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Food & Drink

What’s on the menu at Oretta, a colossal new Italian restaurant on King West

By Renée Suen| Photography by Renée Suen
 | March 6, 2017
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What's on the menu at Oretta, a colossal new Italian restaurant on King West

Name: Oretta Contact: 633 King St. W., 416-944--1932, oretta.to, @orettatoronto
Neighbourhood: King West Owners: Salvatore Mele (Capocaccia) Chef: Christian Fontolan

The food

Familiar Italian staples, like salumi, Roman-style pizzas and house-made pastas. The lunch and dinner menus are similar, though panini are only available midday, while more substantial mains, including grilled branzino or a show-stopping two-pound T-bone steak (with three sides) are available in the evening. No time to stay? To-go pastries, sandwiches and pizzas are available from the restaurant’s café.

What's on the menu at Oretta, a colossal new Italian restaurant on King West
Mozzarella di bufala with heirloom carrot agrodolce, pickled peppers and pistachios. $16.

 

What's on the menu at Oretta, a colossal new Italian restaurant on King West
The restaurant’s signature cavoletti salad is made of shaved brussels sprouts, almonds, pickled red onion and pecorino. It’s finished with crispy prosciutto. $14.

 

What's on the menu at Oretta, a colossal new Italian restaurant on King West
Chitarrina with tomato sauce, stracciatella cheese and basil oil. $16.

 

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What's on the menu at Oretta, a colossal new Italian restaurant on King West
Risotto al salto: crispy pan-fried risotto, mushrooms, pecorino fonduta. $22.

 

What's on the menu at Oretta, a colossal new Italian restaurant on King West
The assorted sweets platter features the chef’s choice of house-made treats that may include olive oil cake, cannoli, chocolate tarts and gelato. $16.
The drinks

A short list of beers, Italian wines and a selection of cocktails, including a barrel-aged negroni. The bar hosts a daily 4 p.m. aperitivo hour featuring complimentary snacks.

What's on the menu at Oretta, a colossal new Italian restaurant on King West
Left to right: Pazza di Te made with vodka, Briottet crème de fraise, Soho lychee liqueur, lime juice, cranberry juice and fresh strawberries ($14), and a barrel-aged negroni made with gin, Dubonnet Rouge, Averna and Campari. ($14).
The space

Italian for “about an hour,” the 220-seat Art Deco–inspired Oretta took a year and a half to build. A café tucked in the rear of the restaurant flanks a courtyard slated to be a 40-seat patio when the weather cooperates.

What's on the menu at Oretta, a colossal new Italian restaurant on King West
The café is open for breakfast and lunch for take-out or dine-in. The space can be booked as a private dining room. Photo by Renée Suen

 

What's on the menu at Oretta, a colossal new Italian restaurant on King West
The main-level dining room and bar.
What's on the menu at Oretta, a colossal new Italian restaurant on King West
What's on the menu at Oretta, a colossal new Italian restaurant on King West
What's on the menu at Oretta, a colossal new Italian restaurant on King West
What's on the menu at Oretta, a colossal new Italian restaurant on King West
Booth seating is in the back near the kitchen.

 

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What's on the menu at Oretta, a colossal new Italian restaurant on King West
Room dividers slide to separate the private dining room and demo kitchen on the 70-seat mezzanine level.

 

What's on the menu at Oretta, a colossal new Italian restaurant on King West
Here’s the mezzanine dining room again.

 

What's on the menu at Oretta, a colossal new Italian restaurant on King West
The view of the main-level dining room from the mezzanine.

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