Florin is a charming, old-world trattoria serving refined Tuscan-inspired fare in Toronto's Financial District. 

Think handmade egg pasta, seasonal vegetables, fresh seafood, and Florentine steaks, paired with a collection of Negronis and spritzes, perfect for quick business lunches, special occasion dinners, and, of course, aperitivo hours.

Named after the Florentine coin, the restaurant is the latest concept from family-owned Turner Hospitality Group, the team behind popular Asian fusion establishment, Mother Tongue and its cool, speakeasy sister, Liquid Courage. 

"It's been a labour of love," shares second-generation restaurant owner and operations manager Shelby Turner. 

Inspired by a trip to Florence, Florin pays homage to Italy's rich dining culture and warm hospitality, while remaining proudly rooted in Toronto.

"The food menu is regionally specific with some familiar items, but also some that perhaps people don't see all the time," says Turner. "It's not a transplant of a Florence restaurant in Toronto. It's a Toronto restaurant that's influenced and inspired by Florence."

The cocktail program follows suit, offering inventive takes on time-honoured classics.

The Bicicletta Estevia ($23), for instance, is a riff on a deliciously refreshing Campari spritz. Made with dry white wine, Campari, Select Aperitivo, Meletti Amaro, and grapefruit soda, this spritz is lively and bubbly with bitter, citrus, and floral notes. 

For something more seasonal and garden-fresh, the Fiora ($20) combines Tanqueray Gin, chamomile-infused Grappa, Cocchi Americano, peach purée and lemon. Topped with a light, fruity peach foam, it's ideal for sipping al fresco.

The crisp, briny, and slightly spicy Pepperoncini Martini ($21) is poised to become the next 'it' drink for a night out. A blend of olive oil-washed vodka, dry vermouth, and olive and pepperoncini brine, it comes garnished with cheese-stuffed olives. 

Leading the kitchen is Michelin-starred Chef de Cuisine Brian Kang of highly acclaimed fine dining restaurants Don Alfonso 1890 and DaNico. 

A traditional Tuscan dish, the Gnudi ($24) are made with ricotta, spinach, and Parmesan. Similar to gnocchi (minus the potato), these airy cloud-like dumplings are served in a silky, nutty brown butter and lemon sauce. Each one is garnished with lemon zest and fragrant fried sage. 

The Gamberi alla Plancha ($25) features beautifully bright, red Argentinian shrimp. Delicately sweet, with a flavour similar to buttery lobster, the shrimp come on a bed of creamy burrata, dressed with olive oil and sea salt. Rounding out the plate are confit cherry tomatoes, house herb oil made with parsley and oregano, and mustard microgreens. 

With no pizza on the menu, the focus shifts to pasta. There's a house-made tagliatelle with black truffle, a hearty, slow-cooked wild boar ragù, and a Roman Amatriciana-esque maccheroni to name a few.

A standout is the Tortelli di Peposo ($36), a rich, savoury stuffed pasta dish. Perfectly plump tortelli are hand-filled with succulent, melt-in-your-mouth braised beef and tossed in a sauce made from the leftover stock. It's finished with ground black pepper and fresh oregano. 

For mains, the Merluzzo Nero ($48) showcases a tender piece of sous vide black cod. Nestled atop crispy fried capers and blue oyster mushrooms, the fish is bathed in a fragrant vermouth sauce accented with green oil, before being covered with blanched Swiss chard. It's garnished with lemon zest, flaky salt, and pickled caper leaves. Well-balanced, this umami-rich combination of salt and acidity is one to keep coming back for. 

Finally, the Sinfonia di Fragole ($17) celebrates the sweet summer strawberry in five ways. The hero is a glistening strawberry panna cotta, so smooth and glossy it looks like a piece of ceramic, and hidden inside is a house-made strawberry jam. Accompanying the custard is a buttery crumble made from strawberry shortcrust pastry, delicate dehydrated strawberry chips shaped like small flowers, and a deliciously sticky strawberry glaze. 

The 90-seat space sits within a 1920s heritage building. Working with Solid Design Creative, old and new elements come together to create a cozy, contemporary interior that reflects the beauty and romance of Florence. 

There are original terrazzo floors inlaid with brass grout, Chianti-red leather booths, custom wine windows modelled after those found throughout Florence, and Nonna-approved floral upholstered chairs.

Outside, a lush garden patio with room for 46 offers a serene escape from the surrounding concrete jungle. Here, city-dwellers can momentarily pretend they're enjoying a Euro summer too. 

Florin is located at 80 Richmond Street West.