Lunch @ Pizzeria Libretto – University Location (Financial District)

Pizzeria Libretto makes my favorite pizza. Though I must admit that I have been trying to find a back-up for a while now, and no pizza compares (though Pizzeria Defina is a close 2nd – my review here). So when I heard that a location was opening up on University and Queen, I was ecstatic!! I work 4 blocks from there! So I messaged a couple of colleagues and we agreed to check it out later that week. As soon as we decided the date, I gave Pizzeria Libretto a call and tried to make a reservation. I was told that they were completely booked the WHOLE week, but that I likely will not be waiting long since they reserve quite a few spots for walk-ins. So my colleagues and I squeezed into a cab and made the trip over.

As soon as we arrived and requested a table for 4, we were told that the wait would be 45 minutes to an hour! It was 1pm! But since I had hyped this restaurant for weeks, my colleagues wanted to try the pizza. Luckily I was with two persistent colleagues who kept asking “how much longer?” Have you seen the movie with the obnoxious kids that keep asking, “are were there yet?” Yep, those were my colleagues. So we were seated at the bar after a 20 minute wait. Naturally, my colleagues could not settle for bar seats (it really is tough to talk at the bar), so they kept an eye out for a table–and when one opened up they ran to the hostess and pointed it out to her. Poor soul! I really did feel bad for the staff. But really, one got the impression that it was all about the hype, and trendy feel than the food. I have been to both the Ossington and Danforth locations a bunch of times (Danforth is my favorite – great service, and easy to make a reservation online), and at these locations the focus is on the food and great service. At the University one, the vibe gives you the feeling that it is all about being the cool kid in the expensive suit. But I guess it comes with the territory – it is the Queen and King business crowd.