A pizza bread cone filled with hot, pillowy gnocchi might sound a little over the top — but that’s exactly what’s happening at Toronto’s San Vito Bakery and Trattoria.
Called La Scarpetta, the dish takes homemade potato gnocchi, fresh basil and Parmigiano Reggiano and serves it inside a freshly baked panozzo, right at the table. Once you’ve finished the gnocchi and mopped up every last bit of sauce, the best part is that the bowl is completely edible.
San Vito is the latest project from Julian Parentela, president of The Parentela Group, who named the restaurant in honour of his grandfather’s Italian roots. He teamed up with chef Marco, a local culinary veteran with nearly two decades of experience, to build a menu around classic Italian recipes with a more modern presentation.
During the day, the restaurant operates as a neighbourhood bakery and café. You can stop in for an espresso, pick up fresh pastries like cannoli and zeppole, or grab one of the oversized panuzzo sandwiches. One standout is stuffed with mortadella, pistachio cream and stracciatella.
On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, San Vito shifts into dinner service, with stone-baked pizzas, pasta dishes and imported Italian wines.
But La Scarpetta is easily the most attention-grabbing item on the menu.
Chef Marco starts with homemade potato gnocchi, tossing it with fresh basil before finishing it with plenty of Parmigiano Reggiano. Instead of plating it in a traditional bowl, the gnocchi is spooned into a freshly baked pizza-bread cone and brought straight to the table.
The bread acts as both serving dish and part of the meal, making the whole thing feel like a bit of a dinner-and-a-show situation. And when the gnocchi is gone, you’re left with a warm, sauce-soaked crust that’s meant to be eaten too.
The bread cone might be the star, but there’s plenty else worth ordering. The Diavola comes with spicy Calabrese salami and hot honey, while the Tartufata is topped with black truffle cream and fresh arugula. The drink list is a dream with Aperol Spritzes, chilled Limoncello and Peroni available from 11 a.m. And for something sweet, there’s fresh tiramisu and almond cookies to take home.
San Vito Bakery and Trattoria is located at 110 Marine Parade Dr.