Roman Suppli Pop-up Launches on Dundas West This June
Chef Kaitlyn Lasagna opens Buon Riso at Pasta Forever, bringing Rome's cheesy fried rice balls to Toronto.
Kaitlyn Lasagna has spent 19 years in Toronto's restaurant kitchens — most recently as a founding team member at Tutto Panino, the buzzed-about sandwich shop featuring Grammy-nominee Charlotte Day Wilson. Now she's breaking out with something completely different: suppli, Rome's answer to arancini.
The idea took hold when her sister started living in Rome and fell in love with the crispy fried rice balls stuffed with cheese, meat, and tomato. "At the time, I didn't think much of it, but the idea slowly turned into an obsession," Lasagna tells us.
Buon Riso launches out of Pasta Forever on Dundas West, where Lasagna has been picking up shifts again after a brief break. When she mentioned the suppli concept to owner Jess Maiorano, Maiorano was immediately on board.
The first run is June 14 to July 19, with pre-orders starting online the week before. Walk-ins can grab a limited number daily at Pasta Forever. Lasagna's playing with seasonal Ontario produce — spring peas and mint, sweet corn as it hits season — while anchoring the classics in authentic Italian technique. Her sister Emma handles kitchen ops and marketing; her brother-in-law Justin handles social. Even her mom's expected to roll suppli alongside the crew.
If the first drop takes off, Lasagna says she's open to extending the run. Dundas West's about to smell like Rome.