Toronto’s master of the brasserie is heading north of Bloor. Chef Nick Liu, the force behind Cafe Renee, its upstairs cocktail bar Charlemagne and Little Italy’s DaiLo, is preparing a brand-new concept called Woodlyns, and it is landing on Eglinton West.
The pitch is a pas de deux of Jewish and Asian cuisines, a pairing that sounds bold on paper but fits Liu’s track record of blending traditions in a way that feels natural. He has partnered with head chef Josh Ling, whose resume includes stints at DaiLo, Vela and Cafe Renee as well as Hong Kong’s Michelin-starred Vea, and with Jeff Goldstein, a lawyer, entrepreneur and lifelong resident of the neighbourhood Woodlyns will serve. The opening was expected in October 2026, so keep an eye on the restaurant’s channels for a date.
The location matters as much as the menu. Eglinton West has a rich culinary history but is still rebuilding after more than a decade of disruptive TTC construction, and a high-profile restaurant from a chef with a loyal downtown following could be exactly the kind of anchor the strip needs.
It also reflects a wider trend. Chefs who made their names in the core are increasingly looking at neighbourhoods where rents are friendlier, locals are hungry for something special and a good restaurant can become part of the community’s identity.
Whether you grew up on matzo ball soup, dim sum or both, this is one to watch.
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