One of the city's hottest Italian restaurants has opened a new location in downtown Toronto, bringing its signature dishes and vivacious atmosphere to the St. Lawrence neighbourhood.
PIANO PIANO's fourth location recently opened at 55 Colborne Street. With an aesthetic the owners describe as "Narnia meets the Circus," a mix of familiar menu items, and a carousel-themed bar on the lower level, visitors are promised a charming, whimsical, delicious experience at the new location.
"The space we've created at PIANO PIANO Colborne has truly been a labour of love, and we're so excited for people to finally experience it," says Victor Barry, Chef-Owner of PIANO PIANO.
"Whatever brings you here – whether it's your first stop of the night before a game or a show or where you end off your evening – you're going to be served tasty & f*# kin' delicious food, and you're going to feel transported by the fun, bold designs."
Staple Italian dishes meet seasonal innovations on the menu at PIANO PIANO. The Colborne Street location serves favourites like the Mushroom Cavatelli, the Sweet Hornet Pizza, and the bone-in Veal Parm, with fresh, new updates added every few months. For the winter months, seasonal offerings include the Burrata con Funghi, Sea Bass Cioppino, and the Godmother Pizza.
The familiar Italian comfort food dishes are all well and good, but this location features something very special – a unique Carousel Bar on the lower level of the restaurant.
The Carousel Bar is centred around a vintage carousel horse, surrounded by more vintage, nostalgic pieces and fixtures. These include some mirrored ceilings, carnival-esque lights, and patterned upholstery to boot. The bold designs lend to a one-of-a-kind experience that screams for Instagram photos and TikToks.
The entire new location was designed by Future Studio, led by Ali McQuaid, in partnership with PIANO PIANO co-owner Nikki Leigh McKean. The duo took the ideas and imagination of the owners and brought them to life in the space.
"Colborne Street has long held a place in my heart as the charming little pocket of downtown Toronto where I took my now co-owner and partner, Nikki, for our very first date back in 2009," Barry adds. "Now, fourteen years later, we have a full circle moment bringing us back to Colborne Street - this area of the city holds some amazing memories!"
Barry and McKean opened the first PIANO PIANO location on Harbord Street in 2016. In 2017, childhood friend Brendan Piunno joined the team. Now, there are four PIANO PIANO locations across Toronto and Oakville, and the team's fifth restaurant, Piccolo Piano Pizzeria, is located in Harbord Village.
But Barry, McKean, and Piunno don't plan to stop there. The team plans to open their sixth venture with another PIANO PIANO location in Hamilton in fall 2023.
PIANO PIANO Colborne is open for lunch from noon to 3 p.m. and for dinner every day from 5 to 10 p.m.
