Above the hustle and bustle of Dundas Street West sits the aptly named One Up Resto Lounge. This oasis in the heart of downtown Toronto offers fantastic Italian-inspired cuisine in a cool and inviting atmosphere. The creation of the endlessly energetic Spano brothers - Ed, Gino and Paul - One Up is sure to become a fast-favourite whether for after-work drinks, a stylish weekday lunch, an intimate dinner, or late night cocktail.

You might say the Spano brothers have the restaurant business in their blood. Their father Michael has been a chef for almost 40 years and passed along to them both the secrets and skills that helped them create One Up's tempting menu. "We've taken classic recipes and fabulous ingredients and given them a contemporary creative twist," says Ed, "But the kitchen really belongs to my brother Gino and Executive Chef Philip Thompson."

Whether you're in the mood for a light health conscious meal or something rich and decadent, there's something to suit every taste. When we dined at One Up, our waiter David was not only adorable but enthusiastic and helpful as well. Right away we were presented with a plate of fresh warm toasted baguette and oven crisped tortilla wedges to be used as vehicles for their signature spread - a scrumptious tapenade of roasted peppers, olives and sunflower seeds.

We began with the Grilled Vegetable Tower ($12). A fresh stack of grilled sweet potato, eggplant, carrot, zucchini, peppers and onion, interspersed with disks of creamy boccancini and dressed in a "broken" dressing of reduced balsamic vinegar and flavourful basil oil. Served at room temperature, this appetizer was delicious and light.

David said that the "not to be missed" dish on the menu was the homemade sweet potato gnocchi in a wild mushroom cream ($15). One of their father's recipes, Gino has perfected this heavenly dish that is both decadent and comforting at the same time. This was one of the most fantastic plates of pasta we've ever tasted and it's no exaggeration when we tell you we've been dreaming about it ever since. Get a plate of it for the table to share no matter what else you order.

We were feeling a little carnivorous, so David urged us to try the Filet Mignon ($26). This gorgeous piece of meat was cooked medium rare, just as ordered, but what made this dish really special was the delicious fig Marsala reduction. Normally, saucing such a fine cut of beef takes away from it, but in this case, the sauce brought out its delicate flavour. Served with a medley of seasonal vegetables cooked tender-crisp and roasted potato wedges, this plate has to be one of the best deals in downtown Toronto.

At the end of our meal we were so full we considered skipping dessert, but when we heard of Chef Thompson's sweet creations, we couldn't resist. BrulŽes, cheesecake, fudge, and strudel have constantly changing flavours, and with all desserts priced at just $6 how could we not indulge?. We chose to share a slice of that day's cheesecake - mango raspberry - and finished every crumb.

When it comes to picking the perfect wine to go with your meal, Lucky Sarangi, the Spano's wine connoisseur and all-around "Guy Friday", is on hand to help. The thoughtful list of both Old and New World wines are all reasonably priced and make the perfect addition to your meal.

Not only is One Up a great place for lunch, dinner or drinks, it's also an ideal venue for private parties and corporate functions of all sizes and varieties. "We work one on one with all our clients to make sure everything is perfect," says Ed, "We can do pre-set and totally customized menus that accommodate guests' likes and dislikes, allergies and dietary restrictions." As well as their fantastic on-site catering, they offer full-service off-site catering.

One Up is open for lunch from Monday to Friday and for dinner from Monday to Saturday. They are closed Sundays for private functions. Reservations are recommended but not required. For further information, reservations or private bookings call One Up at 416.340.6349 or visit their website at www.oneup.ca.

One Up Resto Lounge
130 Dundas Street West 2nd floor
Toronto, Ontario
Phone: 416.340.6349
Website: www.oneup.ca