Bye Bye Roy Square

[juunbug25]

I went to Ritz today for lunch with a friend and there was a notice that says it will be closed in December . Apparently, the new condo will be built very very soon. This is a sad sad day for those of us who likes cheap and affordable food in an otherwise expensive area. Gone will be many many restaurants with offering under $5. I don't think Ginger is affected so at least there is still that choice and Falafel House has already moved across the street.

[Googs]

Tell you what. If all of these restos want to move to a neighbourhood that appreciates well-priced ethnic food, there are a ton of empty spaces on Parliament between Gerrard and Wellesley.

[juunbug25]

Roy Square is now gone, I went to Banana Leaf last week and they asked for my email address. They were taking down everyone's email.

[xssnrg]

Would you please let me know where they land? I am missing the hot and sour - it was my fav in the city!

[Mike Tyson]

I liked their mango chicken ;)

[xssnrg]

Pathetic. I am sitting here - full and fine and still missing that food!

[Mike Tyson]

What did you just eat???

[xssnrg]

Penne with spicy sausage and dried tomato cream sauce. So good!

[Mike Tyson]

haha sausage fest!!!!!!!!!!!!!! j/k ;)

sausage also goes well with steamed jasmine rice and veggies btw...

[xssnrg]

I am not such a big fan of jasmine rice for some reason... sorry I didn't respond - chow went down.

[Mike Tyson]

No prob... meh steamed rice from the cooker is good..... doesn't have to be jasmine lol.

[Teep]

I will miss Roy's Garden - they will close down as they can't find an affordable place in the area. The quality is so-so but it was great to have authentic Cantonese fast food right next to where I work (e.g. fish balls and rice vermicelli soup with preserved veggies).

[Tara9000]

Yeah, the two I'll miss are Roy Garden (sigh, loved the Mongolian Chicken), and The Salad House, especially since I am still "being good" with my new year's resolution.

Teep - we may work at the same company and not even know it. :)

[Teep]

Sorry, there isn't a Tara on our floor! :-)

For healthy, try Simply Zoup on Yonge (just across from Roys Square), there are a couple of nice low fat soups (as well as lovely high fat ones!)

[SNACKeR]

I miss the Roy Sq. Ritz. The Australian(?) woman who worked the cash was always really nice, even when the pressure was on.

[pearlD]

Is everything gone at Roy's Square?

[Tara9000]

Not yet. The Salad House, Roy Garden (the chinese place), and Biryani House are still there (ones accessible from the lane way). On the outside strip, Harvey's, Toby's, and The Fallafel House are still open. From what I hear, it seems like these places will be around until the third week of January.

Then I guess it's ground-breaking time.

[Mike Tyson]

They are probably closing off that subway entrance into the lane too right? obviously.

[tartiflette]

Sigh. Yet another interesting Toronto neighbourhood gem bites the dust courtesy of your local friendly developer. Fear not, locals... I'm sure their generic street-level retail will include a Starbucks, a dry cleaner, and a Lululemon to replace the interesting variety of ethnic foods you could previously buy at that corner.

I'll definitely miss Banana Leafs. They were one of the last remaining places in the Yonge/Bloor area that offered healthy, tasty and generously portioned food for reasonable prices. :(

[Mike Tyson]

yeah I liked Banana Leaf. Their soups were alright.

I liked their Mango chicken, curries, etc.

[juunbug25]

I've been eating their special almost every day the last two weeks. For $3.99, it's a steal.. i see the Jamaican place already shut down. RIP Roy square!

[Mike Tyson]

The other Ritz on Yonge intimidate me... too small... crowded... slow... meh.

[xssnrg]

Oh noooo! Banana Leaf was a destination for hot and sour soup. Used to get it when my hairdresser (Solo Bace) was next door. It's the hot and sour by which all others are measured for me. Hope they land somewhere!

[DDD]

not to mention biryani house!

[Mike Tyson]

Biryani House is still there till Jan 26th I believe.

So hurry hurry hurry!

[DDD]

I think they will be relocating afterwards

[fickle]

The Biryani house relocated to Hayden street, in between Focaccia and their takeout spot where the sushi place used to be. I think it's 15 Hayden? They're open and they were very busy tonight when I walked past.

[xtal]

I'm going to miss that little alley. Especially the Biryani House there.

[jayt90]

Roy's Square was a great short cut for cab drivers turning right from Yonge St. northbound to Bloor St. east.

[Mike Tyson]

damn condos! sigh.

[OnDaGo]

Ritz also has another location around Yonge and Wellesley

[hungry_pangolin]

I think that there's one one the west side of Yonge, just steps north of College, by the Starbucks.

[OnDaGo]

Yup and another one further north... by Wellesley

[Mike Tyson]

I like the curry goat at the Yonge/College area Ritz more than Roy Square.

Roy Square Ritz sometimes has good jerk chicken, ackee + salt fish, fried chicken though.