Introducing: North of Brooklyn, a new thin-crust, by-the-slice pizzeria on Queen West
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
Blink as you’re walking by, and you’ll probably miss one of Toronto’s newest pizza spots: North of Brooklyn, a tiny 12-seat restaurant tucked around the corner behind Hero Certified Burgers at Queen and Palmerston. Inspired by Brooklyn’s obsessive passion for pizza (exemplified by places like Best Pizza, South Brooklyn Pizza and Di Fara Pizza ), Josh Spatz and Alex Potter (Pizzeria Libretto) wanted to bring that same high-quality, thin-crust pizza to a casual, grab-’n’-go setting—so they partnered with Best Pizza’s Frank Pinello. Torontonians have typically had to choose between whole-pie artisanal pizza and slices from the chains that have been sitting out for hours; North of Brooklyn is combining the two, with thin-crust pizzas made throughout the day (with just five on the go at any time) and sold by the slice.
In the kitchen are Potter and Chris Getchell, also previously of Pizzeria Libretto, who make and hand-stretch the dough until it’s good and thin. On the menu are five signature pizzas including margherita ($3.90 per slice, $18 for one 18-inch pizza), pepperoni ($4.20 per slice, $20 per pizza) and white ($4.40 per slice, $22 per pizza) with arugula, garlic ricotta, mozzarella and pecorino. Aside from pizza, there’s a seasonal arugula salad ($6) and garlic knots ($2.50 for four), a signature adopted from Best Pizza: proofed pizza dough that’s been tied into knots, cooked with olive oil, garlic, thyme and topped with cheese. For dessert: there’s a sweet-savoury cookie ($2) made of pretzels, chips, popcorn, chocolate and butterscotch chips.
The space, once occupied by the peripatetic Kensington Market Organic Ice Cream, was renovated with the help from friend David Dworkind, but remains relatively rustic (without too much barn board) with original floors, checker plate metal on the walls, bare light bulbs hanging from the ceiling and dark stools for seating. Old photos of Brooklyn pizza shops hang on the walls, including, naturally, one of Pinello’s Best Pizza. Outside, the brick wall boasts a large vintage-glam North of Brooklyn Pizzeria sign that lights up at night. The liquor license application is in, and there are plans to serve craft beer, wine and the usual Brios and San Pellegrino sodas.
157798 Tableside condiments: garlic paste, chili flakes and parmesan (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: North of Brooklyn Introducing: North of Brooklyn https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12NorthBrooklyn7-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12NorthBrooklyn7.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12NorthBrooklyn7.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-north-of-brooklyn/slide/aug12northbrooklyn7/ aug12northbrooklyn7 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
157804 Garlic knots ($2.50 for four): proofed pizza dough tied into knots and cooked with olive oil, garlic, thyme and spices (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: North of Brooklyn Introducing: North of Brooklyn https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12NorthBrooklyn13-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12NorthBrooklyn13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12NorthBrooklyn13.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-north-of-brooklyn/slide/aug12northbrooklyn13/ aug12northbrooklyn13 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
157803 Arugula salad with buttermilk dressing, peaches, roasted sunflower seeds and goat cheese ($6) (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: North of Brooklyn Introducing: North of Brooklyn https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12NorthBrooklyn12-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12NorthBrooklyn12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12NorthBrooklyn12.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-north-of-brooklyn/slide/aug12northbrooklyn12/ aug12northbrooklyn12 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
157802 Seasonal veg slice ($4.40): poppyseed crust, cubed beets, carrots, purple kale, heirloom tomatoes and lemon-seasoned ricotta (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: North of Brooklyn Introducing: North of Brooklyn https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12NorthBrooklyn11-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12NorthBrooklyn11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12NorthBrooklyn11.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-north-of-brooklyn/slide/aug12northbrooklyn11/ aug12northbrooklyn11 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
157801 Puttanesca pizza ($4.40 per slice): olives and scallions with caper and anchovy sauce (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: North of Brooklyn Introducing: North of Brooklyn https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12NorthBrooklyn10-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12NorthBrooklyn10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12NorthBrooklyn10.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-north-of-brooklyn/slide/aug12northbrooklyn10/ aug12northbrooklyn10 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
157800 Margherita pizza slice ($3.90): mozzarella, basil, tomato sauce and grana padano (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: North of Brooklyn Introducing: North of Brooklyn https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12NorthBrooklyn9-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12NorthBrooklyn9.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12NorthBrooklyn9.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-north-of-brooklyn/slide/aug12northbrooklyn9/ aug12northbrooklyn9 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
157799 White pizza slice ($4.40): arugula, garlic ricotta, mozzarella and pecorino (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: North of Brooklyn Introducing: North of Brooklyn https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12NorthBrooklyn8-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12NorthBrooklyn8.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12NorthBrooklyn8.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-north-of-brooklyn/slide/aug12northbrooklyn8/ aug12northbrooklyn8 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
157797 Take-out boxes (they’re hoping to add delivery in a few weeks) (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: North of Brooklyn Introducing: North of Brooklyn https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12NorthBrooklyn6-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12NorthBrooklyn6.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12NorthBrooklyn6.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-north-of-brooklyn/slide/aug12northbrooklyn6/ aug12northbrooklyn6 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
157796 Co-owner Josh Spatz (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: North of Brooklyn Introducing: North of Brooklyn https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12NorthBrooklyn5-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12NorthBrooklyn5.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12NorthBrooklyn5.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-north-of-brooklyn/slide/aug12northbrooklyn5/ aug12northbrooklyn5 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
157795 Old photo of Di Fara Pizza in Brooklyn (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: North of Brooklyn Introducing: North of Brooklyn https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12NorthBrooklyn4-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12NorthBrooklyn4.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12NorthBrooklyn4.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-north-of-brooklyn/slide/aug12northbrooklyn4/ aug12northbrooklyn4 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
157794 A tribute to partner Frank Pinello’s Williamsburg pizza joint (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: North of Brooklyn Introducing: North of Brooklyn https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12NorthBrooklyn3-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12NorthBrooklyn3.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12NorthBrooklyn3.jpg 416 606 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-north-of-brooklyn/slide/aug12northbrooklyn3/ aug12northbrooklyn3 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
157793 (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: North of Brooklyn Introducing: North of Brooklyn https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12NorthBrooklyn2-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12NorthBrooklyn2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12NorthBrooklyn2.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-north-of-brooklyn/slide/aug12northbrooklyn2/ aug12northbrooklyn2 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
157792 (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: North of Brooklyn Introducing: North of Brooklyn https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12NorthBrooklyn1-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12NorthBrooklyn1.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12NorthBrooklyn1.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-north-of-brooklyn/slide/aug12northbrooklyn1/ aug12northbrooklyn1 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
157791 North of Brooklyn took over the spot once occupied by Kensington Market Organic Ice Cream (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: North of Brooklyn Introducing: North of Brooklyn https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12NorthBrooklyn_intro-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12NorthBrooklyn_intro.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12NorthBrooklyn_intro.jpg 656 420 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-north-of-brooklyn/slide/aug12northbrooklyn_intro/ aug12northbrooklyn_intro 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
North of Brooklyn Pizzeria, 650½ Queen St. W., 647-352-5700, northofbrooklyn.com, @northofbrooklyn
Not sure about the logic here…if it is sold by the slice, it still means that the pizza might be sitting there for a little too long. If you go to Pizzaiolo, a chain, during peak times, the pizza is pretty fresh. It’s when you go during low times. Even if there are fewer pizzas on offer, it still might be sitting there too long. I’m just say…not that it would stop me from trying this place.
This place is delicious.
While I haven’t tried NOB yet, if these guys partnered with Best Pizza in Brooklyn…Best Pizza is a joint project from Brooklyn Star and Roberta’s, and I had one of the best meals, and pizzas, of my life at Roberta’s. This is great news.
No Brooklyn style Sicilian pies?
This spot is destined to become one of Toronto’s Finest! Great vibe and even better food…Toronto was in desperate need of a good slice and North of Brooklyn hits it out of the park
Delicious! Went for the margherita, sauce was outstanding. Perfectly seasoned and salted, tasted like they picked the tomatoes that morning and made sauce! Fresh ingredients for the toppings and that crispy thin crust pulled everything together. Will definitely be going back for more!
I tried a slice today and was disappointed. When I saw the name “North of Brooklyn”it conjured up images of ooey-gooey New York style pepperoni pizzas. Their offering of thin pizza with a sparse sprinkle of toppings just doesn’t fit with the name.
The slice was somewhat bland and overpriced at $4.50. I would prefer to spend the extra $5 and head to Terroni where I can enjoy a tastier version of an authentic italian style pie.
So much promise but sadly a miss.
Oh well, just another place with sparse ingredient “gourmet” slices. Too bad.
Is there is a Brooklyn in Southern Italy because this is not New York style pizza! I was so disappointed I couldn’t enjoy my slice. I need to go back knowing what to expect in order to give it a fair chance…that’s if I can forgive them.
Went to North of Brooklyn for my first time today and I will definitely be going back. The garlic knots were delicious (and piping hot) and my slice was one of the best I’ve had in Toronto – I went for the pepperoni which had a great spiciness to it. Also, the boys that work there are almost as yummy as the food…
So what if the pizza isn’t “New York style”? It’s by FAR the best I’ve had in Toronto; maybe even outside of Italy. North of Brooklyn filled Toronto’s gourmet-by-the-slice void that DESPERATELY needed to be filled. While their crispy thin crust and cheese might not replicate your standard (and, in my opinion, shitty) New York slices, they are still outstanding, especially when paired with what is clearly the freshest and highest quality produce that I have yet to find on any other slice in this city (the kale and roasted red and yellow beets were my faves). The melt-in-your-mouth garlic knots are literally perfect. I could eat a dozen of these delicious garlicky cheesy better-than-crack balls every day for the rest of my life and never get sick of them. Bottom line: if freshness and quality isn’t your thing, just walk a block east to Pizzaiolo. And if impeccable service isn’t your thing, just walk a block west to Terroni.
Tried this place out the other day. Very unsatisfying to say the least. Slices werent fresh, were expensive (paid almost $20 for 3 slices and 2 sodas), and didnt even come close to hitting the spot. Wont be going back. Too bad, was very promising.
Wait, but do they have Edison bulbs??? Oh thank goodness. Carry on, then.
CP – you are such a shill, or owner, but I call BS on your hopped up enthusiasm!! Give me a break.
Check this place out the other day. Loaded up on slices and knots, expecting a glorified Pizzaiolo… Boy, was I surprised! The margherita was simple but beautiful, cheese with arugula slice was like nothing I have had from a take out joint… and the garlic knots were sensational!
No doubt the best slice joint in the city! Can’t wait for delivery!
Came in for a slice on Saturday and was totally impressed. The place looks great and the pizza was delicious.. fresh, simple ingredients and perfect crisp crust. Staff were super nice as well! Will be returning soon.
Tried it. It’s crackers and cheese. Lower the friggin price or give me half a pizza for my 5 bucks!
deliiciously epic. epically delicious.
This place was the bomb. Pepperoni had some kick and the garlic knots were great. Also so excited I can hit it after the bar for some delicious drunken mow.
This place is a joke. This is TORONTO not BROOKLYN north east west or SOUTH. And pizza in brooklyn doesn’t look like what they are selling. This is a place for the YUPPIES to spend their money foolishly.
For the size of the location and the slice, they should be charging $3.
Hey King…..Suck it!!
This place is amazing look at that giant pie! You know what they say about success. Your jealously may make you envious,but truth lies in the ZA.
M.W. WVTco.
WOW! The pie is GIANT in that picture. It is bigger than the guys head!!! This place is amazing. I was waiting all my life for a giant pie!
This place is delicious. Alex, the chef is a phenomenally good looking and exceptionally talented individual. With calves like that, I don’t think there’s anything he can’t do.
Wow, Alex and Josh have such sweet asses! Juicy and Plump!! Screw the pizza, I want to hump their legs!
lol at potter being trained at libretto. 3 months on the salad station doesn’t teach you shit about pizza. clearly.
Simon F, Do you work at Libretto Ossington?