Toto: The Last Dinner in Mar Mikhael (Restaurant Closed)

Is it a coincidence or destiny... I attended Sophie’s last dinner in Mar Mikhael before she moved to Montreal and tonight Toto’s last, before the restaurant’s new steps in Achrafieh. I was in love with Sophie’s fine-dining restaurant and adored Toto’s Italian specialties hoping both brands will remain alive; Unfortunately, Mar Mikhael is pushing restaurants away and welcoming more clubs.

Nestled in an old house under a stone arcade, Toto’s black and white restaurant is still as charming as it always was. Having a great risotto and a delicious pizza, enjoying a fine Italian dinner for the last time, hoping the restaurant will reopen soon.

On the menu; pizzas, cheese, and ham, bruschetta, fried starters, seafood, sides, salads, antipasti, main courses, and meats. Suggestions of the day propose several risottos, Pasta, fish, and meat.

Dinner started with a wooden board of roasted bread, chunks of parmesan and balsamic vinegar. Bread with a roasting smell, fresh and crunchy parmesan cheese and a sour balsamic.

Food is as good as it always was, an excellent pizza with a tender crust and a fluffy border. A tangy parmigiana. Crunchy zucchini fingers. A milky burrata. Enjoyable chewy calamari fingers. I love the simplicity of the food served at Toto.

Wait; let’s get back to the pizza. One of the country’s best pizzas is just simple and unique. A thin crust, a tender dough, a loaded heart richly aromatic and flavorful. I’ve had a slice then another and a third and couldn’t stop.

Les pattes... comme c'est bon! Cooked al dente, filled with flavored, not too watery and not too dry, amazingly textured and well balanced. I tried two of them and loved them both equally. The spaghetti... exceptional! Bottarga flakes with caviar d’Oursin. The spaghetti cooked al-dente, a sticky and enjoyable sauce, intense flavors... a journey!

Enjoyed my evening and can’t wait to experience the new opening. 

Toto will be taking a break for a month before starting again in Achrafieh where the old Frida was next to Supermarket Achrafieh.