By Lory Diaz
Tosto Quickfire Pizza Pasta opened their third Toronto location in May at 800 Bay Street, just north of Bay and College. Tosto’s key feature is boutique-style premium Romano pizza and pasta, fast! I was recently invited to check out their newest location and sample their key menu items.
It’s important to note the characteristics of Romano-style pizza before we continue. When compared to the more prevalent Neapolitan thin, charred, and bubbly pizza crust with minimal toppings, Romano is considered a much hardier base with the ability to carry a lot of delicious flavours. It’s also rectangular, allowing for smaller squares to be served, and reducing the devastating loss and awkward clean-up of toppings.
The Bay and College location for Tosto makes a lot of sense, because the lunch-time crowd is looking for fast and delicious options before heading back to work. I assure you that the speed of this kitchen is no joke, and doesn’t compromise on flavour. The team pumped out pizza, pasta, antipasti, and salad with great speed.
If you’re looking for a classic dish, try the Pomodoro pasta: roasted cherry tomato, grana padano, fresh basil, and garlic oil in a traditional tomato sauce. The pasta is cooked al dente, and hits just the right note!
One of my favourite dishes was the Pesce pasta that keeps all of it’s amazing flavour hidden under a canopy of arugula. This is made using white albacore tuna, cherry tomatoes, capers, black olives, chili flakes, lemon zest, and garlic oil in a white wine reduction. The tuna flavour is quite prominent with a bit of spicy heat, but if you’re a fan of either of those flavours, make sure to give this one a try.
A great quick snack, and fantastic vegetarian option, is the Funghi Crostini antipasti: portobello, cremini, and button mushrooms served on a crostini with pecorino, arugula, chive, balsamic glaze, and white truffle oil. This has a slight sweet note to it from the balsamic glaze, that follows through with the richness of the truffle oil. I did not hesitate, and went for seconds!
If you’re feeling adventurous, and looking for an exemplary Romano-style pizza, check out the Salsiccia: spinach basil pesto, sausage, ‘nduja (a spicy pork salumi that’s spreadable), fennel, feta, sun-dried olives, and kale. This is a fantastic combination of flavours! The fennel and pesto have a distinctly fresh note that balances out the heavier spices and meats.
If you’re not usually in the Bay and College area, do not fret, as Tosto Quickfire Pizza Pasta has a Leaside, as well as a Richmond & Spadina location! Make sure to check them out if you’re craving delicious comfort food, or if you don’t have a lot of time to spend and need a quality quick bite. Enjoy!
Read our review of another gem in the Bay and College area, Bombay Street Food.
