By Dennis Kucherawy

FUSILLI Ristorante, a favorite neighborhood haunt, popular with Corktowners and Torontonians alike, attracted a turn-away crowd on Monday, April 20th for its first wine tasting and gourmet meal since its opening in November 1988.

“It was a wonderful crowd,” said owner/chef Giuseppe Pelligra. “My staff and I enjoyed seeing and serving so many of our regulars and friends.”

Fusilli often has been described as “friendly, casual, cozy and charming,” exuding
“Gioia di Vivere,” the Joy of Living. And that describes the ambiance and fun-filled chatter that filled the restaurant as guests compared the wine and savoured the food.

The special wine-tasting menu began with a German white sparkling wine accompanying a Chef Salad Appetizer. A glass of Italian Chardonnay was then served with Seafood Risotto and a glass of Negroamaro complimenting Filet Mignon.

Dessert was a delectable Chef Cheesecake, served with a glass of LAMBRUSCO with espresso.

FUSILLI’s next event will be a special MOTHER’s DAY dinner on Sunday, May 10th. Reservations are now being accepted.

With the Toronto 2015 XVII PAN AM/PARAPAN GAMES launch less than 12 weeks away, FUSILLI RISTORANTE is now accepting reservations for meals during the competitions – Friday, July 10th to Sunday, July 16th for the PAN-AM Games and August 7th to 15th for the PARAPAN Games.

“We’re beginning our celebrations early,” said Giuseppe. “People don’t realize how soon the Games will be here. We’re already creating a special menu – the pasta of champions.”

Pelligra’s plans will celebrate not only the Games, but also the new Corktown and the growing Canary District development, an exciting initiative Toronto Star Urban Affairs columnist Christopher Hume calls “a bold, new vision of Toronto” with “its commitment to architectural excellence.”

He hopes competitors, coaches and officials staying a block-and-a-half away at the Athlete’s Village may drop in for a bite. “Who knows?” he says excitedly. “The athletes all need to load up on carbs to compete and win. Italian cooking is great fuel.”

He hopes FUSILLI will become a culinary United Nations: “And when the public, our dining guests arrive, they’ll never know with whom they may be rubbing elbows or what country they are from. Maybe they’ll even show you their medals.”

Call 416-214-5148 for reservations. For up-to-date information, visit www.fusilli.ca.

Fusilli Ristorante is located at 531 Queen St. E.

Some photos from the event