Toto’ Restaurant

Overview

Toto' Restaurant is hosting the Martini Playful Hours every Thursday from 6pm to 8pm this July and August. Chef Sergio Maglione has paired off with Martini to create a series of traditional aperitivo evenings with a unique crafted menu and a choice of classic and contemporary Martinis.

Toto’s has become somewhat of an institution since it opened its doors on Nelson Street in Auckland 19 years ago. Serving up modern Italian cuisine with a touch old school glamour, this fine establishment has been taking home ‘Best Italian’ accolades including a place in our very own.

As we arrive we are instantly struck by the elegant space – an old converted warehouse with intimate corners, glowing with light from carefully placed candles and an open fire. Logs are stacked against one wall, old Italian prints line the walls with ornate gold framed mirrors atop an old piano. Red velvet cushions line the chairs and  candelabras on each table bring a certain grandeur to the room, yet the atmosphere is comfortable and relaxed.

The menu reads like a poem - this is eating with your eyes at its best! Modern Italian cooking with original, imaginative combinations and wonderful flavours. We were lucky enough to be treated to a six course degustation with highlights including oyster and salmon on crostini and a bed of balsamic rocket, mushroom and truffle risotto with duck breast, octopus carpaccio, with fennel moussecitrus salad and macadamia, served with a warming Central Otago Pinot Noir. The menu certainly tasted as well as it read.

The service was attentive and friendly yet discreet. The wine list? Quality, extensive and well considered.

And it doesn’t stop there. Not only does Toto’s boast a pizzeria, famous for its metre long pizzas, it also has a well-established events, functions  and catering arm with the Montecrsito & Bacco event rooms -  perfect for parties.

A cold, wet, wintery night when we arrived at Toto’s, it was wonderful to escape into this warm, homely space and enjoy some of Auckland’s best Italian food and wine on offer and emerge warm and content.