Toronto’s Queen West district is now home to an exciting new addition — Bar Prima.
Culinary director Craig Harding and executive chef Julian D’Ippolito have joined forces to bring a unique blend of old-world charm and modern flair to the city’s dining scene.
Bar Prima is more than a restaurant; it’s an expression of the chefs’ love for the art of dining. Inspired by their globetrotting adventures, Harding and D’Ippolito wanted to create an exclusive yet timeless setting, a place where you feel undeniably special.
Under the expert guidance of chef de cuisine Nicholas Iaboni, Bar Prima’s kitchen promises a polished journey through Italian classics with cheeky yet calculated twists.
The menu takes a modern/minimal approach to Italian cuisine, focusing on handmade pasta and carefully curated mains. Be prepared for a tantalizing “Rockefeller,” featuring East Coast Diver Scallops and other modern takes on Italian American classics.
“I’ll never forget the time I dined at Truffles at the old Four Seasons, when I was a kid. It was formal, fun and unforgettable,” says Harding. “We wanted to emulate some of our favourite dining experiences from old taverns in New York City to Sunday red sauce dinners at our nonna’s house.
Step into Bar Prima, and you step into a different era. Designed by FutureStudio with branding by Biography Design,
the restaurant exudes old-world glamour with mahogany finishes, Klein blue leather and a striking marble inlay floor. The amber glass facade, handmade in Murano, Italy, welcomes you into a world of molten gold leaf ceilings and timeless white tablecloths.
“From the bartender shaking martinis in a bow tie to truffles shaved tableside by our chefs, we try to have fun and put a little bit of theatre into what we do,” says D’Ippolito.
For those visiting the restaurant for the first time, the Bar Prima team suggests putting your best (fashion) foot forward.
“Get dressed up! After all that we have been through in the last few years, it’s time to celebrate!”
Bar Prima is located at 1136 Queen St. W.
