After much deliberation and some very full stomachs, it has been officially decided that Pizzeria Libretto is my top restaurant of Toronto. Last night we returned for the second time, only to be enchanted once again by the warm and cozy atmosphere and unforgettable food. Similar to our first experience, the service was flawless, the staff knowledgeable and friendly (but not over the top) and the meal was outstanding.
I can honestly say that I’ve been waiting a really long time for a Toronto restaurant to awe me in such a way. Authentic Italian pizza, an extensive wine list, service that isn’t pretentious and a warm friendly atmosphere all make Pizzeria Libretto (221 Ossington) one of the best dining experiences you’ll have in this vast city. Expect prices to be a little higher than your average chain pizzeria but parting with your money won’t be hard once you’ve tasted the food.
On a mission to stifle a burger craving we found ourselves driving by a little place in the east end of Toronto known as “The Burger’s Priest” (Queen and Coxwell). I definitely cannot stress enough how small this restaurant is, but somehow it seats six and feeds many more. The place prides itself on keeping their burgers as simple as possible in order showcase their freshly ground beef and stay away from the previously frozen “meat” that is normally served in most burger joints.
Having recently visited Montreal, I had the wonderful opportunity to visit Au Pied de Cochon and therefore a review of such a restaurant was inevitably due to appear on our blog. Although the locale’s name won’t sound too familiar, you may know the owner/chef Martin Picard from his Food Network Canada show “The Wild Chef” where he steps outside the boundaries of the kitchen to hunt and cook his meals as one with nature. He’s eccentric, burly, rebellious and sometimes downright strange but his food will definitely force you to overlook these minor details.
Having become a regular at this establishment I felt the need to write a little update on the progress that this restaurant is making. Being open for just three months, the word about the wonderful food at Marben (in Toronto on Wellington St. West) has spread like the plague. Their business has boomed and to be honest, it appears as though nothing but the energy of the staff is being compromised with this increase in reservations.
Anyone who has tuned into the Food Network at least once in the past decade knows who Susur Lee is and what he’s capable of producing. He’s definitely among the great chefs of this city that have managed to put Toronto’s culinary abilities on the North American map. His restaurant is located on King St West (east of Bathurst) and seems to be attracting quite a lot of buzz and it’s definitely well deserved. It was an extraordinary dinner and the chef was humble enough to even make his rounds to all the tables during the dinner service to greet his guests.
Although faced with tough competitors on it’s Queen West block, this little cafe beats out both Nadege and Dufflet (two of the biggies of the Toronto pastry world). The decor and store front are definitely not worth a double take, but they work perfectly well with the unpretentious desserts they serve. A tiny bench outside the store and three little tables inside are all the seats they can fit into their tiny place, but luckily Trinity Bellwoods Park is located right across the street and they have plenty of seats.
Have you ever had a very strong urge to overpay for mediocre products?! Well if that’s the case, Nadege Patisserie (Queen West between Bathurst and Ossington) is the place for you. With clinically white walls and bare decor this cafe offers its patrons almost as much warmth as the Mental Health Ward of a hospital. A bare room, what could be considered a cheesy take on sleek and fairly dismissive staff are definitely the reasons that kept me away for so long but I finally took life into my own hands and decided to give it a try.
Located west of Spadina on Bloor, this busy Toronto restaurant definitely caters to the nearby university crowd with their affordable pricing, quick service and good food. It’s become a bit of a regular spot for dinner for two very tired chefs providing enough nutrition for us to consider it a blessing that neither one of us has to cook. It’s always busy for dinner so expect a 10-15 minute wait but the experience is worth it. The food is as fresh as any other affordable sushi is but it’s brought to you with exceptional service and a smile so you don’t ever think of the ingredients.
I must admit, it was definitely the creativity and passion that went into making the food exceptional that brought me back to Marben after only a couple weeks. It’s Wellington West location in Toronto is definitely one that is starting to attract more and more attention. Just like on opening day, the patio and most of the indoor space was saturated with people out to have a great meal. However, the vibe is definitely more relaxed than that of the first night which definitely puts the diners at ease as well.
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