Finally made it to Bar Prima with my best friend, and I can definitely see why it's so popular right now. First little note: this place is a bit tricky to find since there's no sign outside, so just look for the dark red archway and you're in the right spot. We asked to sit downstairs when we made the reservation because I really wanted to see the famous mirrored wall in the basement, and it honestly made the whole dinner feel a little more special. The space was moody, stylish, and perfect for a fun catch up. Food wise, there were a few standouts for me. The Tomato Tramezzini was so delicious and easily one of my favorite bites of the night. The Scallops Rockefeller were rich and creamy, kind of like scallops with a baked mayo-style sauce, and I really enjoyed those too. The Wagyu Coulotte was flavorful and nicely cooked, but I do wish there had been a little more of it since it was only four pieces. The Lobster Fra Diavola was decent, but compared to the other dishes, it felt a bit average, so next time I'd probably try the mushroom pasta instead. We also ordered two cocktails, and they were fine, just not especially memorable. Overall, I had a really lovely time here read more

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Overall, Bar Prima was a pretty good pick. I will say it was definitely hard to find as the restaurant front is completely black with no clear sign of the location. Once entered we were greeted by the hostess who sat us down quickly as we had reservations for the evening. The service was mediocre as the waitress did not really give us any suggestions or explain the menu well. It was more my girlfriend and I trying to figure things out on our own. The food was delicious and was the main scorer for this restaurant. I had no complains regarding it and would go back specifically for the food. From a personal standpoint I was not fond of the atmosphere as there was a baby crying throughout the majority of my dinner and a toddler at the bar with his parent which seemed a bit strange to me. Bottom line if you want good eats, I would give this place a shot. But if your are going for the atmosphere, expect it to be very dark and possibly have children crying inside or at the bar. read more

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Came for my birthday dinner. The food and service was great, cocktails were just okay. I really enjoyed the chicken liver maritozzi. The vibes were nice too. read more

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Came here for a case team dinner and it was quite good! Very buttery and rich Italian, but nevertheless delicious. The decor (we were seated downstairs) was also very swanky and unique... dark room with lots of framed mirrors. We ordered a few things, based on our server's recommendation. Frankly, the spiel was a bit too long (we all zoned out) and rehearsed... our server gave the same speech to the tables next door. Started off with some amuse bouche, including a grapefruit caprese, some scallops rockefeller (pretty delicious and buttery), and a tartare. Then we went straight to the mains - obviously got the lobster pasta, which was rich and yummy... with a few decent chunks of pasta. We also ordered a few other pasta, the potato pave (a very layered and buttery brick), the striploin, swordfish (was SO firm, texture was more like meat but not a strong flavour), and carrots (very caramelized). Finally, we wrapped up with some desserts, including the tiramisu and gianduja (like a big Ferrero Rocher). Overall a good experience... though nothing was particularly memorable for me (save maybe the lobster pasta and the uniquely caramelized carrots). read more

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I'd been curious about Bar Prima for quite some time, what with its mysterious (and irresistible) exterior of glass brick. So when the opportunity arose to finally check the place out, I couldn't have been more excited. And thankfully, the place exceeded my very high expectations. We snagged two spots at the end of the bar, which afforded us a perfect view of the super cool ambiance and the mixologists doing their thing. Our server was really friendly and helpful, and was more than willing to answer our questions. He also knew exactly when to give us space. This dude was amazing. For my first drink, I had to try their spin on a Manhattan ("Whisky, Antica Formula, Angostura Bitters"). It's absolutely amazing. I've been a little obsessed with Manhattans as of late, and this one is easily right up there with the best I've had. It's phenomenal. For food, we shared a few items: chicken liver & caviar maritozzi (which is an absolutely stellar spin on one of my favorite dishes), rapini genovese (I'm not usually a fan of rapini but this knocked my socks off), and gianduja tartufo (a decadent, delicious dessert that ended the meal perfectly). I also got a martini that was so darn good. And we wanted to end the night with a shot of Famous Grouse, and the bartender who was serving us mentioned he had a special bottle of a Grouse variant and would we like to try it? We did and it was indeed amazing. And we were charged for the regular Famous Grouse. What an awesome way to conclude our Bar Prima experience. Bar Prima is instantly one of my favorite bars in the city. I can't wait to go back. read more

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We came here for my wife's birthday dinner - the vibes were great, service was good, venue was beautiful. Unfortunately the food might've been a bit of a letdown. Now to be fair, we just got back from Japan so may palate may be ruined! But we tried a handful of dishes and the only thing I actually thought stood out was the wagyu. The crudo was mediocre, tomato sando was decent, mushroom pasta too limp, potato pave just decent. Maybe I ordered wrong, but I was expecting more. Maybe I'll be back for another try! read more

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Highly recommend this meal was one I will always remember. It was my first time having Wagyu & it was cooked to perfection, the sweet potato gnocchi was such a surprise and so good, the potato pave is one like I've never had before. read more

New bar in downtown Toronto!!! Such a hidden gem. Literally passed it twice and couldn't find the entrance because it was so discreet, but that's how I know it was good. Loved everything about this place. It's definitely a $$$ restaurant but worth it for date night or small gathering with friends or family. The interior has dimmed lighting and a cozy feel! I loved their passionfruit drink it was refreshing. For food they recommended sharing items at the table, so we ordered a lot but it was the perfect amount for 4 people! What I recommend: - Scallops - Beef tartare - Stuffed gnocchi - Tirmasu - (whatever the first dessert was on the menu, that's the layered one) - Lobster pasta Would definitely recommend this place! read more

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Bar Prima was the nice spot for our date night dinner. The ambiance and decor of the dining area is cozy yet upscale. The food especially the ravioli and rock scallops were delicious. I will say we arrived here at 6 pm on a Saturday night and we were the first and ONLY ones in the restaurant the entire time - it was a little weird. The waitress was nice, but felt she was condescending read more

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Interior, interior, interior! This review isn't so much about the food as it is about the aesthetics and charm of this little gem in the Queen Street West neighbourhood. From the outside, you'd never guess the level of luxury, glamour, and glitz waiting inside. The space is a feast for the eyes, with a rich colour palette of gold, brown, red, and blue. But the real showstopper? The hand-applied gold-leaf ceiling--an absolute eye-catcher. This opulence is beautifully contrasted by the 1960s Rome-inspired flooring, adding depth and character to the ambiance. Now, a quick note on the food. The menu isn't extensive, but it offers something for everyone. And if it doesn't? No problem--the chef is more than happy to whip up something special, which was the case for our group. I went with an off-menu surprise: a simple gnocchi in pomodoro sauce with shrimp. While tasty, it wasn't the best gnocchi I've ever had. Still, bonus points for the incredible hospitality and willingness to accommodate. Final thoughts: This is the spot to get dressed up for. If you're looking for a place where the ambiance steals the show, Bar Prima is it. read more

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Bar Prima is a chic little oasis in bustling Queen St. West. We were a table of 4. Cocktails to start were all expertly made. Appetizer of chicken liver & caviar maritozzi was delicious, like a creamy liver donut. Somehow I don't think Tim Hortons will add that one anytime soon. Other couple enjoyed their amberjack crudo. Attempted to order the swordfish but it comes with a sauce on the side that contains dairy, which I prefer to avoid. For some reason there was no potential alternative. Luckily someone at our table ordered it and I could at least get a small bite. It was tender and served in a manner that made it easy to share. I ended up with the beef tartar which was a reasonable portion. An app that I had as my main. While fresh, it was perhaps a bit boring in presentation and flavors. My wife had the octopus, while I liked my bite that was crisp on the outside my wife was hoping for it to be more tender. Other couple had the veal chop marsala that they seemed to enjoy but did not finish. cicoria as a contori/side was nice to see on the menu and worth getting. Mains do not come with sides. We ordered a bottle of wine that was corked. They were mostly good about it. They had their sommelier take it to their "tasting area" to check it. Usually it's just agreed that the customer is right, felt a bit odd to have my assessment of the wine reviewed while we all waited. She did come back in a pleasant manner and agree that it was definitely off and brought us a replacement bottle that they checked first. Night & day difference. I have no issue with a bottle being corked, it happens from time to time just thought the process of replacing the wine could use some refinement. Winelist was predominantly Italian, some French and world options. Reds starting from $80 and up, by the glass also available. The Opera pistachio cream sponge cake was delicious and recommended. Service was friendly and knowledgeable. I think it was our server's first night and he did an excellent job. The quality of the service, cocktails and charm of the restaurant brought this up to 4 stars despite a few offsetting issues. read more

Bar Prima - octopus alla griglia $49 - Italian Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Cute, intimate spot that has delicious food. Upon arriving at the restaurant with a reservation we were led to our table quickly which surprisingly was in the basement of the restaurant. It was low ceilings but also had a very intimate and fancy setting. Service was great and food was even better. They're super small plates/ tapas style so would need to order more food if you're in a hungry mood. Tomato tramezzini 5/5 - A tomato toast that comes with 2 pieces. It's crispy on the outside and tarte on the inside from the tomatoes. Chicken liver & caviar maritozzi 5/5 - Came in a beautiful brioche looking bun and had a bright pink colour for the pate. Topped with black caviar. YUM! Lobster fra diavola 5/5 - A must order. A creamy lobster pasta dish that was really delicious and would get again. Celery root ravioli 5/5 - Perhaps the most beautiful dish of the night. It came with 8 raviolis topped with white stars on each of them. Sauce that it came with was also immaculate. Tiramisu di altamura 5/5 - You have to end off the night with dessert and the tiramisu did not disappoint. Sweet and delicious. Also had their logo on top of the tiramisu. Was a great experience and delicious food. On the fancier side but so good. read more

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Part of a longer review... While the menu's ambition occasionally overshadows the simplicity at the heart of Italian cuisine, it's a small trade-off for an otherwise extraordinary dining experience. Each dish is a thoughtful exploration of flavours and textures, inviting diners to savour the nuances and appreciate the artistry behind the cuisine. What truly sets Bar Prima apart is the exquisite service. Far from the dry and impersonal experience one might expect from high-end establishments, the staff here, particularly our server Jared, added a personal touch that enhanced our overall experience. Jared's willingness to let his personality shine through brought a warmth and charm to the evening, making us feel not just welcomed, but truly special. Bar Prima is more than just a restaurant--it's a journey through the past, present, and future of Italian cuisine. It's a place where food is not just consumed but experienced, where every dish tells a story, and every bite is a memory in the making. And indeed, Bar Prima is a place to which one cannot help but yearn to return, time and time again. Bravo! read more

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While we walked right past it, once we walked into Bar Prima, we could feel that it would be a special night. The atmosphere is warm, cozy and beautiful. The service is impeccable. Our server, Rubin, helped us understand the menu and guided us to a perfect meal. Well paced, served with delicious bread , we had the beet and burata salad that was a delight and enough to share, next we shared the angoletti dopo which was so delicious. Both were creative, ample, made with fresh ingredients. Too delicious to stop and photo. I had the sword fish which was seasoned and sauced lightly and cooked just right and my partners amazing veal chop was sauced so deliciously I had to taste it. We had excellent wine and topped it off with the tartufo. This is a special l,ace. It is not inexpensive , but we felt the meal justified the cost. read more

Bar Prima - The tartufo - Italian Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Not bad, Mixed feelings - service nice, cocktails good, However mushroom pasta very sweet - should have had the spaghetti as waiter suggested , Pork main good but very small portion. Potatoe side good. Tiramisu had better. read more

A fun time but overall a poor value for the quality of the food. I would not return for dinner but would go to the bar for drinks and snacks. The service and drinks here are A+. The cocktail list is very creative and we loved our drinks. All aspects of service here are top-notch, from the hosts to the server to the people running the food. Everyone is friendly and very knowledgable. The look and vibe of the restaurant are very cool. The food quality is a mixed bag. The appetizers and pasta were great. We had fried zucchini blossoms, the tomato tramezzini, and the scallops rockefeller and each one was fantastic. The zeppole & mortadella was a fun idea but missed the mark as the zeppole tasted eggy, like it was not fully cooked on the interior. Everyone loved the lobster fra diavola, which should be a "must order" for anyone visiting this restaurant. The main courses were not good. The ribeye was a mess. The piece we had was exceptionally fatty and we had to cut out a ton. No steakhouse would have served this piece. But even if it was perfect, it would not have mattered as it was drowned in a jus which totally overpowered the taste of the beef. A similar situation with the swordfish piccata, where the sauce became the star instead of the fish. In both cases, we couldn't really taste the main ingredients. These dishes should be completely rethought. The prices at Bar Prima are high and astronomical in light of the quality. read more

Great atmosphere and tasty food! Ideal for a date. It felt like being in the 1920's restaurant but with a modern touch. Very good service.

Bar Prima has lost sight of its customers and their dining experience! The front house staff are not capable of making any decisions to accommodate a group despite having a secured reservation. Bar Prima does not want tables larger than. 4 people so if you want to feel like the restaurant appreciates your business in these hard and competitive times, I suggest looking elsewhere read more

Great food. Maybe call it modern Italian- kinda fancy but super tasty. Gorgeous space that makes for a fun night out To be improved- We were seated under a vent that made it drafty The chef came by and asked us about our meal which was nice since we definitely weren't the coolest in the room read more

Bar Prima has lost sight of its customers and does not honour nor care about your experience. there are many competitive options in that neighbourhood like Good Son and others that will welcome you and care about your hard earned dollars paying for a great dining experience read more

Incredible ambiance, Shoutout Jeremy for the knowledgable waiting . Amazing drinks and food . Smaller plates but great service and experience overall. Spent 704$ CA for 4 people. read more

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