637237 Thu Jul 16 19:26:29 -0700 2009 38 23 Ontario (including Toronto) 0 4866019 Negroni has been alluded to a few times here (mostly by Rabbit), but I figured maybe it deserves a thread all its own. I went there for dinner a couple of nights ago when I needed to kill time between work and a show down the street. I sat at the bar, ordered the "house cured tuna plate" and a glass of wine, and just had a very nice light dinner. It was just a simple salad of oil-packed tuna, cucumbers, grape tomatoes, green beans, basil, capers, and dressed very lightly. And honestly, it was far more satisfying than I expected it to be. Clean flavors that complimented each other well without being too salty, too oily, too cloying, too whatever. There was only one occupied table while I was there, and their sandwiches at least smelled amazing when they hit the panini press - no idea how they tasted because I'm not THAT nosy. I'm just happy to have found a place close to work where I can have a nice lunch and maybe a glass of wine at a reasonable price and leave happy - I'll probably be there a fair amount before the summer's over. It's a shame that the back patio isn't licensed, because it looked cozier for lingering with a book than the bar was. Didn't get a chance to try the ice cream yet, but got a prime view of the staff snitching it - might have to try it next time. I'm hoping they do most of their business at lunchtime, because I was in the neighborhood again last night and it was similarly deserted. All I could think of while I was there was, "wow, this is such a...ME kind of place." :) Solid, simple, tasty...not pretentious, not trying too hard. Specifics: menu includes a variety of panini and a few salads and other plates. Drinks available are a handful of whites, a larger handful (mittful?) of reds (all Italian) and one cocktail: the namesake. Most things around 10 bucks. Owned by the Sidecar folks. http://www.negronipanini.com/ Thu Jul 16 19:26:29 -0700 2009 139230 Wahooty 1 4868051 I do think Negroni is really great... in just the sort of comfortable, warm, and non-pretentious way you describe. The panini are very tasty with nice quality ciabatta, authentic Italian cheeses and meat (prosciutto, soppressata, fontina, provolone) and special extras like homemade pestos and mayos. The bufula and sundried tomato salad is a really tasty plate, and they do a nice cured meat platter too. The peanut butter ice cream is fab. And you can get a $20 bottle of wine!!! I'm sorry to hear that it wasn't that busy, and especially since it was the same way on our last visit. I really do hope that people give this place a shot because it really is a delightful cheap-and-cheerful addition to the neighbourhood. Fri Jul 17 13:23:07 -0700 2009 4866019 60563 Rabbit 2 4868069 Peanut butter ice cream? $20 wine? I wasn't interested in checking it out because I'm not a big sandwich fan, but the salads sound great and if they have good value wine and home made ice cream, I may just have to! Fri Jul 17 13:29:01 -0700 2009 4868051 12124 TorontoJo 1 4884055 Thanks for posting about this place- will have to give it a try next time I'm in the area! Thu Jul 23 09:55:06 -0700 2009 4866019 10626 phoenikia 2 4884062 And every sandwich comes with an arugula and shaved fennel salad...two birds, one stone for you! ;) Thu Jul 23 09:56:31 -0700 2009 4884055 139230 Wahooty 3 4884081 Perfetto! Thanks for letting me know, Wahooty;) Thu Jul 23 10:03:30 -0700 2009 4884062 10626 phoenikia 1 4884979 We tried to go this past Sunday night (around 6:30 pm), but despite the website saying that they would be open, they were closed. Thu Jul 23 14:11:10 -0700 2009 4866019 52461 CarNut 2 5009264 from www.negronipanini.com Tuesday to Saturday 11:30am ▪ 9pm Sunday ▪ Open for Lunch Sun Sep 06 12:03:07 -0700 2009 4884979 62905 Dimbulb 1 5008121 We went there tonight after the Little Italy festival and had a wonderful time! A bottle of wine cost us $20. We were full but split the Segovia sausage panini. It was the perfect balance of flavors. The panini bread was light, airy, and crisp. The sausage had just the right amount of spice. It convinced us to stay for dessert and coffee. We ordered the homemade peanut butter ice cream, which was creamy and a peanut butter lover's dream. J thought it was one of the best ice creams he has had while in Toronto this year. I ordered a decaf cappucino, which was also delicious. The service was above average. We will definitely go back! Sat Sep 05 18:06:02 -0700 2009 4866019 163877 jjmuggs 2 5008216 Yay! Please do! The last time I was there it was as vacant as ever. Really hoping they do a brisk lunch business, because otherwise I don't see them surviving. (This post brought to you by Wahooty and her selfish interests, because she will be working nearby for at least the next few months and needs more places like this handy.) Sat Sep 05 18:54:00 -0700 2009 5008121 139230 Wahooty 3 5008984 Don't say I don't do my part to help your cause. Negroni has a FB fan page. http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Toronto-ON/Negroni/102608686491?ref=pymk But don't do anything like copy & paste that link to your Status. I hear viral marketing doesn't work. ;-) Sun Sep 06 09:00:32 -0700 2009 5008216 12072 Googs 1 5041624 Went here last night - would hate to see this place not survive. We had a fantastic meal at a great price. These are some of the best panini I've had in Toronto, if not THE best. And when it comes down to it, it's all about the quality of ingredients they are using. I had the segovia sausage panino, and the SO had the mozzarella/tomato/pesto. We both noted next time we come here we would probably get each other's instead. I really enjoyed the bread and the sundried tomato pesto on mine, but his blew me away. Very simple ingredients, but it's freshness and flavour pleased my discriminating Italian tastebuds. SO also had the peanut butter ice cream (I had a tiny bite, not a fan of peanut butter), and he loved it. Friendly service, and I also loved the interior - the pews and school chairs are great. Unfortunately we were the only ones for most of the time there. Only one other man came by himself while we were there. Lots of people looked at the menu and walked away, which I might have done too if I hadn't read such great things. I think they will get lots of repeat customers though - I know I am going back! Sat Sep 19 05:38:21 -0700 2009 4866019 133210 mercurkg 1 5043877 Just had the nicest lunch at Negroni. Sat on the tiny patio (2 tables in front, though there is a pretty little patio out back, too) and watched College St. go by. I had the Segovia sausage, carmelized onions and sundried tomato pesto panino, hubby had the sausage and egg brunch panino. Real, fresh squeezed OJ for me and a damn fine Americano for him. The panini were wonderful -- crisp, savory, cheesy. The service was friendly and attentive. Add in the Saturday paper, and I couldn't have asked for a nicer way to spend a couple of hours on a beautiful Sunday. Oh, and I finally got to try the peanut butter ice cream. Yummy!! Thanks, Wahooty, for letting us know about this place! I never would have gone if not for all the great reviews in this thread. Sun Sep 20 11:12:25 -0700 2009 4866019 12124 TorontoJo 2 5043969 And I would never have known about it if it hadn't been for Rabbit. :) I was last there on Thursday for a quick dinner after a VERY long day and had the Milano salami, goat cheese, black olive tapenade sandwich, along with a glass of wine and panna cotta for dessert. Everything was delicious - I like that they keep things simple, using very good ingredients. The place just relaxes me...probably at least partly because there were only three other tables in use, but also because the staff take good care of me while letting me have enough space to sink into my chair with my wine and my thoughts. Sun Sep 20 11:55:56 -0700 2009 5043877 139230 Wahooty 3 5044011 Then a big "yay!" for Rabbit! I should mention that they seem to do a solid lunch business on Sunday. While the place wasn't full, there was a regular stream of people in and out. Sun Sep 20 12:13:59 -0700 2009 5043969 12124 TorontoJo 4 5045368 I went for a brunch-time meal last Saturday, with my girlfriend. We split two paninis. Both were excellent. We had the segovia sausage (is that the brand?--it was a tasty and spicy sausage, sliced thick enough that it didn't disappear), roasted onion, red-pepper and fontina and a mushroom, sheep's milk, and arugula pesto. The side arugula salads could have used a bit more dressing, but otherwise everything was very simple and very wonderful. They use excellent bread and the tops of the sandwiches (cheese sides in both cases) managed to achieve that marvelous alchemy of crispy, (a tiny bit) greasy, and light all at the same time. I also had a negroni and---with no real basis for comparison--thought it was delicious. I will return with more friends for lunch/brunch and maybe go back for dinner to get some of that $20 wine. It feels like you are getting real food (i.e. ingredients and combinations that someone has put care into) at a very reasonable price. If this place closes I will be very sad. Skip Kalender; Negroni! Mon Sep 21 05:18:09 -0700 2009 5044011 48719 mstacey42 5 5045377 Segovia Meats is the local butcher shop that makes the sausage. I agree, it's yummy and just the right spice kick to make it interesting. My arugula salad, which I thought was a perfect side to the panino, was dressed just right for me, but I could see how you might want a bit more dressing. Good stuff all around -- I'm looking forward to going back soon. Mon Sep 21 05:33:33 -0700 2009 5045368 12124 TorontoJo 1 5062292 Any spot that can put two house wines on offer at $20 a bottle has my vote, and if the panini are good as well, so much the better.. Agreed, the wines, an Italian white and red, are not ethereal experiences, but they're drinkable enough to go with the mainly panini menu. Many other joints around town have them at $30 (and more) per bottle, which is pushing it for wines whose LCBO price is about $7.50 a bottle (deposit included). This place is a good backup plan in case Caplansky's Deli, several blocks east along College St., runs out (again) of its signature smoked meat sandwich, leaving Caplansky afficionados bereft. A slight mental readjustment - from smoked meat to panini, substituting one sandwich for another - a brisk walk or short drive west, and you're in the land of Negroni. Sun Sep 27 14:23:19 -0700 2009 5060568 25418 juno 1 5111418 Hiya hounds, As a recent import to your fair city I am simply gobsmacked at how y'all are treating one of the best new restos around. I've been frequenting Negroni's for a few weeks now and am always surprised that it is never more than half full. Excellent, inventive paninis (for vegetarians too) served with a great, addictive arugula and shaved parm salad for 10 bucks? In a beautiful location? With great espresso (not microfoamed or anything but rock solid Italian style)? Not to mention lovely wines by the glass (again for a steal)....so what's the problem? I really don't understand why there aren't line ups at the door. Service is great too and no...I don't own the place but having driven ALL over Toronto for the past few months and explored all kinds of neighborhoods I've found this the best taste/value/atmosphere for both morning paper reading brunches and late night drinks dining. I'll be back in Montreal in a few months so it's naught to me but c'mon Toronto hounds.....if you let a place like this go under then you deserve to lose all chowhound cred. Sat Oct 17 20:10:45 -0700 2009 4866019 171979 daimon4 2 5111772 Yes, it's too bad they aren't busier, as it really is a great spot. Was there last weekend and chatted with our server, who I think may also be the manager as well. He tells me that they do good business mid-week and at lunch and weekend brunch, but are slow on Fridays and Saturdays. I'm guessing the neighbourhood locals like it for an inexpensive, casual dinner during the week. But I can certainly see how people would want something "fancier" than sandwiches for a weekend dinner out, no matter how good the sandwiches are (and they are really, really good). They are going to be on Open Table soon (may be on already), which they are hoping will help increase traffic. I agree that the salad is addictive. My husband also had a fantastic puree of cauliflower soup last weekend. It is definitely shaping up to be one of my favorite read-the-weekend-paper spots. I still need to make it there for dinner. Edited to add: I forgot to mention that I am absolutely obsessed with their peanut butter ice cream. It's a good thing that Negroni is not closer to where I live. I could eat it every day. Now if they came up with a cinnamon ice cream, I would be utterly screwed. Sun Oct 18 05:41:49 -0700 2009 5111418 12124 TorontoJo 3 5112250 The last time I was there, they had pumpkin pie ice cream. It was fabulous. The waitress told me that even if I didn't order it, I had to at least have a sample because it was THAT good. :) They are officially on Open Table now, maybe that'll drum up more dinner business for them. I can't imagine making a reservation for a sandwich (and hope I never have to, as much as I want them to succeed), but hopefully it will get the dinner hour moving for them. Personally, I think it would be a great place for a first or second date - casual, candle-lit, not trying too hard. Sun Oct 18 10:36:25 -0700 2009 5111772 139230 Wahooty 4 5112358 Pumpkin pie ice cream sounds amazing!! Thanks to daimon4 for reminding me that I haven't visited in a while and since I too really want to see this place succeed I'll try to have a wine-y lunch sometime this week. Also, agree with Wahooty that this would be a great spot for a casual date (with a bit of romance). Sun Oct 18 11:24:09 -0700 2009 5112250 60563 Rabbit 5 5136426 I have to agree with all the posts above - I am truly shocked this place was empty on Saturday night when I went. Needless to say, this made for an amazing dinner for my table with extra attention from our server. We were greeted nicely by the manager/server with a plate of delicious pate and panini pressed bread. Delicious :) We had the cheese platter with fig spread, olives, 2 of the panini's and shared that with two bottles of wine (at 20 bucks a pop we could not resist). We were more there to chat and nibble, and hands down all of us agreed we would be coming back soon. Price point is awesome, food is not pretentious and delicious. I would recommend this place to anyone! Tue Oct 27 21:57:37 -0700 2009 5112358 29331 pancake 1 5137105 Just want to add my comment as well... we were there for lunch about a month ago and I ordered the Segovia Sausage Panini sans onions - but when it came, there were onions. We commented to the waitress at the end of the meal that they forgot to leave out the onions (she probably saw that I had pulled out all the onions too) she took it off the bill. Considering we only ordered 2 paninis, we thought that was too much so we gave extra tip. The gesture was much appreciated though. About the food, both paninis were excellent and we definitely recommend this place. PS: Like others, we too didn't see many customers there as the whole restaurant was almost empty that Saturday morning. Hopefully they'll stay in business because the food was very good. Wed Oct 28 08:07:59 -0700 2009 4866019 73124 syoung 1 5137343 And I would like to add that the paninis are fantastic the next day also. I had half a pancetta one and half a nutella/strawberry dessert one left over from an outing the previous evening and they were still delicious the next day. It's definitely a place worth returning to. Wed Oct 28 09:41:17 -0700 2009 4866019 11750 fickle 1 5139919 Wow, thanks to all you posters above. I will definitely try this place out. Very exciting. Thu Oct 29 07:41:58 -0700 2009 4866019 278975 mikefly 2 5139974 Please do go and go soon -- I want to see this place stay in business! But please also keep your expectations in check. Nothing worse than a hyped up restaurant to disappoint. :) Thu Oct 29 08:02:15 -0700 2009 5139919 12124 TorontoJo 3 5140737 Thanks for that.. it is still a sandwich I guess. Best sandwich I've had in TO was at JUMP.. holy deliciousness. Thu Oct 29 11:47:34 -0700 2009 5139974 278975 mikefly 1 5170882 Made my second lunch visit in two weeks at Negroni yesterday. Yet another solid, enjoyable lunch. I tried the pancetta panino this time and it was yummy. The roasted tomatoes add so much flavour. On my last visit, we received a small sampling of the mushroom, leek and kale soup, which was outstanding. On this visit, I didn't have room for dessert and told our server that I had been disappointed in the peanut butter ice cream on my last two visits (too much peanut butter). He brought out a spoonful of their current flavour -- chocolate gelato. OMG -- it was wonderful. Rich chocolate flavour, wonderful creaminess, but with the lightness of a gelato instead of the heavy density of an ice cream. They are constantly experimenting with their ice cream recipes, so consistency may vary until they find the perfect technique. But I will enjoy trying the results until they do! Now a peanut butter ice cream swirl in that chocolate gelato would be heaven for me... Tue Nov 10 13:37:23 -0800 2009 4866019 12124 TorontoJo 2 5171295 Forgot to mention that I got a nutella, mascarpone cheese and strawberry panino to go yesterday and just ate it today. Heats up really nicely in the toaster oven. Tue Nov 10 16:45:19 -0800 2009 5170882 12124 TorontoJo 1 5171275 On a seperate thread, Rabbit recommended this place. Finally tried it and I agree with everyone, its very good. Thank you Rabbit. There seems to be a strange math with restaurants, B+ + B+ = A, and B- + B- = C. Everything at Negroni is very simple: but the salad is very good; the panini is very good; service is professional, far better then one would expect at this price point; the ice cream is made in house; and espressos are very good. It adds up to a solid A. Tue Nov 10 16:35:02 -0800 2009 4866019 292028 dubchild 1 5171782 Just had dinner here. STUPENDOUS. Server was awesome and friendly - if it were busy, this may be less true, but I doubt it. Potato and pancetta soup - holy toledo. Super filling, actually cancelled my panini. Tried a couple bites of the buffalo mozz + pesto + tomato panini (something I'd never choose) and it was also amazing. $5 wine = not mind blowing, but pretty good - and $5! (i.e. great value) Choco ice cream = tasty I'll be back soon to actually eat a panini. As predicted, it was virtually empty. No idea why. Delish. Tue Nov 10 20:50:54 -0800 2009 4866019 278975 mikefly 2 5172245 Whew -- glad you didn't have an "overhyped restaurant" experience. :) BTW, I tried the two $5 wines (which are only $20 by the bottle -- where else can you find that?!), but I really don't care for them. They are very, very light reds (one is a sangiovese) and I want my reds to have body. For $2 more, get the chianti. And @auberginegal, I think it's the type of place where if you ask, you will receive. I've been there 5 times in the last couple of months and, as you have probably figured out at the chowmeets by now, I'm very chatty with servers. So my samples have always come after I've asked about something or given an opinion. And good god, I'm sorry if I'm starting to sound like a broken record about this place. It's just that it's my favourite lunch spot right now and I would be so bummed if they went under. Wed Nov 11 05:54:45 -0800 2009 5171782 12124 TorontoJo 3 5174584 I got the impression they know it will take a while to get more regular business going - I've never even heard of Sidecar, but apparently it's mad popular, and also took a while to get going. Either way, I will go back for the segovia panini... and am now a negroni champion - I may make the office take me there for my birthday! Wed Nov 11 19:59:23 -0800 2009 5172245 278975 mikefly 2 5172680 mikefly, I was there last night too. I thought I heard someone mention CH. :) And agreed with Jo about asking if you want to sample something. I've been offered samples a couple of times (once of a test batch of sorbet when I wasn't sure if I wanted dessert - the chef effectively talked me out of a dessert sale by giving me just the size taste I wanted) but always from different people - I don't think they see me as a regular yet, because I think I've had a different server just about every time I'm there. But if you ask for a taste before you order, I'm pretty sure they'd oblige. Wed Nov 11 08:40:19 -0800 2009 5171782 139230 Wahooty 1 5171787 based on such positive reviews from this thread, i checked out negroni for dinner the other night and really enjoyed it. the segovia sausage panini was tasty, i'd love to go back and try the other varieties. tried the nutella panini for dessert as well as peanut butter ice cream (though i wish i had tried the chocolate one, but the peanut butter just sounded so intriguing). i never asked for a sample of the ice cream to help me decide, but i was pretty conflicted about it and since there were no other diners in the restaurant, it would have been nice if that was offered to me (maybe this is only for 'regulars'?) in general, i found the salad that came with the panini a great side, the bread for the panini was fantastic, just the way i like it, crispy but light, and the interior had a bit of chew but not too much, and it held up really well for both sweet and savoury paninis. also tried the tomato-mozzerella-basil pesto dish which wasn't bad, the cheese was very creamy and there was good flavour in the pesto. i felt it lacked just a bit of 'something' to make it a really amazing dish, but no complaints. the place was really quite empty when i was there (sunday evening) and there were still moments when the service was spotty (i think friends of the people working stopped by so they were in conversation a lot),. with all that being said, i'd still go back and try other items. Tue Nov 10 20:53:31 -0800 2009 4866019 21259 auberginegal 2 5174587 Our lovely server gave us a scoop of both the chocolate and peanut butter ice cream tonight instead of making my dinner companion choose. Our paninis were delicious and I can't wait to eat my remaining halves (dinner & dessert ones) for breakfast tomorrow! Wed Nov 11 19:59:44 -0800 2009 5171787 11750 fickle 1 5180518 Negroni is my new favourite place! Tonight we had dinner at 8:30 and the place was only half full. The inside is casual and cosy with old posters lining the walls and pew bench/banquets. It would be a great date place too, as the lighting is dim and it's not noisy or uncomfortably quiet. Oh, and the smell, it smells soo good - like butter and sizzling cheese! Our table of four started with a bowl of olives - tasty olive oil marinade, and plump excellent quality mixed olives. We ordered the tuna, the brasoala, the proscuitto and the mozza pannini and we all couldn't stop commented on how surprisingly tasty our "sandwich" meals were. The portions were generous and the accompanying salads were fresh and well dressed. The bread, as mentioned above, is wonderfully crunchy crisp without being greasy or tear-the-roof-of-your-mouth hard. The bread is also the perfect thickness and satisfyingly chewy, not at all heavy or doughy. We all agreed we'd like to come back and try the others on the menu. For dessert, we had the famous peanut butter ice cream which was not too sweet. I love it so much I'd buy it by the tub if it was available! One of my friends had the panna cotta which I tried and found quite small in portion and bland. The service was terrific. The water was always full, our meals all came quickly enough and we never felt rushed. My friend asked the waiter about the music and he not only found the song name and album title, he offered to burn the whole CD to USB for her. She thanked him and said she'd be back for sure but later he gave her a CD copy! I've been wanting to try this restaurant for the longest time as I'm relatively near by often enough and I'm so glad I finally did. I think it's great value (olive bowl, 4 panini, 3 desserts, a glass of wine and a beer for $90 before tip) and certainly one of the best places on the College St strip. Fri Nov 13 20:49:34 -0800 2009 4866019 96253 chocabot 2 5182333 Finally made it to Negroni for lunch today. All lived up to expectation per reports on this thread. We even got to eat outside in the sunshine, then had our coffees indoors. In order to taste more, my friend and I shared both the Prosciutto, taleggio, asparagus and the highly CH-touted Segovia sausage, fontina, slow roasted onions, sundried tomato pesto panini. Both were utterly delicious and served with a side of arugula salad whose dressing we both liked as well. When we asked our server what had happened to the fennel that was supposed to be in the arugula and fennel salad, he comped one dish of ice cream to compensate for the missing fennel. The chocolate ice cream was delicious and creamy, but the peanut butter was positively dreamy! Service was excellent throughout. I'll definitely be back. Sat Nov 14 19:52:40 -0800 2009 5180518 200643 cuterscooter