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Cafes

Artfully Delectable Dessert at Corso Italia's, Novecento

Rating: 2.6/5 (51 votes)

Posted by Tanja / Reviewed on December 21, 2007

Tartufata at Novecento on St Clair West
Having heard such great things about Novecento, a European-style corner cafe along St Clair's, Corso Italia, I decided to put it to the real test by bringing a local area expert along on this visit: my Tuscan mother. She's pickier than I often have the patience for, loves fine desserts and is known for responding to, "So, how do you like it?" by telling it like it is.

So then, we start with a cappuccino ($3.45) and cafe Americano ($2.50) before trying to decide between cake and gelato.

Charming owner and gelato-master, Cesare, shows us the cake selection and then proceeds to tell us about the wintery gelato flavours he's just finished: Hazelnut, Chestnut and Dried Fig. Hearing that each is made in-house with all-natural ingredients, we're sold. We do the only reasonable thing and order both cake AND gelato.

Gelato at Novecento
Moments later we're presented with 2 festively-dressed scoops of Chestnut and Dried Fig gelato ($7). Both are amazing, delicious, and unforgettable. The authenticity of the ingredients is obvious as each gelato has a distinctly natural flavour and subtle texture to it. I particularly love the fig and have to ask Cesare where he schooled in the art of gelato making. He proudly admits he learned everything hands-on while working hard in a friend's gelateria in his native Rome.

Shekerato at Novecento
Admist the silence of some intense gelato-enjoying, I get a call from a colleague who's in the area. Within minutes, she's seated at our table and awaiting one "Cafe Shekerato" -- a Novecento specialty made of blended hazelnut ice cream, Bailey's, Kahlua and a shot of espresso.

Though I'm not usually one for creamy drinks, she insists I try some and it seems no surprise to anyone that I'm reluctant to pass it back to her. Another artfully created offering from Cesare, it's thick, yet smooth, no one ingredient overpowering the others.

Frutti di Bosco tart/cake
But, let's not forget those cakes ($7). Most are imported treats from patisseries in Italy and I go for one of those: a Frutti di Bosco (wildberry) tart, covered with loose wild-berries and dusted with sugar. It is as light as it sounds and a nice contrast to my bold cup of unsweetened cafe Americano.

The Tiramisu looks tempting, but mother-dearest decides to try its more complex cousin, the Tartufata - a layer cake featuring puff pastry, chantilly cream, sponge cake and pastry cream, topped with a delicate dark chocolate ripple.

"Che meraviglia," she proclaims, at first bite.

Marvellous; an absolute wonder.

Novecento Cafe

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Discussion

24 Comments

/ December 20, 2007 at 10:14 pm
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The cappuccino there is one of the best i've had in the city.
shano / April 12, 2008 at 05:41 pm
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So happy to see this listing up. Novecento is a magical place to land on St.Clair West. Cesare, who makes the gelato in house, is one of the most elegant, generous baristas out there.
/ June 27, 2008 at 11:07 pm
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I love going to Novecento. I've tried most of the desserts and I can't complain about any of them. The place just makes me feel like I'm in Italy again. Novecento is the nicest bar on St.Clair.
/ September 12, 2008 at 12:55 am
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ya sure I wonder who is writing all these nice comments could it be the owners
Tanja / September 12, 2008 at 04:42 am
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Or, just all of us who enjoy the place.
Isaac Cardenas / January 6, 2009 at 01:34 pm
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Yes ist a very nice place the music, the paninis, and the coffe are great and also you have the chance to see pretty italians ladies and watch some calcio what else you need in live . lol
Emma / January 14, 2009 at 12:48 am
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it looks a lot like a place in Italy with the exact same name.. almost identical. Next time I'm in TO I'll have to check it out. I'm always disappointed with the homemade gelato outside Italy. I'll have to put it to the test!
joseph / February 17, 2009 at 12:47 am
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This place is magical. From the coffe to the service. Since the new branding management it has pronounce coffe with passion :) .
Charlotte from Forest Hill / February 24, 2009 at 11:05 am
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If you would like to experience"La Dolce Vita"come to this magnificent Bar. They make the best cappucino with passion.Talking to Carlo made me feel like I was in Italy and I definitely coming back for more Italian flair.

CIAO A TUTTI!
Domenico / May 2, 2009 at 08:09 pm
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Nicest cafe on St.Clair. An Elegant and uplig=fting decor.Great Coffee, great deaseerts and asrrvice too. However, somewhat overpriced!!!
Domenico
food thieves / June 2, 2009 at 06:32 pm
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HI there ,The definition of hospitality - To treat a guest like he/she is at your home.
I heard some good things about this cafe. It was not what I expected to be honest.
Yes, the ambiance was nice but I was not approached with a smile .It was something about the Barista that was not passionate. I lived in Italy for many years and traveled around the world . I had never had any problems . The Barista ( Carlo ) thought he was the shit. With his dirty Italian accent answers is such a shame. because now I think about there coffee just the same.

Suggestions- live jazz music, Change the Barista , Get a charming host, simple menu,

Food Thieves



Neighbour / July 22, 2009 at 10:14 am
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We had stopped going there for the past years of so because there was a patio fee service charge. We are not in Europe here.

Last night, we went again after all that time. We sat at a table that required some cleanup (patrons had just left). The waiter, an older bearded man with a hat, took the ashtray and litter... and threw it on the side street! My boyfriend asked him "You ditched the stuff on the street, didn't you?" The waiter replied that he would clean it up tomorrow. He didn't seem too embarrased. We were so disgusted, we left.

Although we had enjoyed ourselves there (anniversary, friendships), Novencento is over for us.
Ned / August 15, 2009 at 10:04 pm
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What an odd place. It's the nicest looking cafe on the Corso, and it screams old-world charm. The coffee beckoned, but on a hot summer day iced tea seemed the better choice with our croissant gelato, and we eventually succeeded in ordering it from the inattentive server. Imagine our surprise when said server got around to presenting two coolish CANS of NESTEA! Adding a touch of class, they were accompanied by dishwasher-cloudy glasses...lemon slices on the rims but entirely devoid of ice. The cognitive dissonance came on fast, and was only exacerbated by later forking out $5.56+tx for this libationary pleasure. Y'all sure they're not getting their coffee from NoFrills, too?
Ramona / August 27, 2009 at 06:25 pm
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I go there often. Patio is very nice, waitresses are all polite and fast. But I didn't know there is a servis charge for patio- that is redicoulos. Cakes are exelent and espesso and kaffe-late is good. I do not like the snobby-loking bartenders. The owner is making mistake to keep this type of "aisberg-models-on-the-podioum-looking-type of guys" over there, the service should be friandly and welcoming for any type of restorante business.
Anna / July 25, 2010 at 11:45 pm
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Its a nice place, I cant complain. The Cappucino is one of the best ive had in a while..
an older man who works there, who i believe might be one of the owners.. his name was Phillip was extremely kind, and brought our 10 yr old a free Gelato!! good service
Rino / December 15, 2010 at 12:31 am
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Novecentro is owned by Mike, Carlo and Phillip Strazzeri
foodthief replying to a comment from Rino / January 2, 2011 at 10:39 pm
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Dear Rino,

I think you should advise on the source. who is persuading you to write this information above.

All the best,
FoodThief
foodthief replying to a comment from Anna / January 2, 2011 at 10:42 pm
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the last time I was there. Phil was not around.. Thank God> The place feels alot more uplifting


Cheers,
Foodthief
Lucy / January 10, 2011 at 11:08 pm
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I went by the cafe last week with some friends - it looks like they're making changes at the cafe..

...some fresh faces, and most of the old one are gone.. in with the new, out with the dirty

tried some feature flavour, blood-orange mango (they called it Pink Mango) and it was incredible! unfortunately, the rest of the gelato needed some CPR. I asked about the other gelato, and the cafe guy explained that the featured flavour was made by a new girl.

they should have this new girl make all of the gelato!

however, the espresso was still awesome.

Novecento - keep it up! We're excited to be a part of the "new" - can't wait to try next week's feature flavour...YUM
4thesmarties / May 18, 2011 at 08:21 pm
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I don't think it could be the owner because I guarantee he has no idea about this blog and actually has no idea how to use a computer. The owner has a big heart and is good man towards the st Clair community. And it's not cesare.
4thesmarties / May 18, 2011 at 08:25 pm
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Rino should not open his
Mouth but this cafe is a great spot. Good espresso and a good atmosphere with the new. Phil an owner makes me laugh hahhaaha
Clara / July 12, 2011 at 02:59 pm
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Is the name Rino or is there someone named Tino?
cc / September 28, 2011 at 04:09 pm
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yes i have to agree the owner is a great guy but he needs to get rid of the staff to continue to make it work.... dirty glasses spoons lipstick on the cups please 4thesmarties let the owner know!!! i dont wanna stop going there i really don't but that should be looked in to its happened to me personaly so far this summer 5times not including this morning and the service needs to be quicker!!
cc replying to a comment from 4thesmarties / October 5, 2011 at 01:27 pm
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yes i have to agree the owner is a great guy but he needs to get rid of the staff to continue to make it work.... dirty glasses spoons lipstick on the cups please 4thesmarties let the owner know!!! i dont wanna stop going there i really don't but that should be looked in to its happened to me personaly so far this summer 5times not including this morning and the service needs to be quicker!!
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