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 August.

Launched & opening soon

Brioche & Beyond (234 King St. E., Hamilton)

The long-awaited bakery and café opened quietly in August, but the buzz has spread quickly due to its elegant, flaky butter-based pastries. The Instagram-worthy pastries adorning their display case include a chocolate cube, perfect pain au chocolat, and a geometric creation they call a croissant hotdog.
IG: @brioche.beyond

Budapest Bakeshop (447 Brant St., Burlington)

This shop is serving authentic Hungarian chimney cakes, hand-rolled and baked daily from scratch. What exactly is a chimney cake, you ask? Imagine bread, croissant, pretzel and doughnut all rolled into one. It works as a sweet treat, and as a savoury sandwich, and Budapest Bakeshop claims to be the first in the world to have created the savoury chimney sandwich. This is the third location in the Golden Horseshoe.
IG: @budapestbakeshop_burlington

Captain’s Crab (511 Appleby Line, Burlington)

The main attraction is a build-your-own seafood boil with crab legs, shrimp, mussels, corn, potatoes, and bold seasoning – all loaded into one bag and covered in the sauce you choose. The decor is modern with the whimsy of fishing boats, nets and paraphernalia strewn about in the rafters. 
IG: @captainscrab

The Chef Signature (1685 Main St. W., Hamilton)

The second location for this Waterloo-based restaurant has now opened in the recently closed Pita Land spot in the Main West Mall plaza. The menu features shawarma, rice bowls, pasta and burgers, as well as a full dessert menu of crepes, waffles, and a Dubai strawberry cup.
IG: @thechefsignature

Cookies ‘n Creamery (2620 Binbrook Rd., Hamilton)

Now open and serving small-batch baked cookies and rich creamy ice cream for the ultimate dessert duo. This cute takeout spot also offers bubble tea options like matcha milk tea, brown sugar tea. and taro milk tea. The cookies are baked in-house and are thick with generous centre fillings like jam and torched marshmallow. 
IG: cookiesncreamery.ca

Kebab Saray Shahyad (359 Barton St. E., Hamilton)

With over 30 years of experience in cooking authentic Iranian dishes,  Kebabsaray Shahyad promises to leave you with a beautiful and unforgettable memory of Iranian flavours. Serving Persian BBQ and kebabs made from premium 100 per cent Halal beef and chicken, traditional Iranian stews, appetizers and wraps. This is the second location for the Mississauga-based restaurant.
IG: @kebabsarayshahyadhamilton

La Valle Gelateria (26 King St. W., Dundas)

This immediately popular gelato shop that took over the old Cumbrae’s location in downtown Dundas is serving handcrafted Italian-style gelato, espresso, and pastries made in house. Gelato flavours include several dairy-free options, along with a rotating selection of flavours like pistachio, chocolate, and peach mango. Espresso-based drinks include marocchino, caffè shakerato, and affogato.
IG: @lavallegelato

Mish Mish Mezza (1035 Brant St., Burlington)

This new eatery brings together the flavours of Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen. The menu includes Middle Eastern favourites such as kunafa, mandi, manakish, fried beef kabbeh, fattoush, tabouleh, and charcoal-grilled kebabs. Don’t forget to try the signature apricot drink, the fruit for which the restaurant is named.
IG: @mishmishmezza

Pinkie’s Coffee (116 Ottawa St. N., Hamilton)

Pinkie’s gets top marks on the adorable scale with its converted Barbie-pink horse trailer storefront nestled in the alley near Mike’s Subs. The menu is heavy on the Instagram-able factor, too, with latte buckets and massive cookies by local baker Small Bites Baking Co. with flavours like s’mores and red velvet. Coffee is also locally sourced, from Greenbelt Coffee on Parkdale. Specialty lattes include creations like birthday cake matcha, cinnamon bun, and Coconut Cloud.  
IG: @pinkiescoffeeco

Punky’s Flat (3 Main St., Dundas)

A quiet soft opening has allowed eager residents to try the highly anticipated restaurant in a restored historic building in downtown Dundas, with the official opening of Sept. 1 posted on its website. Judith Birchall, who formerly ran Il Fiasco on Locke Street and later Dundas, has been brought on to lead. The menu will feature pub-style cuisine focused on locally grown ingredients from small farms surrounding Dundas. 
IG: @punkysflat 

Closing

Coop Wicked Chicken and Bar (Brant Street, Burlington)

With the lease expiring this past month, the restaurant made the decision to close permanently, following the lead of its Hamilton and Waterdown locations. Its final day of operation was Aug. 22. A new Korean restaurant is already in the works for the space.

Marty’s Pizza Bar (James Street North, Hamilton)

After retooling for a third iteration in this location in January, Marty’s Pizza Bar has announced its final closure. A social media post explained: “Unfortunately with rising costs, changed spending habits and increased pressure on independent owner/operators to do it all, we are unable to sustain our business. We know we are not alone in this struggle and we would like to acknowledge all the hardworking people in our industry, just trying to keep the thing alive.” Fans will have some time to make one last trip, with the closure announced for Sept. 19.

– 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.