Rimini Rimini imports most of their fish from Italy and Greece

Marsida Lazimi and her husband, Melis, know what it takes to run a successful Italian restaurant.

 

For just over 20 years, their establishment, Ristorante Della Repubblica, was a known spot for wood-fired pizzas and homemade desserts in their hometown, a quaint seaside town called Rimini, which is a favourite spot for local fishers.

“It wasn’t just a restaurant, it was a whole world,” recalls Marsida.

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But with the cost of living in Europe reaching an all-time high, in July 2022, the couple made the difficult decision to sell their restaurant and move to Toronto. In December 2022, they opened Rimini Rimini, a new restaurant whose name is an ode to their hometown. Ristorante Della Repubblica’s specialties included fresh seafood and pizzas.

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Like their old restaurant, Rimini Rimini’s menu is centred around fresh seafood and seasonal vegetables.

“Melsi goes out to purchase fresh ingredients every day, because quality is very important to us,” she says. “We never sacrifice quality. We always go above and beyond, because food is the language that connects us.”

The antipasti include delicious starters like the burrata cheese and Cantabrian’s sea anchovies crostini, or an orange carpaccio with fennel and orange salad.

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There are plenty of shareables, including a platter of raw yellowfin tuna, salmon, oysters, lobster and langoustines that is priced for two or four people. Of course, a selection of fresh pasta dishes are on the menu — all made with imported flour and free-run eggs. Although fresh fish is a major focus, Rimini Rimini also offers meat dishes, including an impressive 12-ounce Australian wagyu strip loin with roasted potatoes and grilled vegetables.

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Rimini Rimini is located at 453 Eglinton Ave. W. and is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday to Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

— Christine Hogg

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