Chef Michael Angeloni has been a much loved chef in the city. With more than two decades of experience in some of the most exciting kitchens in the city, he has now landed at LUCIE, the Michelin-recommended fine dining restaurant located near Yonge and Wellington as the Executive Chef and Partner. The restaurant was already a favourite amongst local and visiting food lovers seeking a more refined experience without the pretentiousness. Now with Chef Angeloni at the helm, it’s also drawing his loyal following — including us! Wherever he goes, we will follow!

With more than 20 years spent in some of Toronto’s most respected kitchens, including Black Hoof, Splendido and Oro, Chef Angeloni has earned a reputation for combining classical technique with a thoughtful, seasonal approach. His cooking is shaped by his Italian roots, memories of cooking alongside his grandmother and the incredible diversity of Toronto’s food scene. At the heart of it all is a focus on craftsmanship, restraint and letting really good ingredients shine. We were excited to see how his influence was woven into the restaurant’s established foundation.

“Lucie already has a very clear identity,” says Angeloni. “The goal isn’t to change that – it’s to open it up. To give people more ways to come in, more ways to stay, and more reasons to return. For me, it also feels like a return to my French roots, which is exciting at this stage in my career. I’m looking forward to putting my own perspective on that foundation and expressing it through the dishes at Lucie in a way that still feels true to what the restaurant is.”

Angeloni’s arrival brings a new raw bar experience with treasures from the sea. When we dined there recently, the menu included a selection of Lobster Claws, Honey Mussels, Argentinian Red Shrimps, and East Coast Oysters.  The à la carte menu offers can’t miss specialties including Taglioni Au Homard (Lobster) and Le Pithier de Bison (Bison Wellington). For the adventurous diner, we highly recommend ordering the “carte blanche” tasting menu created from what’s delivered fresh and seasonal each morning. No printed menu offers an exciting opportunity for the unexpected to unfold.

Lucie is a place where French technique meets Canadian ingredients. The cooking may lean toward classical in technique, but the focus is firmly on what’s close to home and in season. Chef Michael Angeloni brings the warmth of his grandmother’s kitchen together with the precision of a trained chef, from carefully made stocks and sauces to thoughtful butchery and beautifully prepared local ingredients. The result is food that feels refined, steeped in seasonality, and deeply comforting — in a dining room that feels both elegant and genuinely welcoming.

Currently, Lucie offers a summer menu inspired by Chef Angeloni’s trip to the South of France. Lucie à la Provenciale is reminiscent of his time spent along the coast of Provence and being immersed in the fresh markets. It’s a charming place with equally charming staff.

Lucie is located at 100 Yonge Street in Toronto.