FIGO Italian Restaurant Toronto — Restaurant in Toronto

I really enjoyed the food and it’s a nice ambiance. It stands out in Toronto as one of the more affordable spots that is just as good quality. I’ve been for brunch and dinner.

Brunch - The truffle ricotta is good, nothing particularly unique but tasty as you’d expect - I think they make their own ricotta. Pancakes weren’t memorable or special but good.

Dinner is what had the standout food! The pomodoro pasta was to die for!! It was dripping in sundried tomatoes & just loaded with parm and had a bit of chili (wasn’t spicy). The parm made it almost like a rosé instead of a pure tomato sauce. I would come back just for this dish. In fact, already planning when I can return to eat it again.

The truffle gnocchi on the specials menu was also very yummy, though not crispy as described. Very delicious pan seared ricotta gnocchi in a truffle cream sauce, with perfectly executed crisp umami veg on top and truffle shavings. Gnocchi taste and texture were perfect - and I’m very picky about gnocchi! I also usually don’t like mushrooms in restaurants because I find the texture gooey/soggy, but these were perfectly crisp.

Pastas were both relatively small portions, but just right for 1 person’s main without feeling overly full.

The fried zucchini was good but personally not worth the calories. Definitely unique if you like fried zucchini though- it was a light, airy tempura type batter (compared to the denser one used in Greek fried zucchini) with a honey sauce & aioli.

The broccolini side was superrr spicy. Full of chili flakes, huge slices of raw garlic, shallot & breadcrumbs. I really liked it but not for the faint of heart. Broccolini was fresh, crunchy, and not greasy.

Tiramisu was average, regular run of the mill - like I’ve had at countless other restaurants, personally wouldn’t order again. Thought it could’ve used more cream to ladyfinger ratio but it was pretty classic/traditional.

It’s also a nice ambiance - trendy place and service was good (for the most part - till she served the tiramisu with large forks! Then when we asked for spoons she brought out huge ones. Do they not have dessert spoons?! …They also didn’t course our meal and served the pastas before the appetizer).

Overall for the price, ambiance, location, and quality of food I’d give it 5 stars and will definitely be back.

If it was pricier (in league of Vela) I’d expect better service and each dish to be outstanding, and would probably knock off a star. However I will be thinking about that...

This review starts strictly by happenstance, as we had a no idea where to eat before our Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat performance at the Princess of Whales theatre. Having lived in Toronto all my life, covid really put a stop to us eating downtown..so it felt almost lost walking downtown after a couple of years of lockdown. Walking around, and hungry, the most amazing smell you can imagine was floating in the air…looking around I see hooters, and almost immediately think..no way..and this review is definitely NOT about hooters. Following the aroma, we ended up entering through this small quaint entrance to a very chic, yet inviting and cozy restaurant. Still having no idea what the establishments name was, we asked to be seated. It was busy, and the only seats available were these super cool high top tables that span the length of the restaurant. Harry our server comes over and we ask the name of the restaurant and explain that literally we followed our noses and ended up here. We were famished so we looked over the menu - all was Italian and super authentic. Orders some house cab sauv and their signature cocktail (something with rosemary burning..). The drinks came and they were delicious..the signature cocktail was incredible! We didn’t really order in any particular order, but ended up with their Margherita Pizza, Porchetta pizza, TONNARELLI CACIO E PEPE, CRUDO DI TONNO and and of their PATATA. The food came out relatively quickly, having a short time span before the show, Harry smartly had the food come out as it was ready- in our case all at the same time- what a feast! The smells were incredible- just like outside! The pizza’s were thin and baked in traditional wood burning stove style. They bubbled and ballooned up in all the right ways and the marinara sauce was to die for! Perfecto as my kids say and highly recommend their pizzas! The pasta was a show stopper in my opinion..perfect al dente, garlicky and scrumptious..another recommendation for sure. The patata was ordered by peeling over at other tables - what I thought looked like a mountain of fries, but instead it was a dish of what I would deceive as breakfast potatoes (the only miss I think in our meal) as the mountain of fries I later found out was their fried zucchini (which I suppose I should have asked Harry about)! All the flavours were amazing, the acidity was on point and the service was top notch. A little on the pricier side, but I definitely will be going back for a...

A few disappointing moments from today’s brunch experience at Figo:

1, We made a reservation. When we arrived, there were no other guests in the restaurant so all seats are open. The usher is reluctant to take us to the couch seating area next to window because ‘they are for reserved guests’ - but we made a reservation and there was no sign saying we need to select couch seating specifically. This is baffling. After we were seated, we noticed a group of non-minority race guests being guided to the window seat. I wonder why our experience differs? Is this some implicit racism? Would like an explanation from FIGO.

2, No service after the first bottle of water and after the food is served. No one came check on us or refill the water bottle.

3, We were seated at the table right next to the kitchen, which is scorching hot. There were 3 big fat flies keep flying around our food and attempted to have a bite. It is very disturbing and I don’t believe we are the only people that saw them in this entire restaurant. No action was taken by any server or restaurant manager. Considering it is right next to the kitchen and the flies obviously have free access to the kitchen too, this is utterly disturbing. The cleanliness is questionable.

The table also feels sticky and greasy.

4, After we finished our meal, we waited for another 10 minutes and no one came to ask if we need anything or if want to have the bill. So we asked someone to bring the bill. I don’t think the service deserve 18% tip (which btw is the lowest default option on their machine). I wanted to provide some feedback to the server so hopefully this can be improved so I said ‘just wanted to explain to you that I won’t be giving a handsome tip because there are three big flies keep hanging around our food, it was not a pleasant experience for us.’ He said to me: ‘you should take it out to our manager, not to us.’ ????????? Suddenly he is the victim? I am not taking it out on anybody I just thought you would appreciate the feedback. Plus, I still gave 12% tip!! For the close to zero service we got, this is very generous. What an attitude! This is unbelievable.

Well that pretty much ruined a Saturday brunch with family that is supposed to be sweet and fun. I am the one that recommended my family friends to FIGO as I was a frequent customer. I guess not anymore.

Very disappointing from all aspects.

Food is mediocre.

Pls see attached the photo of one of brunch...