Markham’s Italian food scene just got a whole lot better. With eye-catching décor and a small, curated menu, Osteria Mattarello is a new concept that focuses on using fresh, local ingredients to create elevated Italian classics.
“We don’t take shortcuts with any dish on the menu,” says the Mattarello team. “Our goal is to refine classic Italian dishes by using the best ingredients and products, but local and imported.”
Every section of the menu, including Appetizers, Pizzas and Pastas, were carefully calculated to have exactly six dishes—the sweet spot for those looking for variety but get anxiety over too many choices.
“We deliberately created a limited menu to ensure we’re focusing on every detail of the dish and creating flavours that are truly unique.”
Our smaller menu is what allows us to focus on refining recipes and to create an experience beyond traditional Italian cuisine.”
Besides a carefully curated menu, part of Mattarello’s charm is in its warm, modern interiors: emerald benches and chairs line the walls of the restaurant as diners eat on white marble tabletops, all lit by minimalist yet eclectic fixtures to complete the vibrant atmosphere.
To start, one of Mattarello’s most popular appetizers is the Grilled Calamari, followed closely by their Heirloom Tomato Carpaccio with figs and whipped buffalo mozzarella.
Pizza lovers are highly recommended to order the Sweet Carne pizza, featuring their creamy, house-made rosé sauce and topped with hot soppressata, guanciale, caramelized onions, and a final sweet drizzle of rosemary honey. Their vegetarian options are also worth a try, including the classic Margherita with San Marzano tomato sauce, and the more decadent Wild Mushroom & Truffle pizza, made with foraged mushrooms, truffle paste, truffle oil, and caramelized onions.
Mattarello also makes beautiful pasta dishes that are just full of flavour. The most popular option right now is their vegetarian-friendly Mushroom & Truffle Pappardelle in a white wine sauce enhanced by truffle oil, truffle paste, and finally, fresh imported Périgord truffle shavings.
Seafood lovers can indulge in Mattarello’s Shrimp & Seafood Bucatini, featuring perfectly charred, garlic butter colossal shrimp, mussels, and scallops, all tossed in a fragant tomato-based, 24-hour lobster demi-glace.
Their Duck Confit Ravioli is another standout dish here. Stuffed with duck leg confit, the ravioli is placed in a scrumptious duck bone broth and brown butter sauce then topped with crispy duck skin and crispy sage.
Don’t skip the Sides section on the menu, either—their Risotto Verdi is a refreshing shareable (or make it your main!) soaked in a citrusy spinach and pea purée sauce, and their Parmesan Truffle Fries with a truffle dipping sauce is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for any occasion.
Finally, for dessert, Mattarello has focused their efforts on three stellar items: the Hazelnut Zeppole (fried donut filled with hazelnut cream custard), a too-pretty-to-eat Delizia Al Limone (lemon mousse, lavender cake, blackberry coulis), and last but far from least, the luxurious Pistachio Tiramisu Millefoglie, a masterpiece of layered baked pastry filled with pistachio, mascarpone, and coffee crema.
Pair your meal with a glass of wine, too. Mattarello partners with Toronto’s best boutique wine agencies to offer a 100% consignment wine list with bottles from all over the world, with a focus on the unique, regional wines of Italy.
With a casual fine dining atmosphere, Osteria Mattarello is the perfect spot to spoil yourself and satisfy your carbs cravings. Drop by for lunch or for dinner—they’re open everyday except Wednesdays, from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Find them on 230 Commerce Valley Dr E #2A, right next to Congee Queen. To get a peek inside the restaurant and their dishes, check out their Instagram.
