Piano Piano has established itself as the go-to spot for Italian fare in the city, serving up family-style platters of spicy canestri alla vodka, chewy yet perfectly crisp pizza, and Caesar salad made with focaccia croutons and comically large bacon bits.

What began as a single restaurant on Harbord Street nine years ago has grown into a thriving empire for partners Victor Barry, Nikki Leigh McKean, and Brendan Piunno. 

Now, the restaurant group boasts seven locations, including its sister restaurant, Piccolo Piano, with another spot set to open in Hamilton this summer.

One of the newest outposts in Bloorcourt sits conveniently next to Paradise Theatre, making it an ideal spot for a pre-show meal and glass of wine.

For Chef-Owner Barry, opening here felt like a natural fit.

"I've had a great relationship with Moray Tawse for over 15 years, and he owns the entire Paradise building - the Paradise Theatre, The Blue Door Wine Bar, and Cafe Paradise. The Piano Piano restaurant group took over managing food and beverage for these businesses back in September of last year, and the two-storey restaurant space was available. We walked through it and knew it would be an amazing Piano Piano," Barry tells blogTO.

Designed by Alison McQuaid of Future Studio, the space is a playful and whimsical mix of bold animal prints, contrasting gem tones, funky mirrors, and luxe upholstery. 

Every detail works seamlessly with the venue's original bones, including beautiful exposed brick and vintage-style lighting fixtures from what was previously Bar Biltmore. 

Original artwork by McKean is also featured throughout. 

Though expansive, with two floors, a side patio with a retractable roof, and a private dining room to boot, the restaurant maintains a cozy and intimate feel thanks to its structural layout.

The long and narrow interiors reminded the team of a glamorous train car; think old Hollywood films featuring the Orient Express, a full-service luxury train known for its opulent decor. 

On the newspaper-style menu are familiar favourites like Fritto Misto, Chicken Piccata, and Bone-In Veal Parm, alongside a curated wine list, a selection of bubbles, premium cocktails, and zero-proof concoctions.

Seasonal specials are also rolled out every few months, serving as a testing ground for potential permanent additions.

The Piano Piano house wine, created with Tawse Winery in Beamsville, is your best bet when considering taste and affordability. A glass of the full-bodied Cabernet Merlot or fruity Chardonnay is $15, and a bottle is $59. 

The Piano Piano Spritz ($16) is Aperol's fun-loving cousin. Made with Dillion's Peach Schnapps, Select Aperitivo, Prosecco, St. Germain, and Brio Limonata, the sparkling wine-based cocktail is the perfect aperitif before dinner. 

A riff on a classic, the Rosemary Negroni ($16) uses rosemary-infused gin to give the beverage an added layer of complexity. The piney, slightly peppery taste gets rounded out with the usual suspects of bitter Campari and citrusy orange. 

The Bounceback ($18) is an espresso martini with Oro Caffe Espresso, Absolut Vodka, and Kahlua Coffee Liqueur, ideal for a post-9-to-5 pick-me-up.

While Piano Piano has always been Italian (or "New Jersey Italian") at heart with its numerous pizza and pasta options, the menu has since evolved to include more steakhouse staples and elevated, luxury-style dishes. 

The idea for their popular Donut and Caviar ($15) snack started years ago when Barry was inspired by a white chocolate and caviar dish he tried at a restaurant in England called The Fat Duck.  

"They played with the idea of salty and sweet in a really fun, clever way. It stuck with me for all those years - I always wanted to make a Canadian riff on it, and what's more Canadian than a donut??," he shared. 

The sweet and savoury cruller-style donut is topped with a crème fraîche glaze, plenty of finely chopped chives, and two generous spoonfuls of buttery Kaluga caviar. 

The Shrimp Cocktail ($22) features chilled jumbo shrimp dusted with horseradish, lemon zest, and chives. It's served with a creamy Calabrian chili aioli (that I wanted to smear on just about everything) and a classic, tangy cocktail sauce.

Another bright and zesty plate is the Salmon Crudo ($17). Fresh salmon is served in a rich, aromatic olive oil and topped with horseradish, capers, lemon, red onion, and chives. 

The Piano Piano Caesar Salad ($19) is loaded with whole white anchovy filets and crispy pork belly bacon. Cold, crunchy, and creamy with layers of salt (as any good Cae-Sal should have), the baby gem lettuce is tossed in the classic egg yolk-based dressing and finished with generous shavings of fresh Parmigiano.

The Godmother Pizza ($26) was inspired by a dish at one of Barry and McKean's favourite Toronto restaurants, Bar Raval. 

"They serve an Anchovy & Stracciatella dish that is absolutely unbelievable, and over time, that inspired us to serve the anchovy and stracciatella on a tomato sauce, and transform it into a pizza - because turning f*#king delicious things into pizza is the best!" 

A winning combination, this pizza is salty and creamy, with a subtle amount of heat from some added Calabrian chili. It's finished with fragrant basil, Pecorino Romano, and a drizzle of olive oil. 

The Ravioli Bolognese ($28) is a personal favourite. Fist-sized, handmade ravioli are stuffed with creamy ricotta and cooked al dente. Tossed in brown butter, the pasta is paired with a rich, deeply flavorful beef bolognese and finished with a generous shower of Parmigiano and cracked black pepper.

The Cavatelli Pugliese ($28) is a creamy pasta special for the month of April featuring broccolini, spicy Calabrian 'Nduja sausage, anchovy, pecorino, parsley, garlic, and chili. 

Meant for sharing, the Glazed Mediterranean XXL Octopus ($79) is seriously no joke when it comes to size and flavour. Paired with a piquillo pepper almond romesco, Japanese eggplant, fermented garlic honey, chili, and mint, the dish is sweet, smoky, and mildly spiced.

No matter the plate, Barry's goal has remained the same: "to create a version of each dish that I think is the very best, most f*#king delicious version it can be." 

PIANO PIANO Bloor is located at 1006 Bloor Street West.