Introducing: Bricco Kitchen and Wine Bar, a stylish new enoteca on the Junction strip
Name: Bricco Kitchen and Wine Bar
Neighbourhood: The Junction
Contact Info: 3047 Dundas St. W., briccowinebar.com
Owner: Eric Gennaro, the sommelier at Crush Wine Bar
Chef: Justin Zamperin, formerly of Crush Wine Bar, Buonanotte and Scarpetta
The Food: Homestyle Italian food with some modern twists, like chestnuts in a creamy porcini soup and a hearty stew studded with chunks of wild boar bacon. Shareable sides include grilled rapini, tomato-braised runner beans and creamy, slow-cooked polenta.
The Drinks: The 50-long wine list focuses on Italian, French and Spanish bottles, as well as some local options. Thematic tasting flights are organized by grape, region and season.
The Place : The thoroughly modern enoteca is devoid of gingham prints, dangling ham hocks or wine bottle candelabras. Instead, midcentury Scandinavian furniture and Gaudí-inspired textured tiles add life to the white-walled room, as does an intricate tree-like wall sculpture by local designers Brothers Dressler.
The Numbers:
• 2000 kilometers traveled to source furniture, which includes pieces by famous Scandinavian designers Kai Kristainsen and Hans Olsen
• 14 months to renovate
• 10 years since Gennaro and Zamperin met at Crush Wine Bar
• 10 walls knocked down in the reno process (the space was previously occupied by a frame store)
• 6 hours to slow-cook the polenta
• 1 beer on tap (King Pilsner)
• 4 prized ceramic plates by Italian artist Giovanni DeSimone
• 0 pizzas on the menu
248387 The restaurant is located at 3047 Dundas West, at McMurray (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Bricco Kitchen and Wine Bar https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-02-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-02.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-02.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/bricco-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-bricco-02/ toronto-restaurant-bricco-02 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
248386 The owners knocked down 10 walls while renovating the former frame store (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Bricco Kitchen and Wine Bar https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-01-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-01.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-01.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/bricco-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-bricco-01/ toronto-restaurant-bricco-01 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
248388 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Bricco Kitchen and Wine Bar https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-03-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-03.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-03.jpg 667 1000 [] https://torontolife.com/food/bricco-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-bricco-03/ toronto-restaurant-bricco-03 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
248404 The tree-like wall sculpture was designed by Brothers Dressler (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Bricco Kitchen and Wine Bar https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-19-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-19.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-19.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/bricco-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-bricco-19/ toronto-restaurant-bricco-19 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
248390 The tree-like wall sculpture was designed by Brothers Dressler (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Bricco Kitchen and Wine Bar https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-05-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-05.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-05.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/bricco-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-bricco-05/ toronto-restaurant-bricco-05 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
248405 The owners travelled 2,000 miles to source the restaurant’s midcentury Scandinavian furniture (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Bricco Kitchen and Wine Bar https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-20-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-20.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-20.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/bricco-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-bricco-20/ toronto-restaurant-bricco-20 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
248392 The bar (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Bricco Kitchen and Wine Bar https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-07-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-07.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-07.jpg 667 1000 [] https://torontolife.com/food/bricco-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-bricco-07/ toronto-restaurant-bricco-07 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
248391 The lounge area next to the bar (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Bricco Kitchen and Wine Bar https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-06-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-06.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-06.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/bricco-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-bricco-06/ toronto-restaurant-bricco-06 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
248389 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Bricco Kitchen and Wine Bar https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-04-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-04.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-04.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/bricco-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-bricco-04/ toronto-restaurant-bricco-04 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
248393 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Bricco Kitchen and Wine Bar https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-08-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-08.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-08.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/bricco-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-bricco-08/ toronto-restaurant-bricco-08 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
248406 These much-prized ceramic plates were designed by Italian artist Giovanni DeSimone (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Bricco Kitchen and Wine Bar https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-21-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-21.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-21.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/bricco-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-bricco-21/ toronto-restaurant-bricco-21 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
248394 Root vegetable salad with greens, pomegranate seeds, toasted walnuts and crumbled chèvre ($10) (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Bricco Kitchen and Wine Bar https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-09-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-09.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-09.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/bricco-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-bricco-09/ toronto-restaurant-bricco-09 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
248395 Pan-seared scallops with bacon and sofrito ($16) (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Bricco Kitchen and Wine Barnt-bricco-10 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-10-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-10.jpg 667 1000 [] https://torontolife.com/food/bricco-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-bricco-10/ toronto-restaurant-bricco-10 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
248396 Pan-seared scallops with bacon and sofrito ($16) (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Bricco Kitchen and Wine Bar https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-11-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-11.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/bricco-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-bricco-11/ toronto-restaurant-bricco-11 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
248397 Pan-seared scallops with bacon and sofrito ($16) (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Bricco Kitchen and Wine Bar https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-12-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-12.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/bricco-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-bricco-12/ toronto-restaurant-bricco-12 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
248398 Beef, veal and pork tortellini in veal broth with shitake mushrooms ($18) (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Bricco Kitchen and Wine Bar-13 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-13-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-13.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/bricco-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-bricco-13/ toronto-restaurant-bricco-13 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
248399 Beef, veal and pork tortellini in veal broth with shitake mushrooms ($18) (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Bricco Kitchen and Wine Bar https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-14-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-14.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/bricco-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-bricco-14/ toronto-restaurant-bricco-14 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
248400 Beef, veal and pork tortellini in veal broth with shitake mushrooms ($18) (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Bricco Kitchen and Wine Bar https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-15-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-15.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-15.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/bricco-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-bricco-15/ toronto-restaurant-bricco-15 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
248401 Herb and pistachio-crusted lamb saddle ($26) (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Bricco Kitchen and Wine Bar https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-16-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-16.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-16.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/bricco-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-bricco-16/ toronto-restaurant-bricco-16 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
248402 Stromboli with smoked mozzarella and marinara sauce ($10) (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Bricco Kitchen and Wine Bar https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-17-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-17.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/toronto-restaurant-bricco-17.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/bricco-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-bricco-17/ toronto-restaurant-bricco-17 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
I’ve been in the space and these pictures don’t do it justice. SO excited for this opening!
So beautiful, been keeping my eye out for this. Can’t wait for them to open. The window is amazing. Happy addition to the neighbourhood.
So beautiful. Been keeping my eye out for this to open. Can’t wait, the window is large and looks so amazing. Happy addition to the neighbourhood.
This place is amazing! Exactly what Bloor West/Junction needed. Food is delicious and wine is out of this world. So excited to have this gem in the neighbourhood.
Simply fantastic!