Canis, one of Toronto's most celebrated restaurants, is reopening in Little Italy

Canis, one of Toronto's most coveted fine-dining reservations before the pandemic, is making a comeback in Little Italy.

When chefs Jeff Kang and Tosh Agassiz opened Canis on Queen West in 2016, the stretch had few fine-dining options. The restaurant quickly earned its way onto every best-of list in the city. Then the pandemic hit, and Canis closed along with countless others. Six years later, the original team is picking up where they left off.

The new Canis will sit tucked behind Cono Gelato, the pair's other venture, in a 28-seat dining room that echoes the original while offering a polished new take. Cedar and brick form the backdrop to an open kitchen with live-fire cooking. Multi-course seasonal tasting menus will run around $200 per person.

"We were never happy with the way Canis closed—we weren't even able to have a grand finale event," Agassiz said. Between closures, he spent years hosting private dining experiences. Kang honed his fermentation and dry-aging skills at Oroshi and Takja BBQ House. The two have worked together on and off since 2011 through four different ventures.

"Jeff and I are both a few years older now, hopefully a few years wiser, and I think the experience at the new Canis will reflect that," Agassiz said. "I think as many chefs age, we become a little bit more restrained and confident in what we do."

The DNA of the new restaurant stays true to the original, but the whole team's voice will shape the space. "This won't just be my food or Tosh's food; it will be the whole team's expression of Canis. We'll be using the best local ingredients we can source and bringing some new ideas to the table. And as much as it'll be about the food, it's also about the service, the music, the lighting—the whole experience," Kang said.

Original Canis regulars have already started appearing at Cono, reconnecting with Kang and Agassiz after years away. "We're just excited to cook again, and to welcome back guests we haven't seen in years," Agassiz said.