A couple of months ago, my wife and I went for lunch at La Fonte. You really go for the view, not the food. The food is decent (we split a pizza, and then had a dessert). Not bad, but nothing out of the ordinary, either. But what you really go for is the view of Toogood pond. With a review like that, you'd think I'd rate it higher. So why did I give it only 2 stars? We liked it enough that we tried to make a reservation again. Only now, their policies had changed. You had to make a $25 minimum per person, and on top of that, they add a 20% penalty (what they euphemistically call "gratuity". But it most definitely is not a gratuity, because a gratuity means that it's voluntary. There's nothing voluntary about the 20% surcharge. So call it what it is - a penalty). Because of these 2 extremely dumb changes, we'll never be dining there again. There are plenty of other delicious spots in Unionville (including 3 other Italian restaurants that don't have these practices), that there's no need to tolerate these policies. read more

Came here on a Friday evening for dinner. Called ahead to make a reservation and they reserved two tables for us to choose! Service was superb with very friendly servers - so friendly that even my toddler with stranger anxiety liked them and engaged with them! Atmosphere and view were great since it was sitting on Toogood Pond. Inside was really cute too. Tables, chairs, and even the booster were clean. Zero complaints! The only thing is the washroom is the public park washroom so it's not the prettiest and cleanest; there were some bugs and some smell. In terms of the menu, there aren't a lot of choices for pasta but it makes sense since it is a bistro. Ordered the Mortadella & Burrata and Tagliatelle al Ragu. Both were really delicious and the pasta tasted fresh even though we don't know if it's fresh pasta. Had a really good experience here and would definitely come back! This spot is perfect for date nights since there are many small tables and the vibe is just a date night vibe! read more

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There are restaurants that earn their success through great food, relentless hospitality, and years of hard work. And then there are restaurants that win the geographic lottery. La Fonte sits on one of the most enviable pieces of restaurant real estate in Unionville. Perched beside Toogood Pond, with a patio facing west, it offers the kind of sunset view that would make a mediocre sandwich taste profound. If you're taking an evening stroll around the pond, there is essentially one place to stop, sit, sip a cappuccino, and watch the day disappear. La Fonte knows this. And perhaps that's the problem. On a cool evening, we approached the mostly empty patio with modest ambitions. No elaborate dinner. No special requests. Just coffee, a couple of treats, and a front-row seat to one of the best sunsets in Markham. The greeting? "Do you have a reservation?" No. Reasonable question. What followed was less reasonable. Instead of the traditional hospitality playbook--"Welcome, let me see what I can do"--we were informed they were busy - did I mention the empty patio? And immediately questioned about whether we intended to order food - what does what we intend to order matter if a seat can be made available? We did say we would like a seat on the deck/patio. We explained that it was our first visit and, not being blessed with psychic powers, we had no idea what they served. Snarky attitude in check - with pleasantries exiting the oral interface. A menu was handed to us and we were instructed to step aside and review it. Step aside....???!!!??? As if there were crowds of eager diners stacked ten deep behind us... There was nobody. Not a single soul waiting for a table. No line. No rush. No visible crisis requiring crowd-control measures. Just an oddly defensive interaction taking place on a mostly empty patio overlooking a beautiful pond. The conversation somehow became more absurd from there. Every answer seemed to generate another hurdle, another question, another subtle suggestion that perhaps our presence was creating administrative difficulties. Eventually, we did what any rational person does when hospitality turns into a bureaucratic exercise: we left. The funny part came later. Walking around to the opposite side of Toogood Pond, we could clearly see people casually strolling onto the patio and taking seats. No interrogation. No menu review committee. No apparent examination of intent. Just people walking on past the gatekeeper and sitting down. Which naturally raises the question: Is the secret to dining at La Fonte simply to ignore the front-of-house operation altogether? Not that we'd ever do that. Most of us were raised to believe civility matters. You wait to be seated. You speak politely. You respect the establishment's process. But La Fonte provided a fascinating case study in how that social contract can break down. Because when courtesy is met with indifference, and curiosity is met with suspicion, one begins to wonder whether good manners are simply putting oneself at a competitive disadvantage. The tragedy is that none of this has anything to do with the food. The kitchen may be wonderful. The coffee may be excellent. The patio is unquestionably spectacular. The problem is that the first course served at any restaurant isn't food. It's hospitality. Perhaps what seems to be nepotism at the gates is not the best hiring practice. And on this evening, La Fonte managed to take one of the most beautiful dining locations in Unionville and make it feel strangely unwelcome. That's a remarkable achievement, though probably not the one they were aiming for. Carpe diem, indeed. Just don't expect anyone at the front door to help you seize it. JEERS!!! read more

This hidden gem located next to Toogood Pod, is truly a great addition to Unionville & Markham for authentic Italian pizzas! What's better than handmade fresh pizzas, paninis and soups!? The owners, husband and wife are very warm and welcoming when you walk in. The menu is small yet simple but with so many great options. The pizzas were fresh, hot, generous toppings. The sauce was incredible and not too thick, meats and cheeses were so delish and the crust was perfection. La Fonte is small in size, with limited searing, but very cozy for a quick meal next to the water in the Summer or a cold winter day to enjoy their cafe, soups and sandwiches. This is what we have ordered so far: Calabrese Pizza: $29 - San Marzano DOP, fior di latte mozzarella, Spianata Calabrese salame, Nduja, red onions, scamorza, pecorino, EVOO - incredibly fresh ingredients and so much flavor - pizza perfection! Margherita $ 23 - San Marzano DOP, fior di latte mozzarella, basil, EVOO Looking forward to going back - I finally have my go to spot for authentic Italian pizza in Markham! read more

La Fonte - Calabrese Pizza - Cafes Near Me - Unionville, Ontario

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Found this cozy Italian cafe overlooking Toogood Pond while exploring Main Street Unionville :) We had the Cuore Panini, Soup of the Day with Sourdough bread, Apricot Croissant, Hot Apple Cider, and a Camomile Tea The 'bread' for panini sandwich was actually a pizza dough; it was a very tasty dough! We also loved how hearty and loaded the soup was with beans, veggies, and sausages! read more

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After grabbing coffee with my friend on Main Street, we decided to sit down for a small bite. While walking around TooGood Pond, we came across La Fonte, which is tucked right alongside the pond. We walked in and were immediately greeted and seated. We initially asked for a table at the back, but were informed there was a reservation coming in, so we were offered a table for two by the door instead. Thankfully, it wasn't too chilly, and since foot traffic was minimal, the door stayed closed for most of our visit. When we arrived, there was only one other table of two enjoying coffee. The space itself is quite small, which isn't what you'd typically expect from an Italian spot. They do have patio seating, but it's not really suitable for this time of year. That said, the service was excellent. We were promptly offered drinks, given menus, and had our order taken within a reasonable timeframe. The server also introduced us to the daily specials, kept our waters topped up, and cleared tables as needed. Our waitress was very friendly, and what appeared to be the manager also stopped by to thank us for coming. For food, we shared the sausage pizza. It's meant to be personal-sized, but we were pretty hungry. The flavors were solid, and the pizza wasn't too heavy. The crust was nicely crispy yet chewy, and the toppings were well balanced, not too much, not too little. We also noticed their pastry display; the apple muffin in particular looked tempting, though we didn't try it this time. Definitely something to come back for. All in all, a pleasant experience and a nice spot to stop by if you're in the area. read more

I stumble upon this italian cafe gem the other day, and I absolutely love it. This place used to sell burgers and hot dogs near Toogood pond in Unionville. If you happen to be taking a stroll by Toogood pond, please stop by this place for a quick pit stop and enjoy some of their yummy pastries. I didn't get a chance to try the coffee/latte today as it was already in the late afternoon. But their pastry is so flaky and so good! The staff is so friendly, chatting with me and letting me know how long they have been opened for etc. I love the environment and the location, you get a nice little view of the pond in unionville. Would definitely come back to check out their brunch menu. read more

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La Fonte is a hidden gem tucked by the Too Good Pond--part bakery, part café, part pizzeria, and completely delightful. The space is small, cozy, and romantic, with a beautiful view of the water. It's the kind of place that feels like a secret worth sharing. If you're grabbing a coffee or a cannoli, outdoor seating is your best bet (and honestly the best option on a sunny day). But if you're there for the pizza--and you should be--make a reservation and dine in. The pizza looked next-level, and we're already planning to come back just for that. Perfect date spot material: sip something good, share a bite, and take a peaceful stroll around the pond afterward. Maybe even wander into the nearby boutique shops in Unionville. In short: take your wife. Thank me later. read more

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A cute, quaint lunch spot right beside Toogood Pond. I think it's been open for quite a few months now but I didn't hear much traction about it until I saw a recommendation on Tiktok. It's really close to me so I said I have to go! We went here on a rainy day (unfortunate, because I wanted to see the beautiful views of the pond) and sat down shortly after lunch menu started at noon. There are not a lot of seats so be sure to come early or be prepared to wait (they do not have reservations), but I think this will be less of a problem when summer begins and patio seating opens up. The menu has an assortment of pizzas, sandwiches, salads, and soups. We got the following to try: - Rapini and Sausage Pizza: This was delicious. The rapini was slightly charred, the cheese was ooey gooey goodness, and the sausage was very flavourful, a little spicy. Dare I say this was better than the pizza I had in Rome? Very impressed. 9/10 - Soup of the Day: We got this with the sourdough bread (which was perfectly toasted and not too chewy, just how I like it). The soup had spicy sausage, some potatoes and vegetables. A nice addition to the rainy weather outside. 8/10 The price is a little bit steep (more on par with downtown Toronto restaurants) but I still think it is very worth it. Service was excellent and quick. They also have a cute pantry where you can buy some pastas and tomato sauce to support small businesses (I found it a little funny since none of the menu items were pasta - maybe soon?). Definitely worth a try if you are here on a nice summer day and walking along Main St Unionville! read more

La Fonte - Soup of the Day + Sourdough Bread - Cafes Near Me - Unionville, Ontario

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Located next to the pond in Main Street Unionville this place is so unassuming. Honestly looks like you're going to dine in a public bathroom but when you walk around the corner you are presented with the CUTEST restaurant wtih patio seating outside and a few hightops inside. Love it! Authentic Italian coffee (I had 2) Delicious desserts (had some to go) pizzas / pastas / paninis or sandwiches...to die for. Love this place! And the service staff arrival soooooo friendly! LOVE IT! read more

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Fantastico! Popped into this new waterfront Italian cafe at Toogood Pond one weekend afternoon, and we had a marvellous dining experience. La Fonte offers a gorgeous view of the calm pond waters, authentic pizza, and irresistible Italian pastries. Service was very friendly, and the pizza was incredible! The dough was thin but still held its integrity, and it had such a wonderful chewiness to it. The vegan Italian almond cookies were also a hit. Note that there is limited indoor seating, but why not order a pizza to go and enjoy an outdoor picnic around Toogood Pond? read more

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I have to agree with much of the previous review of Peter M (1 month ago). He really covers most of my issues. I agree with the comment about the geographic lottery location and beautiful patio. The rest is pretty downhill. First the requirement of $25 per person (plus tax) before you can even be seated, even if the patio and inside seating is empty. The menu is pretty simple. That would be ok if the items on the menu were worth it. The Caprese salad was tasty but small for $20. A friend had the kale salad which was literally all kale ( also $20). A side of house made focaccia ($10) was tasty. There was a lot of discussion of less vinaigrette to on the side vinaigrette. Chef can't do it, etc. Everything was a battle. The pizza was tasty but the dough was so paper thin that the ingredients slid off it. The panini was a huge roll of dough ( too big to eat) with vegetables stuffed inside. My salad with focaccia and a bottle of sparkling water was $37 plus tax. Really not value for the money. At first we were told that they couldn't do 3 separate bills, only 1 bill for 2 people and a third, and then finally we could... There are other places to dine in Woodbridge ( not as scenic to be sure) but if the owners want their business to be successful, they need to be more flexible, accommodating and welcoming. read more

The BEST restaurant I went to in Toronto the entire 4 days I was there. First, was warmly welcomed by the owner of the restaurant, Danielle and then was recommended a delicious pizza (the burrata/pistachio) that was so insanely good I almost finished the whole thing by myself. The ambiance was perfect on a cold day where I could look out on the frozen, snow pond - so peaceful and just what I needed! Ended it with a nice espresso and delicious biscotti, highly recommend. Luigi and Danielle and their entire staff were amazing and I might just have to fly all the way back from Seattle to go again. read more

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Service wasn't great. Told very curtly there are so substitutions to the menu.. we just wanted to omit something.. anyway fine... they forgot my order so my friend is eating while I'm waiting and waiting.. I had to get up and ask when my sandwich was coming ( they had no idea as it wasn't ordered, I asked the chefs)then my mortadella sandwich arrives and they've forgotten one of the key components( the straticella cheese) so they give it to me in a pot to spread on myself . The sandwich was so bland. Then I realize my glass has quite a large crack in it.. so they replace drink. We were offered a coffee "on them" I don't mind paying, especially when food is good. This was meh and I'm being generous.. the service was not good.. and to be forgotten about, then have meal arrive only to be done wrong.. as well as a glass with a huge crack? (Which is a safety issue) and to be offered coffee? At that point the sandwich should have been graciously comped , as I was so patient and gracious.. My friend even called me in the car to say how unbelievable the chain of events and not to comp the sandwich. We were looking forward to a catch up lunch after not getting together for a while and it was a gong show. Her eggplant parm pizza was really good. I will say that. It felt so disorganized, like they opened yesterday. As I said the pizza was good and I'd maybe do take out... read more

Very Disappointing indeed of this place but makes up with a beautiful view of the pond. We bring in a water from outside and taken from us. Gelato taste more than ice. read more