RESTO RECO: This new hotspot is where to go for VIP Italian food in Toronto
Published July 16, 2025 at 3:14 pm
A new Italian hotspot serving luxurious pasta topped with truffles for days is now open in Toronto.
Cassius has a menu that’s unapologetically bold while still sticking firmly to Italian traditions, which perfectly suits the restaurant’s swanky atmosphere that transitions into a party vibe as the sun goes down.
The space has a clubby vibe that’s accentuated by soft ambient lighting, with large curved booths for group hangs with a VIP vibe.
The signature Cassius cocktail is great for fans of classic Italian amaretto, its nuttiness balanced out by bold Jameson and sweet maple syrup, all accented by bitters.
You’ll see seafood and fish come together in beautifully unexpected ways on this menu, starting with a meaty branzino crudo that’s elegantly set off by dollops of cheese, pistachio and a bright smoked yellow tomato puree.
An artichoke appetizer shows the versatility of the vegetable, pairing crunchy fried artichokes with softly cooked Jerusalem artichokes, finished off with a pecorino fondue and sichuan pepper for a slight kick.
The potato gnocchi is a simple but very special dish, made with 36-month aged Vacche Rosa parmigiano reggiano that coats each fluffy little pasta nugget and permeates the entire dish with a sharp but rich flavour. This dish can optionally be topped with market price truffle to take everything to the next level.
An agnolotti dish also showcases the high end ingredients of Vacche Rosa parmigiano reggiano and truffles excellently, playing against a sophisticated backdrop of egg yolk pasta with earthy porcini and smooth ricotta.
I’m told one of the restaurant’s most popular dishes is a standout pairing of roasted octopus and creamy cheese, resting on a foundation of snappy runner beans and topped with a drizzle of salted caramel infused with black tea.
For dessert, you can always opt for go-to tiramisu, a heaping portion layered with a huge cloud of airy mascarpone mousse stuffed into a cocktail glass.
For something slightly different, there’s the semifreddo “Rocher,” with hazelnut semifreddo with gianduia mousse, plus nuts and wafer pieces for texture.
Cassius is located at 624 King St. W.
