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Luke Donato and Nick Manzone’s restaurant will offer Torontonians rich Italian delicacies.
Are you craving a unique restaurant experience that blends modernity and tradition? Do you want to try Italian delicacies in their most authentic style? Notable chefs Luke Donato and Nick Manzone are all set to open Occhiolino, their latest Toronto restaurant in late fall this year.
Occhiolino, meaning “wink” in Italian, will provide a traditional and colourful take on Mediterranean food. Manzone, who has been using the Pastificio Double Zero wholesale brand for more than 10 years and has supplied the product to well-known companies throughout the city, makes the pasta on-site.
“Opening this restaurant has been a dream of mine for years,” said Occhiolino co-owner and executive chef Manzone. “I’ve spent countless hours perfecting my craft and handmade pasta, and I can’t wait to finally share it with the public in this way. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing people enjoy the food that comes straight from my heart and hands.”
What makes the restaurant and its retail offerings special is the incorporation of custom Italian techniques to give customers an authentic taste of Italy. Not just this — Occhiolino’s contemporary and vibrant brand outlook is pleasantly contrasted by its minimalist and approachable atmosphere.
Known for their innovations at Drake Commissary, Drake One Fifty and Drake Devonshire Hotel, Field Design Office created the visual identity for the restaurant, including the cheeky nod to the space’s name making sure that every component mirrored Occhiolino’s unique personality and vision.
Giving customers an authentic Italian experience, the menu offers an extensive pasta selection that represents the many regional specialties found throughout Italy. Manzone’s cooking style exemplifies the cucina povera philosophy, which emphasizes restraint and simplicity in straightforward recipes that foreground the distinct aromas of each component.
There are no rules when dining at Occhiolino. From piattini or “small-dish” items like Farinata and Spiedini di Mortadella to Schiacciare Fritti and Carne Cruda Al’Albese, the dishes are designed for people to relish in the way and order they prefer, the table their blank canvas. In addition to its flavourful food, Occhiolino offers simple, aperitivo-inspired cocktails and a carefully chosen wine list that features Italian options.
Donato, Occhiolino co-owner and general manager adds, “Accessibility was a key priority when designing the menu at Occhiolino. We wanted to create a space that everyone, no matter their budget or time constraints, could enjoy. Whether you’re dropping by for a quick delicious bowl of pasta at the bar or looking to linger with friends over a leisurely meal, Occhiolino welcomes all.” To bring the real Occhiolino experience into the home kitchen, the restaurant will have a retail store with its famous freshly made pasta and sauces for people who are always on the go. A variety of premium branded goods including hats, bags and apparel will be on sale and changed every three months.
Going to Occhiolino is the best thing to add to your bucket list so you can enjoy a traditional Italian food experience — authentic flavours with a modern touch. Situated on the corner of Bathurst and College, the restaurant will serve lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week.
occhiolino.ca
@occhiolino_pastificio
