Reviving the Roots
Keeping the Italy in Toronto’s Little Italy
By Sal Difalco
If Manhattan’s Little Italy feels like a movie set clinging to its cinematic past, Toronto’s Little Italy still hums with echoes of la dolce vita—though it too has evolved. Once a lively hub for Italian immigrants who carved out a slice of home along College Street, this neighbourhood found its groove as a trendy place to live and be seen in the late 1990s.
Indeed, Toronto’s Little Italy grew so successful and popular that in 1997, the Utne Reader listed it as one of the five hippest neighbourhoods in North America.
Its blend of the old Italian neighbourhood, residents and villaggio amenities, together with vibrant new commercial and creative energies, made it irresistible for a diverse demographic—from the bohemian and artiste caste to lawyers, businessmen, film types and professional athletes.
It thrived during the late 1990s and early 2000s as a welcoming, lively neighbourhood with an unmistakable Italian ambiance.
“Those were magical times,” waxed the late Corrado Paina, who was executive director of the Italian Chamber of Commerce of Ontario (ICCO) and a longtime Little Italy resident, in an interview shortly before his death in April 2024. “The neighbourhood was a perfect mix of young and old and everything in between,” he recalled fondly.
“In the evenings, everyone and their mothers filled up the bars, cafes and restaurants or just strolled around. And in the summer, the patios spilled over and the streets buzzed well past midnight.”
If you had frequented or visited Little Italy during that halcyon time and recently returned to check out the old haunts, you might be surprised or even horrified to find that the neighbourhood has changed. You’ll be hard-pressed to see a nonno or nonna selecting oranges or grapes at a fruit stand, and you’ll hear less Italian spoken than ever. While the landmark CHIN building and Café Diplomatico still feature prominently, gone are many of that era’s other defining establishments, like Bar Italia, Gatto Nero, Capriccio, Giovanna’s and Bar Azzurri.
Travel Editor’s Diary
A Roman reunion for the ages
By Silvana Longo, Travel Editor
Long before social media, when there were still peak and low travel seasons, it was very important to me as an Italian/French major that I study in Italy as part of my language and cultural education.
That promise to myself came true in my fourth year at university, when I chose to complete the final course towards my degree by studying Baroque art and literature in Rome.
I had the opportunity to briefly live a local Roman life, which proved to be an enriching experience that set the tone and preference for future travel.
Decades passed and, despite the numerous trips to Italy post-graduation, I only ever saw Fiumicino airport on my way to other Italian destinations or to catch a flight back to Canada.
Finally, after a day of travel on the heels of a busy press tour in the south, all it took was a convenient 30-minute train ride on the Leonardo Express direct from the airport and (not so suddenly) eccomi, I was back in Rome! I stepped outside of the Stazione Termini delighted to see and feel the buzz of the Roman late afternoon: fast-moving cars, lights, travellers scurrying about the Piazza Dei Cinquecento.
It was already dark and a flashback of being scippata (pick-pocketed) there when I was a student came rushing to mind while I instinctively kept a watchful eye on my luggage, clutching my purse as I reached inside to answer my cell phone.
“Signora Longo, sono qui. Dove si trova?” It was the driver who came to accompany me to my hotel. He had arrived and of course proceeded to give me specific details as to where exactly he was parked at this bustling major transportation hub in the city. Any appuntamento I had in Rome tended to go that way.
It was a comedy of errors every time, involving multiple phone calls, text messages and arms flailing to catch the gaze of whoever I was meeting amidst the never-ending flurry of tourists visiting iconic landmarks.
Roam Around Lazio
From the Eternal city to the Alban Hills, blissful retreats during the Jubilee year
By Silvana Longo, Travel Editor
SINGER PALACE
Every stitch in place for a seamless, luxurious stay
Tucked into the grandeur of central Rome, the Singer Palace Hotel offers a quieter, more contemporary rhythm for discerning guests who appreciate the details. From the moment you arrive, layers of curated luxury add warmth and depth at every turn.
The spectacular Arabescato Corchia marble staircase, a graceful spiral from the building’s 1930s origins, immediately captures the eye—an architectural centerpiece that sets the tone for what lies beyond.
At the main entry, a sculptural check-in desk accented with vintage Singer sewing machines quietly nods to the building’s past as the European headquarters of the iconic brand.
This thoughtful contrast between past and present continues throughout the boutique hotel that hosts 18 rooms and 11 suites. Each room feels more like a private retreat than a typical hotel space—tranquil, beautifully lit and adorned with modern, artful Italian furnishings and rich textures. The design is elegant yet inviting, with warm tones and plush fabrics that add depth and comfort. The interiors offer a delicate balance of preserved history and contemporary expression—appealing to both lovers of classic architecture and design-forward travellers.
Tuscan Gnudi with Eggplant and Pecorino
Recipe by Chef Dario Tomaselli
Soft, pillowy and comforting, gnudi are stripped-down ravioli. Referencing the Italian word nudi, meaning naked, these delicate ricotta-based dumplings are essentially the filling of a ravioli, served without their pasta wrapper. Traditionally made with ricotta and spinach, gnudi are light yet rich, allowing the simplicity of good ingredients to take centre stage. In this recipe, they’re paired with roasted eggplant and a generous shaving of salty Pecorino, creating a dish that’s both rustic and refined. It pairs perfectly with slow evenings and a glass of Sangiovese.
Between Two Buns
The best panini in Montreal & Toronto
By Cassandra Marsillo and Rita De Montis
For lunch, a quick bite or a midnight snack, nothing hits the spot better than a loaded panino. Though we are spoiled for choice in Montreal and Toronto, the spots below stand out for their impeccable bread (we want a crunchy crust and soft crumb), their fresh ingredients and their dedication to the craft. These are some of the people and places taking panini to the next level.
