Co-owners Rob D’Amico and Chef Dave Lamers have lifted Abruzzi into the top echelon of London restaurants, serving Italian-inspired modern and traditional regional specialties. As host and chef, respectively, each brings a polished professionalism to their Downtown epicurean hotspot.
The Scene
The Bar
Abruzzi is well-groomed but casual, with an elegant white marble bar just inside the front entrance. There is an elevated communal table in the centre of the dining room that seats eight. The simple, striking decor with bare brick walls and lots of mirrors, the innovative lighting, and the friendly ambience are all central to the Abruzzi experience. The service is attentive, polished and knowledgeable.
Menu Highlights
Chef Dave Lamers takes the earthy Italian culinary vocabulary and imbues it with both his idiosyncratic style and a culinary dialect that is responsive to the seasons. Abruzzi is Feast ON™-certified and won a Gold Medal Innovation Award from Food Day Canada for its consistent commitment to using local ingredients. Lamers stresses simplicity and freshness as foundations of the Abruzzi kitchen philosophy and the menu offerings capture the essence of Italian cooking. They are intuitive, often iconic, prepared with quality sustainable ingredients and executed with skill and an eye to detail. Signature dishes include:
Duo of Venison
- Grilled Loco Fields Peach Salad with toasted hazelnuts, arugula, ricotta salata and Niagara Chardonnay & honey vinaigrette;
- Crispy Pork Belly & Bay Scallops with charred Loco Fields carrots, carrot purée, kale & spiced jus;
- Ricotta Gnudi with Brussels sprouts, leeks, shallots, house lamb pancetta, honey mushrooms & sage brown butter;
- Grilled Beef Tenderloin with crispy gnocchi, mushrooms, spinach, green beans,red wine & veal stock reduction;
- Sous Vide Cauliflower “Steak” with beluga lentils, roasted fennel, charred red onion Brussels sprouts, fennel hot sauce, onion, thyme & white bean purée;
- Spiced Carrot Sponge Cake with buttercream, walnut praline, candied carrot & toasted coconut sorbetto.
Italian-inspired Farm-to-Table
119 King Street (at Talbot)
MAP B p20: 519-675-9995
abruzzi.ca
Superior Wine List Includes
Interesting Consignments
Award-Winning Commitment to Local Sustainable Ingredients
House-Cured Pancetta & Assorted Charcuterie
Menus Change Seasonally
