[Photos by Carolyn Grisold]The Junction's Italian locale, Sagra, is now bustling after a rocky start. Hidden on Annette Street at the corner of Pacific Avenue, the charming casual restaurant opened its doors in July but was ready for action since last December. Due to issues obtaining a business license (the neighbourhood is mainly designated residential), Sagra had been using its space for private events whilst waiting for the official go-ahead from the City.
Nestled unobtrusively beside The Good Neighbour indie coffee house, Sagra is a perfect local trattoria. Inside it offers a cozy space with limited tables and stools along the bar. Decor is pop art 'sagra' celebration posters in Italian. The focal point is a large wood-fired pizza oven in the back.
The menu boats affordably-priced items like bone marrow on crostini for $11 and wild boar ragu on pappardelle for $17. Sagra's pizza Napoletane is made from naturally leavened dough using imported Antimo Caputo 00 flour, fresh local fior di latte and San Marzano tomatoes. Options include the classic marinara ($9), margherita ($12), crudo with proscuitto and arugula ($14), vegetarian ortolana with zucchini, eggplant and tomatoes ($15) and salsiccia with house-made fennel sausage. All the pastas, minus the orecchiette, are also made in house.
Luckily there's the obligatory espresso machine since their liquor license is still to come.
· First Look: Sagra, the Junction's latest joint for rustico Italiano [Post City]
· Local, Sustainable Fine Fare Comes to the Junction [Eater Toronto]
· Neighbourhoods: Junction[BlogTO]