Jo C.
Yelp
If there's a place in Toronto that delivers a truly heavenly dining experience--with the finesse of a Michelin-starred kitchen, unobstructed lake views, impeccable service, and a chef who feels like family--it's Don Alfonso at the Westin Harbour Castle.
We've dined at Don Alfonso before, back when it was located elsewhere. So, when we made our way to their new penthouse location at the Westin, we thought we knew what to expect. But wow--Chef Davide Ciavattella (yes, I stumbled over his name too, which only proves how authentically Italian he is--lol) completely turned things up a notch. Or several.
From the moment we arrived, we were transported. Our table faced the lake with a direct view of the Toronto Islands and the endless horizon beyond--simply breathtaking. Our server was warm, attentive, and intuitive, anticipating everything we could possibly need. We started the evening with some bubbly, and then the tasting menu began to unfold like a beautifully orchestrated symphony.
To make the evening even more special, the manager, Filippo Alviani, kindly offered us a 360° tour of the restaurant. No pun intended--the dining room itself is beautifully circular, which made the experience feel even more immersive. It was a real treat to explore the space and admire the thoughtfully curated art pieces throughout--every part of the restaurant felt like an extension of the experience: elegant, refined, and full of character.
Signature Menu Highlights:
* Fresh Baked Artisan Bread Service
* Collection of Canapés
* La RicciolaCured smoked amberjack, chive yogurt, orange emulsion, fava beans, ginger
* L'AnatraSeared Muscovy duck breast, roasted carrots, organic mizuna salad, 'Ratafia'-marinated blackberry, anise demi-glace, parsley powder
* I TaglioliniFresh tagliolini pasta cooked in white fish broth, red snapper carpaccio, bottarga, wild fennel
* Il TonnoP.E.I. otoro, puttanesca-style, red cherry tomato sauce, Nocellara olive purée, dried capers & smoked eggplant pesto
* Il BisonteOrganic Manitoba tenderloin wrapped in Swiss chard, buffalo mozzarella, salsa verde, San Marzano red chili reduction
* TiramisuMascarpone mousse, coffee-soaked vanilla biscotti, white chocolate crunch, salted caramel
* Chef's Selection of House-Made Petit Four
Each dish was a revelation--visually stunning, delicately composed, and layered with vibrant, complex flavors. The timing between courses was perfect, and every bite was a reminder that we were experiencing something truly special.
Four hours flew by in what felt like minutes. When it was finally time to leave, it felt like coming back down to earth from somewhere magical. Without question, this was the best dinner of 2025 so far.
As Ferran Adrià, the legendary chef of El Bulli, once said:
"Cuisine is the most important art to share. It's not enough to create it--you must live it."
And at Don Alfonso, you don't just taste the food--you live the experience.