Wynona Toronto
Restaurant · South Riverdale ·
Seafood-forward Italian with fresh pasta & brown butter branzino
Seafood-forward Italian with fresh pasta & brown butter branzino
"This lively neighborhood bistro delivers the Bib Gourmand promise with French- and Italian-influenced cooking, a smart, shareable menu, and a wine list of exclusively low-intervention bottles. Built to be both classic and familiar yet fresh and contemporary, it maximizes each product—branzino bones become dashi for albacore tuna and herb ends are infused into oils and stocks—keeping costs reasonable without skimping on technique. The signature branzino with brown butter, capers, and cerignola olives has been on since day one and pairs beautifully with the roasted caraflex cabbage; it’s priced lower so you can revisit the classic and explore new small-plate sides as the menu changes aggressively through the month. Expect snacks ($9–13), small plates ($17–26), pastas and mains ($30–56), desserts ($12–16), and a 5-course shared menu featuring seven plates launching this fall at $75 per guest. The compact room rewards planning ahead—reservations are wise—but walk-ins fare best between 5:00–6:00 PM or after 9:00 PM, and early birds often snag first dibs on kitchen features. Seasonality, close relationships with local farmers, and consideration for dietary needs (dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan) shape the offerings, while housemade pastas, technique-driven desserts, and from-scratch prep underscore the value." - Kevin Chau
"Wynona is a lively and friendly neighborhood bistro. The open kitchen is the heartbeat of the place—snag a seat at one of the tables to watch the chefs at work. The young team is relaxed but efficient, and all guests are well looked after, with staff members happily recommending dishes or wines.Seasonality drives their selections, and the menu changes weekly. Clear Italian influences are evident across the menu. Case in point? Thin slices of capocollo ham, topped with pickled banana peppers and drizzled with sweet local honey is certainly a Med-minded opener, and a delicious one at that. You'll never go wrong with homemade pasta, perhaps lumache with sausage crumble, sugar snap peas and a dollop of creamy cheese." - Michelin Inspector
"When she arrived from Egypt in 2000 as a kid, she recalls being immediately smitten with the city's multitude of ethnic neighborhoods, including two that are now close to home—Little India and Greektown. Wahba still enjoys showing people around her neighborhood—a mix of classic one-story bungalows, redbrick corner stores, and small businesses. When not in the shop, you'll find her sipping tea with neighbors or eating at nearby spots, like the Michelin-rated Wynona."
"“Fresh local seasonal ingredients - must try brown butter branzino.” - @chand31" - PRINT_COLLECTIVE
"The open kitchen is the heartbeat of this place—snag a seat at one of the tables to watch the chefs at work. The young team is relaxed but efficient, and all guests are well looked after, with staff members happily recommending dishes or wines. Seasonality drives their selections, and the menu changes weekly." - The MICHELIN Guide
