Sometimes the food gods look down and decide that our lives need to be just that much happier (and that’s sayin’ something!). That was obviously what happened in 2022 when Petti Fine Foods opened their doors at the corner of Dundas St. W. and Quebec Avenue – just a short five minute walk from our home.

You don’t have to be a fan of Italian cuisine to realize that this independent shop is a gift to both the neighbourhood and to all food lovers. The top-notch assortment of specialty dry goods and frozen products rotates as items sell out and new ones arrive, so repeat visits are recommended. The frozen pizzas are just outstanding, the various tomato sauces are to die for, and the fresh, in-house made pastas are superb and very reasonably priced (*Note: they also have a great selection of quality gluten-free products, including hard to find items like arancini, lasagne, tiramisu and, of course, pastas). 

But what will keep you coming back over and over again is the welcoming vibe. Stefano, the owner and front-of-house star, always greets with a smile and an offer of an espresso “on the house”. The espresso is excellent, and this lovely gesture reminds us of our most recent, two-month trip to Italy. There, every neighbourhood has a café where people just pop in to enjoy coffee and baked treats, often while chatting with the owner at the counter. So, we make a point of popping by for our “Italy Moment” – an espresso and a chat – even if we don’t buy anything that day (*Note: we do always leave a discreet tip on the counter for the coffee). It’s just such a pleasure chatting with Stefano, who is as passionate as we are about all things food.

If you live in or near The Junction, or if you’re just visiting, you owe it to yourself to pop by for an espresso and to pick up some delicious goodies. You’ll be glad you did.