The project of SAMMARCO, a steakhouse in Toronto, is designed by II BY IV DESIGN and introduces a space shaped around the relationship between memory, material culture and dining experience within the city’s hospitality landscape. This opening marks the third culinary venture by Michelin-starred chef Rob Rossi and restaurateur David Minicucci, following the success of Osteria Giulia, awarded one Michelin star, and Giulietta, recommended by the Michelin Guide.
Over time, Rossi and Minicucci have developed a vision grounded in fresh ingredients, bold chromatic choices and references to their origins. With SAMMARCO, this research evolves into a more intimate and narrative dimension: the restaurant becomes a sensory device where cuisine and interior design contribute to defining a precise spatial identity, positioned within the broader field of hospitality design.
Inspiration and spatial narrative
The project begins with a sketch, driven by the client’s intention to create a place that does not exist, yet feels immediately familiar. SAMMARCO is not defined by a specific geography or figure, but by a sensation. The experience unfolds like a memory shaped by a shared cultural heritage, allowing each guest to establish a personal connection with the space.
Within this narrative, design and cuisine operate in constant dialogue. The space is not merely a container for dining, but an active component of storytelling. The sequence of rooms, materials and atmospheric construction redefines how hospitality, memory and perception intersect.
A steakhouse in Toronto shaped by interior design
The entrance unfolds through an amber glass portal leading into the bar area, defined by deep wood tones and finishes inspired by Barolo hues. The threshold establishes a slower rhythm, guiding guests into an initial moment of reception, also expressed through the wine selection.
The project reinterprets Italian heritage through a material and formal vocabulary that combines automotive references with iconic materials. Leather seating echoes the curves of Italian car design, while the handcrafted terrazzo flooring recalls the pattern of cobblestone streets seen from above. Beyond its aesthetic role, the terrazzo introduces a sensory dimension linked to movement and rhythm within the space.
At the center of the restaurant lies the clover fountain, a sculptural element around which more intimate seating is arranged. Its curved geometry contributes to acoustic mitigation, while a suspended luminous globe beneath a sculptural ceiling diffuses soft, grazing light. The ceiling opens into radial geometries, evoking the atmosphere of a Tuscan sunset and shaping a space designed to be observed, experienced and remembered.
Local craftsmanship and Canadian creativity
Rather than focusing solely on visual impact, SAMMARCO emphasizes continuity between craftsmanship, local production and making culture. Many key elements of the restaurant, from wood to stone, glass and metal, are handcrafted by Canadian artisans. The project translates Italian craftsmanship through a local lens, aligning it with the Toronto context.
The space also features an extensive collection of Canadian art installed throughout the restaurant. Spanning abstract to traditional works, the selection expands the dialogue between visual culture and hospitality. Curated by II BY IV DESIGN partners Dan Menchions and Keith Rushbrook, the artworks reinforce the immersive quality of the space and position the restaurant as a convergence of artistic and culinary expression.
The Carlevale Room as a space of memory
The project includes the Carlevale Room, dedicated to Michael Carlevale, a key figure in Toronto’s dining scene during the 1980s and 1990s. His influence on the city’s restaurant culture and his role in mentoring Rossi and Minicucci make this tribute particularly meaningful.
The room is conceived as a refined and contemplative environment. Walls recall the golden tones of Italian vineyards, while deep blue leather seating surrounds a bespoke table. Crafted from individually veneered elements and assembled on site, the table reflects the flooring beneath it, expressing the level of detail and craftsmanship that defines the entire project.
A reference for contemporary hospitality
Through the convergence of food, interior design and emotion, SAMMARCO defines a steakhouse in Toronto where narrative becomes central to the hospitality experience. Materials, lighting, bespoke furnishings and art contribute to shaping a coherent and layered environment.
More than a restaurant, the project by II BY IV DESIGN establishes a spatial experience where dining and design operate as a unified system. It is within this relationship between Italian sensibility, Canadian craftsmanship and atmospheric construction that SAMMARCO defines its identity within the hospitality design landscape.
Credits
Location: Toronto
Interior Design: II BY IV DESIGN
Photo credit: David Whittaker
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