An elevated Italian dining experience has arrived in York Region with the opening of Vivo Avanti in King City, the newest restaurant from the family-owned Vivo Culinary Group.
Located at 2124 King Road, the restaurant represents the latest step in the company’s evolution from its original quick-casual roots into a more refined, chef-driven dining concept. The opening also expands the group’s footprint to nine restaurants across the Greater Toronto Area, including eight Vivo Pizza + Pasta locations and the Avanti concept.
The King City restaurant follows the launch of the brand’s first Avanti location in Toronto’s Bloor West Village and is designed to showcase a more sophisticated interpretation of the Vivo dining experience.
“We’re thrilled to expand the Vivo family and become part of the King City community,” the Vivo team said in a statement announcing the opening. “King City has long been one of our most anticipated locations, and we can’t wait to share our passion for fresh, authentic Italian dishes with the community.”
A New Chapter for the Vivo Culinary Group
The Vivo brand began nearly a decade ago with the opening of its first Vivo Pizza + Pasta location in Richmond Hill. The concept focused on authentic Italian food served in a streamlined environment designed to appeal to busy families and professionals seeking quality cuisine without the formality of traditional restaurants.
As the brand expanded throughout the GTA, the founding family began exploring ways to introduce a more elevated dining experience while preserving the culinary traditions that built the company’s reputation.
The Avanti concept reflects that shift.
“With the King City location, Vivo Avanti is providing a renewed identity for the Vivo Culinary Group,” the company said. “Our goal is to stay true to the traditions that built the Vivo name while creating a fresh, elevated space that represents where we’re headed in the years to come.”
The opening of Vivo Avanti King City therefore signals a broader strategic direction for the business, positioning Avanti locations as flagship dining destinations while the original Pizza + Pasta concept continues to serve customers through a fast-casual format.
Chef-Driven Menu Balances Tradition and Innovation
Central to the Avanti concept is a chef-led approach to menu development under Corporate Executive Chef and Culinary Consultant Nick Ruggiero, who joined the brand after working at several prominent Toronto restaurants including Aria, Byblos Downtown, and Pastiche.
Ruggiero explained that the King City opening provided an opportunity to expand the culinary program beyond the traditional menu associated with Vivo Pizza + Pasta.
“We’re going to be launching a new menu alongside the opening,” he said in an interview. “We’re introducing more modern cuisine while still keeping the classics and comfort food that people know and love from the Pizza + Pasta brand.”
The menu will incorporate contemporary elements while maintaining a strong Italian foundation. Ruggiero noted that diners can expect a broader range of dishes that include lighter and more experimental offerings.
“We’ll be introducing things like raw dishes and some more modern plates, while still making sure the experience feels familiar and comfortable,” he said.
The menu is designed to evolve regularly, with annual updates and rotating chef specials intended to keep the culinary offering dynamic.
A Purpose-Built Dining Destination
The Vivo Avanti King City location has been designed to support a full-service dining experience that goes beyond the quick-casual model associated with the brand’s earlier restaurants.
The new space includes seating for approximately 140 guests, along with two full-service bars, private dining areas for events, and a seasonal patio designed to accommodate more than 100 additional guests.
Ruggiero described the design as a significant step forward for the brand’s hospitality experience.
“The building has been completely redesigned,” he said. “It’s a very elegant, modern space. It’s different from the Pizza + Pasta restaurants that people know across the GTA.”
The restaurant features multiple distinct areas intended to support a variety of dining occasions, including a lounge area, a main dining room, and private event spaces.
“There’s a beautiful dining room, an open-concept kitchen, a private dining space downstairs, and a very large patio on the side of the building,” Ruggiero said. “It’s going to be a really nice spot for the community.”
King City Chosen for Its Growing Community
According to the company, King City was selected for the new restaurant because of its strong local identity and growing population.
For the founders, the location also carries a personal connection.
“Some of the family behind Vivo is originally from that area,” Ruggiero explained. “So it felt like a natural fit.”
He added that the community’s evolving dining scene made it an ideal place to introduce the Avanti concept.
“We really wanted to introduce a more elevated dining experience to the area,” he said. “We think the community will welcome it.”
York Region has experienced steady residential growth in recent years, particularly in communities such as King City, Aurora, and Vaughan. The expansion of full-service restaurants in these areas reflects a broader trend in which hospitality operators are increasingly targeting suburban markets with higher-end concepts.
Expansion Remains Measured and Community-Focused
While the opening of Vivo Avanti King City represents an important milestone for the company, Ruggiero said the group intends to maintain a deliberate pace of expansion.
“At the moment we’re focused on King City,” he said. “We take it location by location.”
The company has historically expanded at a relatively steady rate, opening approximately one new restaurant each year. That approach, Ruggiero explained, allows the team to maintain consistent quality across the brand.
“As long as we’re keeping the quality that people know and expect, we’re always open to expanding further,” he said.
Future growth could include additional locations in Canada and potentially international markets if the right opportunities arise.
For now, the company’s attention remains firmly on ensuring that its newest restaurant establishes a strong presence in its community.
“We’re excited for people to experience it,” Ruggiero said. “Everyone loves Italian food, and we hope this becomes a place where the community comes together.”
