Let's face it, the time after the onset of the new year and before the first bloom of spring is usually quite disheartening, especially in Toronto. It's cold, wet and dark and is generally not conducive to going out regularly. Simply put, it's a slow period for the food industry.
This lull gave rise to Cafe Diplomatico's long-running "Fight The Winter Blues" program. The owners noticed how slow it was in February for restaurants and decided to take it into their own hands to rectify it. Little did they know that a brainwave from the late 2000s would blossom into the crowd-favourite offering it has become of late.
Other than Valentine's Day, the weather starts to get worse and worse, and a lot of people don't like going out," Connie Mastrangelo, co-owner of Cafe Diplomatico, said. "So we decided to have a price-fixed menu, a really aggressive price so that people would be more likely to come out and enjoy. And we've been running it ever since."
Also called the "two can dine for $59," this year's event kicked off on Feb. 1 and will continue until March 9. The meal consists of one appetizer to share between two people plus an entree each with assorted mini pastries for dessert to round off the meal. Also included is half a litre of red or white wine or a 60-ounce pitcher of beer.
"We thought it will be nice if we could come up with a very well-valued package. And that's how this came about," Mastrangelo said. "It was also a time when Winterlicious was running. But because we're like a cafe and the prices are already low, we didn't really qualify for Winterlicious. So we made up our own. And it's worked out great ever since."
As for the menu, there is plenty to choose from for the patrons. And with the portion sizes being quite generous, a satiating meal is almost guaranteed. Each year, the restaurant chooses to have either new items on the menu or stick to the classics, Mastrangelo said. This year, the restaurant opted to stick with its classics.
Some items on the prix-fixe menu include Fritti Misti (risotto balls, fried ravioli,) Shrimp fra Diavolo (spicy shrimp and crostini,) Fusilli Sundried Tomato Pesto, Chicken Parmigiana and Veal Scallopini with penne pomodoro. Dessert offerings include tiramisu and cannolis.
This promotion also helps the restaurant test out new dishes and gauge the public's reception towards them.
"If we want to add something new, this is when we try to introduce it," Mastrangelo said. "So we always have like a feature drink/wine list and any new items that we might want to introduce, we usually try it out here and see how people like it first before we make it permanent on the menu."
Due to the highly affordable price point and the number of permutations and combinations of menu items available, many patrons come multiple times in an attempt to cover the whole menu.
In an attempt to drive home the "blues" part of the promotion, the restaurant also features live music every Monday during the event. The band that performs, Oui B Jamon, also happens to be comprised of regulars of the restaurant and members of the tight-knit Little Italy community.
While Cafe Diplomatico is not the kind of establishment to take reservations beforehand, Mastrangelo introduced the system for the promotional event because of the number of people she noticed coming from out of town. But as is the case with many long-standing establishments in neighbourhoods like Little Italy, most of the footfall seen is produced by locals who have frequented the joint for decades on end.
"Fight The Winter Blues" kicked off on Feb. 1 and is currently running all day until March 9 at Cafe Diplomatico located at 594 College St. For more information regarding the event or the restaurant, visit its website
