It’s been a dream for decades, and Gerry Quintero, one of the owners of the local grocery store and café ALMA + GIL, has finally realized it. Raised originally as a vegetarian, Quintero learned to cook with meat upon immigrating to Canada and has since harboured the vision of opening his own restaurant.
Now, that dream is a reality. Taking over the space formerly occupied by the popular Italian restaurant Il Covo, Quintero is bringing Ficoa to Toronto, offering a new tasting menu experience to the city.
In contemplating a name for the space, Quintero originally considered honouring his investor’s late brother. However, a deeper desire to pay homage, eventually led to the birth of Ficoa. Then names draws inspiration from the cultural tapestry of Ambato, Ecuador, the hometown of the restaurant’s passionate investor.
Ficoa’s design pays homage to the natural beauty of Ambato, incorporating hints of greenery and a mandarin-themed color scheme. An immersive mural, adorned with green tones and mandarins, invites guests into the heart of the restaurant’s inspiration.
“I like the idea of being able to provide an experience where guests aren’t just sitting there and eating — they’re also enjoying the room and the vibe,” says Quintero. “In particular, the smell of the restaurant was huge for us, so we also have certain scents like mandarin throughout the space.”
Ficoa stands out not only for its name and design but also for its distinctive culinary approach. Quintero’s culinary journey, shaped by diverse influences over the years, culminates in Ficoa’s commitment to contemporary Canadian cuisine.
Stepping away from a la carte offerings, the tasting menu is priced at $250 and promises 16 dishes, which Quintero notes, will be an ever-changing, seasonal menu that showcase signature dishes.
Patrons can enjoy a succulent barbecue duck — which Quintero has been perfecting since 2013 — along with other dishes like a smoked fish, wagyu, and even pasta. And while the menu will boast a contemporary selection, Quintero isn’t hesitant to also infuse some Mexican flavours and other spices in certain dishes.
“With our tasting menu, we’re just not trying to go too classic,” says Quintero. “It’s a little bit more inventive and it allows us to be a little bit more creative with the food.”
This creativity extends to beverage pairings, with options for wine or chef cocktail pairings, skillfully curated by the all-bartender front-of-house team.
Another thing that sets Ficoa apart will be its forward-thinking membership program, offering a neighbourhood membership. This credit-based membership allows patrons to enjoy various experiences within the restaurant, which Quitero hopes will foster community engagement for new and regular guests.
“I would love to make the restaurant grow with us,” says Quintero. “And I have so many other ideas for restaurants that it would be great to be able to bring them to the city.”
Ficoa’s soft open is on Feb 13. The restaurant is located at 585 College St.