A love letter to Detroit-style pizza

Dear reader,

I moved to Toronto in 2010 and have lived in the west end ever since. No, I don’t subscribe to the whole “west-end-is-the-best-end” philosophy—I like the east end too, and there is one thing the east has that we don’t: Descendant Detroit Style Pizza, which has been serving up deadly delicious pies in Leslieville for over eight years now. And then there’s Slowhand, a Pape Avenue pizzeria launched by a couple of pals during the pandemic that also specializes in Rust Belt recipes. At some point, the east end became a bastion of crispy-chewy Detroit-style pizza while the west made do with comparatively anemic Neapolitan and NY-style pies. I love both styles, but there’s something so satisfying about that focaccia-like crust—even one square slice is enough to fill you up.

Well, thanks to Renaissance Pizza, a new spot at Dundas and Bathurst turning out extra-thick pan pizza, no longer do west-enders have to make the long trek across the DVP to procure a filling Detroit-style slice.

Also in today’s Table Talk: what’s on the menu at the new Leslieville location of Lambo’s Deli and a look inside chef Cory Vitiello’s unsurprisingly gorgeous home kitchen.

Niagara-born high school buddies John Rabideau and Harvey Gill were not making any literal dough when they reconnected as adults in 2015. Eight years—and a pandemic’s worth of practising their pizza-making skills—later, the two opened Renaissance Pizza, serving up Detroit-style pies finished with toppings both classic (pepperoni) and visionary (tandoori paneer).

Lambo’s Deli has expanded to Leslieville, bringing its menu of stacked submarine sandwiches (or hoagies or grinders, depending on where you’re from) along with a very fun selection of soda pop (we’re looking at you, Squirt).

In today’s edition of Kitchens That Are Nicer Than Mine: enjoy a virtual snoop through the home kitchen that chef Cory Vitiello shares with his rock star wife, Martina Sorbara, and their adorable five-year-old son, Barlow.

Robert Konashewych was a police officer with expensive tastes, two girlfriends and a mountain of debt. Heinz Sommerfeld was recently deceased with a large unclaimed estate. In our October issue, read the story of a crooked cop, a dead man and an $800,000 estate fraud. Plus, the general contractor from hell, Toronto’s best farm-to-table chefs, a Q&A with new Raptors coach Darko Rajaković, and more. Still not receiving Toronto Life at home? Subscribe today.