his restaurant is embracing the current trend of comfort foods made classy through top-quality ingredients and slow cooking processes. Housed behind a large black door, in an old stone building, Graziella may look old on the outside, but the interior is pure modern minimalism at its finest. Chef Graziella Battista moved her restaurant to this new location on McGill Street, which seems far more apropos than when Battista was running the now-defunct, slightly-tacky Il Sole on St. Laurent.

Since migrating, Battista’s food – which was already highly-acclaimed by critics all over town – has only got better. The Italian food here is genuinely authentic, so those looking for East Side Marios’-esque meals should head elsewhere. Appetizers include seared scallops glistening in olive oil or seared tuna served with a Pugliese sauce and garnished with rosemary and citrus peel. As for the mains, sumptuous dishes like red-wine risotto, ricotta gnocchi, and prosciutto-stuffed pork chop.

Make sure you save some room for dessert, too. Battista serves up deliciously decadent post-dinner treats, like pears layered with mascarpone cream, a custard tart loaded with flan, pannacotta topped with a spicy red coulis, and a velvety chcocolate cake topped with fresh raspberries. All in all, it’s heaven for those with a penchant for glucose.

With excellent service, delicious food and a great atmosphere, Graziella wins on all accounts. This restaurant is a must-try, so go now – just don’t eat beforehand.