The Annex - RESTAURANT/RAFFAELLA

What is The Annex - RESTAURANT/RAFFAELLA? Discreetly positioned inside The Annex Hotel at 296 Brunswick Avenue, Raffaella retools the traditional red-sauce joint into a moody, low-lit Italian den soundtracked by golden-era hip hop. The 60-seat room balances nostalgia and energy, dressed in red-and-white checkered tablecloths, imported vintage artwork, a lively full bar, and a compact outdoor patio. It manages to channel the warmth of a nonna's dining room while keeping both intimate date nights and spirited group dinners buzzing.

The Annex - RESTAURANT/RAFFAELLA Menu & What to Order Start with the cacio e pepe arancini, golden and molten inside, before pivoting to the kitchen's standout: the Spicy Vodka Rigatoni, coated in a silky, heat-forward cream sauce, or the decadent Vodka Chicken Parm. Pizza fans should gravitate toward 'The Annex Pizza' or the sweet-and-salty French Fig pie, backed by slow-simmered Lasagna Bolognese for purists. Pair the carb fest with a refreshing Limoncello Mule, and hold out for the house-made complimentary limoncello pour that arrives with the bill.

Know Before You Go Dine-in tables operate strictly Wednesday through Saturday evenings, meaning prime dinner reservations via Resy are non-negotiable if you want a guaranteed table. Solo diners and spontaneous duos can occasionally snag a bar seat right at 5:00 p.m., while takeout runs seven days a week. Brunswick Avenue street parking is notoriously tight, so save yourself the headache and take the subway to Bathurst or Spadina station instead.