Get ready, foodies of Toronto, because Chefs Craig Harding and Julian D’Ippolito are about to sprinkle a dash of Italian magic on the Queen West area with their newest culinary adventure, Bar Prima! 🍝🍷

BAR PRIMA BANKS ON QUEEN WEST

Picture this: you step into Bar Prima, and suddenly, you’re transported to a place that feels like it’s been around for centuries. It’s like a time machine to a bygone era, but with a modern twist to make your taste buds tango joyfully. Dimly lit ambiance? Check. Italian disco beats? Check. Vintage vibes? Double check. Harding and D’Ippolito have crafted a restaurant that’s basically the Italian equivalent of finding a treasure chest buried in your backyard.

Now, let’s talk décor. Future Studio and Biography Design are the masterminds behind this visual masterpiece. Think rich mahogany, Klein blue leather, and a marble inlay floor that’ll make your heart skip a beat. When you stroll in, you’ll be greeted by the warm, amber glow of a glass facade straight from the artistic hands of Murano, Italy. And inside? White tablecloths, a touch of gold leaf on the ceiling, and a molten vibe that screams, “I belong here.”

QUEENS UNITE AT BAR PRIMA

But enough about the aesthetics; let’s talk food! Chef de Cuisine Nicholas Iaboni, fresh from the culinary trenches at Buca Osteria & Enoteca and a stint in sunny California, is at the helm of Bar Prima’s kitchen. Expect a modern twist on classic Italian-American favourites. Handmade pasta? You bet. Mains that make you go, “Mamma mia!”? Absolutely. Their take on a “Rockefeller” with East Coast Diver Scallops is destined for fan-favorite status. And if that’s not enough, how about Pasta al Forno, Sea Bream Acqua Pazza, and a tantalizing Stone Fruit Jubilee? And let’s not forget the wine – classic Italian labels and some fabulous natural wines from across Europe and beyond.

Chef Craig Harding sums it up perfectly: “Bar Prima is a refreshing twist on a classic Italian restaurant. We’re excited to offer Toronto something new that we haven’t seen done before – elevated Italian cuisine with a backdrop of old-school charm.” 🎉

Bar Prima is now open at 1136 Queen West! 🇮🇹🍽️🥂 for dine-in service only.

All images courtesy Bar Prima.