The perfect Valentine's Day dinner doesn't ex…

Chef Anthony Sestito, head chef of Pastaio, makes some of the best artisanal pasta in the city. But sometimes his extensive experience working in French and Italian fine dining in North America and Italy, gives him the itch to do something extra special. And what better excuse to show off a little than an exquisite Valentine's Day dinner for lovers only? A marriage of Chef Anthony's personal and professional background the menu leans into Italian-inspired dishes, showcasing favourite local ingredients and a bit of dazzling technique to create an unforgettable meal. Note: this meal is envisioned as a series of sharing platters for two, but we are happy to accommodate singles, polycules or vegetarians on request. ----- Antipasti Burratini with Roasted Ontario Concord Grapes, Aged Balsamic & Roasted Walnuts Toasted Herbed Focaccia Warm Spiced Olives This dish shows off one of Chef Anthony's favourite Wisconsin cheeses, paired with local grapes and homemade focaccia inspired by time spent in Naples learning pizza-making techniques, Primi Truffle + Ricotta Stuffed Pappardelle with Parmigiano Fonduta & Fresh Truffles A showstopper of pasta making skill, a hand-shaped pasta 'rose' is stuffed with fresh ricotta, draped in a light Parmesan cream, and lavishly adorned with fresh black truffle. Secondi Grigliata Mista with Roasted Potato & Swiss Chard A Florentine-inspired mixed grill that includes beef, pork, and chicken cooked over wood to suffuse them with an intoxicating smokiness, then topped with garlic and rosemary infused olive oil, and finished with Maldon salt. Dolci Raspberry Tiramisu A fun twist on a classic for Valentine's Day. ----- $89 +HST ----- Anthony Sestito is the head Chef of Pastaio, one of the leading suppliers of specialty handmade Italian pastas to many of Toronto's finest restaurants. Building on his Italian heritage and more than 14 years experience working in some of the GTA’s top kitchens, along with several in-depth trips to Italy to study pasta traditions from Bologna to Rome, Anthony founded Pastaio in 2020 to dedicate himself to becoming a full-time pastaio (pasta maker). @_pastaio_ ----- The Depanneur is a place where Interesting Food Things Happen. For more than a decade The Dep has been showcasing Toronto’s remarkable culinary diversity through thousands of unique food events as well as the forthcoming Depanneur Cookbook, featuring 100 recipes from 100 cooks. After more than 10 years at its iconic College Street location, The Dep is now bringing all new Interesting Food Things to exciting venues all across the GTA. @thedepanneur