Looking for Best Italian Fine Dining in Toronto

[indiegirl2]

Which is the best restaurant with the best wine list?

[chrisco]

Sotto Sotto was amazing. It's a crowded little place in the basement. The tables are really close together and it seems to thrive on the hype that a lot of celebrities have eaten there. The food was good.

I'd also recommend Queen's Pasta in the Bloor West Village. Its clientele is a little less obnoxious. A lot of Italians seem to frequent it. The shrimp anti-pasto appetizer was the star of the meal, although the pasta itself was still absolutely fantastic.

[dinin and dishin]

I had the worst, most insulting service I've EVER had while at Sotto Sotto. The waiter was so concerned about one table of minor celebs, that he treated all his other tables like dirt. The manager just stood with his back to the restaurant and couldn't care less about what was going on. Even a call to them the next day was met with total indifference. As such, I wouldn't send my worst enemy there. Unless you are a celeb, just stay clear of this place. Go to Zucca for better food and truly warm and inviting service.

[visualhornet]

Marinello's right beside The Corned Beef House, Best Pasta Hands down, Pasta made fresh everday, Try the lasagna it's like butter and shells and so soft topped Highly recommend

[DDD]

I've never heard of Marinello's - is it fine dining or more casual? Is it near the cornd beef place on Adelaide?

[erly]

I would vote for Zucca and Mistura
I like Noce, but it is not fine dining.
It is close to work, so we do go there.
The staff are very nice, but it reminds me more of the many upstate N.Y. New York Italian restaurants.
Satisfied, but nothing stands out.

[LK1975]

I recommend Mezza Notte Trattoria at Yonge and Empress...good food, good price, and I assume good wine list (I don't drink).

If you like house wine, check out Desserts Plus in Vaughan.

[wordsworth]

Bring your earplugs. The place is loud that you can't hear yourself think. It's the only restaurant that I avoid simply because of the noise level.

[artificialard]

Noce has come up a few times and I have to say we were met with rude and arrogant service when we went with a large table and while the main were competent, there was nothing extraordinary about them at all.

[DDD]

I agree, I think that the quality of the cooking has diminished over the past 5 years at Noce. I actually thought the service was quite good though.

[thenurse]

In no particular order...

Noce
Via Allegro
Sotto Sotta

I have to disagree with the recommendation of Zucca. I was quite disappointed when I was there. Although I know I'm in the minority.

[kasey j miller]

I also forgot about Nocce, amazing restaurant. Always a wonderful meal.

[FlyingChef]

Biaggo,Via A. great Food lousy service & High prices,Romaga Mia.

[ishmael]

Whenever the topic of Italian restaurants comes up on this board it amazes me that Noce gets very little if any mention. In my opinion it is consistently one of the best Italian places in Toronto-- along with Mistura and La fenice. Any other opinions on this place??

[orangewasabi]

I love Noce -- and forgot to mention it, my bad. I agree, it's up there with Mistura and La Fenice.

[kasey j miller]

There is also Zucca Trattoria on Yonge, south of Eglinton. Homemade pastas are good. My own experience there was not great (very poor service) but I've heard very good things from others on this board.

[spades]

I haven't been there in a few years, but I had a few nice meals at La Vecchia at Yonge n' Egg. Kinda upscale but not overly so. Wine list had a few decent picks from Tuscany.

[sweetspotlee]

On Yonge, NORTH of Eg, this is the best Italian resto.

[jmeeee]

I like the ambiance at La Vecchia but the food was mediocre at best. My friend ordered the risotto and it was way too undercooked. I forgot what I ordered but if it tasted amazing I would have remembered.

[orangewasabi]

personally, I really love the grilled seafoods at La Fenice, as well as their pastas.

[francelonian]

I second Giancarlo's. Great food, though there's a load of 'tude there. You'll have a great meal, but will leave thinking the entire wait staff is convinced you're a cultural troglodyte.

I liked - but didn't love - Coppo's. Good food, not great, and kind of bland decor - not really an *experience*.

Via Allegro is very much in the vein of the U.S. plaza restaurant - loads of decor trying to imitate atmosphere, but ultimately not succeeding. But they have very good food and an almost ridiculously extensive menu. I'm more into the intimate neighbourhood joint kind-of-thing myself.

[Singar]

In my opinion, if you want a slightly busier place (but still good atmosphere), Via Allegro is your best bet in terms of food. They are also a top place to go for wine. The entire place is surrounded by bottles and Wendy really knows her stuff.

In you want a smaller and more intimate atmosphere, then Il Mulino is excellent. Again, great wine selection.

[intheweedss]

is amalfi still on queen and church...or is it dundas..dated but good, but i haven't been in years..so..

[Non Doctor]

What about Trattoria Gian Carlo on Clinton, always had superb meals there!

[sherry f]

I would add Sapori on Yonge north of Lawrence.

[TorontoJo]

If you are a fan of amarones, then Sapori is a hidden gem. They have an entirely separate wine list with well over a hundred amarones. You have to ask for it specifically.

[sweetspotlee]

Sapori is owned by the two brothers who had my sorely missed La Bussola on Bathurst (near Lawrence). I finally got to Sapori recently and can't say that I enjoyed it. Starter bread overloaded with garlic and oil. Pasta was not bad, but nothing special.

[juno]

Allow me to add Coppi, on Yonge St. north of Lawrence, a long-time neighborhood favorite that's worth traveling across town for. Everything is wonderfully done - I'm particularly partial to the spaghetti puttanesca (the most authentic puttanesca sauce that I've tasted in Toronto) - but other dishes are just as accomplished. Interesting appetizers, sophisticated entrees, wine list a little pricier than I'd prefer, but nonetheless it's all worth it. Owner Fausto is usually on hand to make sure everything runs smoothly. A nice extra: tables are extra large and well spaced, giving you a pleasant sense of privacy - something you don't often get in many joints nowadays.

[sweetspotlee]

Ten years ago, Coppi was outstanding. In those days it was my go-to place for Italian... but then it seemed to go down a little for my taste. I've been back a few times since and have enjoyed it for sure, but it still does not seem what it used to be.

Fausto is amazing and always interested and concerned for your good dining experience. I miss the rigatoni with pesto and potato (I think there's a variant of that dish still on the menu, but it's not as good now). As well, the complimentary rosemary bread which was "bottomless" is no longer. A different bread is served.

Tiramisu: 10/10 (I think that's still the case)

[indiegirl2]

Other recommendations I have received are:
Terroni
Bravi
Biaggio
Bellini
Sotto Sotto
La Bruscetta

Any comments on these?

[TorontoJo]

Terroni is definitely not fine dining. It's great for what it is: a casual pizza and pasta place (multiple locations), but it does not fit the bill of best restaurant with best wine list. The Macallan's list is a good one. Stick with it.

[orangewasabi]

I'm surprised to see Bravi, to be honest.
Used to work across the street and ate there regularly. The food is ok, but not great.

I like that you called out Biaggio -- I still really like them too.

[dinin and dishin]

Zucca is my favourite. The service and the food are always impeccable year after year. You can check out their menu and wine list online.
http://www.zuccatrattoria.com/

I've been to Via Allegro 3 times, and I fail to see the hype. It is always way too loud and the food, while expensive and pretty to look at, just leaves me flat. The last time I was there we had to lean in and yell to hear each other so we ended up saying little(a bit of blessing since we took my mother-in-law), and it was only 6:30.

Sotto Sotto is on my permanent "never again" list after a night very horrible and insulting service. Unless you are famous enough to get fawned over, don't bother.

Camerini's on Mount Pleasant, south of Eg, is sometimes good. it used to be great. I'm not sure what the latest is on this place, but maybe others have more recent experience.

[sweetspotlee]

It's really tough to beat Zucca. I usually order what may be the most simple (and IMO tastiest) item on the menu: ciriole al pomodoro piccante (freshly made daily on premises thick noodles with tomato fillets, basil, fresh peperoncino and olive oil). If hungry, tell them you want a portion-and-a-half (not on the menu, but they'll gladly do that). Regular portion is a mere $13!!

Of all the Italian restos I've been to in Toronto, Zucca is by far my fave.