TRIMANI RISTORANTE
If you think you can no longer be surprised by the finesse of Italian food in Toronto, you will be thrilled with what proprietor Robert De Zorzi and Chef Domenic Colacci are coming up with at this hidden gem in a strip mall in North Toronto’s Italian regions. For 15 years they have been pleasing the who’s who of the city’s industrialists at lunch. Fresh summer truffles come from Puglia and the word goes out. Regulars arrive and order showers of the aromatic tuber on their sunny side ups, pastas, or whatever their heart desires. While I’m thinking that the cost of the truffles on my fresh fettuccine is about as much as a car payment, Chef Dominic says apologetically, “because of the truffles, the pasta has to cost $18.” Oh my, I love this food.
Now giving in to customers’ demands, they’re open for dinner on Friday and Saturday evenings. Wine from their extensive collection flows, and live music by singer/pianist Mellow Dee sets the mood. You’ll see the Fresh Ontario lamb chops fly from the kitchen, with each vegetable given careful respect. They won’t remove the favourite chicken on the grill pressed with a 10-lb brick from the menu, as no one will ever tire of this crispskinned, juicy bird. The pasta specialties are of such lightness of texture and exquisite taste they could be enough to make an Italian man choose Trimani over Mama. This clientele is accustomed to personal service and food of the highest level. “We’ve built a reputation,” says Colacci. “We listen to people’s needs and wants. Whatever they need, we take care of that. It’s about people. They talk to me like they’re my friends. We make whatever they want. If I have it, I will do it for them. We customize for everybody, whatever they need.”