It is no secret that our team is full of self-proclaimed pasta enthusiasts - because honestly, how could we not be? So when we discovered that October was National Pasta Month, we instantly knew we had to seize the moment and share some of our favourite Toronto restaurants, and recipes, that focus on this classic Italian staple!
Eataly
Eataly is a globally-recognized destination for Italian cuisine and ingredients. Within the Toronto location (55 Bloor Street West) you can find five different restaurants including La Pizza e La Pasta, whose name speaks for itself, alongside their marketplace offering a wide variety of local and imported-Italian goods.
Enjoy a bowl of al dente pasta crafted by Eataly’s expert pasta chefs at La Pasta using all the traditional, fresh and seasonal flavours you would expect to discover throughout Italy. Or, stroll over to La Pasta Fresca: Fresh Pasta, where the pastai (pastamakers) craft simple ingredients into intricate pasta shapes inspired by the rich traditions of various Italian regions, and take your favourite pasta to-go for an at-home meal.
In addition to restaurant and marketplace offerings, Eataly also offers an array of classes and events to help expand your knowledge and cooking skills. Keeping in the #PastaMonth theme, we highly recommend reserving a spot for their upcoming “Hands-on Gnocchi Making Class” or “Hands-on Pasta from the North” events during the month of October.
For additional details about all that Eataly Toronto has to offer, visit https://www.eataly.ca.
The Cheesecake Factory
Although The Cheesecake Factory is best known for their 30+ cheesecake flavours (no surprise here - it is literally IN their name!), we’re here to make sure you don’t stop there! Their book-size menu includes so many tasty appetizer and main dish pasta-bilities; including their iconic Fried Macaroni and Cheese, Four Cheese Pasta and Chicken Parmesan “Pizza Style”.
Don’t take our word for it, head to their Toronto location, located in Yorkdale Shopping Center, to experience them yourself!
TOCA
If you’re searching for an elevated experience to celebrate the month, look no further than the exquisite “Pasta Monday” event at TOCA, located within The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto. This series, offered every Monday evening, features a four-course meal highlighting the pastas, produce and wines of a specific region of Italy which rotate monthly. During the evening, attending guests will enjoy a limited-edition tasting menu, alongside a pasta making demonstration performed by TOCA’s talented team of chefs, as well as wine pairings for each course.
For details on the current region and menu, or to book a reservation, visit tocarestaurant.com.
Oretta
The pasta offerings at Oretta are some of the best that the city of Toronto has to offer, including their famous Cacio e Pepe and Carbonara - which are both plated tableside for a little added flair and entertainment.
With incredible flavours and a lively, friendly atmosphere, you simply cannot go wrong visiting this vibrant Italian restaurant. With two locations (King Street West and Midtown), Oretta is an excellent choice, for a special occasion or a get together with friends and family.
Pasta recipes from MAZOLA® Cooking Oils
For those who want to test their at-home pasta skills, we highly recommend the easy to follow Mazola® recipe for Ribbon Noodles or Spelt Ribbon Noodles to begin your pasta education. Once you’ve perfected your noodles, try your hand at this fall-inspired Warm Tomato and Kale Pasta!
Gluten-free? No problem! Try Mazola®'s recipe for Gluten-Free Buckwheat Noodles or Gluten-Free, Vegan Noodles.
However you decide to celebrate National Pasta Month, we hope your noodles are perfectly cooked, your flavours are balanced and your experiences are ones to remember!
To learn more about any restaurants and products mentioned in this blog post, please contact info@thisisbpr.com with your inquiry.
