When word got out that Toronto restaurant Don Alfonso 1890 would not reopen following the COVID-19 pandemic, the city wore a collective foodie frown for days as dreams of the groundbreaking Michelin-starred cuisine began to evaporate. But there is news. Although the restaurant will remain closed, the outpouring of appreciation has resulted in a limited 60-seat Don Alfonso pop-up to be located within Toronto’s famous Casa Loma.
“When we were forced to shutter Don Alfonso, we never expected such an overwhelming outcry of support from Toronto’s sophisticated dining community, the media, the hospitality industry and the city as a whole,” explained Nick Di Donato, president and CEO of Liberty Group. “We hoped one day to find another location suitable for the establishment and its internationally lauded design. The response is such that we’re excited to make this work in another beautiful surrounding in order to meet patrons’ demand for an experience not to be missed… until we find a permanent home.”
The new Don Alfonso experience will be held in the gorgeous conservatory of Casa Loma under the famed McCausland dome.
Reservations may be made at www.donalfonsotoronto.com and via OpenTable beginning this week. The pop-up is scheduled to open Sept. 16 for 5 p.m. dinner service daily, featuring the Michelin cuisine of Alfonso and Ernesto Iaccarino with its classic and contemporary vegetarian tasting menus, under the helm of executive chef Saverio Macri and chef de cuisine Daniele Corona.
Since opening in 2018, Don Alfonso 1890 Toronto has been recognized with multiple national and international awards and honours including 2nd Best Italian Restaurant in the World by 50 Top Italy, and Best Restaurants in Canada 2019.
“We look forward to welcoming loyal fans and guests to our special Don Alfonso installation at Casa Loma and believe it will be just as memorable and spectacular as our original experience,” Di Donato says. “We feel strongly Canada’s culinary scene warrants something as unique as Don Alfonso 1890 and are proud to be able to re-introduce it at this time.”