General Food, Dining and Nightlife News

[KevinL]

At the MEC plaza (Fairway/Manitou) the Freshii has just opened, and will soon be joined by Qdoba.

[Pheidippides]

Now in the former Viet Sun building at Erb and Regina:
   

[jwilliamson]

There's an LLBO application for 'Cucina Pizzeria' in the window of The Pub on King. It says they would be on the second floor.

[Viewfromthe42]

That would make quite the rapid expansion, since that's what's going into the Kitchener space next to Dallas.

[nms]

There's an LLBO application for 'Cucina Pizzeria' in the window of The Pub on King. It says they would be on the second floor.

I wonder how they plan to make it accessible for those who can't navigate stairs.

[tomh009]

There's an LLBO application for 'Cucina Pizzeria' in the window of The Pub on King. It says they would be on the second floor.

I wonder how they plan to make it accessible for those who can't navigate stairs.

Some second-floor restaurants aren't accessible: it's not always possible (or practical) to add an elevator.

[nms]

I wonder how they plan to make it accessible for those who can't navigate stairs.

Some second-floor restaurants aren't accessible: it's not always possible (or practical) to add an elevator.

I guess it may be a matter of interpretation depending on what they have planned.  According to this website (operated by the Occupational Safety Group), 

"Section 3.8 of the Building Code contains the new  [AODA] requirements. They include universal washrooms, barrier-free paths of travel, adaptable seating and power door operators, to name just a few features. These accessibility requirements are the ones that most landlords and tenants will be required to consider when planning their renovations. They do not have retroactive effect; existing buildings do not have to be fitted with the new accessibility features. However, the new requirements apply to most newly constructed buildings as well as to buildings more than five years old where extensive renovations will take place." (my emphasis)

[tomh009]

Some second-floor restaurants aren't accessible: it's not always possible (or practical) to add an elevator.

I guess it may be a matter of interpretation depending on what they have planned.  According to this website (operated by the Occupational Safety Group), 

"Section 3.8 of the Building Code contains the new  [AODA] requirements. They include universal washrooms, barrier-free paths of travel, adaptable seating and power door operators, to name just a few features. These accessibility requirements are the ones that most landlords and tenants will be required to consider when planning their renovations. They do not have retroactive effect; existing buildings do not have to be fitted with the new accessibility features. However, the new requirements apply to most newly constructed buildings as well as to buildings more than five years old where extensive renovations will take place." (my emphasis)

If I read the building code correctly (go directly to the source: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/120332), barrier-free access is only mandatory on the first (ground) floor, not on upper floors.

To quote: " (2) A barrier-free path of travel described in Clause (1)(b) is not required to extend, (a) to floor areas or portions of floor areas containing a Group B, Division 2 or 3 occupancy that are not required by Article 3.5.2.1. to be connected by a ramp or served by an elevator." And the clause in question requires elevators for patient or resident services.

In any case, non-structural interior renovations generally are not considered "major" renovations.

[nms]

Later in the same clause: 

(2) A barrier-free path of travel described in Clause (1)(b) is not required to extend,...

(d) to portions of restaurants and licensed beverage establishments where the same amenities and uses are provided on other floor areas that have a barrier-free path of travel,

I wonder if the Pizzeria is completely separate from the Pub on King, or whether it is connected beyond a normal tenant-landlord relationship.  Either way, perhaps an arrangement can be made to serve Pizzeria customers on the main floor if necessary.

[tvot]

Renovations at 50 Ontario St: the tenants (driving school and African restaurant) have moved out and there is some preliminary work ongoing.

Does anyone know if East African Cafe is re-opening elsewhere? my quick google search didn't give me an answer.

[clasher]

Renovations at 50 Ontario St: the tenants (driving school and African restaurant) have moved out and there is some preliminary work ongoing.

Does anyone know if East African Cafe is re-opening elsewhere? my quick google search didn't give me an answer.

I hope so! It's been there so long and always seems to do steady business.

[tomh009]

Does anyone know if East African Cafe is re-opening elsewhere? my quick google search didn't give me an answer.

I hope so! It's been there so long and always seems to do steady business.

I have been meaning to try it for a long time now, but somehow never got around to it.

[plam]

I hope so! It's been there so long and always seems to do steady business.

I have been meaning to try it for a long time now, but somehow never got around to it.

Muya on Highland has slightly better reviews on Google Maps, but we sort of liked East Africa Cafe more. I hope they have a new location.

[robdrimmie]

I walked by earlier today and I didn't see any "visit our new location" signs, but there were also crews inside both spaces so if there ever were any it's possible they were affected.

[tomh009]

I have been meaning to try it for a long time now, but somehow never got around to it.

Muya on Highland has slightly better reviews on Google Maps, but we sort of liked East Africa Cafe more. I hope they have a new location.

Muya is good, but it's Ethiopian. Was EAC Ethiopian as well? I had assumed Kenya/Tanzania, but that may have been a poor assumption.