Public Gardens
Public Gardens serves Italian-American fare from one of the grooviest rooftop patios in the city.
Known for its wide selection of espresso martinis, generous pasta portions, fun finger food, and happy hour bellinis, this King West spot has quickly become a popular late-night destination.
And it's easy to understand why. Beyond the great views and good eats, the prices are reasonable, and there is a DJ playing every night from 10 pm to 2 am. It's also hard to think of another restaurant that stays open 365 days a year.
"We wanted to make a place that you can come multiple times a week and just really be that neighbourhood spot," shared Asher Jones, the GM Operating Partner and 15-year hospitality veteran.
The restaurant lends itself to that communal feeling and was designed to be suitable for various occasions, from a night out to a casual meal or drink after work.
Whether dining inside at the classy bar or out on the lush patio, expect tables to be packed with hungry diners.
The menu is approachable, with something for everyone and nostalgic fare like the super cheesy Mozzarella Sticks ($17). The breaded mozzarella is fried until golden brown and crisp and served with a classic marinara for dipping.
The Ricotta Wild Honey ($18) features soft and pillowy in-house focaccia with creamy ricotta cheese. The dish is topped with nutty sesame and sweet orange blossom honey.
My favourite appetizer was the Braised Meatballs ($18). Like many traditional Italian meatballs, these are made from a mixture of veal, pork, and beef. Miniature in size, they were well-seasoned and tender, served in a rich tomato sauce and topped with plenty of parm. The dish comes with a side of focaccia, perfect for mopping up all the extra sauce.
To accompany the appetizers, you have to try one of Public Garden's nine espresso martinis! The Raspberry ($16) is similar to the classic, made with vodka and espresso, but has a sweet, citrusy raspberry twist.
If you happen to be visiting during happy hour, the pitcher of Ginger Hugo Spritz ($20) is excellent, especially for a small group. It's a cold, refreshing mix of St. Germain, ginger, fresh mint, bitters, soda, and bubbly Prosecco.
The Frozen Bellinis ($15 per glass) is another crowd favourite. Icy and creamy, the taste reminded me of a peach popsicle.
Now, the reason you come to Public Gardens, aside from the rooftop, is for the pizza and pasta.
One of Jones' favourite pies is the classic Pepperoni ($22). This thin-crust pizza comes with tomato sauce, pepperoni, honey, and mozzarella.
The Mushroom ($23) is a white pizza with portobello mushrooms, Fior de Latte, thyme, and rosemary. I loved how earthy this pizza was. It was savoury, herbaceous and surprisingly light.
All pizza and pasta options are made in-house, with gluten-free modifications available.
Spaghetti al Limone is one of my go-to pasta dishes for its simplicity.
Public Gardens' version, The Loren ($21), features spaghetti cooked al dente, tossed in a lemon, Pecorino, and butter sauce (I told you it was simple). Comforting, creamy, and bright, it's essentially a grown-up version of butter noodles.
The Ciao Bella ($22) is rigatoni in a spicy tomato vodka cream sauce. There's bite-sized smoky pancetta and pepperoni throughout and dollops of creamy, melt-in-your-mouth stracciatella cheese.
Between the big portions of Italian American classics and buzzing, vibrant atmosphere, it’s as though the spot is smack dab in New York City's Little Italy.
And you'll find nods to NYC culture throughout. In the front entrance, old copies of the New Yorker are on display.
But the best part of Public Gardens is how homey, inviting and comfortable it feels. The walls are adorned with family photos, and the big booths are perfect for groups of friends or family gatherings.
Public Gardens is located at 577 King St West.
Fareen Karim
