Plating up the week’s restaurant news on Origin, The Hot 'n' Dog, Sam James and David Chang.
OPENINGS
■ Chef Claudio Aprile is in expansion mode: He’s opening two more locations of his popular Church Street restaurant, Origin, next year. In spring, Aprile will unveil a 150-seat dining room in a former World War II munitions factory in Liberty Village (171 East Liberty St. #LIB) and, in late 2012, he’ll bring the concept to a new building in Bayview Village (2901 Bayview Ave., at Sheppard #NYK).
■ Toronto’s hot-dog craze continues with The Hot ’n’ Dog in Parkdale (216 Close Ave., at Queen #PRK). Among the dozens of condiments available are red curry, tzatziki, pineapple and Buffalo-wing sauce. According to toronto.com, its $3.99 weiner, chips and pop combo has been a hit with students at adjacent Parkdale Collegiate.
■ Sam James is opening a third location of his coffee shop in the PATH (Sun Life building, 150 King St. W. #DTN). It should be running by February or March.
■ New York chef David Chang (of Momofuku) is moving forward with his plans to open two restaurants in the financial district next year. In the past week, he has made open calls for front-of-house and back- of-house managers.
■ One of our favourite noodle places, Kenzo Ramen, has opened a third location at 522 Yonge St. (at Wellesley #DTN). Expect the same menu as the Annex and Dundas Street locations.
CLOSING
■ Ultra (314 Queen St. W., at Soho #QNW) will close after its New Year’s Eve party; the new incarnation of the space will be unveiled in February. The concept: a yet-to-be-named nightclub targeting “a 21-plus, mature, cosmopolitan crowd and offering premium bottle service.”
CHANGES
■ Despite its missing sign and papered-over windows, Back Alley Woodfire BBQ and Grill (188 Augusta Ave., at Baldwin #KNM) has not gone out of business. It’s temporarily closed for renovations, although no date has been set for its reopening.
Know of any openings, closings or landed a job at a new David Chang restaurant? Email crumbs@thegridto.com.
