Mistura Restaurant

I have no clue what the guy below me is talking about. He clearly knows nothing. As an Italian, I have grown up with authentic italian food and has first handedly experienced REAL italian cuisine from my house to Italy...and let me tell you that very few restaurants come close to what it's like eating and dining in Italy, and Mistura does come close. First off, I would like to say that the portions are NOT small. They have 2 sizes: the menus states the appetizer sizes, you can ask for dinner size portion. For instance, one of the people who i was dining with tonight ordered the Beet Risotto....it was so big she coudln't finish it. I ordered the HOMEMADE Pasta with N.S. lobster and leeks and it the perfect portion, any more spaghetti and i'd be undoing my pant button and wouldn't have room for dessert...and i would also like to add the amount of lobster in my pasta was very very generous. My fiance who is also Italian ordered the rabbIt. A bad Italian restaurant would NEVER try to cook rabbit, and it was delicious. The stuffed cornish hen, which another one for our friends ordered was simply delicous, another northern italian favourite. is to dieeee for! The dessert are very impressive as well and are very light. Try the vodka marinated berries, they are a perfect ending to a filling meal.
Another thing that was noted to us tonight was the fact that Massimo the Chef changes the menu 6 times a year, therefore, you KNOW that what you are getting is seasonal AND fresh, not to mention not the same boring things over and over.
The service was perfect and the atmosphere was very nice and quiet.
So with all things considered, it is definetly a restaurant to try. Go for it, you won't be disappointed.

Food:

The taste of most dishes was far from fabulous, almost pedestrian. The portions were somewhat small and left us with a feeling that something was still lacking. What was lacking? Ah, yes, more food. My scores to follow: (Out of 10)

Beef Striploin Carpaccio – 6 (Beef was a little dry, and the ingredients seemed “separate”, never really melded together properly)
Alberta Lamb Ribs – 7.5 (Tasted a lot like Chinese style braised ribs)
Grilled Octopus – 7
Wild Boar Agnolotti – 6.5
Fettuccini Bolognese – 6 (If Pavarotti sang for more, it must have been because the portion was small. I was truly, truly disappointed.)
Maltagliati with Lobster – 8
Roasted Young Duck – 9.5 (* Best dish of the night by far)
Veal Scaloppini - 5
Molten Chocolate Torte – 6.5
Ice-cream – 7.5

Service:

Good friendly service, nothing over the top, but definitely above average. Our server was friendly and attentive. My only complain was the Maitre D’s “lack of interest” and apparent bad mood (never cracked a smile). It must have been a rough day for her.

Atmosphere:

It was warm and comfortable. My fiancé loved the candle holders. Again, the décor and ambience was nothing to write home about, but very adequate and welcoming.

Summary:

“Let down” is how I felt as we left the restaurant. To be fair, this was mostly due to the high expectations we carried into the restaurant. Don’t get me wrong, the food wasn’t bad, but the quality of the food left me wondering, “Chef Massimo, where are you?” Perhaps Chef Massimo and Chef Derek were on vacation? It was Christmas season, after all. Would I visit again? I’d like to give them another chance, but what if Chef was on vacation again? Hmm…

Totally Overrated!

I've been twice to see if it really could be that "the great massimo capra" could not impress me.

I'll say right now, the service was excellent! Atmosphere was great, it is a nice dining room, but food wise.. I was not impressed. I'm sorry.

First of all, you can't call that food "authentic" Italian... it's 'somewhat' Italian... and he can't call himself an Italian chef. He's got many things/ingredients on that menu that are asian... people who know Italian food will know that there's a saying, that "a good italian chef, NEVER leaves Italy." I knew someone that worked there in the kitchen, and said no doubt he was a very nice and fun guy; a real pleasure to work for, but his food is a little gross. He puts KETCHUP in his peperonata... as far as I'm concerned 'ketchup' is UNHEARD of in Italian cuisine.. come on chef...
Like I said, Great dining experience, excellent service, but the food was nothing special.

Oh and I definitely think he's totally selling out for doing those commercials for cheese... selling 'pre-packaged pre-grated" Parmiggano?? gross..

...and its also very sad to see so many people on here that think they're food critics when its clear that they have very little knowledge of food.

APPLAUSE!
Well done, very well done
We will do this again very soon

If you haven't been here you need to go

I've been there twice and have always oredered alot of food. Usually I'd get 1 appetizer 2 entres and dessert. Of course I spend more than 100$ each, but if you've always wondered what it's like to fine dine in Italy this is your best bet. Incredible atmosphere and service. I've been to the Maze in New York city, Gordon Ramsey's restaurant, I'd say this very similar. The best I've ever eaten in Toronto by a long shot.

While undeniably an upscale space, there was nothing pretentious about this restaurant. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable and every dish dazzled.

Worst risotto I've ever had in my life. I had high expectations for it but the rice was barely cooked... I may as well have been eating from a rice sack with cream poured over it. It was so busy that I couldn't even find a waiter to flag down.

Everything else ordered was quite good though.

The ambiance of the restaurant was beautiful. The food was fantastic and you didn't have to wait hours for it like you often do in restaurants. The food was fresh tasting and you could see the plates go back empty...that's always a good sign. We asked our waitress if the chef Massimo was in and within 10 minutes even on a busy night, he took the time to come out and meet us and was kind enought to pose for a picture, such a kind gesture and something my son (a big fan of his) will never forget. The deserts were amazing and there were so many cookies on my dish, that I was able to enjoy them the next day. Our waitress and all of the staff were so well versed with the menu items and were able to describe everything on there...very impressive. The restaurant was so clean and the parking right next door, so convenient.....We will go back again, a definite 5 star in my eyes

This is our new favourite restaurant. It is absolutely authentic Italian cuisine. Everything about this restaurant is excellent. We've been there twice and will definitely be going back. Chef Massimo even walked the front of the house, which was really nice to see.

One of the best meals I have ever experienced and will definitely go back. One of Toronto's finest restaurants by far.