Toronto patio season preview: Ciao Wine Bar

Toronto patio season preview: Ciao Wine Bar
11-05-25 11:52 AM
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Who goes there?
During my short visit I encountered a lot of silver hair, expensive suits and very, very tanned skin,
but to my surprise--virtually no arrogance. The maître d' was incredibly friendly and helpful and
didn't mind at all that a scruffy red head in faded jeans and a worn, army green jacket was loose on
the premises. It's rare that I get the opportunity to bump elbows with the Ferrari crowd, and I
realized I'm far too quick to judge.
Grub and Libations
Ciao Wine Bar specializes in - duh - wine; particularly of the Italian variety although you'll find a
humble selection of new world wines from Canada, the U.S., Australia and New Zealand. The
selection from Italy is divided by region representing the entire peninsula. You can fetch a glass for
as little as $10 and bottles range from $40 to just about as expensive as you'd like to shell out.
The menu is a pretty standard contemporary Italian card featuring a selection of antipasto ($8-15),
fresh pasta ($16-19) and pizza ($10-20) among other things. Every Tuesday they offer linguini with
a fresh whole lobster for $21, which sounds pretty reasonable to me.
Odds of scoring (a seat)
Every patio in Yorkville becomes sought after real estate when the sun is shining, and Ciao is no
different. They do take reservations though, so if you've got someone to impress it's probably best
to call ahead.
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Toronto patio season preview: Ciao Wine Bar
As I mentioned before, this is prime people watching territory. Because of the neighbourhood's weird
and wonderful history there is this totally unique blend of people within Yorkville's invisible walls.
It's a mix of meandering tourists, lunching ladies, sports cars, kids drunk on entitlement, George
Hamilton lookalikes, rich aging hippies--oh, and so much cigar smoke. There is nowhere in Toronto
- nowhere - that loves cigars as much as old men in Yorkville loves cigars. In a mere half hour my
sightings hit double digits, they're everywhere.
SPF recommended
The neighbourhood is pretty dense, so its not the best place to sunbath, a bit ironic considering the
saturation of tanned skin. Still, the rays to peak through. Both patios at Ciao are protected by
retractable awnings though, obviously mainly for rain, but it's good to know that if summertime gets
a little too intense, us scruffy redheads are safe.
11-05-25 11:52 AM
Hot Box Cafe
Merchants of Green Coffee
Garrison's Barbershop
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Overall Impressions
To me, Yorkville is one of those places where I feel like a tourist in my own city. It's a great place to
visit, but I wouldn't want to live there. However, when I do visit I think I'd like to have a drink on the
Ciao patio. It embodies modern Yorkville in all the right ways. It feels swanky and sophisticated, but
still accessible (and you're treated that way, even if you're not dressed that way). It's a place for
legitimate tourists, those like me and regulars alike--maybe even the cigar smoking cyclist.
Previously in the series:
House on Parliament
Three Speed
Pour Boy
Markaz Cafe
Churchill
Jason George
Town Crier
O&B Canteen
Stout Irish Pub
The Blake House
Origin
The Caledonian
Marben
A special thanks to Rickard's White for sponsoring our patio adventures.
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Toronto patio season preview: Ciao Wine Bar
DISCUSSION
11-05-25 11:52 AM
2 Comments
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z / MAY 21, 2011 AT 2:13 PM
People watching at its finest. I've heard of this modern German beer hall
called WVRST opening next week on King, just West of Portland. Sausages
and beers! Can't wait!!!
http://www.enjoidj.blogspot.com
GL / MAY 22, 2011 AT 1:16 AM
Gotta get me a cigar.
Then maybe the doorman at Hazelton lanes won't call security if I come
within 20ft of the entrance.
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Toronto patio season preview: Ciao Wine Bar
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