“Sustainability is not just a trend — it’s a responsibility,” says DaNico executive chef and partner Daniele Corona. “We source locally whenever possible, work closely with farmers and artisans, and minimize waste in the kitchen. Also, we limit the plastic usage as much as possible.” The restaurant recently hosted a multi-course dinner with Audi, spotlighting just how delicious sustainability can be, from gorgeous local white asparagus to succulent PEI lobster. This level of elevated fare is standard at DaNico, an Italian fine-dining spot that has earned a Michelin star for its refined tasting menus — and Corona is keen to push the boundaries of what Italian food can be.
“As an Italian chef born and raised there, I’m the first chef in Toronto to take the risks to mix the Italian traditional dishes with modern and unconventional flavours. I believe that in the era we live in, modernization is essential to keep up with the times,” he says. He notes that many Italian restaurants in Toronto promoting tradition and rejecting innovation; it is, he says, completely the wrong approach — especially because many of these places don’t actually reflect true Italian tradition, but rather Italian north American cuisine.
“So why limit yourself? Sometimes I read local food critics describing dishes like ‘chicken parmigiana’ as authentic Italian food, and it makes me smile, because in Italy, we don’t even really know that dish,” he says. “We should make room for creativity, especially because Toronto is the perfect city to embrace it.”
Here, the chef shares with us where he heads for the tastiest innovations in the city.
Best date-night spot
Alo, 163 Spadina Ave.
Best bakery
Panettorino Forno Italiano, 3797 Lake Shore Blvd. W.
