Inside Frankie’s Italian: The rustic Italian spot that replaced Lil’ Baci

Frankie’s Italian has officially replaced the Lil’ Baci in Leslieville, but the new restaurant (from the same proprietors) is as charming as ever.

While the name of the restaurant is all new, the menu is similar to sister spot Annabelle Pasta Bar and also houses a mini BOB Coffee Bar.

The coffee program is all new, along with an all-day menu introducing breakfast (week-round), brunch (weekend), pizza, and $10 daily pasta features in addition to a line-up of small plates and sandwiches.

Snack foods like pan-fried mortadella, warm olives, and roasted almonds offer nibbles to accompany the negroni-focused bar menu. Enjoy a classic gin and Camparu cocktail, joined by renditions laced with elderflower and sage, or rosehip and ginger.

On the light side, find salads like the kale and treviso caesar, cacio pepe-style zucchini with fennel, and butter lettuce paired with gorgonzola and crispy onions.

Meanwhile, heartier appetites can opt for pizzas dressed with combinations like caramelized onions with gruyere, zucchini with smokey bacon, or olives with mascarpone and parm.

The chalkboard menu lists pasta features daily and while the selection is set to change frequently, the price tag will remain a consistent $10 per dish.

All day breakfast and an expanded brunch menu include options like truffled scrambled eggs, croissants topped with prosciutto cotta and swiss, and Greek yogurt parfaits.

As popular as Lil’ Baci was, the neighbourhood might not even miss it.

Frankie’s Italian

Address: 892 Queen Street East, Toronto

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See also

• On the menu at Golden Bubbles: HK waffles and Cheesecake Factory cheesecakes
• Inside Sukoshi Mart: Toronto’s new Japanese convenience store
• Acclaimed Vancouver restaurant Bauhaus is opening a location in Toronto

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