Many people believe that Libretto holds the crown for best pizza in the city. Queen Margherita Pizza on the East side of Toronto has come to challenge that. While the main card is a $25 prix-fixe, just so you know, you are still able to order by the pie. However, the pizzas are big enough for sharing (if you’re a lighter eater) and with a reasonably-priced glass of wine, it’s a really nice way to spend an evening. Now, I’ll get out of the way and let the photos do their thing.
Roasted beets with goat cheese
Polenta with sausage – this was really good.
Giovanni – tomato sauce, fior di latte cheese, arugula, cherry tomatoes and prosciutto di Parma. Best pizza of the night.
Diavola – tomato sauce, fior di latte cheese, hot sausage and hot peppers.
Rocco – tomato sauce, Gorgonzola, Italian sausage, and red onions.
Margherita – tomato sauce, fior di latte cheese, and fresh basil.
Arugula salad in balsamic reduction topped with parmigiana.
Some conclusions: I didn’t like QMP as much as I did Libretto when it first opened. However, I find the pizza at Libretto not magically tasty as those first few visits and of equal tastiness to QMP right now. However, I give the slight edge to QMP for quick seating and spacious dining area. Given that, I feel it comes down to pizza style (though both tout being “authentic”) and if you like your pizza crispy through-out (Libretto) or just a little softer at its heart (QMP). Either way, both pizzerias use high-quality ingredients and put out some fine pies and each have claimed their territory in Toronto. I call it a draw and am happy for more good pizza in town.
- Queen Margherita Pizza 1402 Queen Street East
- Menu of the day (on flickr)
- Drink menu (on flickr)
More at QMP
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June 15, 2010 at 11:24 pm
back alley grill in kensington deserves your attention. Chinese influenced sous vide meat in woodburning ovens with a pizza/biscuity/flatbready dough. Chicken gorgonzola homemade XO sauce pizza was amazing.
June 16, 2010 at 3:41 pm
Buca has my heart for the city’s top crust (and toppings). 8 hour calabrese style pork braised with rosemary or house cured lardo and cinnamon, oh my. Getting a reservation when the craving hits is the only problem – just have to time them 4-6 weeks ahead (thank goodness another “well timed” reservation has been made. Just have to sit tight for another 2 weeks).
My friend – who used to only know Terroni for their pastas (tee hee) – the pastas at Buca are wonderful too. ;)
June 16, 2010 at 3:43 pm
… oh and the table also gets a pair of scissors to cut their pie with. How fun is that??!??
June 16, 2010 at 5:55 pm
Love the scissors ;-)
I’m slowly making my way through everchanging list of Buca’s pizzas- loved the alici, liked the mortadella and the patate/rosemary. Found the chili/salume/ramp pizza pretty good, but wouldn’t order it again ;-)
If you get a craving midweek, it isn’t difficult to do a walk-in on a Tuesday night around 9:15 pm, in my experience ;-) Also recommend the pig’s ears ;-) Wasn’t a fan of the orecchiette with baby octopus, but did like the ramp/testa pasta, and the ravioli. I like the pizzas I’ve tried a little more than the pastas I’ve tried.
June 19, 2010 at 9:00 pm
I’ve been meaning to hit up Buca!! Just… haven’t… gone… yet. Thanks for the tips Phoenikia! We do eat late, so that’ll be in our favour…
I’ve found the Terroni pasta just not as good as it used to be in the last while. So I’ve given it up. However, if Buca’s got some tasty pasta… I’m there! (..and okay, I’ll eat their pizzas too, Renée!~)
June 20, 2010 at 10:52 am
Another place on my to try list. I’ve been putting it off because of the prix fixe element but since you can order by the pie I may very well go.
Libretto still has my heart. I was there a week or two ago and they had a really great asparagus pizza.