When I began my search for pizza similar to the kind I eat when visiting Italy, many people recommended Pizzeria Libretto. Not wanting to be disappointed, I decided to try this restaurant during lunch because their lunch special was very tempting:

Lunch Prix Fixe Monday – Friday $15

Primi
Arugula Salad or Beet Caprese Salad

Pizza
Margherita D.O.P or Marinara D.O.P.

Substitute any pizza on the menu $5

Dolci
Biscotti or Gelato (one scoop)

And what can I say? I fell in love with both salads–the arugula salad has walnuts and pear! I love pears in my salad. I also love beets and mozarella. So the salads alone had me loving the restaurant. But now to the pizza. When it comes to pizza, I am a big believer that  if you can make a simple pizza well (my favorite pizza is Margherita—with only three ingredients), then you have proven yourself as a pizza maker. It’s easy to mask a pizza with sauces, cheese, ingredients, herbs, etc. But how many can make a pizza taste delicious with 3 toppings? Well, Pizzeria Libretto certainly knows how to create a delicious pizza that transported me back to Italy. The three toppings on the Margherita pizza is tomato, basil, mozzarella and after the first bite, I could taste each individual ingredient; the cheese, the fresh basil and the homemade tomato sauce. I was a happy camper. 

Another item that I always order but it is a hit or miss for me is the Ricotta Gnocchi Fritti. How can you go wrong with house-made gnocchi with crema fresca, lemon, chives, rosemary? Well, it goes wrong when it lacks seasoning and the gnocchi is not fried enough so rather than having a crispy texture, you get soft pieces of gnocchi (I like my gnocchi crispy on the outside with a soft and fluffy interior). And yet, I always order it because when it is done right, it is phenomenal!

And…..

Always remind the staff about the free bread. Their bread is moist, flavored with rosemary, and worth the trip to Pizzaria Libretto. Now if I could only get the recipe!

Below are pictures from a dinner I organized for 14 people at the Danforth location (only location that takes reservations).  All my guests enjoyed the food, and many agreed that Pizzeria Libretto does in fact sell the best pizza in Toronto. Now you be the judge!

The free bread. So good!

Arugula Salad (pears, roasted walnuts, aged piave, gamay vinaigrette) $9

Beet Caprese Salad (Ontario heirloom beets, fior di latte, basil, white balsamic vinaigrette) $11

Ricotta Gnocchi Fritti (house-made crema fresca, lemon, chives, rosemary) $7

Warm Marinated Olives (bella, infornata, kalamata with rosemary, thyme, citrus) $6

Arugula Salad (pears, roasted walnuts, aged piave, gamay vinaigrette) $9

Rocco’s Salad (crispy egg, butternut squash, heirloom beets, pine nuts, pingue prosciutto, ricotta salata) $12

Flank Steak Spiducci (skewers) (olive oil, mixed herbs, lemon) $9

Buttermilk Fried Calamari (red pepper, almond romesco sauce, Libretto herb oil) $12

Ricotta Gnocchi Fritti (house-made crema fresca, lemon, chives, rosemary) $7

Buttermilk Fried Calamari (red pepper, almond romesco sauce, Libretto herb oil) $12

House-made Sausage (caramelized onion, mozzarella, chili oil ) $16

Marinara D.O.P. (tomato, garlic, oregano, basil ) $11

Margherita D.O.P. (tomato, basil, mozzarella) $14

Cremini Mushroom (bufala mozzarella , gorgonzola, roasted garlic , rosemary, thyme, pecorino) $17

Anchovy (tomato, bufala mozzarella, preserved chili, roast garlic) $15

Chocolate Gelato $6

Buttermilk Panna Cotta (roasted almond granola & seasonal accompaniment ) $7

The person that ordered the panna cotta found it to be too sweet and did not finish it.

Sfingi (Italian-style doughnuts) (seasonal accompaniment ) $9

Espresso (Rufino Espresso by Classic Gourmet Coffee) $2.75