King Street West is brimming with spots vying for your next night out, but Cassius on King deserves to be at the top of your list. The full title, Cassius Cucina Contemporanea, is an ambitious supper club that brings la dolce vita to the heart of the entertainment district. It’s bursting with Italian charm—and the whole team speaks the language fluently, in every sense.
Cassius on King Reigns Supreme
Like going to Italy without leaving the city, as soon as you step inside the sumptuous space, you feel as though you’ve traveled to a movie set. The centrepiece? A grand and glowing low bank, which we’re told later is where the girls get up to dance late at night. That fits right into this neighbourhood of bars, clubs and restobars. But Cassius on King strays from the flock with Italian intention.
Bassano del Grappa, Italy, is the hometown of Executive Chef Michael Frigo. He credits extensive travel with stints in top kitchens in Mexico, Australia and London. Toronto has quickly become home for Chef, but he says India is his next big culinary adventure.
Cassius on King: A Taste of Italy, Tailored for King Street
A wall of top-tier wines and plenty of lush greenery support the Season Two White Lotus vibes that keep floating in the air. This hotspot may be bustling late at night, but that doesn’t mean the food isn’t an absolute obsession for the team.
Charted in classic Italian style, Crudo, Insalate, etc., the menu explores Italian staples, like risotto. Chef Frigo injects his creativity and culinary swagger into each dish. Flavour is big, plating is bright, and there are pops of unexpected influences throughout the menu.
Case in point, the Polpo e Caramello ($54, lead photo). Octopus is a central protein and hallmark of Mediterranean diets, but here, Chef crowns this cephalopod in tea-infused salted caramel sauce and creamy burrata. It’s cooked perfectly and is one of our favourite dishes.
The Pizzettes range from $19-36 and are hefty in size and toppings. We devoured the Bresaola e Carciofi ($32) with an artichoke base and layers of cured meat. Seafood is a focus for the kitchen, and Ravioli Aragosta ($42, bottom left) is a standout. Handmade egg yolk pasta tenderly encapsulates ricotta cheese, with lobster and salmon roe studding the dish. It’s beautiful and bright and built to share.
Redefining Italian in the Heart of the City
More seafood delights include the Capasanta ($36, bottom left), a deep dish of larded scallops, resting on a velvety bed of corn cream and topped with kale and popcorn. Equal parts fun and flavour, Chef strikes a balance again with this well-composed dish.
Another celebrated Mediterranean plate brings Tonno ($29, top right), with cantalope, mint and hot peppers, it’s a light summer dish. Insalata Verde ($16, bottom right) is fresh and dressed simply to let the ingredients shine.
Do not miss dessert, the dolci is a real draw and favours classic Italian dishes. Semifreddo Rocher ($21) is a delightful play on the infamous Italian truffle. Here, it’s a chocolate lover’s dream with layers of mousse and Valrhona chocolate.
Drinks flow easily, of course. Cocktails like the Ketel One Vodka Espresso Martini ($19) or Spicy Margarita ($18) are both made with care. Wines are almost exclusively Italian, too. Bottle service is a practical way to experience a night out, and here you have almost limitless options.
Perfect for date night and girls’ night out, King Cassius is calling. So, if that Italian Riviera getaway is just out of reach, this is a glorious second place.
Cassius is ready to court you on Fridays and Saturdays with a DJ spinning live sets after July 18. Weekday events like Aperitivo Hour on Thursdays and Fridays, and Crudo Raw Bar Wednesdays make Cassius a clubhouse six days a week.
Join Cassius on King for La Domenica brunch on July 13, 27th and August 10 and 24th.
Cassius is located at 624 King St W.
Follow Cassius @cassiusonking.
All images by Libby Roach.
Thank you, Cassius on King for hosting!