About

Mercatino e Vini

A new storefront from the Ascari Group at 1091 Queen St. E. has opened for in-store and online retail for pick up and delivery. Mercatino e Vini offers specialty pantry items, extensive and exclusive wine list at retail pricing.

Described as a boutique, wine store, prepared food store, wine bar, and cafe with the same quality and attention to detail as the Ascari Group properties. Open all day with sandwiches, charcuterie and a couple of tables, little bar, and a patio where you can crack open a bottle of wine or take something out of the fridge and kick back. 

How It Started

We love food; we love wine; we love racing. So, we named Ascari after one of our heroes: 1950’s Formula One Italian racing legend, Alberto Ascari. A two-time Formula One World Champion, winning consecutive titles in ’52 and ’53 for Scuderia Ferrari, Ascari was the team's first World Champion and the last Italian to win the title to date. Ascari was known for the careful precision and finely judged accuracy with which he raced; however, he was as famous for his appetite for food and wine as he was for his talent for racing. This earned him the nickname “ciccio”, Italian for “chubby”.

Ascari Hospitality Group

Ascari Hospitality Group is a restaurant and event company based in Toronto, Canada. Named after 1950’s Formula One racing legend Alberto Ascari (who was equally famous for his appetite as he was for his talented racing), AHG began laying its roots in 2005 with John and Erik’s first restaurant, Izakaya. In 2008, they opened Table 17 and shortly thereafter, Hi-Lo Bar and Ascari Enoteca in Toronto’s east end. In 2017, the French Brasserie, Gare de l’Est was developed and opened just five short blocks from its sister restaurants. 

A few years later, Erik and John decided it was time to expand their concept to Toronto’s west end, bringing on board Rahil as their new partner and Director of Operations. In 2019, Ascari King West was born alongside a full service events and catering division and remains their newest outpost to-date. 

Much of the group’s success can be credited to the unparalleled commitment to quality and the strong company culture it has fostered since day one. Today, AHG comprises three unique restaurants, a boutique retail shop, a bar and a full service event company, all of which are rooted in Italian and French traditions with a contemporary twist. Its ethos is entrenched in food, wine and good people, which is evident in the carefully selected offerings, and genuine hospitality. 

With plans of further expansion ahead, AHG continues to be a leader in the hospitality community, focusing their efforts on adapting within the ever-changing landscape of the industry.