Casual & Quality Italian

Terroni
105 Victoria Street
Toronto, Ontario
(416) 955-0258

Since living in Bologna, Italy for a year in 2000, I have been really picky about eating North American influenced Italian food. However, whenever I have a craving for inexpensive and above average Southern Italian cuisine, we often head to Terroni.

Basically, the menu choices are pasta and pizza. The pastas are always served perfectly al dente – and the wood oven cooked pizzas are large enough for two. All meals are served with bread and extra virgin olive oil. This oil is so good that we bought a bottle to eat at home. For appetizers, try the prosciutto and melon, or the lightly battered calamari. For dessert, make sure to save room for the flourless chocolate cake, which is rich and satisfying. The daily specials are usually quite attractive options.

On the downside, as a result of the good food - the restaurant is often crowded and very loud, and the tables tend to be close together. Be prepared to line up if arriving at peak meal times – timing is everything. Dinner for two runs approximately $60. Usually, Teronis is good place to head for a late supper…

Another suggestion for Italian in the downtown vicinity is One of a Kind on Queen Street, which for years was formerly located on Bloor Street, across from Yorkville. Chinese born chef and owner Raymond still serves a wide variety of affordable, tasty, and generous pastas dishes.

Thirty-Five Elm is located in a building formerly occupied by Il Fornello, and did a good job of hosting our recent office Christmas party. We had a choice of vegetable soup or mixed salad, squash filled ravioli or a oven baked pizza. Dinner was completed with an assortment of small finger like sized pastries, and a choice of coffee or tea. Cost was $28 per person not including tax, tip, or drinks.