Dear reader,
In last week’s newsletter, I professed my love for breakfast sandwiches. This week, I’m bringing you the second half of my two-part sandwich series: the Italian edition. That’s because all sorts of Italian sandwich stallions are taking over Toronto, and I have nothing to say about the delicious invasion except grazie.
When I was in Florence a couple of years ago, I stood in a line that was at least 75-people long under the hot Tuscan sun for a sandwich from All’ Antico Vinaio. The legendary lunch counter is famous for their sandwiches made on schiaciatta, a type of Tuscan flatbread that’s thinner and crispier than focaccia, its chonkier cousin. Between the heat, the men whose job it was to keep the line moving, the shouting of orders and the almost violent slicing and dicing happening in the kitchen, it was the most stressed out I’ve ever been about a sandwich. But it was worth it, and by the time I left Italy, I was almost made of mortadella; more pig than person.
And now I don’t need to pay for a plane ticket to get to the land of panini. Toronto has never been short on Italian deli-style sandwiches, but recently there’s been an almost embarrassing abbondanza. (Not that I’m complaining.) In the last year alone, Crudo, Ariete E Toro, Alfie’s, AiFam and Dispotino have all started slinging some version of Italian sandwiches. The newest place on the scene, which just opened last weekend is Tutto Panino, a cute little spot on Sorauren Avenue with an interesting origin story.
Also in this week’s newsletter: even more Italian content, dim sum lessons from a top chef, Burdock Brewery’s new Kensington Market bar, patio season arrives at Waterworks, and more.
