TORONTO, Sept. 23, 2026 /CNW/ -- Lunaro Hospitality, the majority shareholder in Shay Ristorante, and Executive Chef Justin Friedlich are set to open the restaurant at 1055 Yonge Street on October 1st, 2026. Shay Ristorante marks the first restaurant opening for both Friedlich and Lunaro Hospitality.

Named after Friedlich's daughter, Shay Ristorante is a deeply personal expression of his heritage and his story. The idea behind it is simple: every guest should feel like family, as though they were seated at the chef's own table in his home, but with the elevated care and hospitality of an exceptional dining room.

"From our earliest conversations with Justin, we knew he had a distinctive vision for Shay Ristorante," said Rayana Dilawri, Managing Director of Lunaro Hospitality. "We are thrilled to see that vision come to life and we are proud to open our first restaurant with him."

Friedlich spent close to a decade at Buca Yorkville, where he worked his way up to Chef de Cuisine. He later worked as a private chef in the years leading up to the opening of Shay Ristorante. Rooted in Italian tradition, the menu signatures include Tajarin al Pomodoro, Supplì al Tonno, a tableside crudo cart, and desserts such as Tiramisù Nero, made with house-made chocolate savoiardi. Connecting every dish is a shared thread of family tradition. Shay Ristorante is the exclusive Canadian home of Baglio Rocca olive oil from Palermo, Sicily, which appears throughout the menu, including in the Gelato all'Olio and the house-made focaccia.

Lunaro Hospitality oversaw the design and build process, bringing designer Michael London onto the team to execute the vision. Rooted in Italian comfort with Milanese elegance, the space pairs an array of stone with chestnut-toned millwork and opens onto the theatre of the line at the kitchen pass. The dining room, which has a floor-to-ceiling Venetian plaster wall, seats 89 guests and is anchored by a captivating bar finished in fluted porcelain tile and marble. It is the focal point of the room and framed by a see-through glass wall. La Sala, the private dining room, takes its cue from a Tuscan palette of terracotta and burnt amber. It seats up to 16 guests and is available for larger parties.

The art throughout the restaurant is courtesy of Rukaj Gallery, and Shay Ristorante opens with The Gathering, a monumental piece by Alex Katz. One of an edition of 40, it is based on a celebrated group portrait Katz painted in the 1970s and marks the first print he has made from the landmark series.

About Shay Ristorante

Shay Ristorante is an Italian restaurant located at 1055 Yonge Street in Toronto's Rosedale neighbourhood. Led by Executive Chef Justin Friedlich, the restaurant offers a menu rooted in Italian tradition in a warm and refined setting. Shay Ristorante is open for dinner Monday through Saturday. For reservations and additional information, visit Shay Ristorante or follow @ShayRistorante on Instagram. Private dining inquiries can be directed to events@shayristorante.com.

About Lunaro Hospitality

Lunaro Hospitality is a Toronto-based hospitality company founded by the Dilawri family and led by Managing Director Rayana Dilawri. Lunaro is currently involved in three major restaurant projects in Toronto, Vancouver and Los Angeles, and is dedicated to exceptional service, captivating spaces, and authentic gastronomy.

SOURCE Lunaro Hospitality