I had a similar experience to Chantal M. - we drove to Parkdale expecting to go to Grand Electric and got there at 6:45. They said the wait was 1.5 hours and I was like I'm totally hungry right now!
After checking out a few online review of the restaurants on that street, we decided to go to Porzia. Inside it had the feel of an upscale place that was both intimate and warm- not stuffy at all. We arrived and asked how long to wait for a table of two without reservations and the waitress said it would be a while, but she had seats at the bar. We ended up not just sitting at regular bar seats, but it was right in front of the kitchen and we loved it! We felt like we were watching a food tv cooking show seeing all the chef's cook in front of us and if they had chef's table seats, those were it! The head chef introduced us to the other sous chefs cooking in the background and made us feel completely welcome.
We didn't know what to expect from the menu, but after a few recommendations from the waiter and the head chef we decided on:
cavallo tonnato- thinly sliced, tender and cooked rare horsemeat with tuna appetizer dressed with capers and pickled celery.
bone marrow with snails & gremolata main, with sour dough crostini.
cavatelli with lamb meatballs main - (new to the menu)
cannoli- with rhubarb and honey and pine nuts infused with fennel
torta al cioccolato
with eggplant & caramelized white chocolate (sounds weird, but it totally worked over the warm chocolate cake!)
We had an awesome time, what a great find and I'd totally go back to this restaurant again. :)