Sud Forno — Restaurant in Toronto

Part of the Terroni family of restaurants, Sud Forno is their bakery cafe that offers really good Italian classics. It could be as simple as a rich and smooth cappuccino, crispy shelled and perfectly lightly sweet cannoli, or a nice slice of pizza.

Just one caveat ... Terroni comes with a particular mindset (or attitude depending on who you talk to). They believe their experience and expertise makes them understand how best to treat their ingredients to give you the best tasting bite... aka. NO CHANGES TO ANYTHING. I know a lot of people have 'eye rolled' so hard on this that they can see back of the head. Personally, I treat restaurants like someone who is an artist. If they feel completely passionate about it... I'll definitely try it their way first. After that, I can make my own decision to agree or disagree.

As for the store... check out the floor. No really. It's really quite a beautiful mosaic and that attention to detail is really echoed in all the rest of the store. Clean lines, warm wood tones, lots of great looking baked goods and hearth style breads. Service here was good for us... quick and efficient. We didnt get any attitude.

Cappuccino - Note: There are no alternative milk at all ... none. It's part of their mindset to not offer it. I am not deathly lactose intolerant. I can handle it in occasional and small doses. Seeing how I was dying for a coffee drink and this was the only thing opened late nearby, I decided to get it. And ... yes... delicious. Smooth and bold. I remember why I liked cow's milk texture in espresso based drink now. Just too bad I can't have this too often. 4/5

Tart with berries - This was quite amazing... I think there was more berries and jam than actual tart. It wasn't blindingly sweet... a nice fruit flavour. A touch tart but sweet. Nice snack between meals. 4/5

Italian cookie with Pistachios - Oh I liked this. Cute little bite of light nuttiness. I would say that this was the lightest in flavour but it had a great tender texture. 3.5/5

Cannoli - I was kinda worried about buying this since it was the evening and I know pre-filled cannoli are 90% terrible. These ones were really good. Crispy shells that break easily to the creamy smooth filling that has notes of sweetness and citrus. 4.5/5

Espresso Caramel cookie - If you love coffee flavour, GET THIS. Honestly one of the best cookies I've had all year. Strong and delicious coffee flavour that gives way to a deep caramel note. The cookie itself was crisp on the edges but tender in the middle. Might be my perfect cookie 5/5

As for me disagreeing or agreeing with Terroni's mindset of 'their way' & their choice of offering no alternative milks... yeah, I agree it is good tasting. Maybe they do know what's best for their ingredients ... especially with the cannoli & espresso...

UPDATED AFTER 3 YEARS OF GOING :

Sud Forno, a charming Italian food haven located on the bustling Queen West, has undergone a disheartening transformation over time, leaving its devoted customers, myself included, with a sense of disillusionment.

Once renowned for its exceptional array of Italian culinary delights, Sud Forno seems to have faltered in maintaining the high standards that once set it apart. Most notably, the signature pizzas, a highlight for many, have lost their luster. The enticing crunch that used to accompany each bite has become a rarity, replaced by a disappointing lack of texture. Furthermore, the pizzas now exhibit an unwelcome acidic undertone, leaving a sour aftertaste that lingers.

A crucial element of Sud Forno's allure used to be its curated selection of packaged goods, a reflection of authentic Italian flavors. However, the delight of discovering rare and unique products has been tarnished by the exorbitant pricing. While quality warrants a higher cost, the extent to which prices have escalated here raises eyebrows and discourages patrons from indulging in these offerings.

A dismaying sight awaits those who peruse the store's shelves. What was once an inviting and organized display of goods now appears neglected, with layers of dust hinting at a lack of care. This neglect extends metaphorically to the establishment's pricing strategy. Sud Forno's rates, be it for their wares or culinary creations, often lean towards the steep end of the spectrum, leading one to question the equilibrium between quality and cost.

Unfortunately, the disappointment extends beyond the products themselves, seeping into the interactions with the staff. The disinterested and detached demeanor exhibited by the employees mirrors a pervasive trend in Toronto's dining scene, leaving customers yearning for the genuine warmth that enhances a dining or shopping experience.

In summation, Sud Forno on Queen West, once a revered destination for fine Italian provisions, has lost its way. The decline in the textural perfection of their pizzas, the unwelcome acidity, the inflated pricing of packaged goods, the lackluster presentation of shelves, and the indifferent staff collectively cast a shadow over what was once a beacon of culinary delight. As a dedicated patron, the allure that once drew me in has faded, and I find myself contemplating alternatives that offer the quality, authenticity, and overall gratification that Sud Forno now...

Sud Forno is a really hard place to review- the quality of the products, taste and cleanliness of the cafe and establishment is great. However, socially speaking this business will regularly challenge your comfort level as a customer to not get taken advantage of. The manager regularly guards/blocks the door with a bunch of friends or employees who are off the clock, standing at the side walk on queen street in front of the entrance speaking in Italian, not greeting customers who don't know them personally or those that don't look like they speak Italian. I didn't even know they worked there until they came in after me and went behind the counter. Secondly, the tipping/gratuity pressure here is extreme. their debit/credit machines will ask you THREE times in separate menu screens if you are absolutely sure that you don't want to tip for a $7 pastry being put into a bag by their employees.

Lastly, be weary of incorrect pricing. certain pre-packaged foods in store are labeled with incorrect prices, and ringing them up at the counter has sometimes had a different price. This is not due to the weight of the items being packed with more or less content, rather just incorrect labeling on price tags. Small but still frustrating. The Nizzar salad is 17$ online, listed as 14$ in store on the product, and came up as 14.95 before tax at the counter.

If you're around, check it out for the food or a treat but don't expect consistent or warm service across the board. The prices do not...