SAMMARCO

David Whittaker

• Interior Architects

SAMMARCO is a contemporary Italian steakhouse located in Toronto, Ontario, designed by II BY IV DESIGN in collaboration with restaurateurs David Minicucci and Michelin-starred chef Rob Rossi. The project responds to Toronto’s diverse hospitality landscape by combining Italian cultural references with contemporary design, Canadian art, and local craftsmanship.

The brief was to create an Italian steakhouse that felt contemporary and timeless without replicating a specific place or period. Drawing from the international travels of II BY IV DESIGN partners Dan Menchions and Keith Rushbrook, the design references Italian piazzas, wine cellars, vineyards, automotive design, and traditional craftsmanship. The interior is organized into three distinct areas: a bar and lounge, main dining room, and private dining room. Each space offers a different atmosphere while maintaining a consistent material and design language.

Guests enter through an amber glass portal into a bar and lounge defined by deep timber, burgundy, and wine-inspired tones. Barolo-coloured marble transitions into hand-poured terrazzo flooring, whose swirling patterns reference the process of winemaking, from the crushing of grapes to the finished wine. In the dining room, custom leather seating draws from the sculptural forms of Italian automotive interiors, balancing comfort with durable, purpose-built construction.

At the centre of the dining room, a custom clover-shaped booth references the gathering function of an Italian piazza. A polished metal orb positioned above the seating reflects and radiates light across a sculpted plaster ceiling detail. The relationship between the orb, ceiling, and surrounding movement creates subtle changes in light throughout the space.

photo_credit David Whittaker — David Whittaker

The material palette includes natural wood, Barolo-coloured marble, terrazzo, leather, metal, plaster, and custom lighting. Wood, stone, and metal elements were locally fabricated where possible, supporting Toronto-based makers and tradespeople while reducing transportation associated with sourcing. Hand-forged metalwork, bespoke wood panelling, and custom furniture incorporate skilled fabrication into the interior and contribute to its long-term durability.

Canadian identity is integrated through a collection of Canadian artwork curated by the II BY IV DESIGN owners. Representing the largest collection of Canadian art displayed in a single restaurant, the works span contemporary and traditional practices, diverse mediums, scales, and styles. The collection connects the Italian-inspired interior with Toronto’s broader cultural landscape.

The private dining room is inspired by the rolling hills and vineyards of Italy and transitions from deep Barolo red to warm harvest gold. Named in honour of Toronto restaurateur Michael Carlevale, the room includes a handcrafted dining table assembled from individually veneered pattern pieces, a contemporary visual of marquetry, that mirror the surrounding floor, paired with blue leather seating.

Sustainable considerations are embedded primarily through material selection, local fabrication, durability, and adaptive craftsmanship. Purpose-built furnishings and robust materials were selected for a high-use hospitality environment, while local production reduces transportation requirements and supports the regional fabrication economy. The project also contributes to the local community by engaging Toronto-based artisans, tradespeople, and suppliers and by providing a platform for Canadian artists within a high-profile hospitality setting.

SAMMARCO brings together Italian history, craftsmanship, food, and wine through a contemporary design grounded in classic references. Bold gestures, timeless details, local craftsmanship, and Canadian artwork create a cohesive setting that connects Toronto’s cultural landscape with Italian design and hospitality traditions.

Team:

Client: David Minicucci and Rob Rossi

Interior Design: II BY IV DESIGN

Architecture: II BY IV DESIGN

Landscape Architect: II BY IV DESIGN

Construction: BLT Construction

Fabricators (Millwork + Furniture): RFP Design Group Inc

Fabricators (Upholstered Seating): Louis Interiors

Fabricators (Custom Light Fixtures): Anony

Custom Chairs: REPUBLIC OF II BY IV

Fabricators (Ceiling Plaster Installation): Studio Alvo

Fabricators (Custom Exterior Doors): Classic Crystal