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    Casa Paco

    4.4 (10 reviews)

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    sliced meat on a cutting board
    Jenn W.

    When I see jamon iberico on the menu, it gets ordered. The thin slices of prized Spanish cured ham are all at once sweet, smoky, and savoury. Casa Paco points out that they serve the "pata negra" ($38) variety of the ham, which indicates it's produced with pure-bred Iberian pigs. Pedigree aside, it's tasty and the plate contains plenty of slices to go around. The duck ragû gnocchi ($26) showed promise with its sizeable portion - a lot heftier than my friend's tendril of octopus - and intoxicating aroma. And while the sauce was hearty and delicious (the shredded duck tender and flavourful), the actual gnocchi was overcooked and bordered on mushy. Perhaps its because the pasta was boiled and then also cooked in the sauce. If so, the chef either needs to boil the gnocchi less or consider pan frying it to form a crust, prior to finishing it within the ragû. A dessert is a must, and the coffee cardamom cheesecake ($15) is highly recommended. Prepared crustless, the outer edges of the sweet takes on a Basque cheesecake quality so it's caramelized and dense. Yet, at the centre there's a lovely coffee cardamom sauce that gives it a lovely hit of cool sweetness that's almost like a cold molten lava cake. A unique dessert indeed. I preferred the cheesecake to the brûléed lemon flan ($11) where the sugar was overly toasted and started emitting a bitter taste. The sugar slight slip aside, the dollop of cool cream against the slightly warm flan was a nice touch. It wasn't until after the dinner that I came across a Toronto Life article about Casa Paco. What makes it particularly unique is their four owners - Rob Bragagnolo, Caroline Chinery, Tommy Conrad, Ailbhe McMahon - are also the restaurant's only staff, giving the establishment a mom and pop feel as customers will continually encounter the same faces. Maybe that's why we found dining there so relaxing. We felt taken care of and loved hearing McMahon mention that several of the flora scattered throughout the restaurant was saved from a local resident who had too many at their home and forced by their landlord to dispose of them. If only I lived in Little Italy, I too would become a familiar face amongst Casa Paco.

    Marie N.

    Part of a longer review... Casa Paco's kitchen produces dishes that are, for the most part, astounding--both for the quality of ingredients and for the unpredictable twists Bragagnolo gives them. One that still dominates my thoughts is the bruléed chicken liver paté ($21) with seasonal crudité and grilled house bread. It's essentially what it sounds like--a creamy pate that's disguised as a crème brulée. The glass-like torched topping cracks like a sheet of ice when hit and reveals a silky paté. Throughout our meal, the rhythm of service is perfectly timed and we never feel rushed. I appreciate the attention to detail in every aspect--from the ambiance to the guest experience and, of course, the food.

    Starters for the paella set menu
    Tracy T.

    Intrigued that Casa Paco was endorsed twice in the recent Toronto Star article that interviewed 11 of Toronto's Michelin star chefs for their go-to spot to dine, I decided to visit for Paella Sunday. For the two of us, we ordered the Seafood Paella Set Menu and the Grilled Short Rib Steak. The good = The star of the night was definitely the paella. Every component of it was rich, smoky, and delicious. Generous and tender pieces of charred octopus and squid embedded in a flavourful seafood-infused rice, topped with juicy shrimp, mussels, and dollops of saffron aoili - it was an excellent dish! I was just a little sad that our mussels were on the smaller-side while the table next to us, who were well-acquainted with the chef, received the extra large and plump ones. The bad = Service was rather slow as it appeared that only one waitress was managing all of the tables. I had to ask for the finished paella pan to be taken away to make room for the short rib steak (our table for two was quite small) and it took some time for the machine to be brought over after our credit card was sitting out on the table. The coat check is a bit lackluster as they place them randomly on shared hooks spread throughout the restaurant. I watched one employee drop my jacket as he went to hang up someone elses'. The in-between = The starters of the Paella Set Menu were nothing to write home about. The flavour of the homemade tomato bread was tasty but the bread was more like a crostini and far too crispy for my liking. Additional slices would've also been appreciated as there was a generous amount of sheep's cheese that I wish I could've finished. The kale and cauliflower were charred well but way too salt-forward. Finally, the grilled short rib steak delivered as a piece of meat but was unfortunately uninspiring with no sauces or accompaniments. I wouldn't order this again. Overall, I enjoyed the paella enough to return just for it but I can't particularly say that I had a noteworthy experience with anything else.

    Beef Short rib steak
    Donna S.

    We were looking forward to our reservation booked 3 weeks in advance. The restaurant is very cozy and the dining room is quaint and beautiful, the vibe is there and the service is great. When it comes to the food, unfortunately it didn't quite meet our expectations. The steak was tender after being braised overnight but the flavor was average, as you can see from the photo there is no sauce at all so it was a bit plain. The potato calamari mash underneath the octopus was pretty good. The third dish we ordered was a medley of mushrooms, had they served that with the steak at the same time, I think our experience would have been better. It was brought out as an appetizer first and the texture was one dimensional, the dish was all mushrooms.

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    Review Highlights - Casa Paco

    Probably needed to add another round of bread Steak tartare- their take on tartare is basically a blue steak.

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    Beso by Patria

    Beso by Patria

    3.9
    (570 reviews)
    1.8 km
    $$$$

    I had such a great experience at Beso by Patria. The space has a really warm, slightly upscale vibe…read morewithout feeling too formal, which I loved right away. We ordered a mix of dishes to share, and everything came out beautifully presented. The flavors felt very balanced--nothing overly heavy, just really well thought out. The seafood was especially fresh, and the tapas-style plates made it fun to try a bit of everything. Service was attentive without being intrusive, and the pacing of the meal felt just right. It's the kind of place you can come for a relaxed evening but still feel like you're treating yourself a little. Definitely a spot I'd come back to, especially with friends so we can order more and share.

    We had high hopes for this spot, especially since the ambience was beautiful--perfect for a lovely…read moredate night. We ended up ordering quite a few items from the menu. Our favourites were the oxtail pintxo, bravas, wagyu, churros, and flan--each of these really stood out and delivered on flavour. That said, I was especially excited for the paella, and it unfortunately fell short. I've had better paella from a food truck, and for much cheaper. Between the chicken and striploin, we preferred the chicken as it had a more cohesive flavour. The striploin was cooked closer to rare when we asked for medium rare, making it tough to eat, and the rice itself was quite bland. On a positive note, the service was lovely--attentive, warm, and accommodating throughout the night. Our server checked in often without being intrusive and made the experience feel polished and welcoming. Overall, while the ambience and service made for a great evening, the food didn't quite justify the price for me. Not sure I'd return, but still a nice spot if you're looking for a good atmosphere.

    Photos
    Beso by Patria
    Wrapped Dates
    Wrapped Dates
    Interior design is very interesting

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    Interior design is very interesting
    Tapagria Spanish Tapas

    Tapagria Spanish Tapas

    3.6
    (313 reviews)
    21.1 km
    $$

    This used to be our go to place for Spanish food, then it became so expensive and paella is getting…read moresoggy and average taste. The paella is supposed to be crispy at the bottom, but they don't have that burning crispy feel any more. All the tapas are small volume, finish in bites, expensive at the same time, although they are quite tasty. Our server was a very nice lady with smiles all the time. The restaurant is well decorated, medium size, good for gathering and parties.

    We went to Talagria for the Father's Day weekend brunch…read more Let's start with the great. Well, nothing. The good. There was an ok variety of food items. The had roasted pork, a roast beef, 2 kinds of paella (seafood, truffle mushroom), garlic shrimp, asparagus, potatoes, a few salads, some dips, eggs, bacon, breads, fruit, a selection of pastries and several other dishes. It was good selection. The problem is that they could not refill the popular dishes fast enough. They sat empty for a while. The bad. The table we sat at was simply too close to the table behind us. There was simply too little room for customers/waiters to walk by - and they did walk by as it's a buffet. But, they kept bumping in to us, asking us to move, and overall, it was just unpleasant. Getting the food is equally as bad. The restaurant was not built or designed for a buffet. So, it comes down to the customers being patient and obedient and just following simple (common sense) rules. That didn't happen several times with several "pushy" customers and were too impatient. Finally, was the $70 per person justified (it's normally $50). Hell, no. I knew what it would cost going in, although I booked 3 weeks in advance (thinking $50) and got a phone call 2 weeks before to warn me it was jumping to $70 due to Father's Day and was I ok with it. Never having been before, I thought, if they can demand $70, it must be great. Sadly, no.

    Photos
    Bar area and kitchen
    Bar area and kitchen
    Churros with dulce de leche
    Churros with dulce de leche
    Lychee sangria....delish

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    Lychee sangria....delish
    Bar Isabel

    Bar Isabel

    4.2
    (521 reviews)
    0.6 km
    $$$

    The space is intimate and cozy, and perfect for lingering over shared plates and drinks. The staff…read moreare genuinely friendly and caring, and they're great at guiding you through the menu, especially when it comes to cocktail recommendations. The tapas are really good, though dishes did come out a bit on the slower side. But honestly, it fits the whole experience here: order a few cocktails, enjoy the atmosphere, and let the night unfold at its own pace (within the seating time limit of course). One of those spots that makes you want to order just one more plate. We got: * Half Octopus * Mussels Escabeche * Jamón Croqueta * Shishito Peppers * Sea Bream Ceviche & Chips * Grilled Beef Tongue & Mojo Rojo * Sobrasada & Foie Gras

    Came here for a date night and I really wanted to love Bar Isabel, but was a little disappointed…read more There was a lot of hype around the restaurant, but the food was just average. We ordered the Sea Bream Ceviche and chips, quarter Octopus and Patatas Bravas. The highlight was the ceviche. The octopus was unfortunately a little overdone, which made it tough. I would absolutely not order the patatas bravas again. The potatoes were very dry and tasted as if they had been sitting out for some time. We also sat at the bar and had a few ordered of cocktails with the food. Be aware that the bar itself slopes down towards you. With that being said, my partner put her drink down on the sloped part and it fell all over both of us, with the bartender seeing it all unfold. He was nice in providing some extra napkins to dry ourselves off, but all he had to offer was "Yup that happens a lot" as opposed to maybe offering to remake the drink which was now 2/3 empty as a result. Was a little disappointed at that service in particular, especially when you're paying upwards of $18 for a small cocktail. The atmosphere was good, however. IF I were to give it another try, I'd probably just opt for drinks and skip the food, which was a little pricier for what you're getting portion-wise and quality.

    Photos
    Bar Isabel
    Half Octopus
    Half Octopus
    Patatas Bravas

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    Patatas Bravas
    La Paella

    La Paella

    3.9
    (54 reviews)
    6.5 km

    Walked in on a Sunday with no reso for 2. No wait…read more I'd say it's something like a 4.3 realistically. Would come back. Food: Paella: ordered the crispy pork belly and rib paella. Was honestly really good. Looking at all the other reviews here it seems like a mixed bag. But this one was great. Maybe the others aren't always good? The paella is made to order and is cooked in front of you though so maybe they don't have their QA locked in. Our experience was great. Super flavorful. Only thing is that there wasn't really any socarrat (which is the best part!). Purists will say this is required for a paella to be good but I enjoyed myself anyway. Gambas: incredible. I could come back here for just this. The sauce was unreal and so flavorful. No notes. Bread: we got up sold on the bread. Went great wiping up the gambas sauce but the bread itself wasn't that great as far as bread goes. Service: Service was not bad. Pretty prompt and didn't wait long for anything. Ambiance: Pretty cute. Decor is colorful and very Spanish.

    We ordered the Paella Matadero and the Gambas Al Ajillo. Both were delicious!…read more We went with high expectations for the paella and it honestly didn't miss! Loved every bite. We actually took a take-out box home because we couldn't finish it. We were surprised at how generous the portions were. Our server was lovely and was so quick to tend to our needs. The restaurant itself had beautiful decor and we are definitely going back for another date night.

    Photos
    La Paella
    Patatas bravas
    Patatas bravas
    La Paella

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    La Vinia

    La Vinia

    4.1
    (88 reviews)
    7.4 km
    $$$

    Food was so good I forgot to take more photos!…read more We visited LaVinia last week for dinner. We ordered the grilled chorizo and ham croquettes tapas. The ham croquettes were delicious and paired with an amazing garlic aioli. The grilled chorizo was also great but the garlic aioli muted the chorizo taste unfortunately. We also had the arugula and pear salad which was topped with Stilton cheese. We really enjoyed it. For our main course, we ordered the seafood paella which was amazing and everything was cooked perfectly. We also enjoyed the mango cheesecake and lemon sorbet for dessert. The restaurant is tightly packed, intimate, and has a great atmosphere for a date night dinner or dinner with friends. The waiters were attentive and very helpful when ordered. The chef also came around near the end of our dinner to ask how our meal was.

    Came here with the family on a Tuesday night. (for Friday and the weekend I would suggest you make…read morereservations). Food: (5 stars) Tapas: - Croquetas de Iberico: Iberico Croquettes with Basil Oil - $18.95 (5 stars): My favorite thing on the menu, so creamy and tasty. - Mejillones al Vapor: Fresh Mussells Steamed in Spanish Beer - $15.75 (5 stars) My very close second favorite thing on the menu: amazing taste of the sauce. - Croquetas de Cangrejo: Crab Croquettes with a Piquillo Pepper Aioli - $17.95 (4 stars) - They were good but not as good as other things on the menu. - Calamares a la Plancha: Grilled Calamari with Chilli oil - $16.75 (4.5 stars) IT is a tad spicy, but great flavour and texture. Would recommend it. - Carpaccio de Ternera: Veal Carpaccio with Manchego and Mushrooms - $19.75 (4.5 stars) Great flavour and overlapping of the flavours. - Cazuela de Espinacas - Baked Spinach with Goat Cheese - $17.75 (4.5 stars) Very tasty and great mixture of all the flavours. Mains: All the mains are very large, definitely for more than 1 person. - Paella Valenciana: Spanish Saffron Rice with Chorizo, Chicken and Seafood - $26.75 (5 stars) the best of the main meals, the chorizo was giving it a really nice kick. - Paella de Marisco: Spanish Saffron Rice with Shrimp, Calamari, Mussels, Scallops, Monkfish and Clams $29.75 (4.5 stars) - lots of seafood, it was good a tad too runny - Arroz Verde: Scallops, Asparagus, Porcini Mushrooms, Spinach and Pesto $32.75 (3.5 stars): it was good, but too many mixed flavours, would likely not order again. Ambiance: (5 stars) They have indoor and outdoor dining. Outdoor has a thick wooden fence around it, so you do not feel like you are sitting on the street. Service: (5 stars) Very friendly staff, very attentive.

    Photos
    Seafood paella
    Seafood paella
    Cazuela de Espinacas Baked Spinach with Goat Cheese
    Cazuela de Espinacas Baked Spinach with Goat Cheese
    Carpaccio de Salmon Salmon Carpaccio Cured in Brandy and Rum topped topped with a Mango Vinaigrette

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    Carpaccio de Salmon Salmon Carpaccio Cured in Brandy and Rum topped topped with a Mango Vinaigrette

    Casa Paco - spanish - Updated June 2026

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