
DaNico, Liberty Group’s swanky Italian restaurant across from Sneaky Dee’s, has been holding court as one of the city’s greatest tasting-menu spots for nearly three years now. The restaurant has earned critical acclaim, including Michelin recognition, and has found its way onto international best-of lists, cementing its reputation for ambitious, high-end Italian cuisine.
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Now, the team is turning toward something more approachable for the neighbourhood.
Luna by DaNico is the brand’s new 30-seat, all-season patio, next to its more formal sibling.

“We wanted to provide an option where people can still enjoy the high level of culinary execution and service by augmenting our bar program and giving people a reason to visit DaNico more regularly, as opposed to only on special occasions,” says Liberty president and CEO Nick Di Donato.
The new space mirrors the sophistication of DaNico but feels lighter and more casual, offering a younger, more accessible expression of chef Daniele Corona’s culinary vision and Nadia Di Donato’s design ethos.

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Swapping out coursed fine dining for decadent snacks and sharing plates, the menu is a crowd-pleaser that showcases modern global cuisine executed with Corona’s quirky sensibility and modern global influences. You won’t find bruschetta or calamari fritti on this patio menu—more like Ossetra caviar served in pani puri with crème fraîche and chives, or Australian wagyu paired with shishito peppers, creamy ricotta, guanciale and a sharp hit of freshly grated wasabi.
A red-sauce spot, Luna is not—this is still DaNico, just in flats.
Erin Hershberg is a freelance writer with nearly two decades of experience in the lifestyle sector. She currently lives in downtown Toronto with her husband and two children.