Italian café pivots to indoor dining as Ontario restaurants prepare to reopen
The revolving opening and closing of indoor dining in Ontario has placed stress and strain on the restaurant industry. But, the owners of an Italian catering company in Toronto's west end are calling the current moment a “blessing in disguise” as they close their café and dive into indoor dining in time for Ontario’s latest round of reopening.
“We like to think that COVID made a lot of opportunities come from giving us a chance to look at each other and see what we can offer in a new framework,” said Sandra Morelli, co-owner of Morellina’s, alongside Lina Hatem.
Homemade pasta is served at Morellina's in Toronto, located at Christie and Pendrith Streets (Neighbourhood Creative). Since their business launched in 2018, it’s continuously evolved. “You have to roll with the punches,” Morelli said. Originally, Morellina’s was founded as an Italian catering company with a café to showcase their work on Christie Street, just a block north of Christie Pits Park.
However, in response to the seesaw of provincial pandemic restrictions, they packed up their pastry display fridge, downsized their espresso machine and ordered velvet benches to prepare the space for indoor dining.
“The catering is still going, but now we have a little gem of a home that we can host,” Morelli said. In their corner spot, windows flank the north and east beneath a fairy-tale-like turret that tops the two storey building.
With the café cleared, their space can accommodate 10 customers when capacity limits loosen to 50 per cent next week. In Morelli and Hatem’s eyes, the intimate space is advantageous – particularly now.
“If a family feels that they don’t want anyone else in because they are COVID sensitive, then we won’t let anyone else in,” Morelli said. “If there’s a group of two, and that party says they don’t mind, then we do social distancing.”
Homemade pasta is served at Morellina's in Toronto, located at Christie and Pendrith Streets (Neighbourhood Creative). Their business model is shaped around custom curating – whether that’s the menu, or arrangements at the venue. “We play it by ear and we play it per customer,” she said.
As the days leading up to the reopening of indoor dining dwindle, anticipation only builds for the owners.
“We are really excited to watch and hear people eat,” Morelli said. “It’s one of those little sounds that we miss.”
That optimism is the momentum that keeps pushing their business forward. “We know that if we just hold on this will get better.”
Background
Table Talk is a weekly CTV News Toronto series that explores the people who shape Toronto’s food scene, published every Friday at CTVNewsToronto.ca
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
BREAKING Toronto Maple Leafs fire head coach Sheldon Keefe
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Court to hear about search for remains as Winnipeg murder trial enters second day
A courtroom in Winnipeg is expected to hear testimony today about the search for the remains of the four victims of Jeremy Skibicki.
Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
'We can and we must do better': First ever Air Accessibility Summit hits Ottawa
Federal ministers, airline executives and members of the disability community are gathering in Ottawa today for the first ever Air Accessibility Summit.