Ardo Restaurant

Sicily is a rich, fertile, volcanic and beautiful land. It is the legitimate heir of ancient Greece, but also boasts the influence of peoples like the Arabs and the Vikings; south and north. I'm here to talk about cooking and Ardo restaurant, but you cannot appreciate the cuisine of this excellent little restaurant without presenting it, even if superficially, in the context of the intense cultural melting pot that Sicily reflects. At Ardo you will find true Italian food in its Sicilian inclination. The Ardo dishes, from appetizers to desserts, bring out the raw ingredients of the Sicilian territory (Ardo also imports flour, pasta, and special oils from Sicily, which you can buy) without forgetting tradition. It’s a wonderful menu, capable of delivering surprises, respectful of the past great for the palate and your health. And remember that each dish of Sicilian cuisine is a piece of history. Over the centuries, the island has been conquered by the Greeks, Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines, Normans, Swabians, Angevins, Aragonese, Austro-Bourbon, Piedmont. It does not end here. Because the domination policies were complemented by other influences are less aggressive and more purely cultural. Then there was - and still is - the Tunisian influence due to the close relationship between live across the Strait of Sicily and which finds its highest expression in the couscous. Indeed, Ardo has one of the more interesting couscous dishes in the city. Sicily was the granary of Italy and the first great laboratory for the development of pasta, which was tested in new recipes and shapes. Yes, before Marco Polo went to China. At Ardo, you will find the best interpretation of Sicilian cuisine in Toronto, or perhaps in Canada. Sicily, however, is one of Italy’s most beautiful and cultured regions. Archimedes, the third century scientist, was Sicilian. One of Italy’s Nobel winning physicists, Antonino Zichichi is Sicilian, Some of the best writers of the twentieth century were Sicilian: Leonardo Sciascia and Luigi Pirandello to name a couple. Some of the best actors, directors, statesmen of moral rectitude and human touch (the judges Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino, for example) are Sicilian. The food of this island is part of that rich heritage, befitting its natural beauty and the three thousand-year history. Of course, Sicily is not around the corner from Bloor Street. Yet, if you go to King Street at the point where it intersects Sherbourne, not too far from downtown, where you can easily find parking, you will reach Ardo. The staff is genuinely friendly, rather than unctuous. Roberto, the owner is a classic Sicilian gentleman. His cuisine reflects his taste and his heritage. Ask for some bread and the excellent Sicilian olive oil and you'll understand immediately the goodness' of what you are about to experience. And if you like wine, you can finally try the excellent Sicilian wines: red, suggest the Nero d'Avola; White? Vermentino. Try a real Marsala and finish with a lovely digestive like Montenegro; there’s enough variety for all tastes: I stress you should try the Sicilian wines. To better appreciate the delicious dishes, you must understand Sicilian cuisine and its roots. It comes from the fact that Sicily is in the center of the Mediterranean, where an extraordinary climate allows farmers to grow the tastiest vegetables, grapes, olives, oranges in the world. They produce the most aromatic olive oils and precious wines thanks to grapes and herbs have the most intense fragrances. And it is also a place where people are still in touch with the genuine flavors from the sea and the land. Roberto has not betrayed Sicilian food, by combining and adapting it in the way that is typical in Italian cooking outside – and even in - Italy. In Sicily, the memory of the old recipes is still alive. New generations have not lost that knowledge. In Sicily there might be roughly 10-12 McDonald's restaurants to give you a quick mental picture of the strength of local traditions. In Milan, there are 23 alone. Sicily is the Mediterranean, thus it’s a cradle of food that combines health, tradition and taste. At Ardo, you will find just that. I tried a bit of everything: calamari, arancini, traditional pasta, octopus, marinated anchovies, cod croquettes and my beloved eggplants. If there is a typical Sicilian vegetable you must try, by the way, it’s the eggplant. The only 'problem' - in the selection; not the quality '- are the desserts. I have a sweet tooth and Sicily boasts among the best desserts in the world. Ardo does have excellent cannoli and gelato (an invention of Sicily), but there are so many more Sicilian delights. Perhaps, I might make an offer Roberto can’t refuse, persuading him to bring out an Iris or a Cassata on the menu soon.

Too many restaurants pander to the bland North American palate and dilute authentic cuisine to accommodate the masses. How awesome to come across a restaurant that stays with it's cultural roots! Sicilian Italian is lesser known than the infamous Tuscan, but with it's Moorish influence - pine nuts, raisins, couscous - it's infinitely more interesting! As I live locally, this will definitely be a regular place for me! Daily and weekly selections make for a fabulous variety according to the availability from suppliers across Canada - white Chanterelle mushrooms from Quebec, Shark steak and Tuna flown in from PEI, Sicilian olive oil to die for (and available for sale), cherry tomatoes from Prince Edward County which in the Chef's own words are almost better than Sicilian! A great ambience to top it all off. Highly recommend the "Chef's table" seating where you get to watch Chef/Owner Roberto working hard at his craft! Enjoy the specialist Aperitifs and Grappa!

Braised short rib was my favourite, melt in your mouth soft, the cannoli was also amazing. Service was outstanding, our server Meghan made great recommendations and we enjoyed every dish/drink she suggested. We will be going back often! Reasonable prices for great food.

Family run restaurant? Check. Authentic Italian? Check. Astonishingly deep wine list? Check. Sublime and sensationally presented plates? Check. Warm and friendly room and atmosphere?Check. Best cannoli you will EVER have this side of Naples? Check. We dined at Ardo a few weeks ago - and are going back soon - and we still look at each other with a stupid grin and go ‘damn that was a tremendous dining experience!” Sig other had the braised short rib and - I kid you not, she may have experienced a low level orgasm, it was that good. Just deep well seasoned flavor and unctuous-ness. I had the daily fish special and I can say I left the plate as clean as the moment before they plated it. Meaty flavorful sustainable Northwest Territories whitefish with golden beets. I think I passed out temporarily from the umami of crisp fish skin and the soft flaky texture and taste. Honestly, it’s going up on the list of top 10 meals. And I’m already wetting myself with excitement about going back again this week. I cannot wait. Edit: back again and braised beef and squid ink pasta in the back alley outdoor patio. Couple glasses Nero d’Avola, finished with cannoli and dreamy creamy pannacotta

We were welcomed very warmly by the staff, and particularly enjoyed the decor and musical ambiance. To eat, we shared a burrata, a margherita pizza and the tartufo, which were all delightful. Our personal highlight was the burrata, which is imported from Italy. It’s fair to say it’s the best I’ve ever had in Canada. Would recommend this place!

Last night my friend, who was visiting from Portland, and me went to dinner to one of the best Italian restaurants in town. The owners Roberto and Alessandro are wonderful hosts, the service was impeccable, and the Sicilian dishes were exceptional. We had the Polpo (octopus), la pizza Milazzo, the scallops (a delicacy) and the best Carpaccio di Tonno I've ever had. Everything was ultra fresh and cooked or marinated to perfection, in some of the best olive oil imported from Italy. Try their great Sicilian wine selection and make sure to order their Negroni cocktail. All in all, a great dining experience, great atmosphere and hospitality. Grazie mille al chef Roberto e al host Alessandro, siete bravissimi!