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| - It was lunch, I was in the area and I was hungry. I was told by my brother that I had to try Baldini because it was the best food in the area. Always willing to try a new restaurant, that is where him and I headed. When we first walked in it was a treat for the senses. Dual layer table clothes, cloth napkins, oil and vinegar on the table, the smell of fresh sauce; a great visual for an Italian restaurant. My brother and I were greeted by a very smiley Tony, who I later found out was the owner of the restaurant. Tony even recognized my brother as having been there before and remembered personal details that he asked about, very nice and welcoming.
Leslieville is a very over priced area when it comes to food, with lunch anywhere you go being in the $15+ range. Baldini was no different with most sandwiches being $8+ and pizzas being 12+, then add a drink and you are $15-20 for lunch. The atmosphere though was a lot more welcoming than other restaurants in the area which I have found to have a pretentious attitude in the air. Both my brother and I got the Carne pizza, although he kept trying to push the Siciliano sausage sandwich because he had it before and it was incredible.
The food came out pretty quick, looking and smelling great. The taste matched the smell and was one of the best pizzas that I have had in the city. The crust was thin and crispy and I don't know if it was the mix of 50% wheat flour or what, but it had a really nice taste to it. The sauce tasted homemade, but with everything else on the pizza it was overpowered too much to notice. The meats were cooked very well which isn't found too often when it comes to pizza places I found, and the bacon used was thick and crispy. I love pizza like Pizzeria Libretto or Magic Oven, but I think overall the pizza at Baldini is a much more solid pizza (the fresh basil on top giving it a more Italian feel doesn't hurt either).
All in all it was a fantastic lunch. A big and fun personality of the owner, the Italian feel and smells on first entrance, and the full flavoured food. Although I was there with my brother, this would be a perfect location for a nice quiet, romantic date. I have of course not seen the setup for dinner (if candles are out on the tables and the lights turned low), but between the price point and the atmosphere, I can't help but recommend. For anyone wandering through the Leslieville area, I suggest you pop into Baldini for some of the greatest food I have found (so far) in the area.
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