, throwing open its doors for the first time during Supercrawl. The simple menu focuses on beef ribs with sauces that have influencers flocking to the restaurant to film closeups of juicy beef falling off the bone.
IG: @biggsribs
Dear Saigon Vietnamese Noodle Bar (2405 Fairview St., Burlington)
The small GTA franchise has chosen Burlington to expand its chain of pho eateries. The menu includes a wide choice of pho options, as well as noodle dishes, meaty entrees and special drinks like taro Biscoff.
IG: @dearsaigon.official
Fairly Frosted (78 Ottawa St. N., Hamilton)
The opening of Fairly Frosted’s first solo brick & mortar has been long awaited. The bakeshop that boasts incredibly delicious treats that are vegan, gluten free and nut free has been baking out of Kitchen Collective for the last several years while renovating the Ottawa Street building. A Soft opening is on now with vegan ice cream by the scoop, soft serve, housemade waffle cones, along with an array of cookies, cupcakes, bars and cakes.
IG: @fairlyfrosted
Half Moon Pierogi (90 Wellington St. N., Hamilton)
Build-your-own pierogies at this unassuming new plaza restaurant: start with the important decision of baked or fried, then choose from a multitude of topping choices. There are signature dishes if you prefer to have your flavours tested and approved, like Take Me To Brussels, butter chicken paneer, and Beefy Boy, plus dessert pierogies.
IG: @halfmoonpierogi
Niku Niku AYCE BBQ (46 James St. N., Hamilton)
All-you-can-eat Japanese and Korean BBQ with premium meats, seafood, and fresh vegetables grilled right at your table. The lunch menu features set meals and bentos. A timer is set at your table for a two-hour time limit. At the end of the two hours, any leftovers are charged extra by weight and can be taken home.
IG: @nikunikuayce
The Tipsy Fox (1250 Brant St., Burlington)
The Ontario pub chain is opening its largest location to date in the former Shoeless Joe’s location at the Burlington Power Centre. Signage is up but no opening date has been announced yet.
IG: @tipsyfoxpub
Opening soon
The Beacon (4 Ottawa St. N., Hamilton)
The highly anticipated opening of The Beacon has been confirmed as Oct. 17. Menu details are under wraps, but promise to offer your favourites reimagined. Located at the former home of Caro, at the corner of Main and Ottawa.
IG: @thebeaconcrownpoint
Roasta Café & Eatery (3221 Appleby Line, Burlington)
Soft opening begins Oct. 3. Social media posts showing a luxurious plush space featuring elaborate coffee concoctions, fresh baked croissants, and sandwiches, have been met with a lot of community anticipation.
IG: @roasta_cafe
Rebranding & evolving
Aloha Café & Juice Bar (103 King St. W., Dundas)
Norfolk Juice Co. opened its second location in downtown Dundas a year ago, under the Norfolk name. The original idea was to call it Aloha Café, but owners decided to wait to add the new signage and branding until a year of business success had passed. A year is up at the end of October and the juice bar is thriving with its tropical vibes and menu of cold-pressed juices, acai bowls, superfood smoothies, bagels, coffee and baked goods.
@alohacafe.dundas
Closed & closing
Oven 360 (Appleby Line, Burlington)
The owner posted in a Burlington Restaurants Facebook group at the beginning of September, “Thank you to the Burlington Community for an amazing 4 years! After tough considerations we have decided to close Oven 360 Burlington by the end of the month.” The response to the post was swift, with many families agreeing it was one of their favourite wood-fired pizza places.
– List compiled by HAMILTON CITY Magazine contributor Suzanne Zandbergen.If you have a restaurant opening or changing, please let us know at meredith@hamiltoncitymagazine.ca.
