Sundays are a special day in Italian households. They are reserved for family, rest, and, most importantly, a long multi-course lunch with good company, good conversation, and, of course, good food. The leisurely pace means that it is the day for long-simmered sauces, fresh hand-made pasta, and slow-braised meats, followed by lingering at the table with an espresso or a deck of cards for a game of Scopa.

Simply put, the Italian Sunday lunch is not just a meal; it is quite literally a multi-sensory immersive experience, which is exactly what you will have when you join us at our Sunday Lunch Club. Our open kitchen will be set up with a long communal table, positioned so that you can watch all of the action in the kitchen and even jump in to lend a hand, if you are so inclined! Don’t be surprised if we ask you to help stir the sauce or roll out the fresh pasta, or if we join in on the table conversation while we cook. At the end of the meal, coffee and desert will be served with a a deck of traditional Italian playing cards for a game of Scopa (don’t worry, we will teach you how to play).

Truly, you will feel like you have been transported to another time when nothing mattered more than family and food. That’s why we call this a “Lunch Club”: you will be wanting to come back again and again (our Sunday Lunch Club is held monthly with new menus each time), and, when you do, you will see familiar faces of others doing the same!

Tutti a tavola!

Menu - April 13, 2025

Antipasti

selection of cured meats (including Mauro’s home-made soppressata and cacciatore sausage

fresh hand-stretched (while you watch) mozzarella nodini

marinated white anchovies

focaccia (you will be invited to come to the stove to dip your focaccia in the sugo)

Primo

Fresh hand-made tagliatelle pasta (made freshly while you watch and help, if desired) with a slow-cooked traditional tomato sauce and freshly grated parmigiano reggiano

Secondi

Braciole (slow braised beef scallopini rolled with prosciutto, garlic, and herbs)

Coniglio Arrosto (portioned rabbit roasted with herbs and olive oil)

Contorni

Patate Arrosto (roasted yukon potatoes with olive oil and fresh rosemary)

Cicoria (garlic sauteed chicory greens)

Insalata (salad of baby organic arugula, endive, radicchio, extra virgin olive oil, balsamic)

Formaggi

Tasting of Pecorino Crotonese

Dolci

Frutta (selection of fresh fruits)

Biscotti (selection of Italian style cookies)

Cafe (selection of espresso based coffees)

Beverages

soft drinks are included. BYOB.

Where: Cucina Mauro Kitchen Cafe, 76 Densley Avenue, Unit 3 (facing Sheffield St on east side of building), Toronto (near Keele St and Lawrence Ave)

When: April 13, 2025, 1:00 p.m.

What: Traditional Italian family style Italian lunch with opportunities for hands-on cooking participation.

Cost: $95 per person (plus HST)