Via Cibo

Many of my Toronto Series posts will feature food and cool places to eat. I can’t help it! Toronto has such an abundance of delicious restaurants, and we are known for our multicultural landscape. On any given day you could eat a French cassoulet, then chow down on a spicy roti, cross the street and get poutine, and then wash it all down with bubble tea. I don’t recommend trying it all at once. But it makes me very happy to know that it’s an option :)

Today, I’m featuring Italian cuisine. One of my favourite Italian spots in Toronto - Via Cibo! This restaurant serves Italian “street food”, in a fast and fresh set up. When you enter the restaurant, you place your order right away at the counter instead of being seated first. The kitchen is open, and you can watch as the chefs expertly roll out your pizza or cook your pasta. You pay right away, and then take a number to your seat and wait for your meal to be brought to you. I like it! It’s a casual dining experience with high quality food.

One thing I truly appreciate about Via Cibo is that it’s reliably good. Azim and I actually go once or twice a month, and our favourite dishes include their pesto linguine, the ossobuco poutine (HEAVEN),  and the pollo balsamico piadina. They also always have seasonal menu items, which you would be remiss if you didn’t try. Last winter they had a white pizza with butternut squash, which I think I went back for three times. I should petition that they bring it back!

When they started offering weekend brunch, I think my life was complete. I’ve tried every item on their brunch menu, and I have to say that the blueberry lemon ricotta pancakes are the best pancakes I’ve EVER had. Best pancakes. I’ve ever had. Yes.

The tiramisu french toast is another favourite. But those pancakes, though.

Via Cibo is in North York, which works for those of us who live in the area and may be getting tired of the usual restaurants at Shops at Don Mills and Fairview Mall. It’s a bit difficult to get to from downtown, but if you ever find yourself in the area, definitely pop in!