Restaurant Review: Pizzeria Libretto
There was once a time when I did not hesitate to call pizza my favourite food. Times have changed, as many chain pizza restaurants have left a bad taste in my mouth with prices going through the roof. Ill experiences aside, one of my most memorable gourmet pizza experiences was at Kingston's Woodenheads, which I visited twice during a weekend trip there. Pizzeria Libretto, which has consistently decorated the front page of Urbanspoon Toronto, peaked my interest as I longed for a pizza that will not disappoint.
Over the past few months, I have frequented the neighbourhood of Little Italy/Portugal Village for a number of birthday dinners. Many times I walked by Pizzeria Libretto on Ossington, only to look inside with envy as many diners lined up waiting to be seated. This time, as a group of two, it was easy for my girlfriend and me to be seated, although we had to leave our number with the hostess to be notified of an available table.
Pizzeria Libretto is a member of The True Neapolitan Pizza Association (Associazione Verace Pizza napoletana), a non-profit organization which verifies authenticity of the "true neapolitan pizza" across the world. Pizzaria Libretto is one of few members in Canada that meets the criteria for obtaining Vera Pizza Napoletana.
My girlfriend ordered Ontario Prosciutto and Arugula ($16). The combination of toppings and ingredients used (oregano, garlic, tomato, grana padano, arugula, and prosciutto) offered a well balanced taste that was both savoury and aromatic. The pizza was literally topped with fresh arugula, and I sometimes found it hard to prevent the arugula leaves from falling off the slices.
The pizza I selected was Duck Confit ($17), with bosc pepper, mozzarella, and thyme. Although there was a good balance between sweet taste of the pears and savoury taste of duck confit, I found the meat to be a little dry. From what I have read, duck confit is supposed to be kept submerged in its own fat during preservation. Since duck confit is French dish and Pizza Italian, I can't blame the chefs if they are not experts of preparing duck confit.
I am giving Pizzeria Libretto 4 out of 5 stars.(★★★★☆). Despite the wonderfully tasting pizzas, the temperature at the restaurant was a little too warm. I can understand wanting to prevent the pizza from getting cold too quickly, but it shouldn't come at the cost of uncomfortable dining experience.
Over the past few months, I have frequented the neighbourhood of Little Italy/Portugal Village for a number of birthday dinners. Many times I walked by Pizzeria Libretto on Ossington, only to look inside with envy as many diners lined up waiting to be seated. This time, as a group of two, it was easy for my girlfriend and me to be seated, although we had to leave our number with the hostess to be notified of an available table.
Pizzeria Libretto is a member of The True Neapolitan Pizza Association (Associazione Verace Pizza napoletana), a non-profit organization which verifies authenticity of the "true neapolitan pizza" across the world. Pizzaria Libretto is one of few members in Canada that meets the criteria for obtaining Vera Pizza Napoletana.
My girlfriend ordered Ontario Prosciutto and Arugula ($16). The combination of toppings and ingredients used (oregano, garlic, tomato, grana padano, arugula, and prosciutto) offered a well balanced taste that was both savoury and aromatic. The pizza was literally topped with fresh arugula, and I sometimes found it hard to prevent the arugula leaves from falling off the slices.
The pizza I selected was Duck Confit ($17), with bosc pepper, mozzarella, and thyme. Although there was a good balance between sweet taste of the pears and savoury taste of duck confit, I found the meat to be a little dry. From what I have read, duck confit is supposed to be kept submerged in its own fat during preservation. Since duck confit is French dish and Pizza Italian, I can't blame the chefs if they are not experts of preparing duck confit.
I am giving Pizzeria Libretto 4 out of 5 stars.(★★★★☆). Despite the wonderfully tasting pizzas, the temperature at the restaurant was a little too warm. I can understand wanting to prevent the pizza from getting cold too quickly, but it shouldn't come at the cost of uncomfortable dining experience.
