Winner of the 2001 Golden Spoon Award for Best Risotto in Toronto, Romagna Mia's Risotto con Fagiano e Tartufo is a risotto with pheasant ragout and black truffle pate and it is a perennial signature dish. It is also one of Romagna's pricier selections. If you are looking for something a little cheaper, the Carpaccio di Polipo is one of Romagna's more adventurous dishes and features thinly sliced octopus on a bed of arugula, tomatoes and cream of celery root. Another highly recommended dish is the Risotto alla Forma con Tartufo e Noci, which is a risotto that Romagna risotto dish that is flambéed in a Parmigiano-Reggiano wheel. Reservations are recommended.
Romagna Mia
106 Front Street East
Toronto, ON M5A 1E1, Canada
(416) 363-8370
romagna-mia.com/
Grano is especially ideal in the summer because patrons can dine outside on its rustic back patio. The prices are reasonable and the dinner menu includes appetizing selections like the salsiccia and quaglia, which is a spicy berkshire pork & liver sausage served with quail. Be sure to save some room for dessert and order the white chocolate and raspberry tart, which was singled out by Frommer's as one of Grano's best menu options. Grano also hosts frequent events such as meet and greets with celebrated fashion designers as well as an ongoing "Language and Linguine" Italian lesson series. Reservations are recommended.
Grano
2035 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON M4S 2A2, Canada
(416) 440-1986
grano.ca/
An excellent casual dining spot, Cafe Diplomatico is ideal if you are looking for a first rate but decidedly low key night of wine, pizza and cappuccino. A staple of Toronto's now gentrified Little Italy section, Cafe Diplomatico offers such pleasing fare as cheese caneloni with bolognese sauce and Uncle Paul's Antipasto, which features bocconcino cheese and your daily helping of grilled vegetables.
Cafe Diplomatico
594 College Street
Toronto, ON M6G 1B3, Canada
(416) 534-4637
diplomatico.ca/
