Reviews

"Cajú is the perfect blend of Toronto cool and Brazilian heat"
Our Neighbourhood Magazine, July 2008.
Click here to read the review

"Chef Mario Cassini is more respectful of the foodways of his native Brazil than most places claiming to serve only authentic cuisine"
TasteT.O., June 2008.
Click here to read the review

"Feijoada @ Caju. The national dish of Brazil, this elaborate slow-cooked black bean stew comes thick with tender pork loin, beef, chorizo and smoked pork hock."
NOW, Toronto's 20 Best Signature Dishes. April 2008.
Click here to read the review

"Traditional and new age Brazilian sounds set the lively rhythm for this welcoming, minimally elegant space... Sip the house cocktail, the Caipirinha... Well-seasoned steak, chicken and pork dishes round out the menu."
Toronto Life Magazine. April 2008.
Click here to read the review online @ TorontoLife.com. Click here to read the review in *.pdf format

"The Brazilian fusion food is imaginative and delicious"
NOTA BENE destination reviews Issue Four.
Click here to read the review

"This food has history. Brazilian culture is part of its cuisine."
Parkdale Liberty. June 2007.
Click here to read the review.

"The names are exotic if you’ve never eaten Brazilian food before, but even if you have, Chef Cassini has put a contemporary spin on traditional fare. His business partner, Tina Giontsis, said of Cassini’s food: "Mario has changed many dishes, while keeping the feel very traditional. People will enjoy his approach and passion for food."
Sceneandheard.ca. Brazil, Brazil, Brazil, Cajú serves up unfamiliar flavours to Toronto diners. June 2007.
Click here to read the review

"A recent outing to Toronto’s own Brazilian-inspired restaurant Cajú netted a culinary experience that was as enjoyable to learn about as it was to savour. Chef Mario Cassini is celebrating his restaurant’s fourth birthday by launching the new 'Experience the Flavours of Brazil' tasting menu. Using the various regions and culinary traditions found in his homeland, Chef Cassini is offering diners a selection of fabulous dishes from Brazil’s most prominent culinary hot spots."
Suite 101. Brazilian Flavours at Cajú. June 2007.
Click here to read the review

"We loved our culinary trip south much we now feel a little Brazillian ourselves. Or maybe that’s just the Caipirinhas talking..."
Sweet Spot. May 2007.
Click here to read the review

"No plane ticket needed for this culinary voyage through Brazil."
Ontario Restaurant News. May 2007. vol 24 #4.
Click here to read the review.

"Since he opened Caju, Cassini has been trying to educate people about the cuisine of his homeland, one customer at a time."
Metro. April 2007.
Click here to read the review.

"This Brazilian hot spot brings Rio to T.O."
2007 Patron's Pick Toronto's Favourite Restaurants.
Click here to read the review.

"Mario Cassini, chef and owner of Toronto's leading Brazilian restaurant Caju, hails from Minas Gerais, the Brazilian state where the Brazilian national drink, the Caipirinha originates from."
Food and Drink. Sumer 2006.
Click here to read the review.

"Chef and owner Mario Cassini brings the flavour-rich dishes of his homeland to the boho badlands of Queen Street West. For the full Brazilian: start off with a traditional cocktail, the Caipirinha (which means ‘little peasant girl’ in Portuguese and consists of Cachaça, a tart sugar cane liquor, fresh squeezed lime and sugar) before you dig into the carnivore’s carnival that is Feijoada (pork tenderloin, beef and chorico sausage braised in a black bean stew). Spicy moqueca, a seafood stew in tomato and coconut milk broth and spiced with malagueta peppers and ginger is a lighter alternative."
Where Toronto. Dining Guide November 2005.
Click here to read the review

"Travelling the world without ever leaving Toronto is so much fun and an adventure well-remembered at Caju."
Metro. June 2004
Click here to read the review

"Huge shrimps are perfectly cooked…. Beef is impeccable…. The servers are both knowledgeable…. and friendly"
Joanne Kates, Globe and Mail. May 2004.

"Awash with tropical jatoba cherry woods, cool jazz and caiprinhas, Cajú pays stylish tribute to Cassini's past and present."
Olivia Stren, Toronto Life Shopping with Chefs. September 2003. Toronto Life Magazine.

"Brazilian eatery offers intriguing food in a relaxed setting….Caju is easily the best new downtown restaurant of 2003".
Steven Davey, NOW Magazine. February 2003
Click here to read the review

"Brazilian-born chef and owner Mario Cassini, aims to represent his homeland's traditional foods in a lighter and more modern manner."
toronto.com. March 2003

"With its playful menu, careful attention to ingredients and Mario Cassini’s intelligent, sensual cooking, Caju may be the year's most serendipitous discovery."
martiniboys.com. January 2003
Click here to read the review

"...grilled sardines, for example, which are served as an appetizer -- two of them, filleted, pan-seared to yield a crispy skin and moist flesh, draped over a rich corn flan and a bed of young greens tossed with a mango sweetened vinaigrette. This is a nice dish."
Jacob Richler, National Post. February 2003

"...a fun new restaurant to try in the hip area on Queen Street West"
Bonnie Stern' Favourites. November 2003
Click here to read the review

Cajú Featured on Mix 99.9 FM
Click here to listen