I love going to the Danforth, especially in the summer when the Toronto east end neighbourhood is so vibrant with al fresco dining on patios and shopping in local stores. Pizzeria Libretto is situated in the heart of the Danforth right at Carlaw Avenue. I was recently invited to Pizzeria Libretto on the Danforth to sample the menu.
Pizzeria Libretto offers authentic Neopolitan pizza made with local, natural ingredients and available with gluten-free and vegan crusts.
Decorated in an industrial look, the restaurant features a pleasing mix of metal and wood textures with a blond wood bar lit by a cluster of colourful pendant lights. Plants and photos on floating shelves create warmth. The open kitchen at the back allows you to watch the chefs prepare their popular Neopolitan pizza.
My guest and I started with an order of Buttermilk Fried Calamari and a Nicoise Salad, which we shared. The calamari was divine! The lightly-breaded coating did not hide the taste of the calamari, which had a deliciously chewy texture. But the star of the plate was the perfectly executed Romesco sauce – a creamy, fire-roasted tomato sauce (also made with red peppers, garlic and almonds) for dipping the calamari. I could have had this sauce on its own, it was so good!
The Nicoise Salad was the perfect combination of veggies and protein! Italian tuna, soft boiled egg and white kidney beans sat beautifully on a bed of fresh kale, roasted red pepper, cherry tomato, onion and black olives. It was so delicious and satisfying without being too filling since it was tossed with a light Gamay (wine) vinaigrette. It inspired me to make a Nicoise salad at home!
I ordered the 12″ Vegetariana pizza (green peppers, mushroom, olives, onion, San Marzano tomato, fior di latte mozzarella, parmigiano reggiano, fresh basil) with a gluten free crust while my guest ordered the 12″ Capricciosa pizza (artichoke, mushroom, olives, ham, San Marzano tomato, fior di latte mozzarella, parmigiano reggiano, fresh basil, chili oil) with a regular crust.
My pizza was incredible, the spicy flavour bursting through while the creamy texture of the mozzarella provided a satiny mouthfeel. The gluten free crust was puffy yet crispy and just as flavourful as any regular crust pizza I’ve had. I love how the pizza crust was slightly charred at the ridge. The secret to their puffy and charred crust is the chefs cook the pizza in a brick oven at high heat. The Capricciosa pizza was just as delicious.
Take note! Margherita Pizza Day is June 11, 2023! Pizzeria Libretto is offering its signature Margherita pizza for $11 for dine-in and takeout via their branded app.
We had a wonderful lunch at Pizzeria Libretto! Thank you for inviting me! The food was delicious!
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Pizzera Libretto on the Danforth, 550 Danforth Avenue (at Carlaw Avenue), 416-466-0400. There is a Green P parking lot on Carlaw Avenue just north of the Danforth.
Follow Pizzeria Libretto on the Danforth on Instagram @Libretto_Danforth
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I ate there this week and what you described is not the experience I had. The industrial decor makes the restaurant very loud and impossible to have a conversation with your companions. I had the lunch special with the Margherita Pizza that was soggy and all the toppings were skimpy. I have taken it off my list of places to go.
Hi Jan, Interesting. I agree the music could have been less loud, but both my dining partner’s pizza and my pizza were not soggy. Lori
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