Manita, the Ossington favourite known for its Mediterranean plates and that perfect burger, has officially set up shop in Rosedale. Taking over the iconic space formerly home to the Rosedale Diner, co-owner Ian McGrenaghan is bringing a fresh energy to the neighbourhood while keeping its legacy in mind.
“We’ve been blown away by the neighbourhood’s support,” says McGrenaghan. “The second we started renovations, people who’ve been regulars for decades were stopping by to chat, excited to see what we’d do with the space.”
But don’t expect a carbon copy of the Ossington location. McGrenaghan is clear that Rosedale will have its own vibe.
“Ossington has that downtown cool, but it’s also a neighbourhood spot at its core. Rosedale will touch on some of that, but it’ll have its own identity. What makes a place special isn’t just how trendy it is — it’s the fundamentals: good food, good service and being a place where people come together and share an experience.”
The menu? For now, it’s packed with Manita’s classics, but McGrenaghan hints at some Rosedale-specific additions in the future.
“We’ll grow the menu as we settle in, but if you haven’t tried the Mediterranean plates or the burger, those are musts.”
As for the space, it’s largely been given the Manita treatment, with a few nods to its history.
“It’s 98 per cent Manita,” McGrenaghan says. “We’ve kept some elements of the old diner, like the ceiling and parts of the layout. But it’s got that worn-in, comfortable feel we love.”
Inside, the main floor seats 40 and the upstairs holds another 30 and can also be utilized for private events. While the restaurant’s much-anticipated patio won’t be open until next year, when it does, expect another 40 seats for those sunny Toronto days.
And the original owners, Esti and Dubi Filar? They couldn’t be happier with the transformation.
“They were there on opening night,” says McGrenaghan. “They’ve been as supportive as parents through this whole process. Dubi even said we didn’t do anything he wouldn’t have done himself if he’d had the time.”
Manita is located at 1164 Yonge St., and is open Tuesday to Sunday from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
