Prego Della Piazza: Paris, prosciutto and pirates

Each day of the 2008 film festival, Toronto Life will introduce one of TIFF’s hot spot restaurants. We inquire about the vibe, the celebs who dine there and, of course, the food. Today’s special: Prego Della Piazza.

The usual suspects: ROM event spillover and Yorkville mega-shoppers.Celebrities on site: Paris Hilton has turned up a number of times, as have Eric McCormack and Kevin Bacon. Last year, Prego hosted a party for Johnny Depp where Joaquin Phoenix had a special vegan dish served to him.Why here and not another venue? General manager and executive chef Faro Chiniforoush says, “Whatever they want, they get—we always have all the fresh ingredients on hand. At Prego, it’s more private. We don’t bother the celebrities, and we offer a private VIP lounge.” Signature dishes: Prosciutto and figs, homemade ravioli, butter-poached lobster.

Prego Della Piazza: 150 Bloor St. W. (at Avenue Rd.), 416-920-9900.