Introducing: Via Mercanti 2.0, the new Elm Street outpost of the Kensington pizzeria
Name: Pizzeria Via Mercanti
Neighbourhood: Downtown Core
Contact Info: 87 Elm St. , 416-901-1899, pizzeriaviamercanti.ca , @via_mercanti
Owner: Romolo Salvati, who also owns the Kensington Market location
Chef: Eleuterio Giannattasio
The Food: Owner Romolo Salvati grew up near the Amalfi coast, and has been kneading pizza dough since age sixteen. Wood-fired Neopolitan pies are the focus of the menu, but other options include fresh-cranked pasta, risotto and traditional Italian secondi , like veal scalloppine and grilled lamb chops. Sandwiches come stuffed with prosciutto and meatballs, and require two hands to eat.
The Drinks: Neopolitan wines and draught beer, including the Italian Birra Moretti.
The Place : Located in a 19th century heritage building, the new outpost is larger and slightly sleeker than the Kensington location. That said, the space is unabashedly low-key. Italian scenes decorate the walls and mounted flat-screen TVs let customers to watch the game while they eat.
The Numbers:
• 23 pizzas on the menu: 12 red and 11 white
• 10 pastas
• 8 beers on tap
• 5 likenesses of the masked, mandolin-playing figure Pulcinella, an Italian character from 17th century folklore who is supposed to bring good luck
• 2 house wines, including one produced from grapes grown in the same acidic soil as the tomatoes used in the pizza’s tomato sauce
• 1 mural of the Amalfi coast
249643 The new Via Mercanti outpost is located at 87 Elm Street, in a 19th century heritage property that also houses a YWCA (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Via Mercanti Introducing: Via Mercanti https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-01-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-01.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-01.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/via-mercanti-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-01/ toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-01 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
249644 The space includes two dining rooms and a large open foyer (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Via Mercanti Introducing: Via Mercanti https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-02-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-02.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-02.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/via-mercanti-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-02/ toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-02 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
249645 Mounted flat-screen TVs let diners watch the game while eating (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Via Mercanti Introducing: Via Mercanti https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-03-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-03.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-03.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/via-mercanti-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-03/ toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-03 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
249646 The black-and-white photo on the back wall is a snapshot of Salerno, the town near the Amalfi coast where owner Salvati grew up (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Via Mercanti Introducing: Via Mercanti https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-04-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-04.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-04.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/via-mercanti-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-04/ toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-04 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
249647 The walls are decorated with photos and paintings of Italy (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Via Mercanti Introducing: Via Mercanti https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-05-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-05.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-05.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/via-mercanti-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-05/ toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-05 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
249648 (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Via Mercanti Introducing: Via Mercanti https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-06-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-06.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-06.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/via-mercanti-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-06/ toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-06 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
249649 (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Via Mercanti Introducing: Via Mercanti https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-07-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-07.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-07.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/via-mercanti-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-07/ toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-07 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
249650 (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Via Mercanti Introducing: Via Mercanti https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-08-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-08.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-08.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/via-mercanti-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-08/ toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-08 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
249651 Pulcinella is a masked, mandolin-playing figure from 17th century Italian folklore. He is supposed to bring good luck (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Via Mercanti Introducing: Via Mercanti https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-09-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-09.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-09.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/via-mercanti-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-09/ toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-09 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
249652 (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Via Mercanti Introducing: Via Mercanti https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-10-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-10.jpg 667 1000 [] https://torontolife.com/food/via-mercanti-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-10/ toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-10 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
249653 (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Via Mercanti Introducing: Via Mercanti https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-11-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-11.jpg 667 1000 [] https://torontolife.com/food/via-mercanti-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-11/ toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-11 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
249657 Breaded mozzarella balls ($4) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Via Mercanti Introducing: Via Mercanti https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-15-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-15.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-15.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/via-mercanti-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-15/ toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-15 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
249659 Margherita pizza ($10) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Via Mercanti Introducing: Via Mercanti https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-17-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-17.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-17.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/via-mercanti-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-17/ toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-17 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
249658 Margherita pizza ($10) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Via Mercanti Introducing: Via Mercanti https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-16-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-16.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-16.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/via-mercanti-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-16/ toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-16 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
249656 White pizza with fior di latte, cherry tomatoes, prosciutto and arugula ($16) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Via Mercanti Introducing: Via Mercanti https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-14-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-14.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/via-mercanti-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-14/ toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-14 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
249654 Risotto with porcini mushrooms and truffle oil ($23.50) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Via Mercanti Introducing: Via Mercanti https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-12-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-12.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/via-mercanti-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-12/ toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-12 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
249655 Risotto with porcini mushrooms and truffle oil ($23.50) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Via Mercanti Introducing: Via Mercanti https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-13-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-13.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/via-mercanti-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-13/ toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-13 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
249660 Meatball sandwich ($15) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Via Mercanti Introducing: Via Mercanti https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-18-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-18.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-18.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/via-mercanti-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-18/ toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-18 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
249661 Meatball sandwich ($15) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Via Mercanti Introducing: Via Mercanti https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-19-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-19.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-19.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/via-mercanti-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-19/ toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-19 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
249662 Ricotta cheesecake ($12) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Via Mercanti Introducing: Via Mercanti https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-20-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-20.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-20.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/via-mercanti-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-20/ toronto-restaurant-via-mercanti-20 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)