All doors are officially open to the revitalized Paradise Theatre complex in Toronto's Bloorcourt Village
Every space within the 100-year-old cultural hub is now fully operating, including Osteria Rialto, Bar Biltmore, Café Paradise and Blue Door Wine Shop
Osteria Rialto's Chef de Cuisine, Jesse Serratore, reimagines the restaurant's menu, with inspiration from his Southern Italian roots
TORONTO, Aug. 16, 2023 /CNW/ - Paradise Theatre, one of Toronto's legacy entertainment venues, has entered a new era as part of its extensive revitalization plan, with all five businesses who call the 100-year-old building home now in operation. Housing Paradise Theatre, Café Paradise, Bar Biltmore, Blue Door Wine Shop, and Osteria Rialto, the iconic Bloorcourt Village hub is located at 1006 Bloor Street West and uniquely blends arts, entertainment, dining and retail to create a one-stop complex offering a distinctly local cultural experience.
"The next chapter in Paradise Theatre's rich history has officially begun," said David Thorek, Director of Operations at Paradise Theatre. "Today, the venue offers far more than it ever has before, creating a unique destination to do it all – eat, drink, gather and play. We want Torontonians to get a little bit of everything when they visit the site."
Osteria Rialto is a full-service Italian restaurant that mimics the singular establishments of Italy. Chef de Cuisine Jesse Sarretore has been a member of the Osteria Rialto family since 2019, first as Sous Chef, and now as Chef de Cuisine. His culinary passion is the result of a childhood immersed in the simplicity of farm life and the warmth of Italian family gatherings. Chef Sarretore has developed a reimagined menu inspired by his Southern Italian heritage and classic cooking rooted in Ligurian, Emilian, Tuscan and Roman traditions. Casarecce with red shrimp, chili and garlic, Cappelletti featuring Fogo Island cod, and Zucchini Flowers stuffed with lemon and ricotta are some of the new dishes to discover at the restaurant, which is open Tuesday to Saturday, from 6:00pm to 10:00pm.
Bar Biltmore can be found just up the stairs of Osteria Rialto and is Paradise Theatre's intimate speakeasy-style bar, with antique brass and an art deco look-and-feel. Bar Biltmore also houses a seasonal outdoor patio balcony that overlooks Bloor Street and the landmark Paradise sign. Stop in to try some of Bar Biltmore's signature cocktails such as the Piña Quemada, which features charred pineapple-infused mezcal, maple, ginger, cinnamon and lime, and the Fireside Folly, mixed with hazelnut-infused brandy, rye, Peychaud's, nutmeg bitters and turbinado.
Blue Door Wine Shop is a gorgeous retail space within the complex, offering an assorted mix of classically expressed wines with an adventurous style. Customers can enjoy a sit-down glass at the tasting bar accompanied by small plates of food items curated by Paradise's culinary team. Visitors can also purchase an array of unique bottles to take home. The Blue Door Wine Club offers a sommelier-selected, three-tiered subscription system for wine delivery across Toronto. New subscribers receive a 10% discount off the first two subscription deliveries. Items from the bottle shop can also be ordered through UberEats.
Café Paradise is a casual dining destination serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week. Known for its coffee, wine and eats, the restaurant's expansive menu includes everything from fresh bread baked daily in-house and ricotta pancakes, to decadent pastas and classics like Clubs and Cobbs.
Paradise Theatre is a historic, multi-arts venue, presenting not just film, but a range of live performances, too. With a history dating back to 1910, the 220-seat theatre underwent a series of upgrades in 2018 and 2019, featuring a modern art deco interior that pays homage to its early days. The space features an eclectic blend of programming each month, with Candlelight Concerts, Queer Cinema Club, Ghosts of the Chelsea Hotel and more all happening in September. The complete list of upcoming programming can be found HERE.
Paradise Theatre has been deeply ingrained in the Toronto community for more than a century. It was originally established in 1937 as a venue for live shows, which operated for decades before closing in 2006 for a 13-year hiatus. In 2007, Paradise Theatre was designated a heritage building, with intentions to turn it into a pharmacy. However, in the early 2010s, with the support of Moray Tawse and ERA Architects, the building was purchased with plans to restore the cultural hub that continues to define Paradise Theatre today.
Osteria Rialto
Website: osteriarialto.com
Instagram: @osteriarialto
TikTok: @osteriarialto
Opentable: reserve
Blue Door Wine Shop
Website: bluedoorwineshop.com
Instagram: @bluedoorwineshop
Bar Biltmore
Website: barbiltmore.com
Instagram: @barbiltmore
Café Paradise
Website: cafeparadisebloor.com
Instagram: @cafe_paradise_bloor
TikTok: @cafe_paradise_bloor_
Paradise Theatre
Website: paradiseonbloor.com/calendar
Instagram: @paradiseonbloor
Twitter: @paradiseonbloor
TikTok: @paradiseonbloor
Facebook: @paradiseonbloor
On the corner of Bloor St and Westmoreland Ave in Toronto, Paradise offers a unique, welcoming experience through food, drink and the arts. Our mission is to create opportunities to feel human by connecting, delighting and inspiring patrons. Paradise brings people together to share memorable experiences by creating a hospitality-first, curated offer with broad appeal.
For media requests contact:
Rachel Ecker, [email protected], 647-505-4041
Becca Logan, [email protected], 647-570-5694
SOURCE Paradise Theatre
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