My Review: Panino Cappuccino

Panino Cappuccino: One of the best rustic, simple, homestyle Italian restaurants in Toronto.

Ah, Panino Cappuccino. One of the best Italian hole-in-the-wall restaurants in the city. Located in York West, between Shepard and Finch on Weston Road, it brings forth a large menu of rich, rustic, refined Italian cuisine.

Osteria? Trattoria? Tavola calda? Ristorante?

Now I don’t know how to categorize Panino in the Italian nomenclature. As small as an Osteria, yet it has the rustic feel and menu of a Trattoria. Having an excellent selection of wines from an Enoteca, but the simple service of a Ristorante. It’s quaint, family owned and superb. Panino is classic, homestyle, traditional. Panino is simply Panino.

Huge menu, huge quality, 0 mistakes

The odd thing about this place: they have a large menu. This is usually a sign opposite to a good restaurant. Yet everything I’ve had over time has been excellent: the appetizers, the sandwiches, the pizza. Even the salads (I don’t eat salad!) Even the seafood (says my mom.) Despite the changes in staff throughout the years, they’ve been consistently good. Homemade recipes, constant practice — I don’t know how the magic works in that kitchen, but everything I’ve ordered has always been quality.

A critic at a loss

Usually criticism comes from things that are missing, flaws, or errors. Things anyone can pick up on. Yet, at Panino Cappuccino, I can’t really identify anything bad with the food. None. It’s all been excellent, simple, Italian cuisine.

I also can’t say it’s bad because it’s classic and simple. Panino Cappuccino isn’t trying to be modern or cutting edge. It’s simple, good, solid homestyle Italian.

Italian Homestyle Perfection

This is homestyle, Italian cuisine. “Homestyle” flavor, definitely. But it doesn’t feel like homestyle. It feels inspired in it’s simplicity. It’s confusing. Don’t expect anything fancy, cutting edge, experimental, or fancy plates. This is where Panino shines: they know who they are, and they do it well. Their old school charm will knock your socks off in freshness, quality and taste, despite it feeling new.

Never order pasta? Break that rule.

A noteworthy rule throughout all my Italian dining experience has been: never order pasta. It will never be as good as ones childhood, ones mother, or ones’ ever loving Nonna. This has been unfortunately & consistently for me a rule in all my escapades throughout the city. Now, if one is missing a certain old Italian woman’s cooking and not sure where to get it, one should break this no-pasta rule of dining out, and get going to Panino Cappuccino.

The best I’ve had

This surprises me to this day. And yet, these three dishes I’ve had from Panino are the best:

• The Lasagna
• The Pizza
• The Tiramisu

This is amidst my lifetime of growing up and eating various dishes from family members, neighbours, friends of the family, and other restaurants I’ve gone to. This is high praise. I’ve known lots of Italian Nonna’s over the years. They don’t do anything overly fancy. They don’t do anything experimental. Their recipes are tried and true. Theirs is solid Italian cooking, just like Panino’s.

The one thing many Italians might argue with are the portions. I understand. Eating at home is usually a feast, where your grandparents or friends will stuff you like a turkey. I never liked that feeling. At Panino, the portions are just right for young and old, small or large appetites. This is a homestyle, quality culinary experience.

Fantastic Service

These guys treat you right.  This is what Italians live for. Talk to the waiters, the chef if you have a problem, or just say hi. They’ll bend over backwards to make sure you’re happy. It’s as simple as that. The excellent food does take time to cook, so just be patient, have a beer, talk to your date, or even the people next to you. This is a quaint place with excellent cuisine; you won’t be disappointed.

So…it’s not on the menu

Due to the Lasagna (the King of Pasta) usually not being an option on the menu, you need to get it from catering. (Oh, their catering menu!) If you’re lucky, it’ll be a special du jour. If you’re making a reservation or planning a holiday, and up for some fantastic Italian anything, ask. Regardless, the menu will certainly catch your interest for anything else Italian.

And if you can’t wait, call them up and ask them if they can prepare you something. Like the old Italian Nonna’s, slaving away in the kitchen, these people live to cook, and will probably give you what you want if you give them a heads up.

Memories of my childhood

First of all, this is subjective.  As a result, I’m being biased here. So I apologize. But, it is as close to my Italian grandmother’s sauce as I can recall. Panino serves a certain strong, sour-tomato sauce flavor I cannot properly express. Are the tomatoes fresh? Is it seasoning? The rich flavors of a simple ragù alla bolognese is something I’ve yet to have elsewhere. It’s very difficult to find a place that can bring you back to your childhood, of your Nonna making you Sunday lunch. However, this strong, rich sauce might not be for everyone. Italians, as we know, are very picky with their sauce.

 

When in Rome, get the Pizza

It’s divine. Not saying it’s #1 in Toronto — and I’ve experienced Libretto, Terroni, Grazie, Zucca, Il Fornello, and many others — but it’s high quality Napoletana style. They may not be VPN certified, but the taste and ingredients are so good, I wouldn’t be surprised if they use similar standards & techniques.

When at Panino Cappuccino, (also) get the Tiramisu

There are only a few ways to do Tiramisu. As a result, some places try and get fancy, like different portions, cheese, shapes, or plating. Panino Cappuccino does it exactly the right way, the traditional way, and thus — in this humble critic’s opinion — the best way. There’s always room for dessert, and it doesn’t stuff you enough to order a 2nd piece if you didn’t feel like sharing (but you brought your date with you and you’re a nice guy, right?)

A Panino Cappuccino original: The Italian Spring Roll

This is a thing on the menu.  It’s also one of their most popular appetizers. I’m not a fan of this particular dish, but I’d have to at least mention it, or else I wouldn’t be much of a food connoisseur. Here’s the description: prosciutto, bocconcini cheese, roasted red pepper & basil wrapped inside a wanton wrapper deep fried, and served with a balsamic reduction.

 

Drinks

Fantastic wines from a simple list. A small well-stocked bar, and as usual, Peroni and Moretti. Negroni: standard. For some, the meal will be so excellent, you might break out of your routine, and consider an aperitif or digestivo (ask for an amaro.) Oh, apparently the cappuccino is fantastic (mom again — I’m not a coffee guy.) Considering their namesake, and overall quality, I wouldn’t be surprised.

Price

Seems like the simple dishes of  pizza and salads are perfectly priced, and some fish and main courses are pricier. Luckily, everything is quality, and it’s all worth it.

Conclusion: Panino Cappuccino

Near Vaughn or North Etobicoke? Need a high quality restaurant and want to knock the socks off a date, have a simple celebration, or just darned good simple Italian cooking? Well, this is the place to go. Think of a more northern, accessible, family friendly, and cheaper restaurant on the scale and quality of Donatello’s or Piano Piano, and you have yourself a real hidden gem at Panino Cappuccino.

[usrlist max=10 “Food:9.2” “Drink:7.5” “Decor:8.0” “Service:9” “Noise Level:9” “Pizza: 9.3” “*Tiramisu:9.9” “Price:8.4″ avg=”true”]

*yes, Tiramisu gets it’s own category. It’s this good. This is how it should be done.

Location & Times

Panino Cappuccino is located at:
3218 Weston Rd,
Toronto, ON M9M 2T7
416-741-4646 ‎

 

Hours:

Monday to Saturday	10AM–10PM
Sunday	Closed