New Italian restaurant taking over well-known Toronto spot

It's only been a couple of months since Toronto's La Cubana closed its Roncesvalles location after 13 years, but a new restaurant is already gearing up to swoop in.

Say goodbye to Cubano and Medianoche sandwiches along the Roncy strip, Toronto, because the new kid in town is all about Italian American food served with a slick, urban style that its founder, Michael Edwards, says the neighbourhood has been needing.

"I live in the Roncesvalles neighbourhood and wanted to contribute to the neighbourhood's vibe and energy," Edwards, a former consultant and company founder, tells blogTO.

His response? Proper, a youthful Italian eatery and nightlife spot that he hopes breathes life into the neighbourhood that, by his admission, could use a dose of the Ossington or Dundas treatment.

"I love the neighbourhood and think it will benefit from a slightly more dynamic evening option," Edwards tells blogTO. "It's meant to be the kind of restaurant where you can pop in for a coffee during the day or a drink at night or centre a celebration."

 

 

 

 

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When he first purchased the Roncesvalles restaurant space, though, all he had was the vague outline of a concept. It wasn't until he found Chef Julien Cawagas — the first member of the team to sign on — that things fell into place, Edwards says.

"Julien specializes in Italian food, ranging from really authentic regional dishes to Italian American. We settled in New York Italian — it allows for the flavours that Julien allows to create without the strict rules of traditional Italian food," he explains.

The food at Proper will be "familiar," Edwards says, but innovative in its commitment to from-scratch cooking and high-quality ingredients. Think beef tartare, clams on toast, whole charred octopus, wild mushroom tagliatelle, and veal chop marsala, to name only a few.

He also hopes to begin serving homemade soft serve out of the restaurant come spring.

"Homemade soft serve is the essence of Proper: a familiar format combined with interesting, high-quality ingredients and a cozy, fun setting," Edwards explains.

Proper is set to open on Jan. 7 at 392 Roncesvalles Ave.