OTTO Trattoria — Restaurant in Toronto

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of visiting Otto Trattoria, and I must say, it surpassed all my expectations. From the moment I stepped in, the warm and welcoming nature of the owner and staff made me feel right at home. The beautiful renovations added a touch of elegance to the ambiance, setting the stage for an unforgettable dining experience.

To begin, we indulged in a refreshing, crisp beer and a meticulously crafted espresso martini. Our appetizers, the polenta fries and speducci, were absolute gems. The polenta fries boasted a tantalizingly crispy exterior, giving way to a warm fluffy interior, perfectly complemented by the accompanying marinara sauce. The speducci, cooked to perfection, left me with an explosion of flavors, effortlessly melt-in-your-mouth. Served alongside a bed of lightly seasoned fries, it was a match made in heaven.

The exceptional quality of the cocktails prompted me to try an amaretto sour, which turned out to be a refreshing revelation. Bursting with freshness and brimming with deliciousness, it was a true testament to the skill of the mixologist.

For our main courses, we ordered the parpadelle & fungi and diavolo pizza. The parpadelle & fungi, a harmonious symphony of creaminess and rich flavors, showcased the chef's dedication to using fresh ingredients and cooking pasta to absolute perfection. Undoubtedly, it is a dish that should not be missed. As for the diavola pizza, it exemplified the artistry of a master pizzaiolo. The dough was expertly prepared, the crust achieved the ideal balance of crispiness, and the sauce boasted a delightful blend of flavors, with just the right amount of spiciness. A glass of perfectly paired pinot grigio elevated the meal to new heights, culminating in a dining experience that can only be described as perfection.

The prices at Otto Trattoria are fair, considering the outstanding quality of the ingredients and the impeccable execution of every dish. It is evident that the culinary team takes immense pride in their craft. Words fail to fully capture the magnificence of my dining experience, and I wholeheartedly recommend Otto Trattoria to anyone. I am already eagerly anticipating my next visit; this is a place I simply cannot...

Went there on opening night with a friend. We shared a Bone-in Veal Chop, Diavolo Pizza and Caprese Salad. Veal was cooked medium rare, as we asked and to perfection. Vegetables were perfectly seasoned also. Caprese Salad was crisp. The Pizza was PHENOMENAL, Authentic Neapolitan and reminded me of Pizza Libretto when they first opened, only better. Everyone's had Pizza a million times but the Diavolo (Fior di latte, Sopressata, Black Olives) at Otto to me was top 10, ever. My friend and I also had 2 Cocktails each. Their version of the Basil Smash and Old Fashioned. Both tasted great. Great first experience under a fair amount of pressure on opening night.

Fast Forward 48 hrs. Here I am again, this time solo and chose to sit at the bar. Ordered a Negroni and started the evening on a right note.

My starter was the "Rucula" - Arugula salad with orange, fennel, pine nuts lemon vinaigrette. Again, crisp, fresh & balanced. Pasta was Pappardelle & Fungi - Porcini mushroom cream sauce & drizzled with truffle oil, shaved Parmigiano. Pasta was cooked al-dente and thankfully not swimming in mushroom cream sauce. Service was attentive, prices are fair considering the quality of ingredients. If this place continues to consistently bang out this quality food, I'll be there 3 times a week.

Pictures below honestly don't do it justice. Stop by and show...

If a place leaves you wanting to come back and try more dishes, they are doing something right!

Pssst… ask for that chili oil, the green one - different than the ones I have at Italian restos in Toronto. I loved adding that in - one might say I had it a little too much haha but the items below with a touch of this put my south-asian tastebuds in a happy place 😁

These are the items we tried:

Pizze Bianco - Fungi: basic but yummy! Mushrooms, truffle oil, white base wood oven pizza

Papardelle & Fungi: creamy mushroom pasta - flavourful! Only thing I’d do is add chicken next time

Gnocchi - Al Gorgonzola: my husband tried it from a friend and said he would go back for this one. I don’t like the item Gnocchi in general but I would wanna try this one out next time.

The thing that I didn’t love is that you gotta buy the starter bread and usually in Italian places in Toronto like these, it’s a warm welcome gesture. Then even when you buy it, not good bread.

We went as a big group for a bday - considering the chaos that sometimes happen with a big group, the service was great and the food was delish! Gotta give a heads up thought, the place was a bit tight knit, wouldn’t recommend for big groups especially if someone has to get up to the washroom. Definitely a cozy vibe though that is perfect for a date night or...