Weekly Lunch Pick
Tutti Matti
The lunchtime prices at this Adelaide Street institution is all the excuse we need to indulge in some authentic Tuscan cuisine By Andrew Brudz
Blessedly simple: The dessert at Tutti Matti
Image credit: Andrew Brudz
The place: Though its name means “everybody’s crazy” in Italian, the scene at this authentic Tuscan resto is decidedly laid-back. Guests are heartily greeted by every staffer—including chef Alida Solomon. Snapshots from Solomon’s travels to Tuscany add to the friendly vibe.
The crowd: The room is surprisingly sparse on a sunny Friday afternoon (particularly at the back, where we’re tucked into a corner). Diners include a cute elderly couple, a half-dozen power lunchers and a rowdy group of afternoon tipplers.
The deal: Two $15 prix-fixe options offer the best value: one comes with a choice of antipasti, homemade pasta, or dessert, and the other with panini, soup or salad, and dessert. All are made with fresh, seasonal ingredients.
The dish: A perfectly crusty loaf of house-baked Tuscan bread hits the table a while after we are seated. The soup of the day is tomato-bread, a tangy, hearty and welcome twist on a lunchtime standard. Next up, Italy’s sumptuous answer to the BLT: a beppe Panini, which arrives open-faced with piles of moist, salty porchetta, perfectly ripe red and golden tomatoes, and a sprinkling of arugula for balance. The lemon cake with dabs of strawberry coulis makes a blessedly simple denouement.
The time: In keeping with the relaxed pace of Tuscany, our lunch hour balloons to 80 minutes.
The cost: $25, including a bottle of San Pellegrino, tax and tip.
Tutti Matti, 364 Adelaide St. W. (at Charlotte St.), 416-597-8839, tuttimatti.com.
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