Jennifer Schembri

Toronto

Contributor at Streets Of Toronto

Food Editor at North Toronto Post

Food Editor at Post City Magazines

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Articles

The most unexpectedly chic Japanese restaurant just opened in a Toronto mall

4 days ago | streetsoftoronto.com | Jennifer Schembri

Ju-Raku, the newest spot at Bayview Village, is trying to stand out in Toronto’s crowded Japanese dining scene with something new : A dual concept. It combines a sushi bar and a teppanyaki grill under one roof, set inside a large, contemporary space that nods to both Japanese tradition and Scandinavian minimalism. With room for 120 guests, Ju-Raku’s design keeps things clean and simple thanks to an abundance of natural wood, open layouts and plenty of light.
Dave Portnoy is in Toronto and you'll never guess which pizza joint he hit

4 days ago | streetsoftoronto.com | Jennifer Schembri

Dave Portnoy — the Barstool Sports founder and self-appointed king of one-bite pizza reviews — was in Toronto for a Bitcoin conference. But come on, did anyone really think he’d leave without hunting down a slice? In a recent Instagram video, Portnoy is ambushed — in true Toronto fashion — by a local fan known as “cousin Paul” who starred in one of his last viral visits.
Burdock just opened a full-blown tavern in Kensington and yes, there’s a patio

5 days ago | streetsoftoronto.com | Jennifer Schembri

Kensington Market isn’t exactly short on cool bars and even cooler restaurants, but a new addition from some familiar faces is bound to climb your summer hit list. Burdock the Toronto brewery behind those delicious lagers and fun Grape Ales just opened a brand new bar and restaurant right next to its original Augusta Avenue brewhouse.
This new Distillery District pop-up is bringing Roman Holiday vibes to Toronto

5 days ago | streetsoftoronto.com | Jennifer Schembri

Toronto’s Distillery District just got even more delizioso with the arrival of a brand-new pop-up from Italian marketplace Eataly and it’s perfectly timed for patio season. After a super successful run at the 2024 Distillery Winter Village, Eataly has returned to 21 Trinity Street with all the vibes of a Roman holiday. Sip espresso, savour gelato and pretend you’re in Italy for the afternoon. The Distillery District already feels like a European escape and now it’s even more dolce vita.
These are the 10 chicken sandwiches Toronto can’t stop ordering

1 week ago | streetsoftoronto.com | Jennifer Schembri

Listen up, burger: you might need to watch your buns. According to the 2025 Hot 10 Restaurant Trends report, chicken sandwiches are ruling the roost, with a 26 per cent increase in orders since 2020. The rise in popularity might be due to the fact that chicken sandwiches are a cheaper alternative to beef. And have you seen how often these juicy, sauced-up sandwiches show up on Instagram lately?
MasterChef alum is opening a world-class pizzeria just 90 minutes from Toronto

1 week ago | streetsoftoronto.com | Jennifer Schembri

The stunning town of Elora is known for many things, including being a fantastic day trip from Toronto —just 90 minutes away — and offering a picture-perfect setting with stunning 19th-century limestone architecture, waterfalls and scenic parks. Now, a culinary superstar with experience living and working in cities around the globe is opening what promises to be a world-class pizzeria in the heart of town.
Toronto’s Little Italy revival is real - Thanks to these new restaurants

1 week ago | streetsoftoronto.com | Jennifer Schembri

Located on College Street between Bathurst and Ossington, Toronto’s Little Italy neighbourhood was once the centre of the city’s Italian-Canadian community. From the early 1900s through the 1970s an influx of Italian immigrants arrived in the city, bringing with them their culture, food and traditions. By the 1950s, nearly 40 per cent of Toronto’s Italian community lived in or around Little Italy.
Toronto is getting a huge three-storey restaurant serving 17 varieties of soup

1 week ago | streetsoftoronto.com | Jennifer Schembri

Toronto’s Financial District is about to get a lot more delicious, thanks to Convivium, a new three-storey dining and event space opening soon at 83 Yonge Street. Housed inside a landmark 1857 heritage building, this Euro-inspired spot plans to serve seasonally driven food, pour old-world wines and host everything from art shows to (very fancy) dinner parties. The name Convivium might sound like something you’d chant at a Roman feast — which is basically the vibe.
Former Buca chef opening new Rosedale restaurant in landmark location

1 week ago | streetsoftoronto.com | Jennifer Schembri

After nearly a decade at one of Toronto’s most celebrated Italian restaurants, chef Justin Friedlich is striking out on his own — and he’s doing it in style. The former chef de cuisine at Buca Yorkville is opening Shay, a new Italian-inspired restaurant and wine bar in Rosedale, named after his daughter. Shay is set to open at 1055 Yonge St., and it’s already being called “Rosedale’s newest hot spot” on Instagram — even before the doors have opened.
The Lunch Lady Anthony Bourdain made famous has arrived in Toronto

2 weeks ago | streetsoftoronto.com | Jennifer Schembri

Fifteen years ago, the late Anthony Bourdain stumbled upon a nameless lunch stall in a Ho Chi Minh City alley and declared it one of the best meals of his life. The woman behind the ladle was Nguyen Thi Thanh, now known around the world as The Lunch Lady — a nickname Bourdain himself helped bestow. Now, her legendary soups and street food are finding a third home—this time on Ossington Avenue—following the 2020 launch of a Vancouver outpost, with the Toronto location set to open next month.