The owner of one of two restaurants that were destroyed in a large fire in Yorkville one year ago Friday says he’s hoping to re-open his business at a new location just up the street.
Peter Catarino, who owned Spuntini Ristorante and Bar located at 116 Avenue Road until it and neighbouring restaurant Sotto Sotto were destroyed last Christmas Day, tells CP24 that after seven months spent searching, he’s found a new home.
“Joey Bersani is the current owner of Cantine, he approached me, we started dialogue, put a business agreement together and that’s where I will be moving,” Catarino said, referring to Cantine at 138 Avenue Road.
He said he takes possession of the space on Jan. 15 and hopes to be open on Feb. 12, in time for Valentine’s Day.
Catarino said he was just about to have dinner on Dec. 25, 2014 when he received an alarm notification alerting him to broken glass at his former location.
He arrived at the scene to witness a tall plume of flames tearing through the building.
“It still brings back haunting memories for me. I really had no answers, we couldn’t get (inside) and it was out of control already when I got there.”
After an investigation, The Office of the Fire Marshal said the cause of the fire was “undetermined.” Damage was estimated at more than $1 million.
Over the years, Spuntini and Sotto had developed a reputation as a destination for celebrities and powerful politicians. Actors in town for the Toronto International Film Festival would dine there, as well as politicians such as then-Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
Catarino said that after the fire, many people approached him to encourage Spuntini’s return.
