Contrada

Visited during happy hour and took advantage by trying multiple items. The Crudo was refreshing and not too fishy, a solid portion size to share with 3 people. The Crostini was our favourite. The flavour is really good, all the components go well together in the dish. The Crispy Potatoes are nothing great, not really crispy and the least favourite dish of the table! The Lamb Ribs were cooked well, fall off the bone and good flavour. The Chocolate Bar dessert was really good! A burst of flavour in every bite a mix of banana, caramel, hazelnut, dark chocolate and a crunchy layer. Atmosphere was really nice and cozy. Enough space between tables and dark lighting.

We started with the crostini: brined Spanish mackerel, lemon mascarpone, pickled fennel, gremolata. Light yet layered, bright citrus against the richness of the fish. This was a table favorite! The anolini with crab, mascarpone, chili, and roe was definitely a visual showstopper. Fun to eat and beautifully presented, though for us, the flavor didn’t quite land as strongly as the appearance. Beyond the plates, Contrada’s decor and ambiance made the whole experience. Stylish without trying too hard, it’s the perfect backdrop for a catch-up dinner with friends. Would go back for the atmosphere, the service, and those crostini alone. 🥂

Wonderful dining experience. The pasta, the cocktail, the pork chop was all delicious. Next time we might want to order a salad to balance it out. The restaurant is cozy and intimate. Will definitely return. Probably one of the best meals I’ve had recently.

Such a great experience at this restaurant! Firstly, the food tasted fantastic. My friend and I got the mushrooms as an appetizer and my goodness, it tasted better than what I had expected! Such bold flavours in a small dish, I would definitely order this again. Every dish was delicious on its own. Staff were friendly and attentive and the patio area was set up very nicely. Highly recommend coming here and I would come back again.

The cavatelli and the spaghetti pasta dishes were lovely. The lamb rib and mushroom appetizers were fantastic too. Also loved the chocolate bar with ice cream dessert. Great service.

I had very high expectations for tonight’s dinner but the food and cocktails did not live up to the hype.I will say the service was good the patio was very cute. We started with the crudo it was very fishy and room temp, I wish it was served cold and tasted fresher. The mushroom dish was not what I expected. You basically only tasted batter. It was so heavy batters and oily. It was a shame because mushrooms are so delicate and don’t need that much batter. The salad was ok . It’s didn’t stand out . The lamb ribs were ok , 4 tiny pieces. I know they are lamb but they had a very “lamby” taste. We then got the Gnocchi and Anolini. The gnocchi was ok, lacked flavour, and it was a tiny tiny portion. The Anolini was so so fishy and gross, over killed by fish roe. It tasted like sushi pasta. I hate to say this word but it was disgusting. To finish we had the pork chop which was probably the only decent things we ate. The potatoes with a cheese sauce were also basic boiled with the cheese sauce . It tasted like left overs. I unfortunately would not come back or recommend the restaurant even if it was paid for. Oh and we also all got the espresso martini it was soo insanely sweet also not done well: I want to taste the booze and espresso but it was over killed with simple syrup. Very disappointing bday dinner and not to mention very expensive for the portions and quality.

This was my first time trying pork chop, and what can I say? It’s truly a masterpiece. I can definitely feel how much effort the chef put on each dish. I also recommend the salad with pecan. It’s so fresh and the texture was just outstanding.

Follow @bredgyeats for more food videos! Contrasting each freshly sourced protagonist each dish are thoughtfully executed pairings, that makes every part of your mouth dance. The tuna carpaccio was a strong start, featuring thinly sliced albacore tuna that's cured in kombu to the point of melting in your mouth, dissolving into a fatty and smoky bite. It's topped with crisp endives, refreshing mint leaves and a creamy tonnato sauce that blends seamlessly with the overall smokiness. It's finished with fried capers for a touch of zing and crisp. The sweetbreads though, were so mind-blowingly tasty that we had to get an encore. The succulent, creamy texture gives away with a gentle bite, contrasted with a crispy sear. The rich and fatty taste are paired with a sticky and sweet marsala sauce that was mopped up thoroughly. Nothing beats freshly made pasta for its aromatic eggy essence and springy al dente texture. The cream sauce is rich yet light, allowing you to fully savor the fall-apart tender morsels of milk-braised rabbit meat and the other pops of flavour from the chanterelles, pecorino shavings and crispy chicken skin. Wrapped snugly beneath a comforting pasta sheet, the luscious chicken liver pate filling has a pleasant gaminess and a rich savoriness. Embellished with toasty almonds, crisp shallots, tangy mascarpone, and carpano bianco for an all-inclusive trip to flavour town. Finally, a ridiculously thick and indulgent porkchop is coated in a thin layer of crispy golden breadcrumbs and fried to a juicy perfection. The caper lemon butter sauce adds a harmonious zingy and buttery coating that doesn't soften the exterior too much. The fresh arugula tossed onto top also isn't a thoughtless addition of greenery, as the mild bitter flavour balances the Parmesan and pork wonderfully.

We had a multi course work dinner event here and I am still in Italian heaven! From the fish to the olives, lamb which fell off the bone perfectly, shrimp and olive cake finisher this restaurant hit all the high marks! The service was perfect and I loved the lighting, warm ambience and comfortable seating!

Superb meal last night.... one delicious course after another!! We were here for an annual company event, and we never want to go anywhere else! Cant recommend highly enough!!

Italian themed restaurant run by Chef Mike. We came here for dinner on a Saturday night with a set menu Really great service from Patrick Food was decent, very high quality fish, the bread was nice but the theme of the night was the the dishes were very salty Our pastas were salty and the pork chop as well. But the fish was really good. We provided some feedback to Patrick who shared with Chef Mike and they were very considerate.

Contrada, located at the corner of College and Euclid, is a modern-casual Italian-Canadian restaurant which focuses on seasonal and locally sourced fare. They have a great cocktail list as well as glasses or bottles of wine available. The space is intimate, cozy, and unintimidating, creating a comfortable vibe whether you are dining solo or having dinner with a bigger group. The space is small, with bar seating and table seating. I believe there is a bigger space in the back for larger parties as well. In the summer, they have a patio. I stopped by Contrada mid-week when the restaurant opened. I made reservations prior which was a good idea considering how full the restaurant got after a while. I received notification from the staff a day before that there would be a magazine publication taking photos of their space during a specific time and they asked if this would be an issue or not. Upon arriving a the restaurant I was greeted and taken to my seat. Throughout my time there, service was top notch! It felt genuine, unpretentious, and that the staff wanted to make sure you were being cared for while dining there. It's rare these days to have service like this! In regards to the menu, there are a variety of appetizers and mains. Their cocktail list is also extensive and most people around me ordered cocktails as well. I ordered the following items: - Glass of the 2021 chianti (sangiovese) - Affinity Fish tuna carpaccio (lightly cured dry-aged B.C. albacore, tonnato, chicory) - Burrata toast (olives, hot honey, lardo, pine nuts, basil) - Agnolotti (chicken liver, mascarpone, aged balsamic, cippolini, squash, apple) The carpaccio was a light dish where the components of the dish worked in harmony together. The chicory was a nice touch to add texture, crunch, and a refreshing element to the tuna. The burrata toast was creamy, rich and delicious. The olives gave the toast a salty component to it while the lardo and hot honey provided more richness and sweetness to the burrata. The basil added that final touch to bring all the flavours together. The star of the show was definitely the agnolotti. Fluffy and pillowy agnolotti pasta stuffed to the brim with chicken liver. The ingredients worked so extremely well together - like a warm hug on a cold day. Pair the dish up with a great glass of red wine and your tastebuds will thank you. Overall, casual vibes, great service, and delicious food! Definitely would return to Contrada for more in the future!

It was my first time at contrada and the vibes were great. The food was delicious but the service was a little slow. We got the spritz, teenage riot, and a surprise cocktail from the bartender for drinks. For food we shared the bread and butter and the lamb croquette for aprevito hour. As mains we got the pork chop and the gnocchi which were 4.5/5. Overall, I would definitely come back and a resto I would recommend!!

From start to finish, it was lovely. We had the lamb croquettes, cod, liver pasta, sweetbread and olive oil cake. Everything on the menu was exactly what I would order. I think I loved the sweetbread so much. Croquettes were also exceptional, maybe because of the sauce. We got a few nice cocktails and some good recommendations for wine. It was really a nice surprise! Excellent service and reasonably priced.

One of my new faves - this place is dimly light and feels very intimate. I went with a few friends and it was the perfect space to chat and eat great food! I loved all of the pastas and everything was well portioned

Food: 4/5 Contrada offers a very concise small menu but it's clear there's a strong focus on quality over quantity. It's evident each dish is well thought out and executed with balance of both flavour and texture in mind. The crudo, sitting in this oyster mayonnaise sauce was excellent. I found that the touch of beets on top truly pulled the dish together, adding a hint of acidity and crunch to an otherwise seafood heavy dish. Would definitely order again. The burrata roast was fantastic! Definitely on the pricier end for what it is, but it's perfectly toasted and covered with a generous amount of creamy burrata. I don't love sweet foods, but I thoroughly enjoyed the sweetness of the hot honey, especially in contrast to the salami and creamy burrata alongside it. As for the main, we ordered the Sunday porchetta with the potato fingerlings... if you're lucky enough to come here on a Sunday I would highly recommend ordering this one. The porchetta is perfectly cooked, so fatty and tender but with a crispy touch in each bite. Sunday dessert menu here was quite underwhelming unfortunately... I was looking forward to trying the olive oil cake which I've heard good things about but they only had mini doughnuts and gelato available at the time. Overall, great meal nonetheless and definitely worth trying if you haven't been. Service: 5/5 Staff here are so attentive and friendly! We were helped with 3(?) people throughout the night, all of whom were wonderful. Water was never even close to empty. I love that we were checked up on regularly but it didn't feel as if we were being interrupted. Food was always served with a smile and a brief explanation on each dish and all our questions and requests were answered with an encouraging attitude! Thank you contrada for creating such a warm dining atmosphere! Atmosphere: 3.5/5 This place is absolutely gorgeous, with a sexy yet cozy interior. I love that the tables aren't too close together and the seats are extremely comfortable. It's not too busy on weekdays, especially if you come early, and it's not too loud either. I definitely recommend coming here if you're looking for a place to chat and have a nice meal. However, my main complaint is that this place is crazy dark! Impossible to read the menu without a flashlight and difficult to take photos without adjusting lighting settings as well.

Steak was verrryyy flavorful but a little bit tough. The pasta was my favorite! Very beautiful restaurant and the service was superb

Every dish was spectacular. We are huge foodies and rarely want to go back to many restaurants we try, but certainly will here. Tessa was so above and beyond with her service as well; so kind, professional, sweet, knowledgeable and friendly.

Warm hospitality + excellent food = award winning in 2024! Friendly, attentive service, gorgeous casual-luxe atmosphere, and memorably delicious, creative food really impress. Our favourites: unctuous sweetbreads marsala ($21). Flavourful lamb croquettes ($13 for 2), perfectly textured, complemented by a vibrant caper caponata. Standout dish: chicken liver agnolotti (a steal at $24) with apple, onion and sage. And those tiny Hokkaido scallops in the cod ($36) hog all the attention. The kitchen demonstrates a keen attention to detail. And the service team show patience and kindness even when faced with a nearby table of 4 older, rude, entitled customers (ugh! why can't the old rich people invest in reading glasses instead of shining their bright cell phone flashlight in everyone's eyes?!) Least favourite: pasta cartl bread ($5 for 4 pieces) doesn't survive the journey from its excellent, addictive indulgence in person at simpl things. But the balsamic butter is a standout! Olive oil cake ($12) is, well, an oily, crunchy mess that was definitely polarizing. You will either love or hate it. Be sure to ask for a banquette seat near the fireplace. Typical basement washrooms -- tight squeeze for knees. Hand soap is too highly scented of sandalwood which interferes with food and beverage enjoyment immediately after. Better to provide neutral scent. Dinner costs ~ $100 pp including tax and tip. Beautiful experience! Thank you, Contrada! We'll be back very soon.

Great location, nice ambiance. Pasta was a bit too salty, but ravioli were great. Olive oil cake is definitely something worth trying for a dessert.

The food was top notch. The staff were personable and knowledgeable. Beautiful space too.

Contrada is my new favourite night out. Chef Mike's food is incredible, great value wine list, friendly staff and reasonably priced. The atmosphere feels like a New York Italian restaurant. Highly recommend!

VERY SIMPLY INCREDIBLY DELICIOUS, BRILLIANT FLAVOURS... and on their way ti Michelin Status!! The cocktails equal..bursting with creativeness and so tasty. What an absolute surprise for this little elegant,"French feeling' European Italian Restaurant ... Service was impecable!!! Thank you... from 5 discerning middle aged women that embrace good food on our discerning palate. XOXO... See you soon again..

The ambiance and servise was nice but the food was very mediocre. The sea food dishes were all had a strong smell and they were almost uneatable. Overall the experience was kind of disappointing

We had a great service and enjoyed the evening. I very much enjoyed the beef crudo and chicken liver agnolotti. The filling on the lamb croquette was delicious but the croquette itself was a bit tough. The eggplant dish needs work. The tagliatelle was dull and under sauced. The gnocchi was a bit heavy. Some of the dishes were not very hot. The wine list is extensive but very expensive. Given the times and consumer push-back on sky-rocketing restaurant prices, there needs to be some more affordable wines (All but 2 or 3 were above $100).