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Terroni - CLOSED
Categories: Restaurants Italian Restaurants Pizza Italian, Pizza [Edit]
1 Balmoral AveToronto, ON M4V 3B9
Neighbourhoods: Yonge and St. Clair, Deer Park
(416) 925-4020
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
21 reviews for Terroni
21 reviews in English
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Review from Traveling P.
Markham, ON
12/4/2010 1 Check-in Here
As an impromptu dinner date, this was a very nice place. Very busy though for a Wednesday night. Constant flow of people.
My wife who grew up in Italy thought that it was one of the better Italian restaurants in TO. Plus the waiter spoke Italian which is a plus in her book. Service was prompt and efficient! Personally I thought the food was very good even compared to the numerous restaurants we went to in Italy. Very comparable and sufficient authentic for me.
To start with we had the Mezzo e Mezzo. You can't go wrong with honey, walnuts, hazelnuts, cheese, and prosciutto. My wife had the Bucatini Amaticiana which I tried a little bit of and it was very nice. The Pasta was done right and the sugo (sauce; Tomato) wasn't overwhelming. Perfect balance.
I had the Angolotti which I would recommend if you want to avoid a heavy tomato sauce. The meat was done right and didn't smell 'meaty' if you know what I mean. Perfectly well done and the taste was delicate but not to the point I would loose the flavour.
For closing I had a doppio (double expresso) with Torta Calda. Very delicious and again my chocolate demon was tamed that evening. My wife had an Affogato which was nice as well.
All in all, we would go back to this restaurant and for my wife who is very picky about Italian food that is saying something. I would give it a 5 star but the atmosphere was a tad to busy for a dinner date but I can see it to be an excellent place for a bunch of friends.
Buon Appetito! -
Review from Cindy C.
Toronto, ON
11/14/2010
It's good pasta but not great pasta...
Pasta is always one that's tough to please the masses. Everyone thinks they can do it better themselves at home. And traditional Italian pasta is very simple and flavourful... So, in North America, great Italian places are few, far and in between.
I had the LINGUINE AL FRUTTI DI MARE. Aka Seafood pasta. This is one of my favs in Italy, but fresh pasta is a must. They didn't go too bad, it was an enjoyable dish with Scallops, Mussels, Calamari, and Shrimp... in tomato sauce, which was good. I felt like it needed a bit of fresh basil...
The other parties had the PAPPARDELLE ALLA IOSA, which was flavorful - you can taste the saltiness of the sausage and the flavour was unique - I would recommend this dish if you want something different. Someone else had the GNOCCHI in TOMATO SAUCE. The gnocchi was over cooked and the sauce was really average - tomato... etc.... nothing really special.
Good thing is - service is really fast. I didn't even know how they could make the pasta so fast!! The portions were just right, may be small for some people, it wasn't the "American special" portion, the "lumberjack" special, or the "supersize" me order.
Anyways, wasn't the worst pasta in the world. But it wasn't the best either... It was somewhere in the middle. The atmosphere was great, good vibes. I heard the pizza was a great option - maybe I'll try that next time around? -
Review from Melinda M.
Toronto, ON
10/27/2010
My friends love Terroni way more than I do, and since I work near it and they don't, we often end up meeting here for lunch. Oh well. It's not the end of the world. It's just nothing special for me.
The service is always just OK. Nothing special. The food is ok too. I don't know if the quality of the competition has improved in Toronto, or if their quality has declined, but I just don't like Terroni as much as I did 5 years ago. The pizza used to be so good? or was it that there was nothing better around? I don't know.
No reservations, which is kind of a pain. No substitutions on the menu, which bothers other people more than me, but I am not a picky eater either. No slicing of the pizza by the kitchen. DIY, dear.
The nicest thing about this Terroni is the outside patio in the summer.Listed in: Lunch at Yonge/St. Clair
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Review from Kat F.
12/28/2009
And now, a dramatic reading of a real breakup letter, to a real restaurant. **
My Dearest Terroni,
It's been a wonderful 10 years. We've been together much longer than I could expect any relationship to last. I've always taken a Pete Doherty approach to relationships - fuck forever: I tell my friends, if I can have a solid 10 years with one person, that's a great run and more than anyone can ask for these days. So it's been a blast, but regrettably it's time for me say goodbye.
We've certainly had our ups and downs. In fact, it's been quite turbulent. Loyalty is one of my specialties and sticking by you throughout was a true test of this loyalty.
"But it's so pretentious, the no substitutions policy at Terroni! It's barbaric!" they'd declare. No matter - I continued to namedrop you when friends sought out birthday and other celebratory dinner venues. I fiercely defended your refusal to allow any changes to your "the way we intend food to be served" menu.
"But they refuse to take a reservation for my group unless it's for more than 6 people, between 5-6pm, and an odd-numbered day in June with Scorpio rising and Mars in Cancer." Just go, I'd say. The wait will be worth it, and you never really have to wait THAT long.
"But they're closed on Sundays. What kind of restaurant closes on Sundays?" That's why there are three locations, I'd say. Make the trek to Yonge and St. Clair and don't worry about it. It'll be worth it.
"But they refuse to cut my pizza into slices!" OK, you've got me there. But isn't the pizza great?
I could only afford to visit your locations 3-4 times a month, but I was loyal to you for nearly ten years. Your reign as top dog in my restaurant black book ended last night at approximately 8:33pm ET.
We called you on Friday to inquire about a reservation for fifteen people on a Sunday. You told us you didn't take reservations, but to call ahead and you'd start preparing our table. "It'll be fine," you lied. "Just come on in."
6:55pm ET: Your hostess took our names down and my friend, who was celebrating his 30th birthday that day and had impressively coerced his "I don't go north of Bloor" collection of friends into gathering at Yonge and St. Clair, told us the wait wouldn't be long, but looked visibly anxious.
7:35pm ET: Your manager told us "It won't be long now - there's a large party that's already paid and we're just waiting for them to leave. Should be any moment now - no more than five minutes." This was the last update we received as we all stood crowding the front entrance and watched table after table have their name called.
8:00pm ET: At this point everyone was antsy, having fasted for the entire day in anticipation of our celebratory feast. A few of us ordered coffees at the bar and the server told us, "We're preparing a sweet table for you." A few people asked for an update, and the hostess/manager told us that she wouldn't ask the large party to hurry or leave - fine. We asked her to entice them with a round of drinks on us - perhaps they could move their party to the bar? She refused.
8:33pm ET: I hovered and seethed. How was it that nearly an hour had passed since the "we should be seating you within 5 minutes" update, with not so much as an apology, an appeasement or even an amendment to the original promise. So nearly 90 minutes of waiting in total. My issue wasn't with the length of time waited (we knew we'd have to wait) but the way we were treated.
Then there was a small altercation with the hostess/manager that I shan't repeat because it made me so angry. Let's just say it involved some interference by famished and flustered patrons, the utterance of "Don't talk to my customers. That's my job." and further ignoring.
It's that sort of "fuck you" attitude that I don't appreciate, and finally led our group to pick up and take our business elsewhere. I should have heeded the telling sign that only three reviews had been written on this location in all of 2009, and none of them positive.
Never again, Terroni.
I have a new Italian boyfriend now and he'll happily prep southern-style, home cooked food for me to my preferences. It'll be at a fraction of the inflated cost without an extra helping of pretension and gestapo-like enforcement. He'll let me dip my bread in olive oil AND balsamic vinegar if I want to, goddammit, he'll put parmagiano reggiano on any dish I want, not just the ones that the chef thinks should have it, AND he'll cut my pizza into fucking slices.
With love and fondness,
Kat F.
** YTMND reference (watch with volume): http://youmakemetouchy...Listed in: Tipping Is Optional
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Review from Eric J. R.
2/20/2009
Don't believe the line - this spot is just not worth waiting for.
We came here for the Sunday family meal for years. Then the chef / owner got uppity and instituted a "no substitution" policy and really pissed us off.
How can you not care if your customers are vegetarian? It was easier to claim allergies than vegetarianism to remove some ham from a pizza. Unbelievable.
The final straw though was the removal of the balsamic vinegar. We always enjoyed dipping our bread in oil and vinegar there - literally for years. Then one day she tells us that we can't have it. That the olive oil is too good to be enjoyed with the balsamic. It was too much, and we stopped going.
Even the staff seemed upset by the changes. Too bad. -
Review from Paul R.
Toronto, ON
2/16/2010
No substitutions and no reservations. How do I know this is their policy? It was written on the bus boy's shirt. Yes, I assure you it was. Now anyone who thinks they are this good better be really good, so read this review with that in mind. While I don't think I'm unfair in my review, Terroni opened the door to this level of criticism with their smug policies so all is fair.
Let me say it's a brave step for a restauranteur to suggest their menu is so perfectly put together that they refuse to substitute any ingredient, so you'd better get it right. Unfortunately, Terroni doesn't, so the novelty is lost and just seems pretentious. I almost think they are trying to make customers think they are that good by saying they are that good. Almost like a self-fulfilling prophecy.
The wine list, where do I start... You know that one person who just tries so hard to be different it's obvious they are trying hard to be different? That person that has the phrase, "You laugh because I'm different, I laugh because you're all the same", hanging on their tongue so they can say it the exact moment they are criticized? Well that is Terroni's wine list. What a complete mess. I often find it difficult to order wine inthose Italian restaurants that are too Italian for their own good (thus refusing to stock French or Californian wine) but this was just awful, and when I did happen to pick one, it was nothing special at all.
To top it all off, the wait staff was less than accommodating for our large group. -
Review from Anna V.
Toronto, ON
11/19/2008 1 photo
The Uptown Terroni is a bit better because all the uptown WASPs would never stand for what the downtown hipsters do. They still don't modify much and there's a lot of scouring and claiming that bad service is merely Italian, but their takeout is a lot better, they DO have a bit of leg room and once you hit them up enough times, they'll at least take the pork off for ya.
I wouldn't say it's so good, it's worth the drive uptown, but it's certainly better than the one on Queen. And the best thing is, if you eat here on a date, you won't be gossiped about for weeks on end. Unless that's what you're aiming for, then go West my spot light seeking friend. -
Review from Chris H.
Toronto, ON
8/26/2010
After reading the reviews on Yelp about this location, I was a bit skeptical, but checked it out anyway... I'm glad the lower rating didn't scare me off, 'cause this was one of the best thin-crusted pizzas I've ever had!
One thing - the beer list could have been better, but I suppose you're supposed to drink wine at these places anyway. -
Review from MARIANA L.
12/29/2008
I know I am very picky about pizza and admit it. I need it to be thin crusted, bubbly, and the cheese has to be top-notch. If the setting is rustic and homey, that's a plus. This place did the trick. I had a great lunch here with friends I hadn't seen in years. When you move to NYC and only visit Toronto twice a year, it's hard to keep in touch with everyone.
Pizzas are huge, and every combination looked good on the menu. The one I ordered was a special, with parmesan, sausage, truffle oil, mushrooms. I am craving it now a few days later. My hubby had a nice squash ravioli, my friend, the calamari salad that she enjoyed.
I had visited the location on Queen West several years ago and remember liking that experience as well. For a chain, I must say that I find this one more reliable (and tolerable!) than most. -
Review from Erin H.
Toronto, ON
9/10/2008
Despite the fact that their Buffalo mozzarella salad (one of the best in the city) has drastically decreased in size, I still think Terroni is good for what it is - a pizza/pasta place.
Lord knows why this place is so popular...I mean they do have a great thin crust pizza -- but who can screw that up and what Italian restaurant since 1992 hasn't offered that? Nevertheless, popping up all over the city, this place has definitely tricked its customers into believing its the best. Perhaps their no substitutions policy has convinced its patrons that its mystical combinations can't be topped. If you ask me, I like to choose my toppings..but then again, what do I know? -
Review from Avitania B.
Toronto, ON
12/30/2010
Swung by tonight half starved and craving pappardelle, only to find that this location is closed/moving until 2011, a change that isn't reflected on their website or anywhere else. NOT COOL. UPDATE YOUR WEBSITE, TERRONI. Grr.
Listed in: One Star Washouts
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Review from Lynda W.
Toronto, ON
9/6/2008
I have a good memory of this restaurant, because it was one of the first that my boyfriend and I went to when we were first dating. It's a pretty happening restaurant, which isn't that big (they should really think of expanding!).
I ordered a vegetarian pizza, which was absolutely delish. The crust was really thin and light, none of this Pizza Hut mumbo jumbo! My boyfriend ordered some kind of seafood pizza, which looked good as well. If Pizza Pizza, Mama's, 2-4-1, Pizza Hut or Pizza Nova is as far as your pizza tasting has gone, you have to, have to try Terroni. You haven't had good pizza until you've had some from here! -
Review from Ben M.
7/26/2010
You'd think it would be good. It has a nice layout, and a great location on Yonge. Bartender-FAIL. Guy was a total douche. The first rule of customer service is that you actually serve the customers. We were literally inconveniencing him to be there. (12 of us) That's a pretty hefty pre-dinner drink bill. Our server (Matt) was pretty cool, though he was bound by the policies of the joint. No substitutions, no questions, no talking, etc. They actually told us no when we asked for balsamic for the oil and bread. Entrees were nothing to write back to Cicily about and dessert was the best. Remember the no substitutions policy? They were out of lemon gelato, so they asked to sub peach instead!!! Are you kidding me? Going against your own douchey policy to screw the gelato out of us?
12 of us, no one felt served, no one felt blown away. So, if you have an extra thousand dollars laying around for your group and don't feel the need to be impressed, head on over to the Terroni on Yonge. -
Review from Jennie B.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 11/3/2010
I can't help it, but this place has THE BEST thin crust pizza in Toronto - and the closest semblance to pizza in Italy. I'm in heaven each time I have their pizza and although it appears they've raised their prices on all items, I still adore the pizza. And the cute guy who tosses the dough behind the clear glass partition is a real pro. The Balmoral location is moving down the road to further south of Yonge Street & Roxborough(?) in January 2011, so get your fix south of St. Clair now. Side note - I've had pizza from Ferraro (most recently - yuck), that fancy place on Ossington (name escapes me at the moment - it was fine but not amazing nor memorable), Cafe Nervosa, etc., and I tell you, Terroni knows how to do pizza.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/10/2010
Our family will never go to Terroni again - especially the one at Balmoral.
Our male waiter… Read more »
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Review from Carmen D.
9/4/2010
first terroni i'd been to.
they're all nice though.
not crazy about the layout.
just had ouzo at this location, but at the Queen West West one, I had pizza and caprese salad and they were very helpful and tolerant of the two toddlers we had eating with us. -
Review from L B.
Toronto, ON
6/2/2010
Meh, I've experienced better is definitely an accurate representation of how I felt after my recent visit to Terroni. It was ok, but for the price, Grazie at Yonge and Eglinton is much better!
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Review from Diane R.
Toronto, ON
1/26/2010
Over it. What used to be one of my face restos has lost it's charm. Staff now pushes you through hoping to clear the ever persistent line. Prices have risen while the food quality has dropped. During my last visit, the pasta was overbooked and the wait staff were inattentive and unhelpful. I'm moving on - suggestions anyone?
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Review from Ailin K.
Toronto, ON
7/2/2010
Not that it wasn't great, it was. I just can't help but compare to my 1st Terroni - Queen St W. The decor here is more modern, there is less wait time, and the food is equally comparable to a degree of somewhat, and the water glass are even branded with the Terroni name which is a nice personal touch. But, just not the same...... I enjoy eating my Tomato Mozzarella Salad out of a wooden bowl, not from a plain white plate. The pasta with sausage+mushroom was tasty and delicious, but for some reason just lacking a bit of uniqueness I usually get from Terroni Queen W. Great place and would still recommend it, but just not the same....
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Review from Jeff M.
Toronto, ON
9/16/2010
I hadn't been to Terroni in a year or so, and forgot why I stayed away.....
Our lunch today reminded me.....
It being 2 pm on a wednesday, we were seated right away - on the most uncomfortable retro chairs I've ever sat on (think play room blue chairs that you dog ripped apart when she was pissed you went on vacation and left her at home with your aunt)
That unsuccessful attempt at causal coolness also permeates the servcie - wait staff that are very relaxed, nonchalant and friendly, saying they can take it while holding dirty plates from another table (don't worry, I'll remember) , then getting your order wrong and protesting when you point it out ('are you sure you didn't order that?)
Ok, now the food - its ok, good in fact, but far, far from great. A ravioli that promises duck, butternut squash and figs, delivers only a few shreds of what may be duck in its tiny pockets - no hint of the figs or squash to be found
The lamb pappardelle comes with bones in the ragout - tasty but rather oily
The molten chocolate cake, not defrosted adequately in the microwave presumably, goes down as a cold ball of chocolate gew as I inadvertently swallow the centre (they took it off the bill when I answered honestly to our well meaning waitresses "how good was that???":)
All in all, a pretty dissapointing experience. And of course, the price (the so many mediocre Toronto restos) was astronomical - $125 for lunch for 2 with 2 apps, 2 mains and a half litre of red!!!
For a good value, incredible "casual" italian resto, try Mario Batalis Ottto in NYC - better than any Italian in Toronto, still maintains its causal feel, and is literally half the price.....makes me want to cry (Porter, anyone???) -
Review from Danielle A.
6/30/2009
My husband and I ate here on a trip to Toronto almost a year ago and he still hasn't stopped talking about the pasta with sausage and dandelions. Of course, here in Dallas it's almost impossible to get real Italian food, so just seeing that dish on the menu made his day. I don't remember what I had, but it was good too. Service was friendly. We'll stop in the next time we're in town.
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Review from vanessa v.
8/7/2008
delicious delicious delicious pizza. when my husband and i briefly lived in rosedale, we were here about once a week. at certain times, it gets VERY busy (think: 30 min wait and your back up to someone else's table). the pastas here are very good too. only complaint, as usual, is the price, but it's not even too bad since we used to just come in and share a pizza between the two of us.
