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Food & Drink

What’s on the menu at Ardo, the east end’s new Sicilian restaurant

By Renée Suen| Photography by Renée Suen
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What's on the menu at Ardo, the east end's new Sicilian restaurant
(Image: Renée Suen)

Our Review of Ardo

Nine of the best Toronto restaurants to try in August
Food & Drink

Nine of the best Toronto restaurants to try in August

Name: Ardo Neighbourhood: Corktown Contact: 243 King St. E., 647-347-8930, ardorestaurant.com, @ardorestaurant
Owners: Roberto Marotta, Jacqueline Nicosia and Travis Farncombe Chef: Roberto Marotta (Terra Nera, Maialino Enoteca)

The food

Italian favourites (house-made pastas and pizzas), as well as a few less-familiar Sicilian specialities, including a spicy seafood couscous and spaghetti tossed with sardines and raisins. The spuntini menu features small plates like arancini, carpaccio, savoury cannoli and grilled octopus. Coming soon: Sicilian brunch.

Crostini topped with anchovies
Image by Renée Suen

Sicilian anchovies on house-made crostini with roasted red peppers and herb butter. $9.

What's on the menu at Ardo, the east end's new Sicilian restaurant
(Image: Renée Suen)

Grilled octopus with vegetable caponata and celery leaf. $13.

What's on the menu at Ardo, the east end's new Sicilian restaurant
(Image: Renée Suen)

Handmade gnocchi with local mushrooms, stracchino cheese, heirloom carrots and shaved black truffle. $19.

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What's on the menu at Ardo, the east end's new Sicilian restaurant
(Image: Renée Suen)

A play on cacio e pepe pasta, the “Cacio and Pizza” flatbread is topped with fior di latte, aged pecorino, mascarpone and black pepper. $18.

What's on the menu at Ardo, the east end's new Sicilian restaurant
Ardo’s flatbread topped with fior di latte, mascarpone, cantaloupe and speck. Photo by Renée Suen

Mylae: fior di latte, mascarpone, cantaloupe and speck. $18.

What's on the menu at Ardo, the east end's new Sicilian restaurant
(Image: Renée Suen)

Both the pizza dough and the house bread are made with the kitchen’s proprietary sourdough starter.

What's on the menu at Ardo, the east end's new Sicilian restaurant
(Image: Renée Suen)

The traditional Sicilian cannoli comes from a family recipe. They’re filled with sweet fresh ricotta and topped with candied orange and roasted pistachios. $8.

The drinks

A rotating selection of European wines, and classic cocktails that incorporate Sicilian flavours like blood orange and vincotto.

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What's on the menu at Ardo, the east end's new Sicilian restaurant
(Image: Renée Suen)

Ardo Sour: whiskey, Cointreau, lemon juice, blood orange bitters, egg whites and thyme. $13.

What's on the menu at Ardo, the east end's new Sicilian restaurant
(Image: Renée Suen)

Sicilian Spritz: Averna, dry prosecco, star anise–infused blood orange juice and soda. $12.

The space

Farncombe designed the 54-seat restaurant. It’s named after Marotta and Nicosia’s son, Leonardo (who, at age two, gave himself the nickname “Ardo”). A retractable garage door will open during warmer weather, and they plan to start selling imported pantry goods like Sicilian capers, flour and olive oil.

What's on the menu at Ardo, the east end's new Sicilian restaurant
(Image: Renée Suen)
What's on the menu at Ardo, the east end's new Sicilian restaurant
(Image: Renée Suen)

Chef Marotta.

What's on the menu at Ardo, the east end's new Sicilian restaurant
(Image: Renée Suen)

A nod to the restaurant’s inspiration: Leonardo, pictured here in Sicily.

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What's on the menu at Ardo, the east end's new Sicilian restaurant
(Image: Renée Suen)

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