Zitto Zitto Taverna is a dreamy Italian restaurant located in Toronto’s Little Italy. The nearby sibling to Sotto Voce, Zitto Zitto Taverna, boasts generous street-facing patios. With a sprawling indoor space and a cosy wood-lined bar area that boasts a few romantic two-tops for clandestine canoodling.
Zitto Zitto Taverna is at the Heart of Toronto’s Little Italy
Industry vets Anita Thomson and her partner in life and business, Alan, made quick work of the space, which was once home to the College Street institution Trattoria Giancarlo. Playing on the space’s hidden corners and floor-to-ceiling wine walls, Anita and her team embraced the angles and added some heritage features. The dining room wall is adorned with family photos of both her and Alan’s Italian upbringing.
Alan demonstrates a strong alliance to bar arts, with a clever and concise cocktail menu that plays on Sicilian influences and pairs well with the seafood-strong menu. Frizzanti de Rosa is an elegant offering of gin, Aperol and Prosecco and lush rose petals. Zitto Negroni packs a punch, also gin-based with Campari and Vermouth giving an aromatic note to this boozy blend. Wines are hard to miss, with friendly staff ready to help offer pairings on the fly.
Chef Alessandro Militello manages the grill, which is the main cooking method for Zitto Zitto Taverna’s entire menu. Recently of EVOO in nearby Yorkville, Alessandro’s talents are on full display in this open kitchen. Playing on his own Italian culture, Alessandro’s skill shines when it comes to the grill, offering flame-licked full-fish plates like this authentic Sardine alla Griglia. It presents resting on summer fresh tomatoes, grilled bread and garnished simply with a lemon wedge.
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Polpo e Patate puts Alessandro’s talents on full display, with an expertly grilled octopus balanced with tender potatoes and seasonal flourishes. Salads are a natural second, although Anita suggests finishing the meal in classic European fashion (salads last, I agree). Insalata Zitto Zitto and La Siciliana (lead photo) offer interesting and layered approaches to your typical greens.
Mains continue with seemingly effortless ease and simplistic plating, which fits with pretty plates such as these. Grigliata Mista di Pesce plays on the chef’s strengths and in-house made pasta like Pappardelle ai Funghi, nestled with walnuts, mushrooms and sundried tomatoes. Desserts are decadent and carry through the Italian theme with rotating finds like Tiramisu and rich Chocolate Cake.
With a setting befitting of its Little Italy upbringing, College Street kids are in good hands with Anita and Alan’s hotspot.
Looking for more Little Italy Love? Our love letter to College Street is here.
Find Zitto Zitto at 593 College Street, and book your table ahead ZittoZittoTaverna.ca
All photos by Libby Roach.