As a young man, I was offered a key insight into the world of business.
A business either grows, or it dies.
It's hard to give a glowing review to a chain, with outposts as far flung as Etobicoke (pity them, lest they receive a late-night visit from a certain inebriated public official).
But that's what Pizza e Pazzi is becoming.
And it's not hard to see why.
I've visited a few times. On every occasion I was greeted quickly, by a server practiced enough to work at a finer dining establishment. Sliding into a booth, my water glass appears and never dips below half-full.
A basket of bread, including puffy, tomato-strewn foccacia soon appears, sided with dips ranging from sweetish tapenade to spicy giardinera.
I opt for a different pizza each time. Some red-sauced, some white. Barely crunchy veg adorn one option, while scads of prosciutto andother. Crusts are uniformly well-blistered and cooked through even to the centre of the pie.
Tiramisu is uniquely good. The waiter promises it's the best in the city. I'd be hard pressed to prove him wrong.
Coffee is almost strong enough, but still pretty fine.
I'd welcome a location opening up a little bit closer by. Bring your real estate agent, I might even know a site :)