Runyx
Home of T.O.'s best thin crust gourmet pizza
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Runyx, home of T.O.'s best
thin crust gourmet pizza |
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Runyx108 Dundas St. W.,
Toronto
416-593-1118
Hours:
Monday - Friday
11:30 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Saturday
4:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
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By Judi McLeod
There's something alluring about the sophisticated atmosphere at downtown Runyx, just steps away from the Eaton Centre at 108 Dundas St. W.
Candles flicker from every nook and cranny; there's a special room with an inviting fireplace at the back, in the lower level. The crowd who caters to Runyx is an upbeat blend of tourists and business executives.
A gem among restaurants, you'll want to boast to your friends about your discovery of this special place!
The editor of Toronto Free Press is a regular at what she considers to be "the home of Toronto's best, thin crust gourmet pizza".
Guaranteed to please in both d»cor and cuisine, it's the best downtown spot to meet clients for lunch, cocktails or dinner. When my L.A. friend Mia was in town, I took her to Runyx. Anytime she wanted to meet again during the remainder of her visit, she always asked to go back to Runyx.
Operated by the popular Cynthia and Claudio Bortolussi, it's little wonder why there's always a full house at this fabulous restaurant.
Cynthia says it's largely because of the house specialty, the Runyx Gourmet Pizza.
Runyx is the home of Toronto's first gourmet Hemp pizza! The thin crusted gourmet pizza is very much in demand around town. I like the fromanda, pesto sauce, mushrooms, basil, oregano, asiago, mozzarella, edam and bocconcini cheese the best, and on my way to Runyx my mouth is already watering by the time I hit the corner of Dundas and Bay.
"It starts with the dough, which is best distinguished by two features: excellent nutrition and unique flavour," says the Runyx menu. "Runyx has rigorously sourced the finest and most select ingredients and added a special twist--Hempola flour. Made from hemp grain, this nutty-tasting dark coloured flour contains a whopping 40 per cent protein and 18 per cent dietary fibre. Completely natural and with no preservatives, Hemp grain is grown in Ontario without any pesticides or herbicides, while Hempola flour is genetically modified organism (GMO) and gluten-free."
"Drizzle Hempola oil on your pizza for an added taste and nutrition experience. Hempola oil is cold-pressed from hemp seeds and is the best source of essential fatty acids. The human body needs these fatty acids to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of osteoporosis and regulate many of the functions in the body. Best of all, Hempola tastes terrific. Hemp is destined to become the next superfood and Canada is leading the way."
The Hempola flour used in Runyx pizza comes from Hempola Valley Farms near Barrie, Ont.
Farm President/Founder Greg Herriott is another Runyx regular.
Herriott cold-presses hempseed into oil at a farm that welcomes visitors. He markets his premium products to a health-conscious market.
The Spanish-born Cynthia loves to cook. In her beloved kitchen, it took her more than a year to perfect her pizza dough with just the right amount of hemp grain. The young mother displays this kind of patience with all of her recipes and her way with sauces and dips would tempt anyone's taste buds.
On the night of my visit to Runyx with friends Mia and Naresh, we started off with appetizers. Naresh decided on the Gamberoni, saut»ed black tiger shrimps in a lemon, white wine sauce. The Antipasto Misto, which serves two, was perfect for Mia and me. This platter of Italian deli cured meats, cheeses and mixed olives served with bread whet our appetites for the upcoming house specialty of Cynthia's thin crust gourmet pizza.
We planned to exchange pieces of the pizza of our choice with each other. I chose my favourite Fromanda. Mia ordered the Margherita with tomato sauce, mozzarella, diced tomato and fresh basil, while Naresh went for the Pecorino, made with pesto, capoccollo, mushrooms, eggplant and goat cheese. Naturally, we all drizzled our pizza with Hempola, which Naresh compared to walnut oil in taste.
In addition to the items listed on the menu, at Runyx you can create your own gourmet pizza by selecting from a wide choice of toppings and adding them to the popular Runyx thin crust.
Panini, traditional Italian sandwiches are also available, including Petto Dipollo, grilled chicken breast, braised onions, provolone, marinated eggplant and Al Salmone, smoked salmon, braised onions, goat cheese, capers, arugula and tomato just to name a couple.
Pasta items include penn», spaghettini and linguine with a wide choice of Cynthia's delicious homemade sauces. The Calabri sauce, Italian sausage with chopped garlic in a spicy tomato sauce gets rave reviews. La Gondola with baby clams and tiger shrimps in a light wine sauce is dolce vita!
Desserts include heavenly Home Made Biscotti, Bacio Tartufo and the renowned Italian ice cream known as Gelato.
Runyx is ready to assist in making birthdays, office functions, anniversaries, stags, reunions and bon voyages a memorable occasion. The upper level or the lower level back room are both available for booking.
The special combination of eating good food in a wonderful atmosphere makes Runyx the best place in the city to say "Bon Appetito!"
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