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Location: Toronto, Canada

Architect: Daniel Johnson Architect Inc

Interior Designer: Dan Menchions and Keith Rushbrook

Construction: BLT Construction

Photography: David Whittaker

SAMMARCO redefines the Italian steakhouse in Toronto through emotive, luxurious interiors, where Italian craftsmanship and bespoke design converge to create intimate, unforgettable experiences. Conceived by II BY IV DESIGN, the project reflects the global travels and design sensibilities of partners Dan Menchions and Keith Rushbrook, translating their vision into a space that harmonizes food, design, and storytelling.

From its initial sketches to the elegant final interior, SAMMARCO exemplifies a seamless collaboration between II BY IV DESIGN and chefs David Minicucci and Rob Rossi. The restaurant interweaves history, culture, and culinary mastery, inviting guests to engage with a narrative of heritage and innovation. Every detail, from hand-poured terrazzo floors simulating the wine-making process to custom furnishings inspired by Italian automotive design, celebrates craftsmanship, comfort, and aesthetic sophistication.

Guests enter through an amber glass portal into a palette of deep timbers, rich burgundies, and wine-soaked reds. The bar and lounge evoke an Italian wine cellar, while the central fountain and suspended polished orb create a theatrical centerpiece for intimate dining experiences. Handcrafted plaster ceilings, locally sourced bespoke wood, stone, and metalwork, and furniture upholstered in fine leather ensure every element reflects generations of artisanal skill.

The walls showcase the largest collection of Canadian art in a single restaurant, curated to complement the immersive environment and bridge Canadian artistry with Italian heritage. Private dining in the Carlevale Room offers a tranquil, vineyard-inspired atmosphere, with hand-crafted tables and bespoke leather seating enhancing the sense of exclusivity and artistry.

SAMMARCO embodies a celebration of Italy’s history, cuisine, and design. Through thoughtful materiality, custom detailing, and curated art, II BY IV DESIGN delivers a restaurant that is both a living piece of art and a stage for culinary excellence, offering patrons a distinctive, sensory-rich dining experience that is at once classic, bold, and deeply memorable.