Vaticano – 25 Bellair St. Toronto

Authentic Italian Cuisine!

I highly recommend Vaticano in Yorkville! If you want to experience an authentic Italian restaurant, this is the restaurant that has the taste of Italy.

You can eat here for any occasion – I’ve celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, and graduation parties for both lunch and dinner. The dress code is standard, but I find that every time I have attended, many people are exceptionally well-dressed. The ambiance reminds me of back home: Italian music, portraits everywhere, and a celebrity shrine of all the A-list stars who have come to Vaticano. If you don’t believe me, check it out for yourself – you know this place is good when celebrities eat there!

Let’s talk about food. I ordered Spaghetti Carbonara as my main dish, with my tall glass of ice tea (which was great, and not watered down). For my side dish, I ordered Risotto, and for dessert, I had coffee with Tiramisu. The portions were filling and tasty. Our server, Roshan, was very friendly, attentive and knowledgeable about the menu.

The cost factor: on a student budget, this place is not overly pricey, but not cheap either. You get what you pay for, and if you want the wow factor, you may have to spend a little more to get the experience you deserve.

Overall, I enjoyed my time at Vaticano and would not only highly recommend, but certainly attend again.

Trattoria Fieramosca – 36A Prince Arthur Ave, Toronto

Visited Twice Already!

I find that I keep returning to Trattoria Fieramosca time and time again.

As a student, I find this place to be the go-to spot if you want both class and affordability. To note, I have had the pleasure of dining there twice, and plan to do so again in the future. For me, Fieramosca hits the spot because of its originality. To start, it is close to the St. George campus. Located in the heart of Yorkville, this spot has to be the coziest restaurant I have ever been to. Upon arrival, the first impression you’ll get is that it doesn’t look like a typical restaurant. Instead, it is what it looks like a rustic house. Don’t stay away; open the door and step right into Italy back in the day. In the entrance, they have a beautiful fragrance. It is a light and welcoming scent – I just had to write this, because it cannot go unnoticed.

In terms of food, it is to die for. Why? Because it’s authentically Italian. Fieramosca is also original because of their menu. The two times I have been, I have ordered the same thing because it is just that tempting: the Ravioli Di Ricotta Al Pesto. This dish is fresh ravioli stuffed with ricotta and has creamy pesto sauce all over it. Once you try it, you will understand just how good it is.The portion sizes are quite large, so I didn’t leave the restaurant hungry.

In terms of drinks, in my opinion, it is not student budget worthy. Drinks cost almost as much as the food itself. However, they do offer a variety of selection of whites, reds, and liqueurs. I ordered the White Zinfandel. Fieramosca never disappoints, and the cost is well worth what they give you. You get what you pay for here.

The staff was very nice, attentive, and incredibly knowledgeable about the food and what drinks go best with what dish. I was impressed. The ambiance is very classy, and can make for a great night out with your friends and family, or even if you just want to treat yourself.

Trattoria Fieramosca will see me again for a third time – and I will probably order the same dish again, but we shall see.

Sabrina Daniele is an Innis College student whose restaurant reviews are a new feature in The Innis Herald.