The Gist: New restaurant Porcello Cantina is "definitely not traditional Italian," according to owner Anthony Lamacchia.

Describing himself as a "guy that grew up in the restaurant industry peeling carrots and potatoes and worked my way up to where I am today," Lamacchia is back in the kitchen where he’s "putting an Italian-Canadian twist on things."

Grub: Growing up with burgers, different types of sandwiches and pizza, he also grew up with "beautiful pastas and meats." Lamacchia brings the best of both worlds – classic Italian fare and contemporary North American foods (fish and chips, chicken wings, burgers) – together under one roof.

In addition to wildly popular housemade pizzas and pastas, “sangwiches” and daily specials are part of the hybrid of rustic, casual fare served here.

Lamacchia also makes all desserts including the wildly popular Zia’s Ice Cream Cake ($9).

Libations: Get into the Italian spirit of things with Peroni on tap ($5.95), Aperol Spritz ($12), Campari Soda ($6.50), or a glass of wine ($5.95-$12).

Fixtures & Fittings: The contemporary space feels more like Queen West than Woodbridge. Bright red chairs and steel stools paired with rustic wood tables gives a clean, uncluttered feel to the open room.

A new communal table, "Nonna’s Table – Where Everyone’s Welcome," seats up to 12 and allows diners to mix and mingle.

Off the Menu:

Daily Special Burger Lamacchia does a daily burger four out of the six days they’re open. An 8 oz. beef patty, topped with a thick slice of fresh Burrata, homemade beef and veal meatballs and tomato sauce, gets tucked into a soft kaiser roll. Served with house cut fries.

Spinach & Barley Salad ($10) with addition of Spiedini ($10) A healthy lunch or dinner option of baby spinach, leaves, goat cheese, cherry tomatoes, a sprinkling of barley and deep balsamic glaze is sided with tender grilled lamb skewers.

Mushroom Man Pizza ($17) Long Roman style pizza boasts six kinds of flour and takes 4-5 hours to make. The result? A chewy, crispy crust, here topped with fior di latte, mushrooms, shaved Pecorino, truffle oil, and arugula.

Pappardelle ($20) Toothsome housemade pasta is topped with slow-simmered wild boar ragu.

How Cool is This?! Weekly specials include Pizza & Pint of Peroni ($15) every Tues and Thurs, and Wed Wine & Cheese Night, with a cheeseboard and two glasses of wine for $30.

At the Stove: Anthony Lamacchia

FOH: The Porcello Family

Head Honcho: Anthony Lamacchia

Deets: The dining room accommodates 42 guests. Dine in and take out are available.

Visiting Hours: Tues to Thurs 10:30am-9pm
                           Fri & Sat         10:30am–10:30pm

Map It: 125 Hawkview Blvd. (in Woodbridge)

Phone It In: (647) 503-0530

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