A former Vela chef is opening an Italian restaurant on Queen West
Set to open this fall, Liliana will pair Italian foundations with Asian influences
Chef Marvin Palomo is gearing up to open his first solo restaurant this fall. After years cooking in kitchens from Hong Kong to Italy and a standout run at King West’s Vela, Palomo is ready to bring a deeply personal project to life—one that blends Italian technique with Asian influences.
The name Liliana honours one of Palomo’s most cherished mentors, who shaped his early career while he was completing a post-graduate culinary program at the celebrated but now-closed La Contea di Neive restaurant in Piedmont. “She took me under her wing when I was only 20 years old,” Palomo says. “It was a time of true mentorship in my career.”
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With Vela’s future still uncertain after a devastating fire earlier this year, Palomo decided the timing was right to strike out on his own. He describes Liliana’s menu as Italian at its foundation but layered with unexpected flavours, a reflection of his culinary journey as well as Toronto’s diverse dining culture. One of the signature pasta dishes riffs on aglio e olio (spaghetti with garlic and olive oil) but reimagines the humble dish with confit garlic and chili crisp. “I think Toronto is the perfect city to have a concept like this because it’s so multicultural,” he says.
The 30-seat space on Queen West—once home to Dandylion and, more recently, J’s Steak Frites—sealed the deal for Palomo. He was drawn to its timeless character, exposed brick walls and floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the room with light. “It’s a special space,” he says. “Dandylion was such an institution in the city when it was open.”
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Palomo envisions Liliana as a place that feels intimate and welcoming, with an atmosphere that encourages sharing plates and lingering over thoughtful wines and cocktails. “I think the city needs something that’s not just unique but really honest cooking,” he says. “I want this to be a place where people can come and share dishes and celebrate or just come for a casual evening.”
Liliana is slated to open in late September, bringing a fresh, personal take on Italian fusion to Queen West’s ever-evolving dining scene.
Jessica Huras is a freelance writer and editor with over a decade of experience creating food, travel and lifestyle content. She’s a content editor for the LCBO’s Food & Drink magazine, and her work has appeared in the Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star, Chatelaine, Toronto Life and Elle Canada, among other publications.
