Sammarco Italian Steakhouse downtown Toronto, Ontario restaurant Canada, Canadian design architecture photos

Sammarco Italian Steakhouse in Toronto, Ontario

October 3, 2025

Design: II BY IV DESIGN

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Photos: David Whittaker

Sammarco Italian Steakhouse, downtown Toronto

II BY IV DESIGN is proud to announce the opening of SAMMARCO, a refined Italian steakhouse now open in downtown Toronto. This marks the third culinary venture by Michelin-starred Chef Rob Rossi and highly esteemed restaurateur David Minicucci, following the celebrated success of Michelin-starred Osteria Giulia and Michelin recommended Giulietta.

Rossi and Minicucci have established a reputation as industry pioneers by experimenting with colourful, fresh ingredients that honour their individual backgrounds. Together, their ties to the people and places that have influenced them throughout their prosperous careers have shaped the SAMMARCO experience.

Rooted in emotion rather than geography, SAMMARCO invites guests on a personal journey through memory, storytelling, and sensory immersion. Here, interiors and cuisine speak in harmony—each enhancing the other to create a richly layered experience where design, history, and culinary artistry intersect.

Inspiration
It all began with a sketch—an idea rooted in the client’s desire to create a place that doesn’t exist, yet feels instantly familiar. SAMMARCO is not defined by a person or a place, but by a feeling. The experience unfolds like a memory wrapped in heritage, inviting every guest to find their own connection. Here, design and cuisine exist in dialogue, reframing how we understand space, storytelling, and the sensory power of hospitality.

A design-driven dining experience
The design draws inspiration from Italian heritage and contemporary luxury. Guests are greeted by an amber glass portal, leading into the bar area that is layered with deep wood tones and Barolo-hued upholstery. It’s a place where the first sip of a carefully chosen wine feels like an invitation to slow down and savour every moment.

A nod to Italy’s automotive legacy, custom furnishings with sleek leather seating are inspired by iconic marques such as Ferrari, Alpha Romeo, and Lamborghini. The terrazzo is hand-poured and precisely swept into place, replicating an aerial macro view of Italy’s cobbled streets. This use of terrazzo flooring was not only a choice of aesthetics, but also to awaken the senses. Beneath the hum of excitable guests, listen for the tapping of waiters’ shoes as they glide from table to table.

At the heart of the space lies the clover fountain, a bespoke sculptural centerpiece surrounded by intimate booth seating. Its curved form doubles as acoustic softening, while a polished illuminated orb is suspended beneath a sculptural ceiling that fans outward like sunbeams reminiscent of a Tuscan sunset. Light pours from the orb, casting a soft, diffused glow that accentuates the geometry above and anchors the space below. This ceiling isn’t just a finish—it’s a statement. It transforms the atmosphere, inviting guests to look up, linger, and feel immersed in a space where every detail has been carefully choreographed. A fusion of design and art, function and emotion, it sets the tone for an unforgettable hospitality experience.

Celebrating craft and Canadian artistry
More than a visual triumph, SAMMARCO champions generational craftsmanship and local production. Many of the restaurant’s key elements—woodwork, stone, glass, and metal—are handcrafted by Canadian artisans, echoing Italy’s legacy of master fabrication through a local lens.

The space also features the largest collection of Canadian art ever installed in a restaurant setting, a testament to the country’s rich creative spirit. This curated display spans from abstract to traditional, forming a cultural dialogue and reinforcing SAMMARCO’S role as a platform for both culinary and creative expression. Each work was personally curated by II BY IV DESIGN’s founding partners, Dan Menchions and Keith Rushbrook, to enhance the restaurant’s immersive ambiance, crafting a setting where art and cuisine come together in seamless harmony.

The Carlevale Room: An homage to legacy
Named in honour of revered Toronto restaurateur Michael Carlevale—an influential figure who helped shape the city’s dining scene throughout the 1980s and 1990s and is often credited as a driving force behind Toronto’s modern culinary identity—this space pays tribute to his enduring legacy. For Minicucci and Rossi, who were profoundly shaped by Michael’s friendship and inspiration, it felt only fitting to celebrate him in this way.

The private dining room is a sanctuary of elegance and reflection. Its walls reflect the sun-warmed golds of an Italian vineyard, while regal blue leather chairs encircle a striking bespoke table. Crafted with individually veneered pattern pieces and installed by hand on-site, the table mirrors the unique floor it rests upon—a testament to the care and craftsmanship at the heart of this space. Much like Carlevale himself, the room offers guests a dining experience defined by warmth, refinement, and unforgettable detail.

A new icon in Toronto’s culinary landscape
SAMMARCO is more than a restaurant—it’s a landmark of cultural storytelling, craftsmanship, and immersive hospitality. Through the convergence of food, design, and emotion, it sets a new benchmark for dining in Toronto.

About II BY IV DESIGN
Founded in 1990 by partners Dan Menchions and Keith Rushbrook, II BY IV DESIGN is an internationally recognized, award-winning studio celebrated for its innovative and thoughtful design. With over 35 years of experience, the firm has contributed to pivotal projects worldwide, maintaining long-term client relationships. Guided by a vision of creativity and balance, Dan and Keith lead a team of 50 across offices in Toronto, London, and New York.

Specializing in hospitality, multi-residential complexes, retail, marine interiors, and bespoke design, II BY IV DESIGN consistently surpasses expectations by crafting memorable, tailored spaces. Rooted in creativity, passion, and integrity, the studio’s work reflects a commitment to timeless design and excellence.

With over 500 global awards, the firm remains at the forefront of the design industry, dedicated to elevating brands and creating environments that resonate with clients and their communities.

Architect: II BY IV DESIGN – https://iibyiv.com/