Artfully Delectable Dessert at Corso Italia's, Novecento
1228 St. Clair Ave West
Phone: 416-654-9900
 Profile |
 Map |
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.
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.
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.
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.
Comments (14)
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.
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.
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
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!
This place is magical. From the coffe to the service. Since the new branding management it has pronounce coffe with passion :) .
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!
Nicest cafe on St.Clair. An Elegant and uplig=fting decor.Great Coffee, great deaseerts and asrrvice too. However, somewhat overpriced!!!
Domenico
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
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.
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?
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.
RSS