What’s on the menu at Lano, the Ritz-Carlton’s new Italian-inspired lobby bar

Name: Lano Contact: Ritz-Carlton Toronto, 181 Wellington St. W., @lanotoronto
Neighbourhood: Entertainment District
Previously: Ritz Bar Owners: The Ritz-Carlton Toronto Chefs: Alessandro Panattoni and Ignatius Prinsloo Accessibility: Fully accessible

Hotel bars are designed for both all-day convenience and universal appeal. And like a wedding playlist that tries to please everyone, they can often feel a little generic. That’s definitely not the case at the Ritz-Carlton’s newest dining concept. Lano (short for Milano) is a northern Italian–inspired wine bar open for all three meals—and while it’s approachable enough to please a crowd, it also has a distinctive style that makes it worth a visit regardless of whether you’re staying at the hotel.

Related: Toronto’s best new hotel lobby bars

It’s not casual, per se—this is still the Ritz-Carlton—but it has the friendly sort of refinement that doesn’t knock you over the head with opulence. In other words, not too fancy to grab an espresso on a busy day and not so laid-back that it couldn’t host a celebration.

The Food

Any bar inspired by northern Italy better have excellent coffee, world-class wine and a menu that lets the ingredients do the talking—and Lano checks all those boxes. Early risers can grab an espresso with a cornetto or bombolino (filled Italian doughnut) in the morning, an asiago and San Daniele prosciutto sandwich for lunch, and a glass of wine with an antipasto board in the evening.

The Drinks

During the day, there’s fresh juice, tea and espresso beverages, including a marocchino—a delectable layered concoction of cocoa powder, milk and coffee. Later in the day, the drinks menu lists Italian cocktails, spritzes and digestivi, but the main attraction here is a tightly curated selection of wine, including 10 by-the-glass options. These are all unique labels you won’t find at the LCBO.

The Space

Tucked away just off the hotel’s lobby, the room is chic but inviting, with white-oak finishes and lots of natural light. There’s a glowing wine fridge at the front, a mix of tables and comfy booth seating, and big pastry cases displaying all the baked goods. Expect bustling café energy in the morning and romantic wine bar vibes at night.