The prosciutto bianca comes buried in arugula (Image: Renée Suen)
The new theatre district location of Paese opened relatively quietly about a year ago and, like its older uptown sibling, serves Canadian-inflected casual Italian fare. The restaurant’s lunch options—antipasti, salads, pastas, panini, pizza—are served until 3 p.m., catering to neighbourhood office workers and tourists alike. Complimentary focaccia arrives first, with a tapenade made of tomato, roasted eggplant and red pepper. Only the blistered and cornmeal-dusted crust of our prosciutto bianca pizza ($17) is visible when it’s presented; the rest is buried under a pile of peppery arugula. Underneath is a simple and delicious layer of prosciutto cotto, fior di latte and tomato sauce, that’s made even better with an accompanying trio of homemade condiments: medium heat apple-banana pepper, bright pickled chillis and la bomba.
The time: less than 47 minutes at noon; the crowds start to gather closer to 1 p.m.
The cost: $31, including tax, tip and a bottle of San Pellegrino ($6).
Paese Ristorante, 333 King St. W., 416-599-6585, paeseristorante.com
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