This Little Italy sandwich shop sets a new standard for Toronto panino makers
The place: Sidecar owners Bill Sweete and Casey Bee expand their College Street presence with this Little Italy panino shop a few blocks east. It’s a more casual incarnation of authentic Italian style, with church pews and vintage movie posters creating a warm yet cool vibe.
The crowd: A handful of College Street strollers, window shoppers and hipsters pop in for a quick lunch on the sun-drenched front and back patios.
The deal: Sweete and Bee stuff a lot of Italy into every sandwich ($10–$12), in such combinations as prosciutto, taleggio cheese and asparagus; and local Segovia sausage and fontina, each served with an arugula salad.
The dish: A welcome contrast to the usual cardboard-thin pressed sandwich, Negroni’s house-made veal meat loaf panino ($12) is thick and chock full of meat, tangy marinara and melted goat’s milk mozzarella. It’s a substantial (and affordable) lunch on its own, but we can’t resist starting with the chicken liver pâté ($6), which spreads like butter across grilled bread. The light, creamy panna cotta ($6) gets some kick from tart berry compote, served with fresh strawberries, blackberries and blueberries.
The time: 75 minutes, taking our time on the small sidewalk patio.
The cost: $39, including tax, tip and a bottle of Birra Moretti ($6).
Negroni Panini, 492 College St. (at Palmerston Ave.), 416-413-0005, negronipanini.com.
• Read the Toronto Life review of Negroni »
(Images: Matthew Fox)
I wish they delivered. My office would order everyday!!! so good!
May 20, 2010 at 10:58 am | by Anna