Yorkville’s dining scene is getting a major high-society shakeup, and if you love a good celebrity spot accompanied by incredible Roman pasta, you will definitely want to get this news on your radar.
Blu Ristorante, a Yorkville favourite for 17 years, recently packed up its iconic grand chandelier and made the leap down to King Street West. While Blu is settling into its sleek, contemporary new space in the bustling Financial District, its exit left behind a prime piece of Yorkville real estate — and another Toronto heavyweight is set to take over the address.
Ristorante Sotto Sotto, the ultimate star-studded clubhouse of Toronto, is officially slated to move into the former Blu space. However, you do not need to worry about changing your weekend reservation strategy just yet. A chat with a Sotto Sotto employee revealed that although the move is definitely happening, they are not packing up their wine cellar tomorrow — the big relocation is expected “in about two years.”
That two year wait gives you plenty of opportunity to enjoy the current spot at 120 Avenue Rd., which has been its homsince a devastating fire destroyed the original venue on Christmas Day back in 2014. If you have ever dined at Sotto Sotto, you know the vibe is pure old school glamour mixed with irresistible Italian comfort food. It is universally leg-endary for its iconic “Wall of Fame,” which is packed with candid photos of elite regular guests, ranging from Hollywood legends like Brad Pitt, Elton Johnand Oprah to music royalty.
Then, of course, there is Drake. The hometown hero practically treats Sotto Sotto as his personal living room, callinit his “second home” and famously shouting it out on tracks such as “5AM in Toronto” and “Pound Cake/Paris Morton Music 2”. He even had the restaurant
opened up late night just to host DJ Khaled, proving it truly is the absolute epicentre of Toronto’s VIP dining scene.
So while Blu transitions to a busier, high-energy crowd downtown, Sotto Sotto is taking a measured approach before making its own grand entrance into Blu’s former neighbourhood home. Until then, you can keep sipping fine wine, indulging in wood-grilled dishes and spotting famous faces at 120 Avenue Rd., knowing the iconic Roman spot is staying right where it is for the foreseeable future.
