Pizza e Pazzi on St. Clair West is one of few VPN (Vera Pizza Napoletana) certified restaurants in Ontario, and they have just opened their newest venture, Verace Pizza, on Lakeshore Rd East, in Oakville.
Tomo Kovacek has been Pizza e Pazzi's proud executive chef for over four years and is thrilled to now be operating a second restaurant certified by the Vera Pizza Napoletana Association. This certification signifies the upkeep of the strict standards of authenticity and quality that goes into serving Neapolitan pizza. They use a wood-burning oven imported from Italy to ensure the pizza that reaches your table makes you feel as if you have been transported to Naples.
Kovacek says, "Here at Verace, we are on a strict mission to provide authenticity, quality and pure deliciousness to each and every one of our guests. From our homemade pastas to carefully picked ingredients, you can rest assured that each dish is encapsulating a true Italian experience."
Being almost four times its size, the Verace Pizza space is much larger than its Toronto-based sister. They have a private dining room that can seat up to 40 guests and a covered patio with socially distanced seating for 80!
The space has an upscale dining vibe and is brighter and more contemporary than Pizza e Pazzi, which has a rather casual, rustic-looking interior.
There are many similarities on the menu; however, due to the larger space, they have expanded the menu to offer much more than just pizza and pasta. The menu boasts a gorgeous chicken Parmesan with Buffalo mozzarella, a dry-aged bone-in striploin, a lobster tail duo and a delicious selection of risotto.
Fresh pasta is made in-house daily and speaks to the high quality and attention they have put into their menu. The Squid Ink Tagliatelle with shrimp, squid, 'nduja, leek and San Marzano tomato sauce is an absolute must-try, but so is the Spaghetti All' Aragosta with lobster tail, scallops, cherry tomatoes and snow peas in a white wine garlic sauce.
Their selection of dessert will make it easy to finish off your meal on a sweet note. Indulge on their Torta al Cioccolato Senza Farina, a flourless chocolate cake with cream, sugar and egg, or enjoy a scoop of gelato with the option of having it topped with a shot of espresso, Affogato-style.
Verace Pizza is located at 312 Lakeshore Rd East, and is open for dinner service Tuesday to Sunday, and lunch on the weekends, including Friday. To order takeout, visit their website where you can browse their full menu, or feel free to order delivery via Uber Eats. Reservations for the main dining room and patio are accepted on OpenTable, whereas private dining bookings should be either over the phone, or via e-mail.
