I've had Spizzico on my radar for quite sometime now, they're the latest addition to the Zafferano family of restaurants which include Zafferano and Sapore! I haven't had a chance to visit the other two but reading their reviews I knew I could expect only the best. Last night, being my birthday I was craving homestyle Italian with an upscale twist and knew the only place I was gonna get that was in Vaughan so I used my birthday dinner as an excuse.
From the moment we were seated by our server, Julian, was awesome. Explained the days specials, made some solid recommendations and event tossed in a friendly joke or two along the way which kept us laughing.
The venue is gorgeous, definitely wasn't expecting the decor and crazy vaulted ceiling height from outside in the parking lot but this almost looks like a banquet hall in size once you're inside.
We were also excited to learn that last night was the first night of a brand new menu. It was parts of the old one with a few new items and some tweaks on classics. Having never been I was excited to try all. the. food. Period.
The complimentary bread and oil was a pleasant surprise, the bread was crispy on the outside and soooo soft inside. It was bakery fresh and brought back memories of Sunday family lunches with my Italian family which was always filled with bakery fresh bread and freshly sliced cold cuts.
We started with their version of a Caprese salad. It was beautifully presented with thick cuts of fresh mozz layered between equal cuts of thick crisp fresh tomato. Definitely, the best I've had. To add the appetiser amazement I had the grilled calamari, lightly seasoned, perfectly cooked jam packed with flavour across the hearty portion of squid (huge portion I gotta add).
For our mains we HAD to have the pastas, our server really talked them up, apparently, they specialise in the art of the uber hard gnocchi dish. Sachi went with the stuffed gnocchi filled with ricotta cheese, I tried a bite and they were like little pillows covered in a rose sauce. For my own meal I took Julian's suggestion and ordered the rigatoni with meat sauce but subbed out the tomato sauce and went the rose. HOLY SHIT! It was like meat and cheese and carbs had a love child and the damn thing grew up to be a hybrid between a super model, a 6 time super bowl champion (sorry Tom Brady), superman, superwoman and a super sub. What I'm trying to say is SUPER.
Top to bottom one of the best dinners I've had for my birthday... ever. Best of all (and while I wasn't responsible for the bill) it was less than $100 (a lot less) including tax, tip and WINE.
Amazing meal, totally full, totally happy, you've got to find this place, it's hidden in a plaza but worthy of your efforts and data usage on your GPS.
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