Name: Queen Margherita Pizza
Neighbourhood: Baby Point
Contact info: 785 Annette St., 647-345-4466, queenmargheritapizza.ca, @qmpizza
Owners: John Chetti and Rocco Mazzaferro
Chefs: John Galante (chef de cuisine), Matthew Rzeszutek (head pizzaiolo) and Rocco Mazzaferro
The food: Traditional wood-fired Neapolitan pizza made with the essential Italian ingredients: Caputo Tipo 00 flour and San Marzano D.O.P. tomatoes, along with specially made Ontario fior di latte mozzarella. The selection is the same as at the original Leslieville location, and includes the Diavola ($17), with mozzarella and hot sopressata, and the Alla Campagnolo ($17), a vegetarian pizza with chèvre, asiago and mushrooms. There are also non-pizza options, like a Caesar salad with speck ($10) and Fritti Misti ($12), a pile of fried calamari and tiger shrimp. The restaurant is currently dinner-only, but a lunch service is on the way.
The drinks: Norman Hardie wines and Prosecco are both offered on tap. There’s also a short cocktail list featuring drinks like the Cure-all ($12), with Prosecco, dry vermouth, Aperol and rhubarb bitters ($12).
The place: The restaurant’s namesake monarch is emblazoned in black and white on the front of the former bank building. Inside, dark wooden banquettes line the centre of the space, and in the back, the requisite tiled pizza oven, imported from Naples, is proudly on display.
By the numbers:
• 115 seats
• 15 pizzaioli, who rotate between the two locations
• 10 varieties of pizza rosso (i.e. those covered in San Marzano D.O.P. tomato sauce)
• 4 varieties of pizza bianchi (i.e. those without)
• 3, the number of QMPs that should be in operation by the summer’s end (the third location is slated for Dundas West)
196442 Parma e bufala ($22): prosciutto di Parma and buffalo milk Parmigiano cheese with taggiasche olives ($22) (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Queen Margherita Pizza, Baby Point Introducing: Queen Margherita Pizza, Baby Point https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-13-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-13.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/queen-margherita-pizza-baby-point/slide/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-13/ introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-13 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
196441 Funghi salad ($9): roasted shiitake mushrooms with blue cheese and a balsamic glaze on a bed of arugula (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Queen Margherita Pizza, Baby Point Introducing: Queen Margherita Pizza, Baby Point https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-12-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-12.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/queen-margherita-pizza-baby-point/slide/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-12/ introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-12 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
196440 Fritti misti ($12): fried calamari and tiger shrimp with marinara sauce and lemon garlic aïoli (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Queen Margherita Pizza, Baby Point Introducing: Queen Margherita Pizza, Baby Point https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-11-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-11.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/queen-margherita-pizza-baby-point/slide/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-11/ introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-11 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
196439 Carpaccio di Manzo ($12): thinly sliced beef tenderloin carpaccio with grilled asparagus, shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano and lemon-garlic aïoli (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Queen Margherita Pizza, Baby Point Introducing: Queen Margherita Pizza, Baby Point https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-10-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-10.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/queen-margherita-pizza-baby-point/slide/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-10/ introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-10 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
196438 Caesar salad with speck, Parmigiano-Reggiano and crispy shallots ($10) (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Queen Margherita Pizza, Baby Point Introducing: Queen Margherita Pizza, Baby Point https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-09-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-09.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-09.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/queen-margherita-pizza-baby-point/slide/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-09/ introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-09 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
196437 Giovanni ($19): fior di latte, tomato sauce, prosciutto di parma, arugula and cherry tomatoes (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Queen Margherita Pizza, Baby Point Introducing: Queen Margherita Pizza, Baby Point https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-08-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-08.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-08.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/queen-margherita-pizza-baby-point/slide/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-08/ introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-08 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
196444 Alla campagnolo ($17): chèvre, asiago, sautéed oyster and crimini mushrooms, garlic and oregano (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Queen Margherita Pizza, Baby Point Introducing: Queen Margherita Pizza, Baby Point https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-15-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-15.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-15.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/queen-margherita-pizza-baby-point/slide/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-15/ introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-15 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
196448 Diavola ($17): starring fior di latte and tomato sauce with hot sopressata, black olives and hot peppers (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Queen Margherita Pizza, Baby Point Introducing: Queen Margherita Pizza, Baby Point https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-intro-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-intro.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-intro.jpg 656 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/queen-margherita-pizza-baby-point/slide/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-intro/ introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-intro 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
196436 The signature Margherita pizza ($14): tomato sauce with fior di latte and fresh basil (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Queen Margherita Pizza, Baby Point Introducing: Queen Margherita Pizza, Baby Point https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-07-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-07.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-07.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/queen-margherita-pizza-baby-point/slide/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-07/ introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-07 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
196434 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Queen Margherita Pizza, Baby Point Introducing: Queen Margherita Pizza, Baby Point https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-05-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-05.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-05.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/queen-margherita-pizza-baby-point/slide/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-05/ introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-05 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
196431 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Queen Margherita Pizza, Baby Point Introducing: Queen Margherita Pizza, Baby Point https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-02-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-02.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-02.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/queen-margherita-pizza-baby-point/slide/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-02/ introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-02 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
196430 Margherita of Savoy rendered in chalk by local artist Inga Berzinia (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Queen Margherita Pizza, Baby Point Introducing: Queen Margherita Pizza, Baby Point https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-01-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-01.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-01.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/queen-margherita-pizza-baby-point/slide/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-01/ introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-01 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
196447 Owners Rocco Mazzaferro and John Chetti (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Queen Margherita Pizza, Baby Point Introducing: Queen Margherita Pizza, Baby Point https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-18-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-18.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-18.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/queen-margherita-pizza-baby-point/slide/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-18/ introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-18 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
196433 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Queen Margherita Pizza, Baby Point Introducing: Queen Margherita Pizza, Baby Point https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-04-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-04.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-04.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/queen-margherita-pizza-baby-point/slide/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-04/ introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-04 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
196446 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Queen Margherita Pizza, Baby Point Introducing: Queen Margherita Pizza, Baby Point https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-17-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-17.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-17.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/queen-margherita-pizza-baby-point/slide/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-17/ introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-17 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
196443 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Queen Margherita Pizza, Baby Point Introducing: Queen Margherita Pizza, Baby Point https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-14-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-14.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/queen-margherita-pizza-baby-point/slide/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-14/ introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-14 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
196432 The wood-fired oven was imported from Naples (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Queen Margherita Pizza, Baby Point Introducing: Queen Margherita Pizza, Baby Point https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-03-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-03.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-03.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/queen-margherita-pizza-baby-point/slide/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-03/ introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-03 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
196435 Queen Margherita Pizza’s new location was formerly a bank (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Queen Margherita Pizza, Baby Point Introducing: Queen Margherita Pizza, Baby Point https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-06-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-06.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-06.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/queen-margherita-pizza-baby-point/slide/introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-06/ introducing-queen-margherita-pizza-2-06 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
A welcome addition to the neighbourhood.
Went for dinner this past Sunday; it was great. I had the pictured pizza (the Diavola) with subbed-in buffalo mozzarella, and the fritti misti appetizer. All good. Nice that they have wines “on tap” (although it doesn’t appear to lead to lower prices, so I’m not sure what the benefit is). The space is really nice, and our server was friendly (food came out a bit slow, but that’s to be expected in the first week of opening…we all got the right food, so I can’t complain).
As was said above, all in all a great addition to the neighbourhood (although it’s definitely not just a neighbourhood restaurant; it’s worth a drive for great pizza in my opinion and I don’t know of better near there).
Got pizzas to go on opening day and they were wonderful – glad to have them in the neighbourhood.