Menu - Ufficio Restaurant

Ufficio was a gamble: It has received reviews that meet both ends of the spectrum and has cycled through chefs. Still, we were prepared to give it a go because... read more Ufficio was a gamble: It has received reviews that meet both ends of the spectrum and has cycled through chefs. Still, we were prepared to give it a go because it offers a unique pescatarian take on Italian food, where fish is the focus. In fact, the menu offered no meat at all.Our reservation was confirmed by the restaurant because the online system booked us for a time before they opened. No big deal, although a sign of things to come. We arrived at 6 pm and were greeted by a staff that was properly attentive but made sure we were not rushed. We were given a choice spot to sit on the comfy custom couches that run the length of the front window so we had a nice view of the streetscape. There's only one beer on tap and there were issues with the lines so we were faced with bottles/cans. We both selected a nice local beer called Ace Hill ($9;) in fact we liked it so much that we wanted to order a second with our apps but were denied because there weren't any more cold ones in the fridge. This seemed strange given the spare selection to start with and the fact that the tap was misbehaving, but what registered was a sense that the entire restaurant was running on razor thin margins.No matter, we ordered the infamous Delerium Tremens ($11)from Belgium to accompany what was an expertly prepared series of dishes. A dozen oysters from New Brunswick at market price ($30 CAD) preceded an inspired Swordfish Crudo ($19) with with a light citrus dressing and porcini mushroom dust. It was sliced so that it was transparent, and its delicate flavour was complimented by an equally subtle pickled mushroom. Truly delicious. In contrast, we delved into some blackened shishito peppers (como pimientos padron en Espana) which featured coarse salt as expected, but as well a rich garlic aioli ($12.) Very nice and the peppers were perfect. Lizzie, my wife, had the special which was an Octopus Bolgnese ($22.) The octopus was seemingly ground which gave it a beefy and hearty consistency. I had to help her with it, which I love to do, and was pleased with the flavour. I ordered the more traditional Polpa Alla Griglia ($31) sitting atop a cannelini ragu and escarole. Delicious and satisfying. I would have liked the octopus to have been a little less well done, but we're talking a matter of seconds, so a very minor complaint. Lastly, a decent espresso ($2.5) and Zeppole ($10)for dessert - think Tiny Tim sugar donuts filled with something delicious - a true Italian dessert that was just sweet enough. There were three of them in a row bridged by a crunchy toffee-like rectangle of goodness and a hazelnut atop each. Very nice.Now, throughout the meal, and due to our exceptional vista, we witnessed a lot of action. Several deliveries, including what I suspect was the warm beer, and two Uber Eats delivery guys to pick up meals for delivery (who were asked to wait outside) which led us to believe that Ufficio is walking a dangerous line. This reinforces the Toronto Life review from March of this year (although that review was based on the efforts of a different chef,) but to that point, the latest incarnation of this restaurant features a chef in Ivana Raca who obviously has a deft touch and despite the amateurish management of the restaurant, the food stands out. Would we return? Yes. But I'd hope that my $200 meal would see less traffic at the front door (maybe ask sweaty Uber Eats delivery guys to use the alley entrance?) and that the limited beer selection would be most definitely available. Oh, and cloth napkins, however much of an expense, would make it feel more like fine dining. By all appearances it's not fine dining despite pretensions, which is a shame because the dishes deserve better company.

One of Toronto's few restaurants that has a strong focus on the freshest fish and the most perfect vegetables and fruits. Ufficio has an Italian vein but truly... read more One of Toronto's few restaurants that has a strong focus on the freshest fish and the most perfect vegetables and fruits. Ufficio has an Italian vein but truly it is their passion for the most perfect dish that makes this place unique. Fabulous staff and powerful, creative cocktails in a very cool space also make for a truly awesome dinner or brunch. For dinner I always lean to one of their fish carpaccio, an octopus dish and a must have pasta. Brunch for me must include baked eggs. For either meal dessert here is a must.