Piano Piano

What is Piano Piano? Occupying the storied address at 88 Harbord Street in Harbord Village, Piano Piano is chef Victor Barry's spirited reinvention of the classic Italian trattoria. The dining room trades stuffiness for exuberant floral wallpaper, bold pop art, warm lighting, and a convivial front patio during warmer months. Seating spans spacious banquettes, lively group tables, and a tucked-away downstairs lounge bar primed for aperitivi.

Piano Piano Menu & What to Order Barry delivers deeply satisfying Italian comfort food executed with fine-dining precision. The Canestri alla Vodka—tubular ridges clinging to spicy 'nduja, guanciale, and rich tomato cream—is mandatory, as is The Sweet Hornet pizza layered with hot soppressata, black olives, and hot honey drizzle. For mains, the gargantuan Bone-In Veal Parm layered with fior di latte holds legendary status, and mushroom cavatelli with porcini cream offers an earthy vegetarian powerhouse. Pair dinner with a Negroni or an earthy Barbera, and save room for the Nutella tiramisu or giant slice of spiced carrot cake.

Know Before You Go Harbord Village is notoriously brisk on weekends, making OpenTable reservations essential several days in advance, though early birds can often snare walk-in bar seating. Street parking along Harbord is sparse, so taking the TTC to Spadina station and strolling south is usually the easiest route. The kitchen operates continuously from 11:30 a.m. through dinner seven days a week, featuring a sharp-value multi-course lunch special.