Iconic Toronto restaurant clears the air following rumours of shutdown
What was meant to be a love letter to Toronto – a see you later, not a teary-eyed goodbye– turned into an emotional upheaval from the city when an iconic restaurant posted an unintentionally cryptic message on Valentine’s Day.
“It’s not you, it’s us. Our relationship has been a wild ride, but it’s time for us to take a step back. We need some time to spread our wings and try new things,” Lakeview Restaurant posted on Instagram on Tuesday alongside a stack of pancakes shaped like a broken heart.
The 24-hour-style diner has been serving the city from its historic location at Dundas Street West and Ossington Avenue for just over 90 years.
Nearly 300 responses rushed in on Instagram. “No way you’re breaking up with us on Valentine’s Day,” one comment read. Another said, “Can Toronto ever have or keep anything nice? NO!” .
But it turns out the post was meant to facilitate more of a break than a full blown breakup.
“It kind of got misconstrued a little,” Lakeview co-owner Fadi Hakim said about the Instagram post.
“The idea is basically we are closing down on the 28th so it's the last call for any favorites,” Hakim said. “We are planning renovations – a new direction, new team members and a bit of a facelift for the building from 1932.”
People walk past the Lakeview Restaurant in Toronto on Monday March 5, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank GunnHe reassured loyal customers that the historical integrity and bones of the space won’t be touched, and neither will the nearly 24-hour (now 9 a.m. to 4 a.m.) nature of the diner. But since he took over 15 years ago, Hakim said the physical space has grown tired and needs to be refurbished.
Hakim is encouraging fans of their crispy cornflake chicken sandwich and French toast baguette stuffed with Peameal bacon to pay a visit before a new menu graces the space when they reopen.
As for when the Lakeview will welcome customers back in for its next chapter, Hakim said he has “no idea” how long the renovations will take.
“Stay tuned,” he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Prime Minister Trudeau's plane lands near Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's plane landed in West Palm Beach, Fla., this evening, not far from where incoming U.S. president Donald Trump's transition team is based at his Mar-a-Lago estate, but the Prime Minister's Office is refusing to comment on whether the two are meeting.
'Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!': Details emerge in Boeing 737 incident at Montreal airport
New details suggest that there were communication issues between the pilots of a charter flight and the control tower at Montreal's Mirabel airport when a Boeing 737 made an emergency landing on Wednesday.
Hit man offered $100,000 to kill Montreal crime reporter covering his trial
Political leaders and press freedom groups on Friday were left shell-shocked after Montreal news outlet La Presse revealed that a hit man had offered $100,000 to have one of its crime reporters assassinated.
Trudeau appears unwilling to expand proposed rebate, despite pressure to include seniors
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau does not appear willing to budge on his plan to send a $250 rebate to 'hardworking Canadians,' despite pressure from the opposition to give the money to seniors and people who are not able to work.
Cucumbers sold in Ontario, other provinces recalled over possible salmonella contamination
A U.S. company is recalling cucumbers sold in Ontario and other Canadian provinces due to possible salmonella contamination.
John Herdman resigns as head coach of Toronto FC
John Herdman, embroiled in the drone-spying scandal that has dogged Canada Soccer, has resigned as coach of Toronto FC.
Billboard apologizes to Taylor Swift for video snafu
Billboard put together a video of some of Swift’s achievements and used a clip from Kanye West’s music video for the song “Famous.”
Trudeau says no question Trump is serious on tariff threat
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says incoming U.S. president Donald Trump's threats on tariffs should be taken seriously.
In a shock offensive, insurgents breach Syria's largest city for the first time since 2016
Insurgents breached Syria's largest city Friday and clashed with government forces for the first time since 2016, according to a war monitor and fighters, in a surprise attack that sent residents fleeing and added fresh uncertainty to a region reeling from multiple wars.