Showing posts with label Italian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Italian. Show all posts

Dining Out: A Belated Birthday Dinner at Costa Sorrento

on
Saturday, November 29, 2025
When my friend Chelsea asked me where I'd want to go for a birthday dinner over a month ago, I said, without hesitation, "Costa Sorrento." We had to re-schedule a couple times, but she, Braden, and I were finally able to meet up at Costa Sorrento for dinner this evening, where we indulged in a delightful Italian meal of daily specials. (I swear I'll make it to their permanent menu at some point, but their daily specials are just too enticing.) 

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Bufala, Insalatina, Pistacchio Mortadella, Crudo, Cipolle, Focaccia: Bufala mozzarella, mixed salad, pistachio mortadella, prosciutto, pickled onions and beets, and focaccia

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Insalatina di Polpo, Patate, Carciofi e Olive: Octopus with potato, artichoke, and olive salad tossed in citronette dressing

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Mezzi Rigatoni al Grano Khorasan alla Siciliana: Small Khorasan rigatoni with fried eggplant, fior di latte, basil, and parmigiano

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House-made peach sorbetto and chocolate gelato

It's one of those meals where every bite is met with a resounding "MMMM!" I find that Italian meals can be a little too heavy and make me feel really bloated, but this one was particularly light and refreshing and we all felt perfectly full afterwards. I took our server's suggestion of pairing peach sorbet and chocolate gelato for dessert and, I gotta say, it was INSPIRED. It's not a combination I would have ever thought of, but the tartness of the peach worked surprisingly well with the bittersweet richness of the chocolate. The night ended with a lovely chat with the owner (who recognized us from our previous visits) and a pint of my favourite green apple sorbetto to take home. Food is truly the best birthday gift.


Costa Sorrento
179 Enterprise Blvd.
Markham, ON L6G 0E7
(905) 604-2019

New York City Summer 2025 Travel Log: Day 1 — New York Pizza with Sausage, Roasted Peppers, Mushrooms, and Basil From Patsy's Pizzeria

on
Friday, September 19, 2025
We spent the rest of the afternoon spending time with my brother and playing with my nephew, and we were so exhausted that we decided just to order delivery to my brother's apartment for dinner. When he asked what we wanted to eat, I immediately said, "PIZZA!" Because what's a trip to NYC without getting New York pizza?

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Pizza with sausage, roasted peppers, mushrooms, and basil

So we ordered from Patsy's, one of his go-to pizzerias. (Coincidentally, I went to the location in Brooklyn back in March and was obsessed.) Now, our mother, the blasphemer that she is, does not like pepperoni. So we settled for sausage instead, and then added roasted peppers, mushrooms, and some basil for aroma. And while it does not look pretty (it may be one of the least photogenic pizzas I've ever seen, to be honest), it was absolutely DELICIOUS. And the toppings were APLENTY. I was kind of surprised by the amount of toppings, if I'm honest — the crust could barely hold on to everything — but when folded in half, it still had the perfect droop. 


Patsy's Pizzeria
1279 1st Ave.
New York, NY 10065
(212) 639-1000

Dining Out: Prosciutto, Bufala e Melone; Pizza Cotto, Peperoncini di Flume e Salsa Bomba Calabrese; Risotto Salsiccia, Carciofi e Radicchio; and Green Apple Sorbetto at Costa Sorrento

on
Saturday, August 16, 2025
Went for dinner with Chelsea and Braden at Costa Sorrento:

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Prosciutto, Bufala e Melone: Prosciutto, bufala mozzarella, and local cantaloupe

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Pizza Cotto, Peperoncini di Flume e Salsa Bomba Calabrese: Fior di latte, shishito peppers, ham, and Bomba Calabrian chili sauce

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Risotto Salsiccia, Carciofi e Radicchio: Carnaroli risotto with Italian sausage, radicchio, and artichokes

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House-made green apple sorbetto

Absolutely spectacular. This was my second time here and I am still genuinely impressed with their offerings. We started with the prosciutto with bufala mozzarella and melon to share, knowing that this combination — besides being gluten-free, egg-free, and soy-free (Chelsea has a lot of allergies) — is always a crowd-pleaser. (And it was.) The pizza was a standout to both me and Braden (Chelsea could not partake as they don't offer gluten-free pizza) with the perfect combination of flavours and just the right amount of heat — an absolute must-try for anyone who loves white pizza and can handle moderate spice. The risotto — made for two people — was creamy and garlicky with a very mild savoury heat from the Italian sausage, a bittersweet crunch from the radicchio, and a lovely nutty, earthy flavour from the artichoke. Perhaps the most interesting — and incredibly delicious — iteration of risotto I've had. Lastly, for dessert, I wanted something light and refreshing, so I chose the green apple sorbet. And it was absolutely DIVINE. Sweet, tart, and juicy, with tiny bits of green apple in it — the most perfect summer dessert and ending to this glorious Italian meal.

All the dishes we ordered are off their daily specials menu, but I really hope that they make a comeback or make the permanent menu, especially the pizza, which might be my favourite pizza in all of Toronto. And now, I'm just gonna say it: Costa Sorrento is officially my new favourite Italian restaurant. 


Costa Sorrento
179 Enterprise Blvd.
Markham, ON L6G 0E7
(905) 604-2019

Dining Out: Cozze alla Marinara, Insalata Caprese e Prosciutto Crudo, Tagliolini Funghi e Gamberi, and Coppa Bronte at Costa Sorrento

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Friday, May 23, 2025
My friend Chelsea called me up to meet up for dinner, so when we were deciding on where to go, I suggested Costa Sorrento, which I've wanted to try for years:

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Cozze alla Marinara: Pan-seared P.E.I. mussels, "vesuvio" cherry tomato sauce, and crostini

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Insalata Caprese e Prosciutto Crudo: Fior di latte, heirloom tomato, basil oil, and prosciutto

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Tagliolini Funghi e Gamberi in Salsa Aurora: Prawns and mushrooms in cherry tomato rosé cream sauce

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Coppa Bronte: Pistachio and vanilla gelato with pistachio pesto and cream

Honestly, I'm not sure why it took me so long to visit here. Every single thing we ordered was incredible. The mussels were plump and perfectly cooked, and the tomato broth was incredibly silky and aromatic. The Caprese salad tasted super fresh, and the tomato was thick and delightfully crisp. The pasta was perfectly cooked, the prawns were huge, and the sauce was divinely rich and flavourful. And the dessert (which is a daily special) was a pistachio lover's dream. Not a single criticism or complaint from either of us. Service was also phenomenal — Chelsea has a lot of dietary restrictions (gluten-free, allergies to egg, chicken, and soy, etc.) and our server went above and beyond to suggest replacements, even going to the chef to make sure none of her food contained certain ingredients.

Costa Sorrento is quite pricey (the meal ended up being about $100 each after tax and tip), but I do think it's worth it in its quality and a menu that is nicely curated but still gives a significant amount of variety. While it doesn't replace my old favourite, Il Postino, Costa Sorrento does absolutely tie for my go-to Italian restaurant in Markham. 


Costa Sorrento
179 Enterprise Blvd.
Markham, ON L6G 0E7
(905) 604-2019

New York City Winter 2025 Travel Log: Margherita Pizza, Fried Calamari, and Fried Mozzarella-Stuffed Mushrooms at Patsy's Pizzeria

on
Thursday, March 13, 2025
On this trip to NYC, I really wanted to get some New York-style pizza. Of course, there are hundreds of pizzerias in Brooklyn alone and New Yorkers have very extreme opinions on which one is the best, but I am neither a New Yorker nor a pizza snob, so after nearly four hours of waiting to get J-Hope merch in the cold, we decided to go to the historic Patsy's Pizzeria, which is very conveniently across the street from Barclays Center.

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Margherita pizza

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Fried calamari with shrimp

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Fried mozzarella-stuffed mushrooms

We were quite ambitious and ordered the Margherita pie, the fried calamari, and the fried mozzarella-stuffed mushrooms. My food baby was definitely substantial afterwards, but my god, this lunch was spectacular. Not a crumb was left. (Well, Iris did leave a bit of crust left, but she did her best!) Not sure how Patsy's now ranks among New York pizzerias, but there's a reason why they've been around for nearly 100 years (and has 12 locations across NYC for your pizza-eating pleasure).


Patsy's Pizzeria
450 Dean St.
Brooklyn, NY 11217
(718) 622-2268

Dining Out: Burrata & Prosciutto and Orecchiette Chicken & Mushrooms in Gorgonzola Cream Sauce at Il Postino

on
Saturday, January 4, 2025
Since both my friend Chelsea and I weren't able to meet up in December due to schedules and illness, we decided to meet up for a little combo Christmas/New Year's dinner at Il Postino this evening:

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Burrata & Prosciutto

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Pasta Special: Orecchiette with chicken and mushrooms in gorgonzola cream sauce

We started with the burrata and prosciutto as usual, which is simple but reliably delicious, especially put on their complimentary bread with smear of their house made chili oil. (Chelsea is gluten-free, so I actually ended up eating the entire loaf of bread by myself with the burrata, and it was worth every carby crumb.) For my main dish, I decided to get today's pasta special, which was orecchiette with chicken and mushrooms in a lightly spiced gorgonzola cream sauce, and it was PHENOMENAL. (They serve 6 pasta dishes on their regular menu and I've had them all multiple times, so when they have a pasta special, I always order it. And I never regret it.) I added some freshly grated parmesan and a few scoops of their chili oil (which they should bottle up and sell to the public because I would buy a vat of it) and it was PERFECTION.

I say this after every time I eat there, but I have never had a single disappointing dish at Il Postino, and this still hasn't changed since I first ate there over a decade ago. And service was particularly great this evening. I haven't tried Costa Sorrento yet (which is closed for winter break until next week) but Il Postino is still my favourite Italian restaurant in Markham.


Il Postino
186 Main St. Unionville
Unionville, ON L3R 2G9
(905) 940-1555

Dining Out: Mozzarella Caprese and Salsiccia Pizza at Il Postino

on
Friday, August 23, 2024
Starting the weekend off right with a casual Italian dinner with Chelsea at Il Postino:

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Mozzarella Caprese

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Salsiccia Pizza 
(Italian sausage, caramelized onion, roasted red peppers, and fior di latte)

The Salsiccia isn't as unique or flavourful as their Mushroom & Truffle pizza (which I've officially declared my all-time fave) but it's a great option when you want something a little heartier. Tip: Ask for their chili oil on the side. It is SO FREAKING GOOD with this pizza. Trust me, not a single bite of crust was left.


Il Postino
186 Main St. Unionville
Unionville, ON L3R 2G9
(905) 940-1555

Dining Out: Grilled Calamari, Fritto Misto, Penne Ricce with Beef Tenderloin, and Tiramisu at Luna Ristorante

on
Thursday, April 18, 2024
I haven't seen my friend Chelsea and her family in ages so they invited me out for dinner at Luna Ristorante, where we had the most incredible Italian meal:

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Grilled calamari with arugula, cherry tomatoes, and lemon vinaigrette

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Fritto misto with lemon and aioli

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Pasta special: Penne ricce with beef tenderloin, mushrooms, and sun-dried tomatoes in a peppercorn cream sauce

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Tiramisu

Okay, every dish was truly delicious this evening, but the pasta special was SPECTACULAR. It is one of the most unique pasta dishes I've ever had, and each component worked so perfectly together that I genuinely wonder why they haven't added it to their permanent menu. It's richer than a tomato sauce-based pasta, but somehow lighter than a typical cream pasta — I could easily have eaten two portions of this. To my tastebuds, this pasta was flawless. 

Luna is Il Postino's sister restaurant, so it's no wonder why their food is so goddamn delicious (and their menus are very similar as well), but one huge difference I found here is the service. Il Postino is friendly and professional, but at Luna, the servers (including the owners themselves) treat you like family. They go above and beyond to make sure your experience is simultaneously comfortable and impeccable. I cannot rave about this place enough. It's quite far from home (about 30 minutes by highway) but TOTALLY WORTH THE DRIVE.


Luna Ristorante
Nature's Emporium Plaza
16655 Yonge St., Unit 9-10
Newmarket, ON L3X 1V6
(905) 710-7833

Tokyo 2024 Travel Log: Day 5 — Margherita Pizza, Diavolo Pizza, and Proscuitto & Arugula Salad at Ostrea Oyster Bar & Pizzeria

on
Saturday, March 23, 2024
We were craving pizza, so we decided to go for dinner at Ostrea Oyster Bar & Pizzeria.

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Margherita pizza

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Diavolo pizza

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Prosciutto and arugula salad

We ordered the Margherita and the Diavolo and were surprised by how good these were. (They actually use a wood-fired pizza oven. The crust had the perfect chew and the perfect amount of char and this is the type of crust that would be a CRIME to leave behind.) Didn't think I would find such delicious Italian-style pizza in Tokyo, but here we are. And lest you think we were too unhealthy, we also ordered a prosciutto and arugula salad. To keep a balanced meal, obviously.


Ostrea Oyster Bar & Pizzeria
Shinjuku Sumitomo Building, 1F
2 Chome-6-1
Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City
Tokyo, Japan 〒160-0023
+81-3-6258-1355

Dining Out: Mushroom & Truffle Pizza and Rigatoni Vodka at Il Postino

on
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
In thinking of what to eat for dinner with Iris, I suggested getting some non-Asian food in before I spend the next three weeks in Asia, so it was a unanimous decision: Italian at Il Postino.

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Mushroom & Truffle Pizza
(Roasted mushrooms, caramelized onions, fontina, and truffle oil)

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Rigatoni Vodka
(Crispy pancetta, sweet onions, Calabrian chili, vodka rose sauce)

We shared the mushroom and truffle pizza and then each got a pasta — rigatoni vodka for me and tagliatelle ragu for Iris — because WE ARE AMBITIOUS LIKE THAT. My stomach was about to explode with triple food babies of carbs and dairy, but IT WAS SO WORTH IT. So I've decided that Il Postino will now be my go-to Italian restaurant in Markham because their food never disappoints. (It is also home to my favourite pasta dish of all time. Yes, of all time. The rigatoni vodka is great, but the mushroom pappardelle is spectacular.)


Il Postino
186 Main St. Unionville
Unionville, ON L3R 2G9
(905) 940-1555

New York City 2023 Travel Log: Day 1 — A Quintessential Italian Dinner at La Pecora Bianca

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Saturday, November 11, 2023
Greetings from NYC! To start off our trip, a delectably delicious Italian dinner with the fam at La Pecora Bianca:

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Crispy calamari with cherry pepper aioli and pomodoro sauce

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Meatballs with pomodoro sauce and parmesan

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Mushroom pizza with fontina, garlic, and shallots

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Garganelli with roasted wild mushrooms, arugula, pesto, garlic, and pecorino, topped with fresh burrata

Got all the essentials: Pizza, pasta, calamari, and meatballs. Fresh pasta and burrata made in-house (and you can add burrata on top of any of their pastas, which I highly recommend), the most tender calamari I've ever had in my life, and melt-in-your-mouth meatballs with freshly baked bread to sop up all that tasty pomodoro sauce. Let's just say it was a very, very good start to this year's NYC adventure.


La Pecora Bianca
20 W 40th St.
New York, NY 10018
(212) 924-4040

Dining Out: Burrata & Prosciutto and Pappardelle Funghi at Il Postino

on
Saturday, October 7, 2023
Met up with my friend Chelsea for a little reunion dinner this evening at Il Postino:

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Burrata & Prosciutto
(
Italian burrata, 24-month aged prosciutto di parma, and Sicilian pistachios)

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Pappardelle Funghi
(Roasted mushrooms, truffle and porcini cream sauce, and parmesan)

I was so impressed with that mushroom pappardelle that it is now my favourite pasta dish of all time. Yes, it's that good.


Il Postino
186 Main St. Unionville
Unionville, ,ON L3R 2G9
(905) 940-1555

Tokyo 2023 Travel Log: Day 6 — Margherita Pizza Lunch Set at Pizza Salvatore Cuomo Yotsuya

on
Thursday, April 13, 2023
Carmen went for lunch with a friend who happened to be in Tokyo at the same time as us and I had declined to go because I wanted to sleep in, so I had the afternoon to myself — which, admittedly, was much needed. (As someone who spends the majority of her free time alone, being with someone 24/7 for 2 weeks can feel a bit suffocating.) As 1:00PM rolled around, I started to get hungry so I prepared myself to get some lunch. I was originally just going to get something quick at the conbini or maybe get some fast food take-out from around the corner, but I thought I would just bite the bullet and take myself out to lunch at a proper restaurant. I didn't want to walk too far, so I just decided to go to the nice pizza restaurant attached to our hotel called Pizza Salvatore Cuomo.

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House salad

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Margherita pizza

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Strawberry pannacotta

I got the pizza lunch set, which includes a salad, a pizza, and a drink for ¥1,320. I decided on a classic Margherita for my pizza, but knowing that Japanese portion sizes are significantly smaller than North American ones, I decided to size it up for ¥330. The salad — which included romaine, carrots, corn, and ham with a light vinaigrette — was tasty and refreshing, but it did not prepare me for the main event. Because I did not think I was going to find authentic Neapolitan pizza in Japan. BUT THEY DID IT. An amazing plush, chewy crust with just the right amount of char, and a perfect ratio of mozzarella to tomato sauce to basil. To be honest, it was even better than most of the pizzas I've had in Toronto. And though it wasn't included in the set, my server surprised me with a little cup of strawberry pannacotta for dessert, too!

Honestly, this was the first time I'd ever eaten by myself at a restaurant, and I gotta say, it was a rousing success. 


Pizza Salvatore Cuomo Yotsuya
1 Chome−24, Hotel Keihan Tokyo Yotsuya, 1階
Yotsuya, Shinjuku City
Tokyo, Japan 〒160-0004
+81-03-3355-7765

Seoul 2023 Travel Log: Day 5 — Dolce Baguette, Vongole Aglio e Olio, and Avocado Shrimp Pizza at Mano di Chef

on
Wednesday, April 5, 2023
We were at Starfield COEX Mall and looking for some lunch when I randomly suggested trying Korean-style Italian food. (I say "Korean-style Italian food" because it is distinctly different from authentic Italian food.) So after doing a bit of research, we decided to go across the street to a restaurant called Mano di Chef that totally fit the bill:

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Dolce baguette

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Vongole aglio e olio

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Avocado and shrimp pizza

The Dolce baguette is quite literally garlic bread with honey drizzled on top, and it is so simple but so freaking delicious. It's the same reason why I'm so obsessed with the honey garlic pizza at Ssangkye Jjimdak — Koreans have got this honey garlic combo down pat. For our mains, we decided to share two dishes. The first was the vongole aglio e olio, which is essentially the classic garlic and olive oil spaghetti dish with clams. Light, clean, and tasty — there's a reason it's the most popular pasta dish among Koreans. Actually, out of the three items we ordered, I would consider this one to be the most authentically Italian. Then came the shrimp and avocado pizza, which I wouldn't consider pizza at all, but more like a really nice, fresh flatbread — crisp romaine salad with mozzarella, thinly-sliced tomatoes, fresh cranberries, plump shrimp, firm avocado chunks, and a drizzle of sweet vinaigrette on the thinnest of charcoal crusts. Again, really light, clean ingredients — basically a fully-loaded salad on top of flatbread — so it tasted healthy, but like, in the best way possible.

Italians would have found this an abomination, but if you think of Korean-style Italian food as its own cuisine, our meal was actually quite fantastic.


Mano di Chef
129 Teheran-ro, Yeoksam-dong
Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
+82-2-553-5311

Dining Out: Burrata Salad, Calabrese Pizza, and Shrimp and Scallop Risotto at Novita

on
Monday, March 13, 2023
I'm trying to avoid eating Korean and Japanese food this month because I'll be gorging on both for two weeks straight in April, so upon deciding where to go for dinner last night, Ronsee and I ended up at Novita for some Italian food:

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Burrata with tomatoes, roasted garlic, basil, olive oil, and balsamic glaze

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Calabrese pizza with spicy Italian sausage, onions, roasted red pepper, thyme, asiago and mozzarella

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Shrimp and scallop risotto with mixed mushrooms and spinach in a pesto and rosé sauce

Overall, the food was great. The burrata was mellow, soft, and creamy and was complimented nicely with crisp cherry tomatoes and tart balsamic dressing. The pizza had a great combination of flavours and a good amount of toppings, though I wish the crust had more chew to it (those who like their pizza crust "well done" would appreciate it more). The risotto was rich, creamy, flavourful, and full of juicy, plump scallops and shrimp — definitely the star of the night.

However, our server — who, to her credit, was pleasant and polite — just disappeared after clearing our plates. She said she would give us a "few minutes" to look over the dessert menu (which literally has four items, so I'm not sure anyone would even need that much time to peruse) and then didn't come back for over 45 minutes. And that was after we got another server to go get her because she was nowhere to be found in any section of the restaurant. Even after we asked for the bill (we didn't bother with dessert at that point because we might never have gotten it), she went to cash out the table of 16 people sitting behind us first (who were all paying separately, mind you), which took at least another 20 minutes. We finished eating by 9:00, and couldn't leave until past 10:30. So, yeah. Not sure if this is the fault of the server or the management, but frankly, even if the food is good, I really can't see myself coming back here, at least on a weekend night.


Novita Italian Cuisine
25 Cochrane Dr.
Markham, ON L3R 9S1
(905) 947-1900

Dining Out: Margherita Pizza, Nico Pasta alla Panna, and Odessa Pasta al Sugo Pomodoro Cremoso

on
Saturday, October 29, 2022
Had an early dinner with Iris at Grazie, where we shared one pizza and two pastas:

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Margherita pizza

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Nico: Pappardelle with sautéed veal strips, sundried tomatoes, and mushrooms in a veal jus with a touch of cream

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Odessa: Fettuccine with smoked salmon and vodka sauce

I hadn't been to Grazie in a few years, but the quality of food and service is just as amazing as I remember it. I've tried different dishes every single time I've been here, and I have never been disappointed with the food. The pizzas have the right amount of char and the perfect amount of chew; the pastas are always cooked perfectly al dente and come in the most delicious, rich, flavourful sauces. I'm just (pleasantly) surprised to see that their prices haven't changed, when every other restaurant has had to increase their pricing due to the pandemic and inflation. If the line-up out the door by 6:00PM is any indication, Grazie is as popular as ever to get delicious, authentic, and reasonably priced Italian food. Indeed, when you want good Italian food, you go where the Italians go.


Grazie
Tuscany Place
9100 Jane St.
Vaughan, ON L4K 0A4
(905) 738-9960

Dining Out: Margherita Pizza, Homemade Pesto Gnocchi, Duck Confit Ravioli, and Pistachio Tiramisu Millefoglie at Mattarello

on
Sunday, September 25, 2022
Went to check out newly-opened Italian restaurant Mattarello with my friend Carmen yesterday for an early dinner. We decided to share one pizza, two pastas, and a dessert:

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Margherita Pizza

Okay, let's begin with the pizza. We decided on the Margherita because every good Italian restaurant should do a great Margherita and also because we knew that this was going to be our appetizer, so we didn't want to get one of the heavier pizza options. The Margherita here is good, but not great, and the problem lies in the crust. It has proper charring on the bottom, which is excellent, but the texture of the crust is way too hard. It was so tough, in fact, that our knives couldn't even cut through it and I ended up having to eat it by hand. (Sorry, Italians.) The flavours were great, as a Margherita should be, with a nicely seasoned tomato sauce and a great ratio of ingredients, but the crust really left something to be desired.

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Homemade Pesto Gnocchi

The gnocchi was decent — the pasta was pan-fried to the perfect crispy exterior but had a nice chew, the basil pesto was flavourful, and the mozzarella added just enough creaminess to keep the dish interesting. But... it didn't excite me. I think it might be just a little too simple. I don't often toot my own horn when it comes to cooking, but I genuinely enjoyed the gnocchi dishes I made at home more than this. This is a good option for vegetarians, but I wouldn't order this again. I do have to mention, though: this dish's portion was particularly deceiving — it looks tiny in the bowl but the gnocchi is actually quite filling, especially when eaten alongside other dishes.

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Duck Confit Ravioli

The ravioli was beautiful. Each piece was stuffed to the brim with chunks of tender duck leg confit. They were pan-fried in brown butter and served in a duck bone broth, and then topped with pieces of perfectly crispy duck skin. Wish there was some more crispy sage, but overall, this dish was excellent with great flavours and textures and a decent portion size. 

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Pistachio Tiramisu Millefoglie

For dessert, we decided on the pistachio tiramisu millefoglie. At $22, it's the most expensive dessert out of their three options, but it sounded the most interesting: pistachio, mascarpone, and coffee crema in between layers of baked pastry. Our server made sure we knew that it was not an actual tiramisu, but rather the cream layers use mascarpone and coffee like a tiramisu. I was really excited for this, but this was, by far, the biggest disappointment of our meal. Firstly, the presentation. It's cute, but dear god, the green colour is gaudy as fuck, as if it was getting ready for a St. Patrick's Day party. The pistachio flavour was incredibly artificial and it was strong — almost to the point where it didn't taste like pistachio anymore. The coffee crema and the baked pastry were great together and definitely saved the overall flavour, but this dessert was absolutely not worth $22. I hate to say it, but it's almost worse than supermarket quality. 

That aside, our server was lovely and very nice, checked on us regularly to refill our waters and ask how the food was. The ambience is also beautiful — lots of natural lighting from the huge floor to ceiling windows, but there are still curtains that provide privacy in the direct dining area. The decor mixes classic banquet style seating but with art deco-style chairs, marble tables, and modern cubic light fixtures in a background of forest green with gold accents and stark white walls. The combination unexpectedly works to create a gorgeous, Instagram-worthy space.

Would I come back? Maybe one more time to see if the other options are worth it. You would think that with such a curated menu, they would excel in every single dish on it. But as it is, this place is way too overpriced for what you get. 


Mattarello
230 Commerce Valley Dr. E., Unit #2A
Thornhill, ON L3T 7Y3
(905) 771-8866

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