At 1147 Ristorante, guests are invited to dine the way Italians do — over a long and leisurely four-course meal of colourful antipasti, bowls of house-made pasta, expertly prepared seafood and prime beef, desserts that are almost too beautiful to eat, and, of course, a curated selection of regional wines.

Joining several Italian restaurants that seem to be popping up across the city, 1147 might just be Toronto's most intimate.

Tucked away inside the flagship space of Archi Disegno, a hospitality and design collective, the restaurant offers only four tables. 

It shares space with an impressive retail showroom, an exclusive wine club, and even short-term residences inspired by some of Italy's most iconic cities, like Milan and Rome. 

Bathed in natural light from an open skylight and surrounded by neutral tones, the restaurant feels airy, with a softness best described as dining in a cloud. A textural marvel, every element, from the custom millwork to the furnishings, was created in-house. 

"The aesthetic is deliberately neutral and architectural, designed to act as a quiet canvas that allows the food and the guests to take centre stage," shares a representative from AD Group. 

Offering both lunch and dinner service, each brings a distinct dining experience. The lunch menu is rooted in tradition and simplicity, paying homage to Chef Flavio Catania's Sicilian and Roman roots.

Think buttery burrata with heirloom tomatoes, flaky sea bass with zucchini flowers, or house-made rigatoni with guanciale and pecorino. For dinner, Chef Michele Rabazzi brings guests to Tuscany, blending his background in butchery with his expertise in molecular gastronomy. 

The bar program is led by sommelier Edoardo Lenzini from Siena, whose deep appreciation for life's finer things does not go unnoticed. Whether it's a crisp white, something sparkling, or a non-alcoholic beverage, he's an expert when it comes to pairing.

The Borgoluce Prosecco ($16) is sourced from vineyards just north of Venice. Fruity, with notes of peach and apple, it's a glass that makes any meal feel like a celebration.

While complimentary bread baskets aren't always worth writing home about, this one is. The signature house bread comes with two variations: a rustic white and another studded with olives. On the side is a sample of some of the best-tasting olive oil from Calabria.

The Salmon Gravlax ($23) features house-cured salmon, cucumber ribbons, and perfectly ripe cherries. It's rich and buttery, with vibrant pops of sweetness from the cherries, and pairs well with a slice of the bread.

The Beef Tartare ($23) is served in true Italian fashion with minimal seasoning of lemon, olive oil, salt, and pepper, allowing the quality of the meat to speak for itself. The dish is finished with sundried tomatoes and peppery arugula. 

Not to be missed is the Calamari ($25). Lightly battered, and fried until golden and crisp, the tender calamari comes served on a refreshing panzanella salad with Taggiasca olives. A staple in central Italy, the salad is traditionally made with leftover bread and sweet summer tomatoes. 

The Pansotti al Pesto ($28) is the definition of elevated comfort food. Plump pansotti are filled with a classic pesto of pine nuts, basil, olive oil, and cheese, then topped with an airy potato foam and green beans. 

The house-made Taglioni ($29) reminded me of a classic pasta al limone, minus the cheese. Luscious and lemony, the noodles were perfectly chewy, with every bite complemented by the sweet taste of finely minced shrimp and fresh chives.

The Canadian Prime Beef Striploin Tagliata ($36) gets treated with the same respect for simplicity as the other dishes. Lightly seasoned, then cooked to a perfect medium-rare to rare and sliced, its richness is balanced by bitter pan-fried dandelion greens.

For dessert, pastry chef Lauren Samborski is behind all the sweet creations. Her Mascarpone, Coffee, and Cocoa ($14) is a refined riff on tiramisu. A delicate tuile is filled with creamy mascarpone and served over a bitter espresso gel, alongside a cocoa frozen custard. When all the components come together, it delivers the classic flavours and textures you'd expect, just in a more modern form.

The Strawberry, Camomile, Ricotta ($14) is a creamy ricotta custard tart topped with pickled strawberries, compressed strawberry gel, camomile tea gel, and white chocolate Chantilly cream. Delicate and sweet, it's served with a side of roasted strawberry sorbet.

Finally, the Lemon Balm, Rhubarb, and Cream ($14) is a silky panna cotta with a roasted rhubarb filling to celebrate the first signs of an Ontario summer. 

With its world-class design, considered seasonal menu, and built-in sense of exclusivity, 1147 cultivates an if you know, you know experience for its guests. Although with word spreading quickly and five-star reviews stacking up, I suspect it's unlikely to remain a secret for long. 

1147 Ristorante is located at 1147 Davenport Road.