In a move that proves she’s finally ready to trade her bike for a disco ball, Mayor Olivia Chow is officially swapping the boardroom for the barroom. In an exclusive reveal this morning, the City announced the glittery grand opening of Olivia Ciao — a one-day-only wine bar and high-energy dancing destination in the heart of Little Italy.
The name, of course, is all about the branding: a pun on her last name, a nod to College Street’s heritage and a sparkling “hello” (and a fast “goodbye”) to the city’s $380 million FIFA budget. The pop-up is the Mayor’s way of ensuring Toronto is match-fit for the FIFA World Cup. With the city set to host six massive matches — including the historic first-ever kickoff at Toronto Stadium on June 12.
But the real goal is the workers. For today only, TTC employees and City staff can eat and drink for half price, provided they can keep up with the Mayor on the floor.
“Our transit workers have dealt with enough 504 King streetcar diversions to deserve a glass of Chianti, a pepperoni pizz and a mandatory dance break,” the Mayor said, sporting a custom, rhinestone-encrusted green, white and red tracksuit. “If we’re going to welcome 48 nations and millions of fans, our staff needs to practice their footwork — on the dance floor and the subway platform.”
The Olivia Ciao menu features a theatrical lineup of World Cup eats, including Yellow Card Carbonara, the Midfielder Margherita and Penalty Box Bruschetta. Guests are encouraged to carb-load while watching the Mayor lead a choreographed line dance through the restaurant to celebrate Canada’s place in the tournament.
But don’t get too attached to College Street. If the wine flows and the books balance today, the Mayor envisions a full “Olivia Empire” taking over the city. According to her grand plan, one waterfront neighbourhood is slated for Olivia Chowder, a comfort-food destination for those chilly lakefront days. And for the winter crowd she’s pitching Olivia Château, a luxury après-ski lodge perfect for ski season. Why leave the 65-restaurant rollout to Bobby Flay when the City can do it with dance parties and half-priced espresso?
Reservations are handled exclusively via the 311 app (expect a 20-minute hold for “technical difficulties”)
