My 15-year-old son & I will be in Toronto next weekend and although we are trying to do things on a budget, I do want to take him to one really nice restaurant. He loves classy places and loves Italian food more than anything, but he is also fussy and is reluctant to try something unfamiliar -- especially if it's a vegetable! <BR><BR>What do you think is THE best Italian restaurant for food (especially tomato-based sauces, gnocchi and pizza) and unpretentious service. And, if I need to make reservations for a Saturday night, do let me know, and I can make them before I leave town, to be safe...Thank you!!

Just being a bit paranoid, I confess! I saw that my message was #32 and feared that it would get lost among the other messages.<BR><BR>I also want to stress that if anyone has an alternative-to-Italian restaurant they think is a "must" to try out, and serves food my son might recognize (without it being too "green," as he puts it) I'd love to hear about it!

You might find Grano's to be a good choice...it is on Yonge Street between Davisville and Eglinton. A cab will take you or ride the subway (its totally safe and clean) and get off at Davisville and walk north...its on the east side of the street.<BR><BR>Grano's is not fancy, no tablecloths, no waiters in tuxedo's(maybe not classy enough?) But excellent authentic Italian family style dining with a good range of choices and an anti-pasta spread you can point at with many, many choices. The pasta itself is homemade. <BR><BR>I don't believe they take reservations so get there early on a Saturday.

Thank you. I believe it was on my list of options. I used to live in TO (however, as a single parent / starving student, therefore I never ate out), so I know the neighbourhood -- it is very nice.<BR><BR>

Laura, one of my personal favourites is Sette Meze on Eglinton West - wonderful Italian food, great service, and a nice atmosphere. Moderately priced. If you like seafood, they do a wonderful antipasta for two. Delicious pasta dishes - simple but well prepared.<BR><BR>

Thank you! That's a new one!

Just returned from Toronto yesterday and very much enjoyed Il Posto Nuovo. Food was excellent as was service. We ate outside and, although it poured part way into the meal, the waiters never blinked!! Just continued to run through the rain to our covered patio. Think this would be a great choice for a 15 year old (I have a 14 and 17 year old) who wants to try something upscale.

That was another one on my list. Thank you. Do they require a reservation?<BR><BR>I have also heard good things about 7 Numbers and Gio's -- my son saw the owner on a TV ad and said "He has to try 'the Nose,'" as it's nicknamed (apparently, a huge nose is used as the outdoor sign...). <BR><BR>Opinions would be greatly appreciated and I will provide feedback upon my return next week...

Gio's just opened another restaurant in a converted bank building at Queen and Leslie (my neighbourhood). There's no sign that I could see, but it's getting decent reviews and the place was busy the night we walked by it.

For what it's worth, here are my opinions on some of the suggestions as well as a few others.<BR><BR>Grano - good food, very noisy, super casual, a neighbourhood place. No reservations. Usually a wait.<BR><BR>Sette Mezzo - also a neighbourhood place, very crowded, very mediocre food. Not worth it to go there, IMHO.<BR><BR>Il Posto Nuevo - I have lunch here quite a bit in the summer as their outdoor patio is lovely. It's very expensive. The food is very, very good, but NOT of the red sauce and pizza variety. This is high end dining but quite sophisticated. Reservations essential.<BR><BR>7Numbers - Very funky, relaxed and can be fun. Some communal tables. No reservations. A long menu of "tastes", all tiny dishes that you order individually, a la carte. Cheap eats for sure. Not at all "classy". Good food. You have to be in the mood for the scene.<BR><BR>Gio (on Yonge) - BLECH! Bad food, claustrophobic teeny, long narrow room. Terrible service. Amex or cash only. No reservations.<BR><BR>Also worth consideration:<BR>La Fenice - elegant northern Italian, excellent pasta, amazing fresh grilled fish. Reservations required.<BR><BR>Ferro - a very good neighbourhood place that's always packed. Great food, great value. A huge menu including lots of good pasta selections, excellent seafood and fish and very good pizzas. Service can be spotty, but the food is worth it. No reservations. Be prepared to wait a few minutes.<BR><BR>Trattoria Giancarlo - located at Clinton and College Sts. This restaurant is in a very trendy and current area packed with restaurants, patios etc. Great for walking around. The food here is terrific. Try to book on the gorgeous outdoor patio and watch the world go by while you feast on incredible gnocchi (no pizza here though). Reservations essential and hard to come by.<BR><BR><BR>

I have received an incredible wealth of responses! I thank everybody for their help!<BR><BR>One last question: what would you recommend in the theatre district?

In the theatre district I'd recommend La Fenice (see above) or Avalon, not Italian, high end, but excellent food, service and wine list. For very casual, simply Italian (pizza, pasta), Il Fornello.

Thanks everybody. Leaving tomorrow; will report back on doing Toronto on the (relative) cheap with a15-year-old. Once I can sit down in front of computer again -- it will be a 20-hour bus ride, so I might be avoiding chairs for awhile!