It's ok, but I probably won't be back as their prices don't reflect good value for food quality. Service here is good though. Tons of other Italian places to enjoy in the city. The ones in the Junction were way better (Bricco, Nodo).
Ambience - Lots of exposed concrete and fake wood. Lifeless modern chic.
We came as a party of 10, and were well served. What was nice was that they didn't do the mandatory tip at the end. I hope my family took care of them well.
Starters
Oysters on the half shell - Very nice. They served them with a small slice of prosciutto or something like it on top of each one. Good spin.
Platters for various smoked fish/seafood - We tried them all. Easy to do with a party our size. Most were good, something I haven't had before in this format. Very nicely done, and is a good start to the meal.
Mains
This is where it starts slipping.
Soup dumpling dish - This was a small soup dumpling dish. What's funny is that the description doesn't mention that it's in a soup. The servers were quick to mention that it was a soup though, so not the best for sharing; which, was also not true as they could've divided the dumplings and the soup. Further, if you have to warn people about the fact that's in a soup and ppl seem disappointed, you should make something else. To me, this tasted and felt like an Italian spin of Chinese wontons. I'd rather have cheaper awesome wontons.
Bison shortrib - Could've been more tender. Sauce was good. Expensive for what it was.
Gnocchi - The winner dish of the evening, for sure. Creamy, hand made, rich. They met expectations, but, not awesome. Just 4/5.
Pizza - My niece chose the Scamorza, which seems like their classic. The issue here: it had blotches of very spicy peppers. There was no reference to its spicyness anywhere in the description. I have an average tolerance for spicy (I enjoy vindaloo, but don't ask for them to crank it up or anything), but even this was too spicy to enjoy.
At the end of the mains, I'm at about a 3.5 stars, with exception to the desserts & pricing.
Desserts
Here, I go from 3.5 to 3, without factoring for pricing.
Panna cotta is my favourite Italian dessert. A very generous portion, but they put this sweet/sour jelly underneath it. Why!?
I can't remember what others had, but no one came away oohing or aahing, which is the typical effect of when I take people out in the city.
Finally, when I factor in the high pricing of this place, I'd have to go from a 3 to a 2. Toronto has some great Italian restos, but Buca Yorkville is not one of them. Saving grace is the service and accommodating nature.