Martine's Wine Bar

Taking over the old Woodlot space on Palmerston, Martine’s Wine Bar is Grant van Gameren’s latest addition to Little Italy. It leans into a wood-clad, homespun aesthetic that feels more lived-in than the usual polished spots popping up across the city. Chef Luke Haines runs the kitchen, focusing on a farm-to-table approach that leans heavily on produce hauled in from van Gameren’s own Cressy House property in Prince Edward County. The result is a menu that stays grounded, avoiding unnecessary fuss in favour of straightforward, high-quality ingredients.

Expect the menu to rotate based on what’s actually in season, so don’t get too attached to a specific dish. You’ll usually find well-executed seafood, fresh pasta, and wood-oven roasted proteins like their signature chicken. The wine list is broad enough to cover most palates without being intimidating, which helps when you’re navigating the different seating areas—pick the bar if you want to keep things casual, or head to the mezzanine if you’re looking for a bit more room. It gets busy, so book a table ahead of time if you aren't feeling lucky, though the layout is flexible enough that you can usually squeeze in for a weeknight dinner.