Another Niagara-on-the-Lake restaurant is putting the town on the global map for fine dining.
This year’s Toronto Michelin Guide, which was released Sept. 22, added 11 restaurants from southern Ontario to its “Recommended” list, including one new local dining spot: Revé, which opened in Old Town last year.
This marks the second restaurant from NOTL to be featured on this list of recommended dining establishments from the internationally recognized guide, following Trius Winery and Restaurant’s addition to the list in 2024.
Revé’s chef and co-founder Adriano Cappuzzello began his journey in fine dining with Michelin — born in Sicily, he started working at a one-star Michelin restaurant at 14 years old, before going on to work at other establishments all over Europe, including other Michelin restaurants.
This latest recognition from the international guide is exciting, he says.
“I think it’s every chef’s dream to get recognized or get a star,” he said. “We’re happy because it means all the hard work that we put in this last year has paid off.”
Revé, which celebrated its opening last August, offers fine dining from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at its location on Mary Street.
Shortly after opening, co-founder Nicole Pisarenko told The Lake Report the team wanted to put Niagara-on-the-Lake back on the map as a culinary destination.
“Our goal was to bring a different kind of hospitality and I feel like we’ve been doing it throughout the year,” Cappuzzello said.
He said restaurant staff have made people “cry from happiness,” a feat they are most proud of.
Credit: JULIA SACCO
Revé’s executive chef, Adriano Cappuzzello, started his career at 14 years old at a one-star Michelin restaurant. He says making memories for dining guests is a highlight of his work.Him and co-founder Anna Katherine Kruusi described times staff went above and beyond for customers, including when a pair of best friends stopped by the restaurant and mentioned a beverage debate.
“We’ve had a business partner just go and get Diet Coke,” Kruusi said. “Their thing is a debate between Coke Zero and Diet Coke.”
The two guests were then able to do a side-by-side taste test at their table.
“It created a memory for them,” she said.
The Revé team calls instances like these “unreasonables,” a term coined from the book “Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect” by Will Guidara.
“It’s when we go above and beyond,” Kruusi said, adding that these moments are her favourite part of working in the restaurant.
Kruusi and Cappuzzello opened Revé alongside Kevin Gillingham and Nicole Pisarenko, with all four co-founders under 32 years old.
“We don’t come from a lot of wealth, it’s just the four of us in our thirties trying to make our dream happen,” Cappuzzello said.
“I feel like if we do it wrong, we might lose everything and that’s what distinguishes us. That’s why we want to make sure every day is perfect — perfect service, perfect food, and that’s it.”
Kruusi said the response from NOTLers has been great, with a strong clientele of regulars and visitors alike. Many people come to Revé for special occasions.
“We’re trying to showcase the region,” she said.
Kruusi said she hopes visitors leave knowing the team is not just serving food, but experiences, whether it be for a daughter who got engaged or a granddaughter who graduated.
“This is the place to do that.”
Revé was also mentioned on Air Canada’s top 30 new restaurants in Canada list. The top 10 will be revealed in November.
