Centro changes its name to Vita Sociale, adding Roman-style pizza and a sandwich counter
Midtown Italian power restaurant Centro—which closed its doors in late February—has been gutted, reinvented and christened Vita Sociale. The revamp is owner Armando Mano’s response to changing demographics and tastes at Yonge and Eglinton. The new restaurant, scheduled to open in early April, aims to cater to the area’s young families with accessible pan-Italian cooking at a much lower price point than Centro’s (the restaurant even has a new wood-burning oven for Roman-style pizza). Vita Sociale will also have a lunch service and a counter offering brisket and pulled pork sandwiches, and will sell house-made sauces and pickles too. True to its new name, Vita Sociale has been blitzing its social media platforms today with descriptions of menu items to build buzz with the new audience it’s chasing.
Another restaurant going the way of “casual” aka volume. It’s just like another Earls etc. with a higher end name making it seem legit. Origin, O&B etc. Cash cows. They all follow the same business model. Cooks become food slingers. As much as you can get out as fast as you can. Turn and burn. The only time you see your server is when you order your apps and mains and then again if you do dessert just to remind you that they are still there.
Ugh another casual Italian joint in Toronto. I’ll miss Centro. Change is great when its not so typical. But congrats to a great run with Centro!