Petti Fine Foods — Restaurant in Toronto

I spent a few days visiting my friend in the Junction, and as we toured the neighbourhood she brought me immediately to Petti Fine Foods. We were greeted warmly by owner Stefano, who gave us delicious pistachio sfogliatelle (crispy phyllo pastries shaped like lobster tails with sweet filling, on the house). We brought home fresh biscotti and frozen chocolate-hazelnut cookies that we baked off ourselves for a still-warm cookie.

The next day I returned on my own. Stefano remembered that I liked the pistachio pastry, and this time I accepted his kind offering of an espresso. Petti has a wide variety of pasta and sauces, flavoured and coloured pasta in many different forms for every level of cooking expertise. And the prices were very reasonable for these fine foods. I was set to buy some colourful squash linguini when Stefano asked what sauce I planned to serve with it. I told him we had already made our own San Marzano marinara sauce, and he said that squash pasta was the total wrong choice. He led me instead to buy a freshly made gemelli ("twin"-helix pasta) that was actually less expensive. (A less honest merchant would have sold me the squash pasta and let me discover my mistake on my own.) The gemelli cooked up in just 3-4 minutes and had a great al dente to it. It was substantial, well-flavoured pasta to which the loose (tomato, no cream) sauce clung well. Stefano recommended exactly the right amount to serve 5 people generously. And the kids loved the chocolate lobster tails that I got for dessert.

For a single person like me, this is the type of place I would frequent regularly to try the meals that are perfect for one person, or even better, one plus leftovers for lunch. I am eager to try the frozen arancini and the gluten-free pasta options. And I would definitely try the party options, especially the lasagna; I am weighing the moral implications of potentially taking credit for making them myself. Most of all, I would enjoy visiting regularly to chat with friendly people like Stefano and to meet...

We wanted to buy fresh pasta from another shop a short walk from our home (always delicious and tender), but they're closed and we had to find another place.

Petti Fine Foods has a great spot on Dundas St W with parking, transit and a decent bike route nearby. The shop has a tasteful selection of imported pasta sauces, pastas, coffee, prepared meals (such as their own lasagna), cured meats and cheeses; typical trappings of a community market.

Their display counter was filled with great looking rotini, penne and rigatoni of varying colours made on site, as well as a selection of pastries and cookies from guest bakeries.

The owner greeted me with an smile, a smooth espresso and a small pastry filled with pistachio that was surprisingly crisp, light and delicious.

The flat noodles were cut to order in a very short time, sold at a very reasonable price.

The fettucini cooked up wonderfully, wasn't too thick and kept its structure when served and twirled on our fork. The flavour was clean and neutral, supporting the sauce in just the right way.

We'll absolutely return to try the shaped pastas, as well as the noodles coloured with sundried tomatoes and spinach.

Excellent addition...

Everything we Tried at Petti Fine Foods

Inside Petti Fine Foods, located at the corner of Dundas St. W. and Quebec St., you'll find tons of authentic Italian cuisine.

Explore the array of delicious products, especially their freshly made, in-house pasta. Petti also offers prepared versions of Italian classics, the irresistible arancini rice balls hold a special place in my heart.

Now, owner Stefano Petti, has brought into his shop, new, ready to bake from frozen yummy ltalian pastries. We tried: Ricotta Cream Sfogliatella, Italian Chocolate Croissants, and the Pistacchio Cream Conchiglia.

These warm from the oven patties were flaky, rich and the flavours were on point. I highly recommend the Sfogliatella,...