Proper

What is Proper? Taking over the former La Cubana space at 392 Roncesvalles Avenue, Proper is a slick New York-style Italian dining room and bar founded by local resident Michael Edwards alongside chef-partner Julien Cawagas (formerly of Giulietta and Eataly). The room pairs mid-century Italian modernist aesthetics—mahogany paneling, burnt-umber velvet banquettes, and marble tables—with the address's preserved teal subway tiles. Seating wraps around an intimate dining area and an open kitchen calibrated for neighbourhood nightlife.

Proper Menu & What to Order Cawagas leans into scratch-made Italian-American comfort food executed with precision rather than fussy plating. Start with the beef tartare bound with house-made truffle mayo or the sourdough toast piled with clams and spicy 'nduja. From-scratch pastas like the wild mushroom tagliatelle and hearty mains like the veal chop marsala shine alongside Jen Neabel's craft cocktails and low-markup Italian wines. The kitchen is completely nut-free, with generous gluten-free pasta and entrée accommodations.

Know Before You Go Tables for up to six can be booked through OpenTable, while walk-in diners have the best luck early in the evening or at the bar on weeknights. Weekend tables fill up fast, so reservations are recommended if you are dining during prime dinner hours. Street parking along Roncesvalles is tight, making the 504 King or 505 Dundas streetcars the easiest transit option.