BarMozza is a huge space with several tables in the main area and a large bar at the back (which serves coffee and baked goods in the morning and cocktails at night). The decor is simple with wooden floors, exposed brick walls, glass tables and black chairs; a nice change of scenery compared to other King West establishments. Offering breakfast, lunch and dinner, you will probably find something you like at BarMozza; there is a wide selection of appetizers, salads, pastas, pizzas, mains, and of course an incredible selection of cheese and deli from its Mozzarella Bar (pictured below on the left).
Across from the Mozzarella Bar is BarMozza's signature glass cheese vault.
Before dinner, I took a quick tour of Alimento's grocery store, Mercato. Situated right beside BarMozza, Mercato carries a large selection (over 300 types) of specialty Italian, European and local cheese, deli, as well as groceries (i.e. olive oils, pastas, dairy, cookies, preserves), frozen and prepared foods, imported olives and in-house antipasti.
Mercato also carries a large selection of pre-packaged cheeses.
After the tour (and tasting some ridiculously delicious cheeses!) it was time to head back to BarMozza for dinner :) My friend Grace (@foodinthecityTO) and I shared the following:
Tagliere Salumi e Formaggi - Mixed selection of cheeses and cured meat served with crostini and pickled vegetables.
Meat: mortadella, prosciutto, soppressata
Cheese: fior di latte, piave, caciocavallo
Vegetables: Italia plumes, gooseberries, pickled peach, apple butter, granny smith apples, honey roasted hazelnut, cipolline onions, lampascioni onions
Orecchiette alla Contadina - Orecchiette pasta with spicy sausage, rapini, thinly sliced onions and olive oil.
Pappardelle al Coniglio - Pappardelle pasta in white wine braised rabbit sauce with Parmigiano cheese and swisschard.
Funghi - Fior di Latte, Gorgonzola, Portobello and Cremini Mushrooms.
Ippoglosso in Padella - Poached halibut served with shrimps and scallops on a bed of cauliflower puree with caramelized Cipolline onions and cauliflowers.
Dessert - Cheesecake, chocolate tart, and chocolate ball filled with coconut
What stood out the most for Grace and I at BarMozza was hands down, the salumi and cheese board! Not only was there a great mix of cured meats and cheeses (in terms of taste and textures), the different varieties of pickled vegetables on the board really brought everything together...extremely appetizing :) I also enjoyed the mushroom pizza; although a bit on the oily side, I loved the sheer amount of mushrooms on the flat bread. The poached halibut and scallops in cauliflower puree had great flavour and was cooked perfectly but considering that it is $31 on the menu, I think the portion should be bigger. The dessert was a winner for us as well.
*This meal was complimentary. The opinions and views expressed on this post are my own*
