#FOOD: BAR ROMY OPENS JULY 2, 2026

INK Entertainment is proud to introduce Bar Romy, a contemporary neighbourhood Italian restaurant opening Thursday, July 2, 2026 in Toronto’s Entertainment District.

With a shared vision of creating the neighbourhood’s go-to Italian restaurant, Charles Khabouth, Founder and CEO, and Danny Soberano, President of INK Entertainment, have brought Bar Romy to life as a welcoming destination centred around honest Italian cooking, great wine, an incredible cocktail program, and genuine hospitality.

Designed for after-work drinks, casual dinners, and gathering with friends, Bar Romy offers an inviting atmosphere where guests can settle in, return often, and always feel at home. “Bar Romy is exactly the kind of restaurant I’ve always wanted in the neighbourhood,” says Charles Khabouth. “It’s casual, friendly, upbeat, and built around great food, great wine, and genuine hospitality. We wanted to create a place where people feel comfortable dropping in any day of the week—whether for a quick bite before the theatre or a game, or for a celebratory dinner with friends. My hope is that guests don’t just enjoy Bar Romy; they come to think of it as home.”

Leading the culinary program is INK Entertainment’s newly appointed Corporate Chef, Ben Heaton, whose philosophy centres on simple, honest interpretations of neighbourhood Italian cuisine made with exceptional ingredients. The menu celebrates familiar Italian classics prepared with restraint and care, featuring premium imported ingredients, handcrafted pastas from Toronto’s renowned Famiglia Baldassare, house-made focaccia, vibrant antipasti, and a lively sandwich program available for dine-in or takeout. Roman-style pizza, offered exclusively for lunch takeout, rounds out a menu designed for every kind of visit, from a quick bite to a leisurely dinner.

“The best neighbourhood restaurants are the ones you return to again and again,” says Chef Ben. “That’s exactly what we set out to create at Bar Romy, a menu rooted in honest Italian cooking, exceptional imported ingredients, and familiar dishes prepared with care. Whether you’re joining us for a quick sandwich, a bowl of pasta, or dinner with friends, every meal should feel approachable, satisfying, and worth coming back for.”

The restaurant’s striking interior, designed by acclaimed design studio Nivek Remas, reimagines the neighbourhood Italian restaurant through a contemporary architectural lens. Inspired by the rhythm of European cafés, wine bars, and social clubs, the space balances sophistication with warmth to create an environment that feels both elevated and effortlessly welcoming.

Upon entering, guests are greeted by sculptural cylindrical wine displays wrapped around the restaurant’s structural columns, transforming architectural necessities into defining design features. A long social bar anchors the dining room, while a mix of banquettes, communal tables, and intimate seating encourages conversation and connection. Rich walnut, dramatic marble, warm burnt-orange tones, textured upholstery, and layered lighting create a timeless setting that evolves throughout the day and into the evening.

“Bar Romy is about the kind of place you find yourself staying longer than you planned,” says Kevin Chan, Co-Founder of Nivek Remas. “A drink becomes dinner; dinner becomes the best part of the night. More than anything, we wanted to create a space that feels welcoming, social, and somewhere guests immediately want to return to.”

Blending thoughtful design, honest Italian cooking, and genuine hospitality, Bar Romy brings a fresh perspective to Italian dining in Toronto’s Entertainment District, one that celebrates quality, comfort, and the simple pleasure of gathering around the table.

Opens: July 2, 2026

Reserve now.