By Rosanna Caira
TORONTO — Just in time to capitalize on the throngs of attendees expected at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), the Pizza Nova team has launched a new restaurant concept called Masseria, an Italian word meaning farmhouse. Located on King St., near Portland, the fast-casual eatery features a selection of pizzas, salads, sandwiches and charcuterie, as well as a small retail area selling products for home use.
According to Domenic Primucci, president of Pizza Nova, the concept — which has been in development for the past year — is something he’s wanted to do for quite some time. “It was hard to find the right space,” said Primucci, explaining that prime real estate in Toronto is hard to come up. The location formerly housed a tattoo parlour.
Featuring communal seating throughout the airy second-floor space, which features floor-to-ceiling windows, customers can choose from a selection of 25 pizza toppings, which change regularly, as well as two different doughs — including one which features an active carbon crust, producing a pizza that is black in colour. The restaurant is helmed by chef Rob Le Clair, who previously worked with the McEwan Group. The restaurant officially opens on September 8.
