Osteria Giulia
Toronto, Canada
1 Star
The Experience
From Michelin Guide
It seems nearly impossible to have a bad time at Chef Rob Rossi’s Italian stunner. Flickering candlelight bounces off cream-colored walls and blond-oak tables running down the length of this restaurant that feels, at all times, totally under control thanks to a suave staff. And whereas many Italian menus can look the same, Rossi narrows in on the seafood-rich traditions of Liguria. A superbly light vitello tonnato and a piping hot Ligurian flatbread stuffed with stracchino offer promising starts. There must be pasta, like squid ink spaghetti with Nova Scotia lobster, and there must be panna cotta. A deep Italian wine list and an especially talented cocktail program round out an experience that is as accomplished as it is hospitable.
From Visitor Experiences
Michelin-star consistency
- Osteria Giulia has held 1 Michelin star in 2022, 2023, and 2024, as part of Toronto's inaugural Michelin Guide.
Convivio family-style tasting menu
- The restaurant offers a 'Convivio' family-style menu at CAN$130 per person for 8-10 guests, featuring a shared progression of antipasto, primo, secondo, dolce.
Signature pasta: Lorighittas al Mare
- Lorighittas al Mare is a hand-braided pasta dish with wild squid, bay scallops, garlic, chili, and anchovy, a standout among the restaurant's seafood pasta offerings.
From Visitor Experiences
Signature Ingredients
- Lorighittas (hand-braided pasta): A defining Ligurian-inspired pasta highlighted on Osteria Giulia’s menu (Lorighittas al Mare). The pasta is hand-braided and paired with a coastal seafood medley, epitomizing the restaurant’s seafood-forward, refined approach to Italian coastal cooking.
- Wild squid: Central to Lorighittas al Mare and a recurring coastal ingredient, contributing a briny sweetness and umami that anchors the Ligurian coastal influence across the menu.
- Bay scallops: Featured with wild squid in Lorighittas al Mare, adding delicate sweetness and texture to the pasta-centric seafood dishes.
- Garlic, chili, and anchovy: Classic flavor boosters integrated into the Lorighittas al Mare pairing, providing depth and a characteristic Mediterranean heat and umami that define the dish.
- Wild snow crab: A key component of Tagliolini al Granchio, delivering luxurious sweetness and a refined briny character that highlights the seafood-forward philosophy.
- Smoked bottarga: Present in Tagliolini al Granchio, imparting a distinctive briny, oceany richness and complexity to the pasta dish.
- Sherry, citrus, bergamot, and chives: Flavor notes accompanying Tagliolini al Granchio, contributing bright, aromatic complexity that elevates the crab and bottarga combination.
- Spigola (sea bass): Featured in Spigola Alla Griglia, representing the restaurant’s elegant, simple approach to seafood where the fish’s natural flavors are allowed to shine.
- Lobster: Highlighted in Lobster Ravioli, underscoring Osteria Giulia’s focus on luxurious seafood-pasta combinations and refined textures.
- Frutti di Mare (seafood assortment): A hallmark seafood medley that showcases the breadth of the restaurant’s coastal offerings in a single course.
- Focaccia di Recco: A traditional Ligurian bread served at Osteria Giulia, reflecting regional technique and simplicity with high-quality olive oil and ingredients.
- Veal Carpaccio / Vitello Tonnato: A classic Italian preparation featuring veal with albacore tuna and citrus-olive notes, illustrating the restaurant’s broader repertoire beyond seafood.
- Tiramisù alla Giulia: The house signature tiramisu, representative of the refined Italian pastry craft that complements the savory courses.
- Millefoglie al Cocco (Coconut Millefoglie): A dessert option that showcases the house’s pastry finesse and offers a coconut-touched finish to the dining experience.
From Visitor Reviews
Tasting Menu
- Convivio Family Style Menu — CAD$130.00 per person (Antipasto | Primo | Secondo | Dolce). Available for bookings of 8-10 guests. View current CONVIVIO menu at w.osteriagiulia.ca