Matty Matheson opening new restaurant in Toronto

Toronto’s very own celebrity-chef-and-restaurateur-turned-Hollywood-star, Matty Matheson is back at his old tricks, preparing to open a brand-new restaurant in the space that previously held another venture of his.

It’s been a big year for Matty Matheson. In fact — it’s been a big few.

Within the first week of 2024, the Humber College-trained chef became a Golden Globe-winner thanks to his involvement in FX’s The Bear (getting a good smack on the lips from co-star Ebon Moss-Bachrach in the process), later appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, sharing stories about his time in Toronto restaurants.

He also shut down his award-winning Dundas West Mexican joint, Fonda Balam, after three years, as business partners (and renowned chefs in their own right) Kate Chomyshyn and Julio Guajardo refocused on their own ventures — namely, their Mexican pop-up and catering project, K and J Cocina.

It appears, even though the year is rapidly coming to an end, as though Matty’s not quite done with surprises in 2024 — he’s begun teasing his latest spot in the city which, funnily enough, is set to take over the space which formerly housed Fonda Balam.

Bar Clams, the latest venture from Matheson and Our House Hospitality Company (who represent Matheson’s other properties in and around Toronto) will be serving up regional cuisine that’s quite the departure from Balam’s Mexican fare indeed — it’s a Maritime Diner.

For those who’ve not had the distinct pleasure of dining at the family-owned greasy spoons and beachside fish shacks of east coast Canada (I, having grown up spending the summers at my grandparent’s place in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, have,) the choice — and the news that the Maritimes have their own distinct cuisine, in fact — may come as a surprise.

For New Brunswick-born and Halifax-raised Matheson, though, it’s a match made in heaven.

While some of the finer details about the restaurant, including what it’ll look like and when, exactly, it’s going to open, are seemingly being kept under wraps, a freshly-made website shows just what fans of the nostalgic flavours of old-school east coast joints would hope for — right down to the Jigg’s Dinner.

Expect a seafood bounty including everything from raw oysters and clams, lobster served hot or cold, shrimp cocktail and steamed mussels, on top of hearty, nostalgic hits like a hot turkey sandwich (which, if Matheson’s really committed to authenticity, will be served swimming in gravy,) donair and fried rutabaga sandwiches.

The booze offerings look similarly impressive, with a selection of cocktails that riff on classics like Bloody Maries and Rum Punch and a lengthy list of Canadian Whiskies alongside the usual suspects.

While Bar Clams did not return blogTO’s request for comment on the restaurant’s opening date, its social media promises that the Maritime diner is “coming soon.”

Bar Clams will be located at 802 Dundas West.