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Food & Drink

Introducing: Ufficio, an Italian kitchen for vegetarians and pescetarians in Little Portugal

By Renée Suen
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Introducing: Ufficio, an Italian kitchen for vegetarians and pescetarians in Little Portugal
(Image: Renée Suen)

Name: Ufficio Neighbourhood: Little Portugal Contact: 1214 Dundas St. W., 416-535-8888, ufficiorestaurant.com, @ufficiotoronto
Previously: The Grove Owners: Greg and Danielle Bryk, Jenny Coburn, Marlo Onilla and Nathaniel Garcia Chef: Jeff Lapointe (Splendido) Consulting chef: Craig Harding (Campagnolo)

The food

Unfussy pescatarian Italian plates that Harding describes as “satisfying, but light.” Lapointe’s menu incorporates seasonal vegetables with responsibly harvested seafood (sourced from Honest Weight, Jim Giggie, Société-Orignal) and Mediterranean flavours, punched up with the hits of coriander, saffron and smoke. The restaurant also offers a vegetarian dinner menu.

Introducing: Ufficio, an Italian kitchen for vegetarians and pescetarians in Little Portugal
(Image: Renée Suen)

Cozze e fagioli: B.C. Saltspring mussels, romesco sauce, chickpea fritter. $10.

Introducing: Ufficio, an Italian kitchen for vegetarians and pescetarians in Little Portugal
(Image: Renée Suen)

Capesante: diver scallop, Granny Smith apple, fennel, buttermilk. $14.

Introducing: Ufficio, an Italian kitchen for vegetarians and pescetarians in Little Portugal
(Image: Renée Suen)

For the spaghetti “carbonara,” cured Spanish mackerel is smoked for six hours and rendered down like pancetta. $18.

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Introducing: Ufficio, an Italian kitchen for vegetarians and pescetarians in Little Portugal
(Image: Renée Suen)

Zuppa di pesce: rotating seafood, saffron, tomato and fennel. Served with house-made bread and available by the half order or whole (shown here). $MP.

The drinks

Bottled and draught beer, a mostly Italian wine list selected by sommelier Carolyn Balogh (Stem Wine Group) and the bar’s specialty, Amaro flights. Bar manager Rob Granicolo’s (The Minister Group) cocktail list features mainly clear spirits enhanced with house-made infusions and syrups.

Introducing: Ufficio, an Italian kitchen for vegetarians and pescetarians in Little Portugal
(Image: Renée Suen)

The Craft: Bombay Sapphire, Strega (an Italian herbal liqueur), clementine and Scrappy’s Aromatic Bitters. $14.

Introducing: Ufficio, an Italian kitchen for vegetarians and pescetarians in Little Portugal
(Image: Renée Suen)

The Rosmarino (front) made with rosemary-infused vodka, fresh lemon and fennel ($14) and the Picante Pasini (back), with Cazadores tequila, Aperol, chili, grapefruit and fresh lime. ($14).

Introducing: Ufficio, an Italian kitchen for vegetarians and pescetarians in Little Portugal
(Image: Renée Suen)

The Rosmarino again (left) and the Il Creatore (right): bourbon, Carpano Classico, Amaro Nonino and Peychaud’s Bitters. $16.

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The space

Commute Design was responsible for the bright, 30-seat dining room with an open kitchen, and Onilla’s company, Biography Design, was behind the branding.

Introducing: Ufficio, an Italian kitchen for vegetarians and pescetarians in Little Portugal
(Image: Renée Suen)
Introducing: Ufficio, an Italian kitchen for vegetarians and pescetarians in Little Portugal
(Image: Renée Suen)
Introducing: Ufficio, an Italian kitchen for vegetarians and pescetarians in Little Portugal
(Image: Renée Suen)
Introducing: Ufficio, an Italian kitchen for vegetarians and pescetarians in Little Portugal
(Images: Renée Suen)

Chef Jeff Lapointe (left) with consulting chef Craig Harding (right).

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Correction
January 20, 2016

Previously this post listed Ufficio as being located in the neighbourhood of Dufferin Grove, when it is actually in Little Portugal. It has since been updated.

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