Piola packs up from West Queen West

Piola has closed the doors on its first Toronto location. The global Italian restaurant chain, perhaps best known for their all you can eat gnocchi specials, never seemed to find a footing at their first Toronto outpost.

A sign posted to their front door suggests they're moving to a new location but social media channels have been silent about these developments and the web site is no longer live.

The location across from the Drake Hotel always seemed like an odd fit for the restaurant. While one suspects owners wanted to be somewhere trendy, the chain is probably better suited to a spot closer to the downtown core or somewhere like Yonge and Eglinton where chains have a history of more success.

West Queen West is notable (or at least, was) for its artsy bent and predisposition for local, independently owned businesses so expecting residents to favour a global brand instead of neighbourhood favourites like The Beaconsfield or The Good Son was probably too much to hope for.

Will you miss Piola? Let us know in the comments.