Where to begin...
This first post, which should set the pace for those to come, is a review of my favourite Italian joint in town. Introduced to me by a now ex-boyfriend, I instantly fell in love with the cozy eatery. After a tumultous break up, and a fierce battle, I eventually won custody over this jazzy little spot. Lucky for him, there are two locations. Lucky for me, I have the one closer to my house. Happy Readings!
Seven Numbers:
This tiny restaurant entrance speaks nothing in the way of it’s food; big taste is what you’ll get when you walk into the Italian food haven, Seven Numbers. The restaurant, which originally opened at 343 Eglinton Avenue W., is now down the road at 516, and has a second location on the Danforth. Rosa “Mama” Marinuzzi, owner and chef extraordinaire, moves six days a week between the two locations, filling hungry Toronto bellies with her Italian treats. Today, unless you’ve got a reservation (which are only taken for parties of eight or more), trying to snag a spot on a Friday is a little like Christmas shopping; impossible.
As I step in through the front doors I am welcomed by Rosa herself, whose kitchen sits right beside the main entrance. Shocked by the size of her “office”, which is half that of a shoebox, I momentarily lower my otherwise high expectations. I am seated right away- surprise, surprise, given the usual 10 person line up (albeit it 20 minutes, it is a wait no less). Dimmed lights achieve a warm environment, while contemporary music adds a trendy twist. The tables, chairs, and cutlery are as mismatched as my sock collection, and while I can order a beverage off a printed menu, the food listings can be found only scribbled on the wall.
The bottle of wine is brought to me in an old tomato can stuffed with ice, and my waiter hustles over with bread and a smile. Since Seven Numbers is a tapas style restaurant I am prepared to order at least five items-- the more the merrier! To start I have the Caprese salad, and an order of Sirloin Wrapped Asparagus. The bocconcini atop my caprese is soft and savoury, and comes lightly drizzled with a rich green olive oil. The asparagus, which is grilled to a crispy, deep green, is smoky in flavour, and comes tightly wrapped in a thick slice of steak. Topping it is a generous portion of caramelized onions, adding sweetness, and rounding out the flavours of the dish. There is no need for sauce or dip; the items speak for themselves.
For the main course I order the Assobucco, which, literally translated means “beef on a bone" or “hole bone”. The beef comes swimming in Rosa’s tomato sauce, which is stocked with cooked vegetables and is sweet to the taste-- a clear difference from North American sauces which have as much salt per spoonful as a can of sardines. The beef itself is bursting with flavour and comes apart so easily in pieces to make me think it couldn’t possibly be cooked (alas, it is well done, and my preference for “medium- rare” is now in question).
Craving just a little more (and mercilessly ignoring inner-body signals that I’m stuffed) I order the Involtini (linguini with rapini), and a slice of Flourless Chocolate cake when I’ve finished. The pasta is topped with sautéed rapini and tomato caps. Unlike the previous dishes, this one seems a little careless, and lacking in taste. The dessert on the other hand, flourless chocolate cake, is the best I’ve had in Toronto to date. For those of you who prefer a more gentle taste, this dense slice of rich chocolate heaven isn’t for you. But for everyone else-- paired with a glass of wine, it is enough to fill your chocolate craving for the week.
For my final analysis I’ll give Seven Numbers 9/10; two-thumbs up; a gold star. It shall remain one point short because the service isn’t exactly “professional”. The waiters snatch plates off tables in passing, and patrons must awkwardly motion or glare in order to be tended to.
Full bellied and satisfied (would have unzipped my pants if I had a longer sweater) I walk by Rosa on my way out, and put on my best Italian accent to say “Grazie, grazie”. She throws me a smile that could make even the iciest of chips melt.
(Dinner for two: two appetizers, two main courses, dessert + bottle of wine = $90… A definite “bang-for-your-buck”)
