Via Mercanti Avenue — Restaurant in Toronto

I was anxious to celebrate Father’s Day at this restaurant. We live in the community and looked forward to spending time with family at Via Mercanti Avenue Road. We were given the option of seating and we chose to be seated at the far end of the restaurant. Both children (2) and adults (4) (2 being seniors) were quite content and we settled in beautifully. After a 15 minute wait for ordering, and having been served only sparkling water, we were told unexpectedly to get up and move to another table because another family had arrived specifically requesting our table… royalty, not political figures, maybe regulars??? Who knows…but we were asked to move. They were attended to quite quickly, while we were moved to a corner table. I asked myself, why did they not join two four seater tables and that would accommodate them perfectly rather than moving us. The restaurant at that time was basically empty. Even though the server was very apologetic about the move, calling it his mistake, I felt belittled, demeaned, humiliated and unwelcomed over what I felt was, more important people. When we finally started ordering, my grandson asked for fries, only to be told 15 minutes later, they only had sweet potatoes. Later on I took note that pizzas were topped with regular white potatoes but they were unavailable for fries!? Pizzas were very good but pasta was simply ok. As an Italian, born and raised, I have had better. There was a sense of disarray with servers, as some of them came twice to our table asking us the same thing. Did we order? Did we get our drinks? It took quite a lengthy time to serve us. It was a scrambling of servers, back and forth. I felt very uncomfortable when I was told we would not be charged for the children’s pasta. I was not looking for free food, only competent, respectful and efficient service. Unfortunately, I will not return to...

For my preliminary visit, I opted for the familiar bufalina pizza ($29), a tomato-based pie topped with fior di latte, buffalo mozzarella, prosciutto slices, and basil.

The well blistered dough was pillowy soft having that requisite chewiness but a delicate flavour. What really shone through was the fresh tomato sauce, a hint of sweet saltiness from the tissue thin pork, and the creamy cheese. Some diners may find it too bland, but I liked the lightness of the pizza, which balanced the heavier pasta dishes.

Ideally, you’ll eat family style so you can order the gnocchi norcina ($32) and Bolognese together as the sauces compliment each other. The finely minced mushroom, crumbled sausage, and black truffle paste covering to the soft potato dumplings was delicious but cloyingly heavy, so a couple spoons were more than enough.

Yet, after trying the blander Bolognese ($25), the simpleness of the slightly acidic sauce made me want another taste of the gnocchi. In fact, grab a dumpling and swirl it into the tomato sauce and the rich rosé-like creation was even better.

On its own the Bolognese was disappointing. Being a meat-based sauce, there wasn’t much meat - some beef but none of the pork and pancetta that gives it a hearty edge. It was also too tomato heavy becoming a tomato and beef ragu than Bolognese. And no, they are not the same thing.

Via Mercanti’s appetizers are also substantial for sharing. There was plenty of calamari, but not many shrimp, in the frittura di pesce ($26), lightly dusted and fried until golden but not overly crispy. It’s a little plain neutral but delicious with the hot tomato dipping sauce.

The tiramisu ($15) was a solid interpretation but needed more lady fingers as there were spots where I had a spoon of the mascarpone cream and nothing else. Perhaps it’s designed to appease children as the espresso flavour was...

If you're looking for an authentic Italian dining experience, this restaurant is an absolute gem! From the moment you walk in, you're greeted with a warm and inviting atmosphere. The staff is incredibly friendly and attentive, always making sure you're well taken care of. The manager goes above and beyond to ensure everyone feels welcome, and their passion for delivering the best experience is evident in every interaction.

Now, the food—WOW. The pizza is hands down some of the best I've ever had. The crust is perfect, the toppings are fresh and flavorful, and the flavors are just so authentic—it's like you're transported straight to Italy. And don't even get me started on the tiramisu! It's the perfect balance of rich and light, with just the right amount of sweetness. You can tell it's made with love and quality ingredients.

Overall, this place has earned a loyal customer in me, and I can't recommend it enough. Great food, exceptional service, and that genuine Italian charm....