Since its opening in 1980, Ristorante Boccaccio at the Columbus Centre became a cherished spot for the Italian-Canadian community.
Though it closed in 2020, the restaurant experienced a revival this May, thanks to chefs Luciano Schipano and Anthony Sestito. They brought new life to the restaurant, creating a space that is now more modern and vibrant while maintaining its commitment to delivering high-quality food and a unique dining experience.
Open twice a day from 11:30 to 2:30 and 5:30 to 9:30 (except Mondays, when the restaurant is only open in the morning), Ristorante Boccaccio offers two distinct menus: one casual lunch menu, and a dinner menu fit for fine-dining.
When the chefs took over the space, they decided to pay homage to the original restaurant.
“We wanted to keep the name to honour the forty years of history and culture of the past,” says Schipano, adding that Prime Minister Trudeau has even stopped by the restaurant before. “This was very well-known as the best restaurant in town, so today we are very proud.”
Ristorante Boccaccio caters to both traditional Italian and modern tastes, offering an array of dishes. From fresh, homemade pastas to artisanal creations like mozzarella, burrata, and freshly baked focaccia – all prepared with seasonal, fresh ingredients. A diverse wine list ensures the perfect drink to complement every meal.
Boccaccio’s standout feature is the “Make Sunday Italian Again” Weekly Sunday Family Brunch. Priced at $35 per person, this experience offers a three-course fixed menu of Italian comfort foods, served family style.
“It’s a celebration of the typical Italian lunch in an Italian family when you go to grandma or mom’s house,” says Schipano. “It’s all family-style because it’s all part of the culture to stay together on a Sunday.”
The brunch comes with an antipasto platter of meats, cheese, olives, pickled eggplant and breads. A large bowl of tagliatelle is served, as well as a salad and a platter of meats.
Boccaccio stands out from the numerous Italian eateries in the city by offering affordable prices. Schipano emphasizes that crafting their pasta in-house grants them full control over the food cost, enabling them to maintain reasonable prices.
Keeping up with the rising trends in Toronto and Ontario, Ristorante Boccaccio has adopted a no tipping policy, removing the tipping option from all terminals and opting to raise staff salaries instead. .
“Our staff is paid over the market, so we pay them a fair wage and we don’t expect our clients to leave a tip,” says Schipano. “I have a lot of respect for my staff. My first philosophy is nobody works for me. Everybody works with us and we all participate in the success of the business.”
In tune with Italian values, Schipano recognizes the significance of family. As a result, the restaurant will remain closed on all major holidays, ensuring employees can enjoy a “good work-life balance” and spend quality time with their loved ones.
Down the road, the chefs plan to introduce cooking classes within the space, which will include wine and olive oil tastings, adding to the overall culinary adventure at the restaurant.
Ristorante Boccaccio is located at 901 Lawrence Ave. W.