Rocco's Plum Tomato Trattoria

At Rocco's Plum Tomato Trattoria, the scents of grilled veggies, pesto and tomato-basil sauces, and morsels of seafood, chicken, and veal beckon to passersby. Rocco's—an Italian restaurant with Islington Avenue and The Queensway locations—exudes an elegant yet approachable quality, like a billionaire uncle or a golden retriever wearing a crown. Amid brick walls peppered with modern art, you might find guests dining on crispy pizzas topped with shaved salami or tiger shrimp in white-wine-and-butter sauce. Each dish pleases eyes as much as taste buds, the artful presentation of caprese salad, lobster risotto, or warm goat cheese creating a tabletop display that complements the colourful wall hangings.