Updated March 30, 2019: added Oretta’s Burrata Truffle Egg photo
Over the last few years, I have worked (prepping and cooking) many times with David Rocco, author, chef, and producer. About a year ago, I decided to follow him on Instagram and I have not regretted it. He doesn’t post too often and he posts about his family as well as the standard self-promotion that celebrities post about. I love the posts about his family. He has three kids and an absolutely gorgeous wife. The first time I heard of Oretta, an authentic Italian restaurant in the Entertainment district on King West in Toronto, was on David’s Instagram (apparently, he goes quite often)! The food looked beautiful and delicious so I immediately put it on my restaurant bucket list. If you’re looking for American-Italian-family-style gluttony, this is not your place, but if you’re looking for authentic Italian cooking in a tastefully decorated Italian-style space, this place might be for you! This is the type of restaurant that all the beautiful people frequent, particularly during TIFF.
The first time I stepped into Oretta was last summer, for dinner, it was like stepping into a high-end restaurant in Florence, Italy, it literally took me back to 1989, when we last visited that special place. High, vaulted ceilings, geometric wall art, interesting tiles and spectacular food. We have eaten several times since, and I have wanted to post a review but have always forgotten to take photos (story of my life). The food is authentic Italian and it’s delicious! They even have Neapolitan pizza (in a wood-fired oven, no less).
Everything is wonderful at Oretta, but each and every time we have been there with reservations, we have ALWAYS been seated beside a table of infants. Literally, babies. And each time I have to ask to be moved, which they do quite happily (but why on earth do I need to ask?). I must have a sign on my forehead that says, “seat me beside the noisiest, fussiest table, please!” It won’t stop me from going but I know that I will need to ask to be moved. Every. Single. Time.
Their menu has the usual suspects (arancini, burrata, polipo, polpette, foccacia, pizza, pasta to name a few) but it’s their brunch menu that is truly special. Sadly, it was one of those times that I forgot to photograph it but I can certainly speak to it. I had ordered the Uova Burrata E Tartufo (truffled eggs with burrata). It was to-die-for! The truffle added the perfect earthiness and the burrata, portioned in every bite, gave the dish the richness that made the brunch extra special. It was so good that I actually dream about it, it was the type of dish you wish would not end. My only regret was that I gave JT a bite to taste and he wasn’t thrilled but he doesn’t like truffle so it was wasted on him!!
The last time we were there was at the end of January. I was obsessing about the egg dish and so looking forward to having it again, but sadly Winterlicious had just begun and they didn’t have their brunch menu. No worries, though, all the food is great.
I ordered the Polipo ($20.00), charred octopus, chickpea puree, red pepper jam, olives, pancetta, crostini. The octopus was perfectly cooked and not overly ‘charred’. The creamy chickpea puree and subtly sweet red pepper jam was the perfect canvas to showcase the polipo. The briny umami of the olives balanced everything perfectly.
JT ordered Manzo ($22.00) 6oz seared flat iron, caponata, tomato emulsion which was also quite tasty. Although the steak was perfectly cooked, it was a tiny bit chewy which made me think it might not have been brought up to room temperature before cooking. The dish was meaty and the soft sweet vegetables made for a lovely contrast. Both meals were worth ordering again, so we will definitely be back. But those eggs…
We were recently in Cancun, Mexico for a destination wedding (don’t get me started) for my Goddaughter/niece. They literally picked the most expensive place in Cancun (don’t get me started). We haven’t been to an all-inclusive for 25 years and this 2-day experience reminded me why, it’s just not our thing! What was most disappointing is that not one room had an ocean view, not one. I cannot imagine why you would go to the Carribean and not want to see the Ocean from your room. Anyway, now I can put my focus on our next trip, Spain.
Here are a few pics. Click on any one for a gallery view.
Sorry about your wedding accommodations not having ocean views, that must have been a downer. We loved Spain, I know you will as well (that is if you haven’t already been).
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Sounds nice as a restaurant! (Apart from being placed close to kids! Luckily you can be seated somewhere else). Especially the egg and truffle dish seems amazing. I always always look at egg dishes in restaurants because they’re soooo rare but always delicious (I don’t talk about omelettes) especially for someone who eats lots of eggs and loves them.
I hope you did enjoy the wedding trip a bit…. at least the sun!
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Sounds like a terrific restaurant! But seated next to infants every time? Wow, what bad luck. Good thing they could move you. 🙂 And destination weddings are such a bad idea, IMO — usually more than a bit inconvenient for the majority of people.
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I was enthralled reading about the restaurant but then I came to the bit about the wedding! These days everyone seems to be having destination weddings. So expensive for all the guests! And that’s so disappointing that after you’d thrown so much money at this wedding that you didn’t end up with a view of the ocean! What a tragedy xx
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Spain???! On my bucket list, so can’t wait to hear about your experience!! Toronto is not all that far from us, and another must see destination. Oretto looks like a lovely place to dine—no shortage of great restaurants in your area. Hope we can plan a visit in the next few years! Seeing you would be a highlight! xo
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wow that charred octopus looks so GOOD! The beach and ocean views are really great, sorry that you were disappointed because of poor room arrangement. Hope your next vacation in Spain will be better, Eva.
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