LA Bruschetta

What is LA Bruschetta? Anchoring St. Clair Avenue West just east of Lansdowne for more than four decades, La Bruschetta is a beloved Corso Italia institution rooted in the rustic cuisine of Umbria, Italy. Founded by Benito and Franca Piantoni and now guided by their daughters Silvia and Brenda, the intimate dining room feels like stepping into a traditional Italian home, complete with softly lit tables and walls lined with signed plates from decades of patrons and celebrity regulars.

LA Bruschetta Menu & What to Order The kitchen sidesteps modern dining gimmicks in favor of time-honoured Central Italian comfort and scratch pasta. Start with warm house bread drizzled in imported Umbrian olive oil and an order of the Insalata Noce with ripe pears, brie, and toasted walnuts before diving into the pastas. The standout Gnocchi Gratinati arrives baked in a velvety cheese and tomato cream sauce, while the Pappardelle Tartufate balances wild mushrooms with brandy and garlic; for mains, the tender Vitello alla Bruschetta simmered in white wine sauce is non-negotiable. Save room for a Negroni and the house tiramisu, and note that the kitchen accommodates gluten-free diners with alternate pasta preparations.

Know Before You Go With limited dinner services running only Wednesday through Saturday evenings, reservations booked in advance over the phone or via their website are essential. Street parking along St. Clair can be competitive during prime dining hours, but the 512 St. Clair streetcar stops steps from the front door.