One of Toronto's first gourmet pizza places has expanded into the Annex.
John's Italian Caffe, one of the two original Baldwin Street restaurants, has opened its third location at 1048 Bathurst Street, between Bloor and Dupont, in the old Telepizza space.
"We've always been catering and delivering to the Annex," says Marco Henao, brother of John's owner, Julian Henao, who bought it seven years ago from founder
John Lostracco. The Bathurst location, which is Marco's baby, is distinguished from the other two locations by its Italian-Latin American fusion menu. (The Henaos are Colombians raised in Venezuela and Canada.)
"We consider this one to be the restaurant," Henao says, "the Baldwin is the caf�, and the College location is just the pizzeria."
The 300 square foot space cost about $220,000 to renovate, and will soon, pending approvals and the arrival of spring, have a back patio.
According to Henao, he and his brother have spoken with the landlord and have plans to buy the building in the next few years and expand onto the second floor.
Writer: Bert Archer
Source: Marco Henao