Tosto Quickfire

Ordered the single-​size funghi pizza and was pleasantly surprised. The funghi pizza (mushrooms, sundried tomato, rosemary, white truffle oil, pecorino cheese) was light and fluffy and the cheese and mushrooms just worked so well together. Plus I love me some truffle oil. The portion size may be a bit small for others but it was good for me, so I was pretty full from just the four slices.
My boyfriend’s funghi pasta was pretty mediocre though. The flavours were bland and the truffle oil didn’t shine through.

Went here for baptism party. We ate the: calamari, Caesar salad, romana salad, carbonara, bolognese, margherita pizza, brasato pizza. My favorite was the brasato pizza! The braised beef, sunny side egg and wild mushrooms in it was delicious! The crust tasted really good! I normally don’t eat Italian food because I find not too many places get the sauces right. But this place got all the sauces right in all the right ways! Atmosphere was warm and inviting. Décor is casual but also modern and homey. I love the long tables. Feels like I’m having a family meal with an Italian family!

I was on my way to another eatery but it was closed. Tosto was close by so I decided, «Why not?» The atmosphere is very lively so I knew this was a trendy spot. Simple black and white menu and nice variety of options. The norma was great although a bit bland (I had to doctor it up with some seasonings).
Otherwise it was a tasty, hot meal on a cold, frigid day in some wonderful company. Good on you Tosto!

Allow me to begin by saying that as recently as 8 months ago, I frequented this place because I loved it. I thought that, notwithstanding the wait, the food was worth it and the staff always remembered me. I loved the pasta carbonara, arugula salad, prosciutto sandwiches, and frankly just about every pizza.
In the last few months, however, each time I’ve gone I’ve had a worse and worse experience. And now I’ve had it.
This place calls itself a «quickfire» but it is nothing of the sort at lunchtime. I’ve repeatedly had to wait in excess of 30 minutes for my order to be filled. No sit-​down restaurant with those ticket times keeps my business; a fast-​food joint should be no different.
In one recent example, they entirely forgot about my order. When I presented them with my 40-​minute-​old receipt (!) I was welcomed with a blank stare and another 15 minutes before my order was filled. So much for my lunch «hour.»
In the most recent example, I did what others have recommended — call ahead and pick up for more efficient service. I arrived, paid, and was told that my order would be up in «just a bit». Fair enough.
So I stand in their alcove and watch as my order comes up, not even five minutes later. I watch as two of the staff look at it, bag it because they know it’s a call-​ahead order. I see them look up. I make eye contact with one, point at myself and ask «carbonara?». Blank stare, she turns away. Five minutes pass. They roll down the plastic bag and I can see my order is cooling. I ask again. I’m ignored. Another several minutes and the young woman finally reads the full ticket and calls my name. I am ignored as I explain that I’ve been waiting 15 minutes watching my order congeal, and that this is unacceptable. I leave, peeved.
Arriving back at the lunch room I discover that my order is not only cold, but the sauce isn’t a sauce, it’s a runny, watery, yellow oily mess that tastes like nothing, much less a carbonara. I am starving and scarf it anyway, hoping that the egg sauce is still safe to eat.
What a shame. I used to love this place, but never again. Caveat emptor, folks.

Not impressed! Ordered their often raved-​about funghi pasta and what I got was a plate of overly thick pasta with a sauce that failed to incorporate the robust flavours of the mushrooms. When places do this dish right the richness of the cream is infused with the deep flavours of the mushrooms … Tostos failed miserably in that department. Their grilled calamari didn’t fair any better unless you like rubbery calamari with a single note seasoning.

This place opened last year on Bay St just north of College. I have heard some colleagues at work talking about it and was receiving mixed types of comments, finally I decided to try it since my insane passion for any type of Italian food. I walk through the giant orange door and suddenly I am in front of some typical Italian poster: tomato sauce cans, a burning oven with pizza forks caressing the fire but also a slice of modernity all around. The décor is very modern. One area is elevated, where you can seat to dine in and the entrance where you can order take out and wait on one of the chairs. Then the food: I had funghi crostini: delicious and delicate, spaghetti with tomato sauce — I like to appreciate the simplicity yet rich taste of the pasta. I have to say: I was impressed! I definitely recommend this place. Ps: they are fast too.

Being so close to home, the Y, and Women’s College Hospital, we had high hopes for Tosto, and so we tried a take out order of pastas and a pizza.
I usually can’t stand the use of the word «meh», but that was our reaction.
Except for the meatballs, they had an herb that both hubby and I didn’t like so the dogs were happy that night.
The carbonara was okay, but nothing exciting.
The best item was the Funghi (Mushroom) Pizza, but it wasn’t great enough to inspire a return visit.
It did inspire me to make my own linguini in mushroom cream sauce, and that was delicious, so, I guess I owe them thanks for that.

–Nero Pasta (Squid Ink Linguine, Tiger prawn, poached cherry tomato, white wine, olive oil, garlic, chili flake, basil, salmon caviar) — $ 16
While the presentation of this dish looked amazing with all the different colors contrasting with the black linguine noodle, sadly the taste felt short. The pasta was undercooked and I could still taste the raw wine and garlic as well, and what’s with the overused of olive oil? I kid you not, there was a puddle of olive oil underneath all that pasta. I even questioned the staff if the nero pasta was supposed to be that oily, they told me that’s how Italian pasta is supposed to be… WHAT!!! Anyhow, though the staff was nice enough to offer me a different dish, I decided not to order anything else and just eat the pizza instead.
–Patata pizza (potato, sausage, mozzarella, sun dried tomato, rosemary, bechamel sauce) — $ 8
To be honest I dislike white sauce pizza and unfortunately this pie wasn’t able to change my mind. Since the patata pizza had the bechamel sauce as the base sauce, it was incredibly rich and fatty, thus it really needed something acidic to balance out the flavors. With that said, for $ 8 the portion was generous and more than enough for a single serving! With every bites you are getting some crunches from the potato, the dough was thin and remained soft without becoming soggy from the sauce.

I frequent this area often, but did not know this fast-​casual restaurant existed until my cousin recommended we go here for dinner. It’s easy to walk past by, but I am glad that I now know that it exists!
After skimming the menu, we both settled on pasta — Norma for my cousin, Carbonara for myself — a single size of the Umami pizza to share, and two glasses of wine. After paying, we were given a buzzer and we would be given a ring once our food was ready. It was a quiet Tuesday night, so seats were plentiful and there was not much of a wait for our food to be ready.
The pastas ranged from $ 10 – 14, and were in generous portions; more than enough for a single serving, and enough to split to take home for later. However, put a plate of pasta in front of me and I will finish all (or most) of it! My carbonara came with generous portion of pancetta and sausage, and the egg yolk sauce was nice and creamy, without being overly creamy. The Umami pizza did not have the «umami» factor, as its name suggests, but was a nice complement to my pasta to dip in. Our wine didn’t come in wine glasses, but in glasses that are probably the same glasses they use to serve water. I understand that it’s fast-​casual, but perhaps this is a bit too casual.
For around $ 50 for two pastas, a single size of pizza, and two glasses of wine, the value is excellent; simple, traditional Italian menu with fresh, made to order pasta and pizzas at very reasonable prices.

Solid pastas. Although the tomato based pastas tasted a bit canned (but fresh) and lack the deep richness of flavour that comes with simmering the crap out of it. But for 15 bucks? This is how pasta should be priced unlike the some overly hyped pretentious establishments cough**buca cough** anyways I had the Nero which is squid ink pasta. Very good flavour and seafood which also included ikura salmon fish row garnish which was a nice touch … Only thing is service is cafeteria style where u get everything yourselves. They call you to the counter with a beeper thingy when the food is done, which is a bit weird I’ve only seen this system in Asia btw.

For a quick order and pick up place I wasn’t expecting much but this place really surprised me. I shared the carbonara pasta and brosata pizza. The pasta was on point. Not too salty or saucy and it was a healthy portion size. The pizza crust hinted at a Pizza Hut but was way better. Lots of seats. Clean. Highly recommend if your in the area.

One of the best «bang for the buck» hidden gems downtown. I’m tempted to give it 5 stars! Refreshingly casual format (self seat, self serve) but seriously good food for very reasonable prices. We had the brassato pizza, caprese salad and squid ink seafood pasta. Generous portions, solid flavours — the brassato pizza was outstanding in particular. Service was also very friendly — the owner (?) genuinely seemed interested in our experience when chatted on our way out. Will definitely be back and recommend to all.

I eat here often enough that I should update my review. Actually, it’s mainly that I should update it from 3 stars to 4 stars. Most everything I’ve had here, I’ve like. I finally tried their pizza a few weeks back and found that I really liked it. I also really like the Funghi pasta. It doesn’t have any meat in it. For those times when I just don’t want any meat, this is a delight. OK, I’m a little biased, anything with mushrooms in it, I tend to like, and the Funghi has lots of mushrooms in it. Actually, I would say most of the dishes here have lots of stuff in it. They don’t skim on the ingredients or the portions.
I think the first time I was here, I felt like the carbonara could have been better. I haven’t had that again, but I’ve had just about everything else. I don’t know if the quality of the food has gotten better? Or if I was being particularly picky before. But I’ve found that everything tastes OK here. I’ve liked the food enough to continue to come back.
The service (which is mainly at the counter, because you will put away your tray and clear the table yourselves) is very friendly and nice as well.

I saw another post that mentioned that great service. I would also say the service is very good in terms of the people, but not necessarily the overall service the restaurant provides given they charge restaurant prices. You order, you pick up your own food and you put your own stuff away, yet prices are equal to other restaurants in the area (Scaddabush for example).
That aside, most of their dishes are OK. I have found that some of their salads, such as the Caesar, have way too much dressing, while some of their pasta dishes, such as the Bolognese seem to be over spiced with too much sauce, not enough noodle (strange it is usually the opposite).
I still come here every once in a while as some of my co-​workers like it. Some of the pizza’s are pretty good. Someone mentioned the Margherita. At the end of the day there isn’t much in the area so they are filling a void for those looking for a lunch time place. Get here before noon at lunch or you won’t find a seat.

I used to go to Tosto at least twice a week since it was the closest restaurant to my old condo.
I have really mixed feelings about this place.
I would give it ⁵⁄₅ stars for the service. The people who work at the restaurant are so lovely. My brother accidentally dropped his tray of pizza onto the floor and despite only having maybe two slices yet, the owner of the place gave us a full sized Margherita pizza without cost.
When I had to wait little too long for the food, the servers made sure to apologize profusely and offered me complimentary drinks.
Unfortunately, I am not a huge fan of their food. The only dish I would actually recommend is the Margherita pizza. The salads are not bad, but frankly overpriced. If you do get salad, I would recommend the Romano.
The décor is very nice for a pay-​at-​the-​counter restaurant. The service can be very slow at times though.
I would say good effort on the Umami pizza (green apple, mozzarella, caramelized onion, red onion, black olive, walnut, pecorino, béchamel sauce), but it was overly saccharine and left a weird aftertaste.
The Carbonara was a huge disappointment, over-​seasoned with pepper to a point that I almost gaged.
Ugh, c’mon let me love you, but your food needs to be seasoned better!

Solid choice for take out in the neighbourhood. Dude behind the cash was super friendly, informative, totally willing to jump in to make the sale. They have three sizes of pizza, we were sharing just two of us and so we chose the middle size, which works out to 3 pieces each. We shared a pasta, too, and this made a good sized meal for two people and only $ 27. I preferred the pizza — the crust was really good, and the toppings were great (funghi), but he preferred the pasta (carbonara). Next time I’d want to try some other things, but I would certainly be back.

Food was decent, came out fast and has a nice selection of foods to eat!
Went there with some co-​workers for a small lunch/​celebration. Got a Brasato pizza + Calamari. Ordered through a cashier, sat down and waited for my name to be called out. There is no servers/​waiters, you get your own food and put the dishes away after you’re done. For that reason, there is no tip required, which was nice (I guess?)
My biggest gripe was that the place was quite loud. With the servers yelling your name, to the echo-​y environment, I wasn’t able to have a good conversation with the people sitting right next to me. I did not see an egg on my pizza like they showed on the display screen while waiting in line, but the food was still good enough for me to enjoy what I had. To my surprise the calamari was grilled, not fried/​breaded, which was a nice change of pace. I think I still prefer my breaded calamari though :)
Overall, A good place to try, especially for a quick bite. The food came out quite quickly which I was happy with. Will come back to try their sandwiches next time.

Enjoyed yet another dinner at Tosto Quick Fire catching up with friends. The food is undeniably fresh, tasty, generous, and affordable (including premium beers like Sapporo for $ 5!). Tonight I had the Calabrese Pizza (which I can’t seem to stop ordering), a new lobster pasta they were trying out which had big pieces of l lobster claws and the ever so delicious Calamari which sauce should be bottled and sold!
I keep going down my list of friends wanting to share the experience with them.
Definitely an experience one should try out and have on their own!
#OneHappyCustomer
#DoNotTakeMyWordForIt
#GotToTryIt
#BestKeptSecret
#NewKidOnTheBlock

Update:
I was booking a party at Scaddabush (Yonge & Gerrard) and told the manager about what happened with Tosto and he thought I was kidding,“how can a business disregard their customers like that?” So I made two reservations with Scaddabush to celebrate a promotion and new job, and the manager made sure to be present and took care of my guests and I. The staff went far and beyond to give us an excellent experience. So now, for every promotion, birthday, new job, etc. my colleagues will come to Scaddabush — though Tosto is closer.

Nice ambience. The set up is quite strange, similar to Nandos where the order is placed at the counter and you await then to call your name. I find this a little haphazard… One could invest in buzzers or assign table numbers.
Food:
Just acceptable. I ordered the carbonara. Pasta was overcooked and a bit on the salty side, but still found it satisfying.
The station for dropping off used cutlery and dishes was really unpleasant. Not a fan of going to the place with a whole bunch of dirty dishes and food just left there.
Don’t think I’d return since there are plenty of better Italian options in the area.