Food, service, ambiance, everything, AMAZING. Will be coming back asap!! Honestly one of the best meals I have ever had in the city.

My recent visit to Enoteca Sociale turned into a disheartening affair, marred by rushed service and a lack of consideration for guests' time and experience. Despite making a reservation with the hostess who said there would be a spot to dine at 7:30 pm, the evening quickly descended into chaos. Upon our return-arrival at 7:30 PM, we were dismayed to learn from the same hostess that our reserved table would not be available until 9:24 PM, unless we were willing to eat in a hurried manner. As if this weren't disappointing enough, the situation took an even more unsettling turn when the hostess relayed the urgency for us to leave to the bartender after we had placed our meal orders. If this wasn't bad enough, the staff began to gossip about the situation with a blatant disregard for us as they spoke about it directly in front of us. This blatant disregard for our dining experience left us feeling undervalued and unwelcome. Instead of being able to relax and enjoy our meal, we were rushed through our dining experience, with the implicit message that our presence was an inconvenience rather than a valued opportunity for the restaurant to showcase its hospitality. Not sure how this meets the Michelin Bib Gourmand standards. read more

Enoteca is a nice spot with great drinks and great vibe to grab a bite and hang out with friends. I've driven by Enoteca a number of times and finally had the time to go check this place out. Located just west of Dundas and Dovercourt, you can't miss the massive doors. Service was great from start to finish, attentive and overall a good experience. However, the food was decent at best. The Cacio e Pepe was on the saltier side, so be ready for that. It was very rich in flavour, a pinch less of salt and this would be been wonderful. The charcuterie board was decent, although I must say that the cheese was really good. Best dish of the night goes to the arancini balls. Really nice and crispy on the outside, stringy and warm cheese on the inside. Drench it in the tomato sauce, you won't regret it. read more

See all

Getting a reservation at Enoteca Sociale is not easy.... even for my Saturday 10 pm table for one reservation had to made more than 2 weeks ahead. I really wondering how good this place is? Why so popular? The restaurant itself is pretty small and intimate. It does feel like I am eating in a farm house somewhere in Italy. Noise level is deafening, I can hear all these chattering going on around me, at the end of the dinner I can even hear that in my head.... Enoteca Sociale is also one of those restaurants I would have come if I am on a diet. I would also come here if I am dining alone as sharing is not really necessary. The portion here is small.... really small........ House made pappardelle, Ontario lamb ragu, house smoked guanciale & pecorino ($18) was really really good. The freshly made pappardelle has this awesome texture and softness. The lamb ragu was rich and flavored. I was chewing and eating slowly....really slowly.....enjoying my every bite...................... Tiramisu ($8) accented with orange peel and preceso was a light twist to this classical dessert. Light and creamy at the same time. My waitress is efficient but a little bite cold. My food was served quickly and plate removed right when I finished.... and I was in and out in 45 minute. Will I come back? Maybe for the tastier menu, but I know what to expect... good food in small portion and pricey................ read more

See all

I have heard so much about this place over the years and have been trying to come several times (without reservation) and had no luck. So I book ahead this time with my husband and friends to celebrate a low key birthday. They sat us right near the door, which is not really the best spot, but that's fine. We ordered a bunch of drinks and different foods to share family style. The service was soooooo slow. We waited so long for the food. One of my friend was pregnant and I felt so bad that she had to starve for that long. We told the server and he seemed a little annoyed that we asked. I understand it can be busy, but it's still fair to ask. Also, at the begining when we were placing our orders, we asked questions about the foods and drinks and he wasn't the friendliest. He even cut the conversation mid way and left to attend to another table while we were still talking to him. The entire experience with that server was so weird. Later, the manager came by and appologized for the wait and said to not worry, and that he will take care of us. I am not sure what he was trying to say by taking care of our table, but we all assumed that maybe he'll throw in some free dessert or drinks, or maybe give us a little discount. But nothing. And even after the manager came by, we still had to wait for our food. And let's talk about the food. The portions were pretty small, and taste wise, nothing memorable. The fried zucchini flowers was the biggest disappointment of all time. Needless to say, this was a big flop. read more

This may sound snobbish - but when I go to a new Italian spot, and I want to test to see if it is good, I will order the simplest thing on the menu. Pasta with a tomato based sauce. No major entree. Just an appitezer, and a pasta. To start - we ordered a prosciutto, a raw cow cheese, a raw goat cheese. Initially thought it was a bit pricey, but the charcuterie board came with pickled peppers/cauliflower, green apple slices (sliced beautifully thin), roasted spicey pecans, and a small bowl of honey. It was very good. The raw goat cheese was my favorite. I ordered the Amatriciana - it was very simple, delicious and had a nice bite to it spice wise. I loved it. We also ordered Cacio e Pepe - which I've never been a fan of because I was find this dish too salty. Overall - place was great. A bit pricy, but the food is delicious. read more

See all

This has been on my Food List for almost 2 years (if you don't have a food list, get your priorities straight). I went after spending a week in the Bahamas and I was really looking forward to some good pasta. Let's get one thing out of the way, service was great - I had at least 3 different servers pouring water, bringing over fresh bread and removing plates. Moving on to the Pasta, we ordered 2 pasta dishes. The Cacio e Pepe & the Amatriciana. Now I know authentic pasta is supposed to be served Al Dente but this was taken to a whole other level, almost to a pain where I thought they may have undercooked it. That's what I didn't like, if it was cooked a bit more then I would have enjoyed it a bit more. That's just personal preference though. What I liked was the simplicity of the dishes. The Cacio e Pepe was made with sheep's milk cheese and black pepper. Super simple, not too creamy or cheesy - really good. The Amatriciana has chili, tomato and some sort of bacon. Really simple. I actually combined the 2 of them and the Cacio really balanced out the tomato in the Amatriciana. We obviously ordered dessert which was a Sticky Toffee Pudding with Ice Cream. It was very rich and sweet. I could only do 1-2 bites, because it was a bit overwhelming for me. I would love to check out the cheese cave they have downstairs, and the cute little party room. Keep Eating, Angela read more

See all

This place is always such a treat! Super warm and casual spot with delicious Italian fare and great service. On our most recent visit, we had their chicken liver mousse, arancini, salmon crudo, squid ink pasta and the amatriciana. All delicious. We also really enjoyed the olive oil that they serve with their complimentary bread. If you've never been, you honestly cannot go wrong with their pasta dishes. Freshly made pasta and perfectly al dente with great flavors. Definitely make reservations in advance, especially if you want to go on a weekend. read more

See all

2 separate reviews from 1 visit: 1. The takeout. Took out dinner tonight. Much like eating in the restaurant the food was freshly made and fantastic. The negative: the takeout pastas are smaller than expected. 2. The make at home pasta kit We also picked up a Cacio e Pepe kit. Not very impressed the kit would get a 2. There wasn't much cheese and the pre made sauce was also light. Would not recommend. Final comments: the food is amazing. Take it home and enjoy. Don't forgot to order an app or extra item to fill you up. The take home kits aren't the best. read more

4.5 stars ... great restaurant and wonderful dishes. Enoteca Sociale is on Canada's 100 best restaurant and so my curiousity about this place was peaked even more than before when that list was announced for 2017. Enoteca would be my 6th restaurant from the list and after my Saturday early evening dinner, I can safely say it belongs there. Service was polite and thoughtful to everyone including to a young family sitting nearby, food was delicious and incredibly well priced compared to other options in Toronto for the same level of detail and execution, and I loved the atmosphere. We arrived early Saturday evening and was offered a choice of sitting inside or outseide. The patio looked great and eventually was filled with many diners to enjoy the last bit of sun of the day. We chose inside as we knew it might rain (still!) but we liked how the tables inside were nicely spaced out to not be sitting on your neighbour. It was charming with a lot of warm natural light with well spaced tables and it was just the right level of music (aka. you can definitely hear your friend) to not be distracting. The music was fun and a bit hilarious... old school hip hop wasn't my first thought for Italian food but it made for moment where you had that look of "OH wow... I heard this when I was in Grade 9!!" Loved the service here... between constantly checking in discretely, clearing plates and utensils for new ones between each dish, and filling water, it was clear they were a well polished group as they took care of the room seamless. I wouldnt say everyone was friendly but definitely they care about how you felt about the meal and the experience. The hostess and one particular young lady was just doting on the little kid at the next table and making thoughtful chit chat. It was very nice to see they welcome everyone one ... regardless of how old they were. Arancini - Something so simple looking and yet deliver a response of "damn thats good" after each bite. Perfectly crispy shell housing tender rice grains with a generous molten core of gooey cheese awaits your every bite... add the nicely spiced tomato sauce that gives your tongue a bit of heat and you got yourself one of the best arancini I've had in Toronto and rivaling some of the best I've had from my travels. 5/5 Cacio e Pepe - I debate going between a 3.5 to 4... the sauce was a gorgeous creamy texture that held its wonderful texture for quite a while but the black pepper taste was a bit subdued. You can taste it as a lingering note at the end of the bite. I've had it far more aggressively peppered in Italy but that doesnt mean this version is bad. Pasta was just a touch past al dente but I dont like it too firm so it was perfect for me. Though this was a cheese on cheese affair, it never felt too heavy and a nice portion to share as a primi 4/5 Amatriciana - The other primi was the amatriciana pasta and this was just amazing. It was a bright tomato sauce with a touch of heat from chilis and slices of guanciale (nice pieces of pork neck that reminds you of bacon). The pasta was a thicker version of spaghetti and so it had a bit more chew but it was cooked wonderfully so it wasn't mushy or firm. Just right. A definite winner. 5/5 Roast Chicken - For our secondi, we opted for the chicken and as someone mentioned "I want more of this chicken skin. What did they do to this... its like an addiction". It looks like they pan seared it before roasting the rest and it resulted in this incredibly crackly and flavourful chip like skin that was addicting. The meat was tender, flavouful, and juicy so it was so easy to just tear the meat off the bones easily. The only small note was that some pieces of the chicken was a tad bit oversalted but not all of it. 4/5 Rapini - Generous platter of deep green rapini ... i was pleasantly surprised on the size and thrilled! I'm used to (unfortunately) receiving only 5 sprigs for $10 (True story... just ask Mark McEwan). Generous pour of olive oil topped it off... perhaps a bit too generous but I know a lot of Italian nonnas just douse their vegetables this way. Most of the rapini was fresh and perfectly cooked... once in a while though you come across a tougher and slightly 'woodier' one but its a small item 3.5/5 Green Bean - Another generous side where you have bright greens. These are well cooked as they still retained their crunch while still just edging towards being tender. Nicely spiced with salt and chilli flakes. Great side to the chicken. 4/5 I really liked Enoteca Sociale especially for the price point. With drinks and tips, it came out to be $45 per person and I know I've paid more for dishes that werent as flavourful or well executed. I will definitely return especially knowing that the menu rotates seasonally. read more

See all

I've always been a fan here. Had the grilled beef tongue two nights ago. It was delicious. Trece with spicy octopus and sausage was okay, I rathe have the butacini or the fettucine with chicken liver. Kale salad is always my go to but opted to try there carrots bomba with candy almond (wish it was served a bit warmer). Totally disappointed by their sticky toffee pudding. I love their menu just none of their dessert. Service was good as usual. read more

See all

I've heard tons about Enoteca Sociale on my journey to find some of the best Italian food in the city, and it definitely didn't disappoint. The menu offers several items that you most likely won't find across other Italian restaurants in the city, so it provides a unique experience to say the least. Our table tried 2 dishes, the Beef Crudo appetizer, and the Cacio e Pepe Paste. The Beef Crudo was a surprise for our table. Neither of us really eat raw meat - but we went out on a limb to try something new and it didn't disappoint! The beef had a great peppery and citrusy flavour, without being gamey at all - which was fear for us! It was a great appetizer to start and to snack on over discussion. We then had the Cacio e Pepe that's been raved all over Yelp, however I feel like it left me wanting more. I know that the dish is supposed to be simple and made of limited ingredients, but I felt like I was looking for something a extra to push the flavour profile over the edge. The service was impeccable as we sat at the bar, our server was always very attentive and helpful. Would come back again to try the other options on the menu! read more

Enoteca Sociale - Italian Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Almost a full restaurant on a Monday? They must be doing something right! I came in here with the SO for dinner, and it was lively to say the least! We were seated promptly. The ambience is a lovely combination of rustic with modern elements. We ordered a couple of arancini balls, and the trout crudo to start. And a couple of pasta dishes - amatriciana and turkey tagliatelle. House bread with olive oil - Just perfect way to start. Arancini - Crunchy on the outside, soft and cheesy on the inside with a beautiful tomato sauce. Probably one of the best I've had. Trout Crudo - It's a delicate dish! I should have eaten this before the arancini... and saved some bread. oh well... Amatriciana and Tagliatelle - Perfectly al dente paired with balanced sauces. If you are craving pasta, you are at the right place. The cocktails looked great, but I didn't drink this time. I'll have to make a trip down here again - maybe in the summer for the patio! read more

Best resto negroni I've ever had (usually I prefer mine at home) & the bucatini all' amatriciana was delicious. The vibe is intimate & cozy, but still lively & not at all boring. Service is super warm & friendly. read more

I had this place in my list for a long time and we finally visited during the summer. They have a beautiful patio! We tried Arranchini for appetizers and just loved it... We also have two vegetarian pastas, which were good. the portion sizes were small however the quality of food was rich. read more

Delicious from the house made breads down to dessert. Every bite was perfect. Try the squid ink pasta - they shell the mussels for you, and each bite is delightfully chewy and salty-savory. They also had one of the most perfect arancini I've had, crisp on the outside and delicate in the middle read more

Enoteca Sociale - Squid ink pasta - Italian Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Our decision to come here was pretty last minute and we weren't able to make a reservation online because all the times were full (Saturday evening), so we decided to go early. We got there at 5:00pm, right when they opened, and we were seated immediately. The service was great, as it was actually pretty quiet in the beginning. We were given complimentary warm rosemary bread to start, which we devoured immediately. They even gave us a refill of the bread which is 10/10 service in my books because I love carbs. We ordered the beef crudo ($15) to start. This was probably my favourite part of the meal. The beef and tomatoes were seasoned perfectly and paired with a crunchy flatbread. I would highly recommend this as a shared starter! I got the gnocchi ($15). The sauce was delicious and they gave me a huge slather of ricotta on top, which I very much appreciated. The gnocchi was alright, the texture wasn't as chewy as I'd hoped it would be. It was a little soft and mushy, more potato-y than pasta-y. It wasn't bad, but I would've preferred if it was a little firmer. I didn't get to try the cacio e pepe ($13), but my boyfriend really enjoyed it and said it was delicious. I was impressed by the low prices when I first looked at the menu, but the portions were a little smaller than average, so I'd say the prices were fair. read more

See all

Great place with such a cozy ambiance! We sat at the bar and enjoyed some of the best ribeye steak I ever had! My husband got the Caccio e Peppe! The ribeye was seasoned perfectly and the salad that came with us was perfect! I wish I was staying in Toronto long enough to eat here again! read more

See all

Really delicious Italian place. It was one of my friend's birthday and we had reserved a table downstairs in the winery. I loved how private and unique it was! (Please see pictures below) I have to say I was impressed by both the place and the food. Every dish was unique and very authentic. At times during the meal, I wished I was raised by an Italian family. Their charcuterie board was quite nice with a variety of cheeses and meats. I thoroughly enjoyed their freshly made pasta and the home made sauce was just unbelievably good. The atmosphere was just simply perfect. Really enjoyed the experience! A bit expensive, but would definitely recommend people to come if they want to enjoy good and authentic Italian food in Toronto. read more

See all

What does one do when one ventures into unfamiliar neighborhood and sees a restaurant that is mentioned around quite a bit, well one walks in and asks for a table of course. So on a rainy Sunday night after a social event we ended up at this spot. The place was packed and the 4 of us ended up sitting at the communal table with 2 other diners. Two of the fellow diners decided to stick with the dessert a wise choice (more on this later) I was feeling a bit adventurous since I didn't have to share my food with anyone else so I decided to order items that are not that common elsewhere GRILLED BEEF TONGUE, PEACH & JALAPENO, SALSA VERDE and "CROWN SALUMI" and a BEEF CARPACCIO, BONE MARROW, SUNCHOKE CHIPS & ARUGULA and asked for the glass of red to go with the meal. The last fellow diner ordered GNOCCHI, TOMATO,'NDUJA, STRACCIATELLA & BASIL Service was nice even though the place was packed. Warm bread was brought promptly and there was good olive oil to use for dipping. Then the food arrived and I was shocked to see the portions for the main. These are more tapas sized and will satisfy only the lightest of eaters. I tried the gnocchi and didn't find it interesting. The gnocchi while cooked well is not something that can be made exciting beyond a certain limit IMO. Carpaccio was a bit more interesting. The marrow in the center was a tiny portion so again I was unsatisfied. Grilled beef tongue was spiced well with a nice contrast of heat and sweet to balance things out. Still unfulfilled I ended up ordering the sticky toffee with vanilla ice cream. Sadly that was the best thing on the menu. The cardamon syrup adds an interesting layer to this sugary rush dish. Maybe I have become jaded and don't appreciate Italian food much anymore unless someone hits it out of the park. Sadly this place didn't do it for me. The place is loud so don't expect to have a conversation when you are here. For the price we ended up paying here I expect a lot lot more. read more

See all

So the important part of my message here is that they have the wines on their Enomatic at 1/2 price on Mondays and Tuesdays. As soon as I digested that bit of news (which was about 2 seconds after I read their tweet a few weeks ago), I knew I had to visit immediately and run through their enomatic list. This was a no-brainer, having already placed Enoteca Sociale on my re-visit list. Strong dishes and excellently-priced wines - how can you say no? I enjoyed the appetizer of Buffalo mozzarella with anchovies and summer tomato quite a bit. But it was the tomato that stole the show. I know that despite how cold I feel now, summer will come around eventually. The tomato, however, made me pine for those hot days with its sweet and intense flavour. The Bucatini All'Amatriciana is pretty good here and they use the bucatini pasta that I love. And loads of garlic. Good stuff. I thought it perfectly paired with the Monferatto Rosso "Pin." Recently, I've been on a quest to banish a most terrible memory of scrambled-eggs-with-pasta (not Volo's strongest dish, apparently) and the spaghetti carbonara at Enoteca Sociale most certainly helped. Pancetta, egg, black pepper, and pecorino, in a lovely - and just-creamy - sauce. But it was the large and chewy pancetta nuggets that gave this dish its spark. The Braised Oxtail and Polenta was very filling. While I didn't love the polenta (not my thing), it did go well with the deliciously thick and rich gravy on the plate. Great winter food. And we come to my favourite dish so far: the mixed grill. A fantastic and hefty plate of meats: house-made sausage, pork shoulder, grilled short ribs, lamb chop, and skirt steak. All the meats were excellent, but my personal favourite was the pork shoulder. It came sided with these perfect potato wedges, rhubarb chutney, bomba, and a gremolata. You can see the order of roasted root vegetables hanging out in the back. This whole dish was just so, so, so, good. Had the Sagrantino Di Montefalco 2005 with this. Ricotta Tiramisu. Light and lovely with a cappuccino. A very pleasant end to the evening. In then end, we managed to sample the entire enomatic list at this casual restaurant filled with families. A lot of fun, good dishes, and good wine. (x-posted on the blog, w/photos) read more

Enoteca Sociale - The mixed grill. So good. - Italian Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Not a good experience for my group and I. Unfortunately our waitress brought the wrong bottle of wine (we ordered a white, she brought us a sparkling wine) and when we mentioned it was bubbly she basically gaslit us. We tried to bring it up to her again and it was brushed it off. A full bottle of prosessco with our dinner was not ideal. We checked the receipt at the end and the bottle she billed was not the one we had ordered, figures. We also asked to move inside after we finished eating, as it was getting chilly out and the restaurant was half empty. But we were told we couldn't for no reason. Overall, the service and wine fail ruined the experience. 2/5. read more

Overall, this Italian resto in Little Portugal was a rustic, cozy, slightly cramped, & quite loud even on a Wednesday night. Place was packed and probably one of the busiest places on that strip. Service was unpretentious and timing was good. Most things came at a good time, but mains did take longer, nothing outrageous. Highlights: - Arancini - delicious, sauce was good, but a tad too salty - one of their cured meats, similar to Proscuitto - beautifully sliced, not too salty - presentation of the charcuterie - menu was short and sweet, not overly complicated - service was good, not super friendly, but pleasant, efficient, unpretentious - tons of Wine to choose from Needs Improvement: - I wished there was some description for the cheeses/meats that they were offering. Menu just stated the name + where they were from. We chose 2 cheeses/1 meat based on the servers recommendations and I don't think I would've picked one of the cheeses on its own if there was an actual description. It was too strong/salty for my taste - the marinara for the Arancini (see above) - the texture of the spaghetti was too dense, not in an el dente way, but just a bit too heavy, not chewy - despite me asking a lot of questions about the wine, no samples of wine were offered. This is a standard in most restaurants with an extensive wine list. If you enjoy wine with your meal, just ASK if you can try some before you commit to a $20/glass Warning: Restaurant is extremely loud, soo loud that there's really no point in carrying a conversation. So not recommended for a first date...unless said date isn't very entertaining. In that case, reserve some money for the vino! read more

Enoteca Sociale - Italian Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

I wish Enoteca Sociale was right on the subway line. Although the steady stream of oncoming diners can attest that this place is doing just fine, despite the necessary streetcar trek. A modestly sized Italian resto, it's got that dim interior that's cool yet has booth seating and friendly service that's also welcoming to families. The service was really nice and polite, winning points with my mom and dad. After attending my brother's convocation, my family and our significant others were looking for an early dinner with reasonably accessible parking, little to no wait time (best to call ahead and ask if a table is available before you go), comfortable seating, and a midrange price for a group of 6. The menu, though relatively small, was perfect for us. Ordering plates to share, here's what we got: - Albacore Tuna Conserva, $14 - Taggiasche olives, red onion & mint. This was prepared sous-vide, only just cooked through, drizzled with plenty of olive oil over pitted olives, thin red onion slivers, and small mint leaves. I dipped my bread in it afterwards. - Raw beef & bone marrow, $15 - Gremolata & grilled sourdough. Two of my much-loved dishes on one plate? How can this be?! This was a popular one with our group and was demolished the quickest. The beef tartare is cut relatively thick, in case you're wondering. The bone marrow is half a bone, so I would think that one person could easily polish off one order. - Grilled Sausage, $15 - Grilled ramps, shallot salsa, herbed ricotta & honey. A hit for my carnivorous dad, he enjoyed the shallot salsa combo. - Bucatini All'Amatriciana, $13 - Guanciale, tomato & chili. If you have yet to try bucatini, I would describe this as a slightly thicker, hollowed-out spaghetti. The guanciale is cut into small bits. The tomato sauce is mostly absorbed into the pasta, creating a red-hued noodle. - Rigatoni, 16 - Braised rabbit, pine nuts & currants. The rabbit meat is shredded into chicken-like pieces and had no real discernible game taste. A safe and inoffensive segueway into game meats if you've never tried it before. - Smoked Spaghetti, $17 - Manila clams, fennel sausage, chili & parsley. I hope this wasn't the spaghetti Eminem was talking about, because that would be a pretty big waste ("There's vomit on his sweater already/Mom's spaghetti")! Another hit of the night. The fair portion of plump clams nicely filled their shells, which I think helped to justify the price. After eating the first round of it, we actually immediately ordered a second! 8OZ 45 Day Dry-Aged Ontario Striploin, $34 - Arugula, salsa verde & lemon. I found this one actually a bit overpriced, but hey, the cost of meat isn't cheap, especially for quality. 12oz Heritage Pork Chop, $28 - Braised dandelion greens & cipollini agridolce. Best eaten with an appropriate dab of cipollini on top. Rapini, $7 - Lemon, chili & pecorino. It's listed as a side dish, but it's actually a pretty large serving presented on its own separate plate. If you haven't tried rapini before, you should probably be warned that it's a bit on the bitter side. Yikes, autocorrect tried to write "If you've never tried raping before..."!! Rest assured, no rapists on the menu - just rustic, comfort fare that will leave you warm and satisfied. read more

See all

First and foremost, I want to thank blogTO for suggesting this restaurant. It was on top of the list to go for birthday dinners. And thats just what we did, we went to celebrate my friends bday here. The place is really cozy and cute. The lighting is soothing and it definitely has the feel of a more private and friendly place. Our waiter Patrick was amazing and even though the menu looks super confusing ( we dint know all the fancy italian names), he was super patient in explaining to us what all the ingredients meant. I had called before to tell them its my friends bday so they promised me a candle with my dessert to wish her, which was super sweet of them. Here's what we had: They served us complimentary Foccacia and Rosemary freshly baked bread and honestly it was the softest bread we had. We helped ourselves to two servings ( one of the few restaurants that were more than willing to offer us another serving of complimentary bread without scowling) For starters we all had arancini, so its a ball of risotto and mozarella. Its like a burst of flavour in your mouth especially with the tomato sauce base. For entre, I had the smoked spagetti, the pasta was definitely freshly made and there was homemade freshness and flavor to it. My friends ordered the Bucatini and rigatoni but I would say that the quantities weren't that great. However everyone was happy with what they ordered and thanks to the bread we were quite satisfied. Their sticky toffee pudding reminded how delectable this dessert can be when made properly. The place felt like it belonged in Toronto's Little Italy. Not for the touristy aspect of it but more for the look and feel of the restaurant as well as the mixture of Italian language Overall, Enoteca Sociale is a great restaurant. (though difficult to pronounce) Fun fact of the day- Enoteca sociale means a wine bar. Just for people who were wondering :p read more

See all

I've been here over a dozen times. The private dining room prix fixe menu is fantastic. The service is amazing. The food is absolutely delicious (definitely try their sticky toffee pudding). One of my favorite places to recommend in TO. I've convinced at least 50+ people to go there, and all have enjoyed. read more

Really wonderful home style Italian comfort food in a trendy Ossington type atmosphere. I've been here a couple of times, and it never fails to disappoint. read more

This place is probably a 4.5, but I'm rounding-up because I think this place needs some love from the 4 stars it currently has. I was flying solo and grabbed a seat at the bar, and the bartender was really helpful. Although solo, I could tell this was wonderful date restaurant as it was rather intimate. But fret not, even though I was solo, the restaurant wasn't that 'date-y' and it was lively and social(e) so it's still good for small groups. I only ordered 2 small plates to get a sense of the restaurant, and I was really impressed. I ordered the arancini and the rapini, and both were delicious. The arancini was one of the better ones I've had and that's saying something, because I have had some delicious arancini. The ones served at Enoteca Sociale had great texture, and wonderful combination of the crunchy outer crust and the soft cheese and rice inside were perfect. It was a perfect ratio of rice, cheese, and fried breading. The rapini was also very flavorful and had a nice level of oil and acid. They keep it in long strips and so it was rather difficult to cut with a butter knife, but that was the only drawback of 2 delicious dishes. Although a small sampling, I was impressed and definitely want to get back to try some of their main dishes and entrees. I can't speak to those dishes, but I can point you in the direction of some of their starters. Definitely recommend those dishes! read more

Which pasta did I not like??? Wow. I've been here a few times now and we try to eat "family style" so that we don't have to be stuck with just one dish, we can sample as much as we can! Well made pastas and all the sauces are rich and flavourful. The portions are quite filling. Eating in the private room next to the cheese cave was a great experience too. I always recommend this restaurant when people ask for good Italian food. read more

I went to Enoteca last night for an impromptu dinner with friends; likely we were able to get a table of 4 without waiting. Their menu has completely changed from the last time I was there back almost a year ago; side dishes are no longer being offered. The aranci balls are still on the menu and they were fabulous! Things took a dip for our pasta entrees, the portion sizes were REALLY small; like REALLY small. I was expecting a full meal but I was left slightly hungry for dessert. The sticky toffee pudding was amazing, the highlight of the meal! Service was excellent, that has not changed. Bring back the bigger portions and all will be right in the world. read more

Been meaning to try this place. Finally did for an anniversary with the girlfriend. Got the seafood pasta, vitello tonnato, gnocchi and the amatriciana. All delicious! Paired all that with a (their last) bottle of Barolo Docg 2012 which was great! Nice ambience and our waiter was very pleesant! read more

See all

My wife and I first went to Enoteca Sociale about 2 years ago. We were seated away from the main dining room, at a table for 2 next to the stairs to the restrooms and beside the coat closet. We were far from the main dining room and felt isolated. Whatever the ambience of the restaurant may have been, we were not a part of it. We returned to the restaurant last week (15/3/24). On arrival, we were shown the exact table we had the previous time, completely away from all "the action". We complained and asked for another table, but was told nothing was available. We asked to sit at the bar, but were told that, too, was not available. The hostess was surly, unfriendly and totally unsympathetic. We had driven from Yonge & St. Clair to Dundas & Dufferin. We expressed to our waiter that we were unhappy with the table, and he said he would see what he could do. That was the last we heard about that. The food was ok (just) but, as far as a restaurant experience, we could well have been anywhere or at home. read more

Great place for a date. Romantic/rustic decor and a small menu gives room for care in every dish. The beef crudo was very fresh, soft, and seasoned wonderfully. Very good arancini, hot gooey cheese inside a fine crisp shell. The gnocchi was incredibly soft, sauce could use a little more oomph though. The chicken liver pate alone was bitter but saved with the accompanying sweet jam. We loved the panna cotta with rhubarb compote. It was very smooth and the cream dissolved in the mouth, followed by a rush of flavour from the compote. read more

Enoteca Sociale - Italian Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

This is my second time to Enoteca Social, the last time it was for my birthday and this time it was for my birthday as well. Only reason why I came back was the first time was amazing, the waitress was awesome and the menu choices were exceptional. This review is based on yesterday's dinner on October 8th. The menu did change and it was my fault that I didn't check it before I made reservations. However the food wasn't terrible but it wasn't anything to say "WOW! I want to come back again!!" Based on yesterday's dinner. What we ordered and the total: Appetizers 1. Pear & Walnut salad 2. Mushroom bruschetta Entrées 1. Smoked Spaghetti (class, fennel sausage, chili) 2. 9oz Chuck Flat Steak 2x glasses of wine With tax and tip $150ish What would have been nice, they could have offered a small dessert for my birthday, I was full so might not have even eaten it but they should have offered. (If the waitress knows how to be a waitress I would have doubled her tip, if you're in the service industry then you should know. Especially when I mentioned it was a birthday) I'm located at Bay and Bloor so, for someone to come out to Dundas West it wasn't worth it. Much better restaurants that are more central. read more

Enoteca Sociale - Pasta would have been better if there wasn't any sausage in a seafood pasta dish. - Italian Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

My new go to Italian restaurant in Toronto. Went on a Saturday night with a reservation for 6:00. By 6:30 the place was full even with the frigid temperature. Bread came to start. Two kinds, red flaked sourdough and I forget the other. They were both delicious and they refilled the bowl multiple times. The waitress mentioned they sell the bread Saturday afternoons FYI. We both got a salad to start. Escarole and Apple with Bacon, Old Cheddar, and Pine Nut Dressing. And Pear and Fennel with Blue Cheese, Walnuts, and Celery. The escarole salad is bigger so if you are afraid of not feeling full get that. The dressing was also fabulous. The pear and fennel is more unique. It was fairly acidic to match the richness of the blue cheese. But each bite with the blue cheese was delish. At this point in the meal I thought the restaurant was a solid 4 stars and I was pretty happy. But then we had our pasta dishes and they were absolutely perfect. They were cooked al dente and had a lot of flavour. What was most surprising was the nice amount of acidity in each dish despite there not being any tomato sauce. My girlfriend had the Agnolitti with Butternut Squash, Brown Butter, Hazelnuts and Parmigiano. I had the Tagliatelle with Shrimp, Treviso and Cream Crumbs. Rarely do I eat pasta at a restaurant and want to come back and try the other pasta dishes, but I felt that way here. Some of the reviews said the food was too salty or they left feeling hungry. This was not the case for me. I would suggest you share an app, or get your own though. The service was also excellent. It's the kind of place that changes cutlery between courses. Go here if you want a fine Italian meal. read more

See all

Was looking for a moderately priced resto for a special occasion without breaking the bank and found this one. It was definitely worth it. We ordered one of the deep fried cheese balls and the bone marrow and raw beef appetizer. The cheese ball was tasty with a crispy outside in a tomato sauce. The bone marrow with the raw beef was perfect on the crostini. The right touch of balance, just wish there was an extra crostini. The mains we got were the rabbit rigatoni, the spaghetti w/ clams and sausage, and one vegetarian dish, the agnolotti. The rigatoni was excellent with the rabbit perfectly cooked and the currants added a nice sweetness to rich sauce. The clams were fresh in the spaghetti albeit a little too buttery (although this is typical of eating out anywhere). The agnolotti was light and refreshing with the herbs. On top of the food, the service was impeccable. Great prices, good food, top notch service. read more

See all

4 1/2 stars. 7 years ago I met Ofelia in Beijing. We were in the city during the Paralympic games of 2008 and I had a blast hanging out with her all around the parks; 8 km of the Great Wall (Simatai Area); the Temple of Heaven; the Summer Palace, etc... I felted as if I met her before... She came to Toronto to be a volunteer at the PanAm games and I couldn't wait to meet her; but the occasion demanded a special spot, so I researched about the best italian restaurants in Toronto, and the name Enoteca Sociale appeared within the first 10 names. After reading some favourable reviews of trusworthy fellow yelpers, I had no doubt that the place was the perfect fit. I made a reservation for Thusday at 7, and that was a good move because the place got crowded quickly. The staff was really friendly, trendy, good looking, effective, and fast. The ambiance is great. The decoration is modern, eclectic, and I want some of those cool bulbs they display in their lamps. We ordered a Rosso Cornero (62 dls ) that we all considered was delightful; a most try for every wine enthusiast. The perfect match for that enchanting potion was the trio of the most succulent cheeses I've ever tried. The quality of all the ingredients that accompanied those cheeses from Mars did matched the circumstances; the bread is sinful and I have kinky dreams with those nuts. While waiting for the pastas I looked inside the kitchen, and it was amazing to see the energy that such a small spot had. More than 4 people running around, moving really quick, looking like in a master chef competition. From the 3 pastas we ordered, the spaghetti won the more compliments, followed by the gnochi. We ended up with a perfect expresso with grapa. When I picked the place, I went inside the web page and I liked a lot the pictures, the concept, and life story of the chef. Everything satisficed the expectations. read more

Enoteca Sociale - The three cheeses that put our palate on another frequency - Italian Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

See all

I've had another amazing meal here. So good it warranted another review. Walking in again without a reservation - 3 for 3 on that! We were seated a lovely table along the wall for two. After ordering my favourite wine from their list - Barbera D'Alba - something...we heard they were out of the two pasta dishes that are most veggie/fish friendly I had to get out of my comfort zone and man was I happy I did! My friend and I split the always delicious cauliflower appetizer - I don't know how to do it justice as it sounds so unexciting - cauliflower? Yes, it's amazing, just eat it. And the kale is a close second in my books, we shared that too. We were there quite late so we opted to go for a third selection off the appetizer list as our mains. CF ordered the small but adequate pork shoulder and she said it was amazing. I opted for the albacore tuna crudo, meyer lemon, celery, rosemary & pepper and was blown away. It was simple but perfect - melt in your mouth tuna so lightly but perfectly dressed. Another great meal at Enoteca! The menu changes and I see the pork shoulder has been replaced but that's just more reason to keep going and see what they have to offer next! read more

Enoteca Sociale - Mmmmmmmmmm mushroom tortellini - Italian Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

See all

I can say that this place serves the best pasta in town!!! Their Seafood Liguine was so out of the world. Totally worth the wait! read more

Enoteca Sociale - Beef steak enough for 2! - Italian Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

This has become my favorite restaurant in Toronto. I waited way too long to make a visit after being recommended to do so by an established chef. The venue itself has a wonderful charm and it seems to have been curated with this in mind. The cheese and meat board was incredible and the selection of 3 artisinal cheeses & accompaniments for $21 is a great value. The Pasta is the best I've had in the city, if not ever. My only regret is that I didn't order the Agnolotti so I had to do with stealing a few pieces from my girlfriend's plate. read more

Enoteca Sociale - Cheese and Meat board selection of 3 - Italian Near Me - Toronto, Ontario