Toronto’s Enoteca Sociale unveils redesign with family-style menu

Toronto – Located in Toronto’s vibrant Little Portugal neighbourhood, Italian restaurant Enoteca Sociale, has reopened its doors with a new family-style menu and redesign featuring an open kitchen and Chef’s Bar.

Enoteca Sociale, established in 2010 by partners Rocco Agostino and Max Rimaldi, is known for traditional Roman cuisine. The restaurant now has a four-seat Chef’s Bar with a Roman Tasting Menu experience. Tried-and-true classics like Cacio e Pepe, Amatriciana and Carbonara will be served alongside a new four-course family-style menu, the restaurant said in a news release. The restaurant’s pasta and bread will continue to be made fresh in house daily. In addition to the menu expansion, a larger range of wines hand-selected by Chef di Cucina Kyle Rindinella, will be offered, allowing patrons to experience varietals from Italy not typically available in Toronto.

Chef di Cucina Kyle Rindinella. Photo courtesy Enoteca Sociale.

“The new Chef’s Bar will be the highlight of the space for me, where my kitchen team and I will be showcasing our most-loved dishes through a Roman Tasting Menu, and pairing them with some of our favourite wines,” Chef Rindinella said. “With the relaunch, we will be taking a more in-depth focus on Roman classics and flavours while working closely with local farmers and suppliers to highlight Southern Ontario’s offerings.”

Rindinella joined the Enoteca Sociale team in 2017 and has recently been appointed to the role of Chef di Cucina. He is excited to be launching the new look and family-style set menus.

Originally from Milano, Italy, Rindinella spent his teenage years in Brampton, before returning in 2015 to Trieste, Italy, where he honed his culinary skills and grew his appreciation for regional Italian cuisine.

Enoteca has a new open kitchen, complete with a four-seat Chef’s Bar. The intimate seating will allow the guests to enjoy coursed meals designed by the chef that are inspired by both imported Italian and locally sourced ingredients available in the kitchen that day.

Toronto design agency FutureStudio did the redesign. “From a design perspective, Enoteca Sociale has always taken major inspiration from Rome,” owner Max Rimaldi said. “Without being too literal with design, we want guests to feel like they just discovered a cozy restaurant tucked away in Piazza Navona or Campo de’ Fiori.”

Enoteca Sociale’s Roman-inspired interior design is reminiscent of classic Italian architecture and is reflected in the beautiful walnut columns, fluting details in the walnut walls, bar fronts and vintage light fixtures. New luxurious banquette seating sets the tone for a lively meal with friends and family, making every seat the best seat in the house, while plush Persian rugs and soft lighting mirror the warmth of their comforting menu and friendly staff.

The private dining room located on the lower level features views of the restaurant’s large collection of Italian wines and extensive curing room where N’duja and Guanciale are prepared in house.