#FOOD: RADICI PROJECT HOSTS “BAR BATTLE: LITTLE ITALY”

On Wednesday, July 16, 2025 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, Radici Project will host Bar Battle: Little Italy, a spirited cocktail showdown between two of College Street’s top bartenders: Damian Locatelli of Slice of Life and Oliver Leung of Suite 115. Each bartender will be creating a summer-inspired gin cocktail made with Classic Gin, generously sponsored by Valley of Mother of God Gin. Attendees will have the chance to vote for the People’s Choice winner, while a panel of expert judges selects their top pick. This year’s panel includes Ashley Arnold, sommelier at the iconic Harbour Sixty, Steven Tseng, cocktail educator and TV beverage expert, and Executive Chef Emiliano Del Frate, Executive Chef and co-owner of Radici Project. Hosted at one of Toronto’s most exciting new restaurants, the event includes light bites, sample-sized versions of each competing cocktail, and two full-sized cocktails of your choice. Tickets are priced at $35 plus tax and gratuity and are available for purchase HERE.

The evening will begin with light bites and mingling before guests receive sample-sized cocktails from each competing bartender. As the competition kicks off, a panel of judges will score the drinks based on presentation, taste, and flair. Guests will also cast their own votes to help decide the People’s Choice winner. The theme for the night is a refreshing summer cocktail made with Valley of Mother of God Classic Gin. Guests are welcome to order from Radici’s à la carte menu or the Essence Menu, a seasonal tasting experience priced at $100 featuring highlights like karaage with papacelle, beets tajarin with smoked caviar, and halibut with maitake and peperone crusco.

MEET THE COMPETITORS

Oliver Leung (left, above)
Suite 115 Cocktail Bar- co-owner of Suite 115

Oliver Leung is the co-owner and operator of Suite 115, known for its thoughtful and innovative approach to hospitality. Previously part of Project Gigglewater, Oliver now focuses on creating experiences that are bold, playful, and meaningful. Suite 115 was recently named a Top 10 Nominee for Best New International Cocktail Bar in Canada by Tales of the Cocktail.

Damian Locatelli (right, above)
Slice of Life- Bar Manager

Since joining Slice of Life as Head Bartender, Damian Locatelli has played a key role in the bar’s rise. Within its first year, Slice of Life secured spots on both North America’s 50 Best Bars 2025 and Canada’s Top 50 Bars 2025. Now serving as Bar Manager, Damian continues to lead with creativity and ambition.

MEET THE JUDGES

Ashley Arnold
Ashley Arnold is a CMS certified sommelier with a deep background in beverage leadership. She has served as Wine Director at Soluna and as Head Sommelier at Aburi Hana. She is now part of the team at Harbour Sixty.

Steven Tseng
Steven Tseng is a former bartender at the Park Hyatt, a beverage expert on television segments, a continuing education cocktail instructor at George Brown College, and a contributor to the Toronto Star.

Emiliano Del Frate
Chef Emiliano Del Frate is the Executive Chef and co-founder of Radici Project. With experience at internationally acclaimed restaurants including Noma, Don Alfonso, and DaNico, Emiliano brings a globally informed perspective to both his cooking and his role as a judge, offering a refined and thoughtful approach to evaluating each cocktail.

EVENT DETAILS
Event: Bar Battle in Little Italy
Date: Wednesday, July 16
Time: 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Location: 588 College St, Toronto, ON M6G 1B3
Tickets: $35 (plus tax and gratuity). Includes two cocktails, sample-size versions of the cocktails, light bites, and voting privileges

Join us for a one-of-a-kind neighbourhood event filled with creativity, competition, and cocktails. Tickets are available HERE.

About Radici Project
Radici is a contemporary Italian-Japanese restaurant located in Toronto’s Little Italy. Founded by husband-and-wife duo Chef Emiliano Del Frate and Kayo Ito, Radici offers Italian-Japanese cuisine through a seasonally evolving menu rooted in sustainable practices and the use of Canadian ingredients. The restaurant features a dual-concept layout, with a casual à la carte natural wine bar at the front and an intimate chef’s table experience at the back. With thoughtful sake and wine pairings and a serene, locally inspired space, Radici brings a new kind of storytelling to Toronto’s dining scene.

About Slice of Life
Located at 409 College Street in Toronto, Slice of Life is a cocktail-forward bar known for its intimate, speakeasy-inspired atmosphere and exceptional drink program. Open Wednesday through Sunday, the bar offers a carefully curated menu of inventive yet approachable cocktails that highlight seasonal ingredients and refined techniques. With its moody lighting, plush velvet seating, and attentive service, Slice of Life has quickly become a favourite destination for cocktail enthusiasts and industry insiders alike. Whether you’re stopping in for a post-dinner drink or settling in for the night, Slice of Life delivers a memorable, elevated bar experience in the heart of the city.

About Suite 115
Nestled in the heart of downtown Toronto stands Suite 115, a speakeasy with a history. Whether you are new to cocktails or a seasoned drinker, our ethos is to maintain a thirst for developing new cocktails, while instilling a sense of humility that your preferences and flavor profile are the ultimate driver of a great cocktail.