#FOOD: TASTE OF LITTLE ITALY ROUNDUP – RADICI PROJECT, FICOA, TONDOU, BAR ALLEGRO, NAARI THAI BBQ, BAR POMPETTE

Taste of Little Italy is officially back from June 12-14, and College Street is bringing all the flavours of Italy to Toronto, in a three-day festival dedicated to food, culture, and community. From street-side snacks to sit-in meals, College Street favourites are stepping outside their doors with signature dishes, featured cocktails, special collaborations, and festival-only offerings. This year, Radici, Naari Thai BBQ, Ficoa, Tondou, Bar Pompette, and Bar Allegro are all celebrating the festival each with their own personalized twist.

Radici Project
IG. @radici_project
📍588 College Street

Where Italy and Japan meet in Toronto, Radici Project is bringing a festival‑ready Taste of Little Italy activation designed for easy street‑side enjoyment. All weekend long, they’re serving an exclusive festival‑only menu featuring their classic Pizza Pocket and beer combo, plus the choice of a Beef Genovese Gyudon‑style pocket or a comforting Eggplant Parmigiana pocket.

For the weekend, Radici Project is dedicating their entire service to the festival, offering their full Taste of Little Italy menu through the activation only. Everything is available while supplies last, so guests should stop by during festival hours to get a taste before it’s gone.

Radici Project Taste of Little Italy Menu
Pizza Pocket
Beef Genovese Gyudon-Style OR Eggplant Parmigiana
Pizza Pocket + Beer Combo
Selection of Beers

Hours of Operation
Friday, June 12: 3:00pm – late (until sold out)
Saturday, June 13: 11:00am – late (until sold out)
Sunday, June 14: 11:00am – 10:00pm

Naari Thai BBQ
IG. @naarithai
📍501 College St

Naari Thai BBQ is going all in for this year’s festival and is an absolute must for festival-goers looking to enjoy a decadent meal with the bold flavours of Thailand. From 12–3pm, guests can enjoy a three‑course lunch for $35, while the $45 dinner menu runs from 4–10pm. Dishes include their aromatic BBQ Coconut Chicken Satay served with a turmeric, soy, and tamarind dipping sauce, a classic Pad Thai, and the standout Scallop Paan, a refined bite of charcoal‑seared chilled sea scallop with Thai bird chilies and betel leaf.

To elevate the experience even further, Naari Thai is featuring three festival cocktails: the Tamarind Honeycomb, a silky blend of Toki Whisky, tamarind purée, and honeycomb; the Lychee Coconut, a bright and creamy mix of vodka, lychee syrup, and coconut milk; and the Mango Chipotle, with Reposado tequila, mango, chipotle, chili, and lime.

Naari Thai Taste of Little Italy Featured Cocktails
Tamarind Honeycomb $21
2 oz Toki Whisky | Tamarind purée | Honeycomb
Lychee Coconut $19
1.5 oz Vodka | Lychee syrup | Coconut Milk
Mango Chipotle $20
2 oz Reposado Tequila | Mango | Chipotle | Chili | Lime

Ficoa
IG. @ficoa.to
📍585 College St

Built on a passion for neo-Latin cuisine and the belief that food brings us together, Ficoa is ready to celebrate Taste of Little Italy. Running for all three days, Ficoa is serving a sophisticated and flavour-packed featured menu that highlights the vibrant dishes at the heart of their cooking. Enjoy fresh ceviche, indulge in oysters or share their chicharrón and guac duo, perfect for sharing with friends and family.

Raise a glass to the weekend with one of their featured cocktails. Lean into the Italian spirit with a classic Aperol Spritz, or embrace Ficoa’s signature style with their fan‑favourite margarita. It’s the perfect stop for anyone craving bold flavours, good company, and that unmistakable festival energy.

Hours of Operation
Friday, June 12: 3:00pm – 10:00pm
Saturday: 11:00am – 10:00pm
Sunday: 11:00am – 10:00pm

Ficoa Taste of Little Italy Menu and Cocktails
Ceviche $12.00
Fresh ceviche with classic pico, sweet potato purée, and a trio of chips, tortilla, plantain, and taro for texture in every bite.
Chicharrón & Guac $15.00
Creamy guacamole topped with crispy chicharrón. Rich, crunchy, and full of the bold flavours that define Latin American cooking.
Oyster $20.00
Fresh oysters shucked in-house, served with a classic mignonette and salsa picante for a touch of heat. (half dozen)

Cocktails
Aperol Spritz $12.00
A refreshing Italian classic featuring Aperol, sparkling wine, and soda, served over ice with a fresh orange garnish. Bright, citrus-forward, and perfect for summer patio dining during Taste of Little Italy.
Michelada $12.00
A bold and savoury beer cocktail prepared with fresh lime juice, house seasoning, and signature spices, delivering a refreshing balance of citrus, spice, and umami flavours.
Margarita $12.00
Ficoa’s famous traditional margarita, combining tequila, fresh lime juice, and citrus notes for a refreshing and festive summer cocktail experience.
Corona Beer

Tondou
IG. @tondoutoronto
📍596 College St

A beloved neighbourhood spot known for its soulful broths and comforting Japanese flavours, Tondou Ramen is joining Taste of Little Italy with a simple but standout festival feature. Their Karaage Bō featuring crispy fried chicken skewers is the star of the weekend at just $10, offering the perfect savoury bite between festival stops.

Open all three days of the festival, Tondou is also offering their full appetizer selection and regular menu for dine‑in, giving guests the option to enjoy a quick snack or settle in for a comforting bowl of ramen. Whether guests are craving something light and crispy or a classic ramen fix, Tondou is a reliable stop to recharge and savour Japanese comfort food in the middle of the festival buzz.

Tondou Taste of Little Italy Menu
Karaage Bō $10.00

Bar Allegro
IG. @barallegro_to
📍597 College St

In front of Bar Allegro, a Campari‑partnered stand will be pouring bold, bittersweet Negroni Spritzes, bringing a touch of modern aperitivo culture to the festival. Known for its relaxed, European‑inspired approach to cocktails and wine, Bar Allegro is extending that easygoing spirit onto College Street for the weekend. Guests can grab a spritz and keep the festival energy moving as they make their way through Taste of Little Italy.

Bar Allegro Taste of Little Italy Menu
Negroni Spritz

Bar Pompette
IG. @barpompette_to
📍607 College St

Right outside Bar Pompette, guests will find a dedicated Aperol stand serving refreshing Aperol Spritzes to go, the perfect sip before heading back into the Taste of Little Italy crowds. Recently named No. 2 on Canada’s 100 Best Bars 2026, and No. 8 on North America’s 50 Best Bars 2026, Bar Pompette continues to be one of the city’s most celebrated hot spots. For anyone looking to take a breather from the festival, the bar’s walk‑ins‑only patio offers a welcome break from the action, with a shaded place to sip, snack, and reset between stops.

Bar Pompette Taste of Little Italy Menu
Aperol Spritz

Suite 115
IG. @suite115.to
📍607 College St

Award winning Suite 115, Ranked No. 74 on North America’s 50 Best Bars 2026 extended list and No. 13 on Canada’s Best 100 Bars 2026, is joining in for Taste of Little Italy, bringing their signature speakeasy inspired atmosphere to the festival. Throughout the weekend. Suite 115 will run a simple outdoor menu featuring cold beers and light snacks, while keeping its full cocktail list and regular walk-in service available inside for guests looking for the complete experience. Outside, guests will find two tents: one for easy grab‑and‑go orders, and a second tent designed as a relaxed space to recharge, and enjoy a breather from the busy street.

Hours of Operation
Friday: 3:00pm – 1:00am
Saturday: 12:30pm – 1:00am
Sunday: 12:30pm – 10:00 pm

#FOOD: CHICKEN CARTEL X TONOU RAMEN COLLABO

On October 3 and 4, 2025 chef Donnie Gomes of The Chicken Cartel and Kota Uechi, owner of Tondou Ramen will team up for a two-night pop-up at Tondou Ramen in the heart of Toronto’s Little Italy, serving an exclusive creation they call: Okinawa. With Donnie’s fried chicken sandwiches known to go viral for their over-the-top deliciousness, and Tondou’s Nanban Fried Chicken drawing thousands of followers overnight on social media, the pairing brings together two cult favourites for what might be the most epic chicken collaboration yet.

Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite HERE for $15 plus tax and purchase fees.

The sandwich is anything but ordinary: a crispy, golden chicken breast glazed in sweet-sour Nanban sauce, paired with a refreshing tangle of chilled Okinawa soba noodle salad, layered with a velvety soy-marinated egg, a kick of spicy sprouts, and finished with a rich swipe of Taru Taru mayo, all tucked into a soft, toasted brioche bun. Each order comes with a glass of Tondou’s house-made Okinawa Shikuwasa Lemonade. Shikuwasa, Okinawa’s signature citrus, is as refreshing as it is invigorating. Naturally rich in vitamin C and nobiletin, it’s not only delicious but also packed with feel-good benefits.

Collaboration Event details:

Location: Tondou Ramen, 596 College St. Toronto ON M6G 1B4

Tickets: Purchases can be made on Eventbrite HERE. Tickets are $15 + Tax and Purchase Fees.

Dates and Times:

Friday, October 3

5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Saturday, October 4

5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

For chef Donnie Gomes (right in above photo), whose Chicken Cartel has gone viral in Toronto for its globally inspired sandwiches, including the recent Bang Bang Chicken Sandwich, a Thai-inspired creation, this collaboration marks another chapter in his eventful career. Donnie has also served as private chef for Saudi royalty, competed on Food Network’s Food Truck Face Off, and helped his team claim victory at the Battle Mokable Cooking Competition.

Kota Uechi (left in above photo), meanwhile, has built a reputation for bringing the flair of Okinawa to Toronto through his ramen shop at Tondou, where bowls of broth and noodles carry the taste of his Okinawan roots. Beloved as a go-to spot among chefs and industry insiders, Tondou is more than a ramen shop, it reflects Kota’s island mentality, where everyone is welcome and hospitality knows no bounds. As a community leader in Little Italy, his warmth and generosity have made him a fixture in the neighbourhood, so it’s only fitting that he’s hosting this pop-up, lending his signature spirit to an international twist on a chicken sandwich.

More than a pop-up, the collaboration is a showcase of culinary skill and culture, marrying the bold, inventive style of The Chicken Cartel with the dynamic flavours of Okinawa. Those who secure a ticket will experience a unique opportunity to watch two chefs with very different backgrounds bring their skills together in one irresistible sandwich. Tickets are limited and expected to sell quickly, reserve yours now through Eventbrite HERE.

#

For media inquiries, please contact:

Olivia Cross
Account Executive at Milestones Public Relations
E. oliviac@milestones-pr.com

The Chicken Cartel

Website: chickencartel.com

IG: @thechickencartel_to

Tondou

Website: tondoutoronto.com

IG: @tondoutoronto