Piola
1165 Queen St. W. (near Dufferin)
416-477-4652
piola.it

• Social lunch: Yes
• Reservations: Yes
• Licensed: Yes
• Rating: 4.5 out of 5

When’s the last time you had superb Italian – the kind that you’re still thinking about hours later? And for a price you can actually afford? Piola is just that kind of place.

The slick, yet spacious room is swathed in blonde wood and accented with candy-coloured light fixtures. And with Piola’s three-course lunch ($15), available weekdays, you can afford to eat out at a nice restaurant for once.

A warm salad of cannellini and borlotti beans studded with pancetta, onions and croutons mixed with a secret sauce may be a peasant dish. But at Piola it’s elegant and refined.

Between the toothsome Spaghetti – tossed with a fresh tomato sauce, a chiffonade of basil and fior di latte mozzarella – and gossamer-thin Pizzas, you don’t have to feel too guilty about carbs here, even though portions are sizable.

Dessert is included: choose lemon or vanilla gelato.

I think I’m in love.