Piazza Sociale Opens Next Week in Le Cathcart, Becoming One of the Largest Restaurants in Town | Eater Montreal

"Modeled on Italy’s bustling public squares, the sit-down restaurant Piazza Sociale opened September 22 beneath Place Ville‑Marie’s glass skylight, taking over the former full-service spaces of Akio, Pizza del Fornaio and Mirabel brasserie while operating out of their existing kitchens. Led by Bologna native Riccardo Bertonlino (formerly executive chef at Maison Boulud) alongside Nicholas Giambattisto and Federico Bianchi—who had been working at Mirabel and Pizza del Fornaio respectively—the menu focuses on light Italian fare with cold appetizers, pizza, focaccia and hot plates; highlights include arancini, burrata and veal tartare (appetizers $10–$20), pastas ($20–$25) and meat mains such as branzino, porchetta and beef (around $30). Reconfigured in just over a month by A5 Hospitality and design partners, the concept is described as “éphémère” with an expected 12-month lifespan (though it could run longer), will operate lunch and dinner (11 a.m.–11 p.m., Tue–Sat) with brunch possibly added in October, and is running at a 250-person capacity cap under current physical‑distancing measures." - Valerie Silva