HAVE YOU EATEN HERE YET? - TORONTO RESTAURANTS THAT SHOULD BE ON YOUR RADAR (PART 1)
Let’s just say this - Toronto has come a looooooong way in the recent past when it comes to top notch dining options. It wasn’t so long ago that there were but a handful of great restaurants that everyone angled to try to go to, mostly for special occasions. But now, the city is chock-a-block full with excellent options - literally. New restaurants are cropping up (and sometimes, sadly, disappearing) all the time and there is some serious celebrity cache behind the scenes.
What is even more exciting, especially to a wine geek like me, is the emergence of amazing wine lists at a lot of the restaurants in Toronto. Both by the glass and bottle options have become more interesting and compelling, even when measured by a fairly sophisticated yardstick.
I’ve been thinking for a while that I should be sharing a bit more on this blog about all of the great restaurants that I visit in Toronto and I’m finally taking the leap! Let’s see if this feature continues - I’ll have to see what I can squeeze into a day - but for now, let me tell you about a wonderful little gem I recently visited that you definitely should have on your radar if you live in and around Toronto or plan to come here for a visit!
Osteria Giulia Restaurant - 134 Avenue Road (Yorkville)
THE RESTAURANT:
Situated in one of Toronto’s swankiest neighbourhoods (Yorkville), Osteria Giulia is a sleek and modern haven. The sister restaurant of Giulietta, one of Toronto’s most venerable dining establishments, Osteria Giulia is intended to deliver a more mature, Italian coastal inspired menu to diners.
The restaurant is owned by Chef Rob Rossi and David Minicucci (used to own L’Unita in the same spot). Chef Rob Rossi was the runner up on the first season of Canada’s Master Chef and has a long list of career highlights at top restaurants in his pocket.
From the outside, you may very well not notice it. On the inside, the restaurant’s decor is minimalist, with soothing beige, copper and beach wood trims and fixtures. You’ll be greeted by a small bar with friendly staff and a few small candles when you first walk through the door and before you are seated in the long, narrow dining room that seats only 60-odd diners at full capacity. It is a little bit like walking into a trendy hotel in the Caribbean - in the best possible way.
THE FOOD AND SERVICE:
Think Italy, but not typical run-of-the-mill Italian fare but rather, food from the coastal area of Liguria. Liguria is in the northern-west part of Italy, sitting just under Piedmont, and it’s Mediterranean coastline is often referred to as the “Italian Riviera”. Liguria’s capital city is Genoa but it is probably more famously associated with the stunning and highly touristed area of Cinque Terre, a string of 5 seaside villages high up on cliffs.
The significance of this factoid is not minor, nor trite. I share this because the food at Osteria Giulia is unique in the most pleasing way. The decent-sized menu is filled with delightful and unique surprises that will sound somewhat familiar….but not entirely. There is an exotic twist to most of the dishes that the restaurant offers, at least from the lens of the non-italian diner who has not spent enough time in Italy in their lifetime…yet…. : )
The food here is really really good, folks. I don’t think you will be disappointed. Service is deft, attentive and discreet. Love.
THE WINE LIST
Here’s where - at least to my wine obsessed mind - Osteria Giulia shines.
The wine list is HUGE (300+ bottles, I believe!)….and it is full of lots of options of the Italian persuasion. There is literally something to suit every budget, preference and knowledge level. If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you’ll know that I’m obsessed with Italian varietals that are not readily available in my province of Ontario….and there are loads of such options on this wine list!
We had a lovely red wine from Lazio at the advice of the restaurant Somm and we were very pleased. Top marks to this restaurant’s wine list, for sure!
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
Definitely go - and soon. Your mouth and soul will thank you. Oh - and book early, because this isn’t a big place and the people that know about it love it and are dining there on the regular.
If you’ve tried this restaurant already, or decide to try it after reading this post, I’d love to hear from you and hear what you think of it! Please do drop me a line.
Until next time, wishing you love, light and of course - good food & wine!……
Cheers…..XOXO
Do you love wine and want to learn more?
If you love wine and want to learn more, be sure to check out the Wineitupanotch Podcast!
Hosted by a self proclaimed wine geek and mom of two, the goal of The Wineitupanotch Podcast is to share small chunks of wine knowledge in an easy to digest and accessible fashion….all mixed in with a dose of real life!
New episodes are released weekly! Be sure to tune in and subscribe - you’ll be sure to learn a lot and LOL from time to time too!
Other Recent Wineitupanotch Blog Posts That You Might Enjoy!
WINE OF THE WEEK - 2021 Halos de Jupiter Côtes-du-Rhône