I might try Viaggio next
Ah. Grano. *Sigh *
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We went out to a family dinner at the Price St. location of Terroni. The place was packed and the service was chaotic, with various mistakes (dishes forgotten about, glasses of wine long overdue). The food remains excellent however.
We shared 3 glasses of wine:
- Ribolla Gialla Riserva Collio DOC, Primosic, Friuli-Venezia Giulia - orange wine, pleasant, a hint of butterscotch, not that strong.
- 2022 Outis Etna Bianco DOC, Biondi, Sicilia (Carricante 90%, Cataratto 5%, Minnella 5%) - mineral and some bitterness.
- 2018 Faro DOC, Biondi, Sicilia (Nerello Mascalese) - cherries and smoke.
We shared a bunch of antipasti for the whole table:
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Bread and olive oil
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Frittura di Calamari - lightly fried, not oily [no picture]
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Carpaccio di Manzo - thinly sliced beef, arugula, Parmesan shavings, lemon juice, EVOO - simple and lovely
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Farinata con le Barbabietole - chickpea pancake, roasted beets, heirloom carrots, ricotta salata, arugula, watercress, sunflower sprouts, pistachios, mint - one of our favourites, combining sweet, nutty, and some bitterness.
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Tagliere Mezzo e Mezzo - olives, jam, honey, cheese, salami, prosciutto and mortadella - decent, if nothing special.
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Funghi Assoluti - breadcumbed oyster mushrooms, Parmesan, arugula, and balsamic - even more crisp than usual.
They were featuring many Sicilian specials, so we went with two of these instead of ordering off the main menu:
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Tonnarelli Nâduja e Burrata - chitarra spaghetti, nâduja sausage, cherry tomato sauce, fresh burrata, toasted breadcrumbs - al dente pasta, tangy sauce, and creamy burrata; perhaps our favourite.
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Tonno ai Pistacchi con Caponata - albacore tuna encrusted with pistachio, olives, capers, eggplant, tomato, red wine vinegar, and pine nuts - the richness of the seared tuna was well-balanced by the acid and salt of the other ingredients.
Getting a little full, we shared the Tris di Dolci: 1) panna cotta with raspberry compote, 2) caffè mousse, with salted caramel crunch (seemed like chocolate mousse with crunchy chocolate balls on top), 3) limone mousse, with sweet vanilla crumble (or cubed cookies) - enjoyable but not remarkable.
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Nothing overly spectacular, but always find their quality consistent.
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The chickpea pancake and tuna dishes really speak to me. Looks like time well spent.
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Enjoyed Porziaâs takeout tonight. I called ahead. Classico Lasagne ($26), calamari ($26), citrus, olive and herb salad ($14).
I will be back to try more
319 Oakwood.
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I tried monte Bianco on bloor West recently via delivery
Very impressed with the
Mafalde Allâaragosta
Mafalde pasta, lobster, oyster mushrooms, mascarpone cheese, in rose sauce. Loaded with lobster meat and lots of mushrooms.
Arancini with asparagus was quite good as well.
Will try other items soon as repeat for moi.
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La Bella Sangweech at 584 College is new. I havenât tried it. My friend liked it. 12 to 6 pm. Closed Mondays.
Bear Steak Sandwiches at 550 College, often lined up. 12 pm to 8 pm. Closed Mondays.
He also liked Aifam at 102 Harbord recently. 11 am to 8 pm. Closed Sundays.
I canât handle deli meats or salami lately so I probably wonât be trying most of these sandwiches, unless I order the mozzarella and tomato sandwiches.
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Tried La Bella Sangweech on College for the first time today, wanted to get some steps in and partially work off the heavy focaccia and toppings.
Got the Big Bella sandwich ($17) and shared it with my partner. Overall a pretty solid top 5 contender for the Italian sandwiches Iâve had in Toronto. Much larger than the picture makes it seem!
Too bad they have no seating inside. They have some room to be able to but I expect they want to keep the path to the speakeasy bar behind it clear? Ate it at a bench outside and found it hard to eat without a table.
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Amano Italian Kitchen (in Union Station near York Concourse) has a $15 sandwich + side deal going on right now thru Apr 14 2024. Great value for those in the area or needing a quick bite - quite literally cheaper than a Big Mac combo from McDonaldâs downstairs from it.
Not the best photo, but a past visit:
From their IG:
Sandwich menu:
Offer available on takeout & delivery orders placed directly through Amano Italian Kitchen (via Ambassador.ai) until April 14, 2024. Must use code SW15 at checkout to redeem offer. Available on Sandwiches + Amano Fries Combos only. Excludes beverages, gift cards, catering orders and all other menu items.
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I ordered the Carbonara and grilled rapini at Enoteca Sociale yesterday. They do take-out if you call it in by phone.
I havenât had Carbonara in ages. I remember the version at LâUnita 15 years ago.
This version of Carbonara had perfectly al dente pasta. The guanciale was a little crispy, which added to the texture. The sauce was a little salty for me. I think Iâve become a cacio e pepe girl. 
Grilled rapini
The rapini and carbonara were a little over $39, including tax.
Enoteca Sociale will make alla gricia or carbonara by request, when it isnât on the menu.
I was a little peckish, and it was before Sud Forno closes at 7 pm on a Saturday. I stopped by and picked up a panna cotta (around $6.50) and a slice of Torta Della Nonna (around $7/slice, custard and pine nuts ) Both were very good.
Sud Forno also has chocolate mousse, tiramisu, butterscotch budino and a lemon dessert available in verrines. They cost around $6.50 before tax. They are small, maybe 4 ounces/ 1/4 cup, whereas the Crème Caramel at Bakery Pompette must be half a cup.
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Hereâs my hometown proudest moment of the month. Casa Verde Ristorante in Ajax gets recognition from Toronto Life. My spouse has been a fan since they opened. He introduced me to Casa Verde some 10 years ago and weâve been regulars ever since.
https://torontolife.com/food/sort-of-secret-casa-verde-italian-restaurant-ajax/
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The photos make the place look incredible, TL is great at that. Iâve never been to Ajax, but if Iâm ever in the area Iâm keeping this is mind!
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New Italian bakery and pastry shop in the East End. Anima Romana, 149 Main Street opened on April 27, 2024.
Anima Romana on IG
Gemaro Bakery and Kitchen, 143 Main St. Gluten-free, some Italian baked goods, some non-Italian baked goods.
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Tried Bear Steak Sandwichâs roast pork sandwich tonight as Iâm staying in the neighbourhood (550A College St, just west of Euclid). Enough to share for two (at least we two), a nice soft long roll with lots of tender and hot roast pork, provolone and rapini. Came with jus, which we enjoyed. A nice change for us. Might prefer a hog roast (UK) or porchetta with some crackling, but this was delicious and good on a night when i had a headache and couldnât see my way to cook, Lots of people eating their sandwiches outside and a steady flow of people showing up to order. Thatâs what I like to see! Was so hungry I didnât take a photo.
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I am right across the street from it, and still havent tried!
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Trying Sofiaâs brunch today.
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Very happy with Annabelle pasta bar, again.
Great artichoke and shiitake tagliatelle ($24), and tiramisu.
This was about 2/3 of the order, I was attempting moderation.
I donât know why Annabelleâs vegetarian pastas taste so much better than mine at home.
Annabelle Pasta Bar
(437) 231-9583
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My veal Milanese ($42) at Sofia.
It was fairly good for Toronto. The oil wasnât quite hot enough, so the breading was a little greasier than a proper Milanese or Schnitzel. Iâm not sure why Sofia uses a veal cut with a bone. I would choose a boneless cutlet/ scallopine if I was the chef.
My friendâs rigatoni alla vodka ($27). This was a spicy vodka sauce. I donât get the feeling the chef or staff have tried a penne alla vodka in NYC (where itâs more of a standard than in Italy). Itâs usually a blush sauce, often with a little bacon / guanciale / pancetta and sometimes peas. This vodka sauce was more like a Bomba tomato cream sauce, heavy on the Bomba and tomato, without cured pork or peas. It was pretty tasty, but it didnât taste like a vodka sauce to me. The rigatoni were cooked al dente.
The patio is a nice. The servers were professional. I would probably go back for brunch or dinner, if I needed to eat in Yorkville.
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With a fried egg, no less.
I guess the chef is from the âeverything is better with an eggâ school.
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