Bar Prima

Craig Harding and Julian D'Ippolito have dropped a slice of old-school, high-gloss Italian-American dining right into the middle of Queen West. The room is a heavy aesthetic swing, leaning hard into mid-century opulence with a hand-gilded gold ceiling, amber Murano glass, and marble floors that nod to Cy Twombly’s Roman studio. It feels intentionally disconnected from the usual grit of the street, trading the neighbourhood’s typical casual energy for a polished, dark, and moody atmosphere that prioritizes a sense of occasion.

Expect a menu that leans into nostalgia but isn't afraid to get weird with it—the chicken liver and caviar maritozzi is the kind of dish that defines the kitchen's current direction. The bar is the real anchor here, so don't bother ordering anything other than a dirty martini to start. It’s a tight, popular room, so you’ll need a reservation unless you’re planning on hovering near the door all night. Pay attention to the small details, like the custom matchboxes and the deliberate service, which keep the experience from feeling like a caricature of the 1950s.