Pizzeria Angry Paesano makes its mark with originality in Griffintown

I really thought I had experienced all of the unique pizza restaurants in Montreal over the years. Then I discovered Pizzeria Angry Paesano in Griffintown, located at  the corner of Notre Dame W. and Guy Street,

During the Covid-19 pandemic, owner Johnny Toia began, manufacturing handmade Neapolitan-style frozen pizzas with fresh produce and premium ingredients. The products quickly gained a reputation for exceptional quality, leading to the opening of this first café in Griffintown. Marco Esposito and Alexandra Ouaknine came aboard as co-owners. This place’s calling card is authentic Italian street food, featuring savory cuisine, excellent coffee and pastries!

Pizzeria Angry Paesano serves up amazing pizza and sandwiches. Their pizzaioli are from Italy and their sandwich bread is made with olive oil! Besides being a part-owner, Esposito is also the chef pizzaiolo. He immigrated from Italy five years ago.

A Paesano is an Italian term that translates to “countryman” or “fellow countryman.” It is often used to refer to someone from the same region, town, or village, emphasizing a sense of camaraderie or shared heritage. In Italian culture, the word can express a feeling of friendship, warmth, and kinship, like calling someone a “buddy”.

So where do we begin? The Neapolitan style pizza is a culinary icon born in the streets of Naples, Italy. With its charred crust, tangy tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella, each pizza is lovingly hand tossed and baked in the oven at scorching temperatures, resulting in that nice leopard spotted crust. But what about the taste you may ask? The ingredients are simple yet bursting with flavor on each bite. 

The Pizza Portafoglio is the classic street food born in the gritty alleyways of Naples, Italy, and is like a pizza sandwich, but way cooler. What makes it so special? While it’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, it’s all about the way it’s folded! You’ve got a portable pizza pocket that’s perfect for eating on the go. So, next time you’re craving a quick and easy bite, grab a Pizza Portafoglio and experience the magic for yourself. I thoroughly enjoyed mine.

Could I resist trying their new sandwich? It features soft and aromatic olive oil bread, perfect for elevating Italian flavors. Inside, you’ll find a blend of savory cured meats, juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella or smooth stracciatella, paired with arugula, basil, or oregano for a unique freshness. Whether you’re vegetarian, a fan of spice, or a charcuterie lover, this olive oil bread sandwich is crafted to satisfy all your cravings.   I ordered that to go and had it for lunch the following day.

The supplì is a golden rice croquette, both crispy and chewy, hiding a runny heart of melted mozzarella. The rice, infused with tomato sauce and cheese, is lovingly prepared and then coated with breadcrumbs before being dipped in boiling oil. 

Of course they have arancini on the menu. The golden balls of Sicilian goodness originated in the street markets of Palermo, Italy, where they were sold as a cheap and portable snack. Traditionally, arancini are made with risotto and a classic combo of ragu, mozzarella, peas and saffron. The rice is then rolled into balls, coated in breadcrumbs, and deep-fried until they are brown and crispy. Arancini isn’t limited to this classic recipe! You can also enjoy them in refined flavors like their arancini with mushrooms and truffle. These variations add a touch of elegance to traditional arancini while preserving their irresistible character.

What is carboncini?  This is their invention similar to Sicilian arancini, but with a twist. Instead of being stuffed with rice, these golden balls of goodness are packed with creamy carbonara pasta. While crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, the carboncini are bursting with the rich flavors of pancetta, eggs and pecorino romano. I enjoyed it immensely,

Frittata di Pasta is like if a pizza, lasagna and omelet all had a wild night out together and created this beautiful, cheesy and eggy lovechild. First, the pasta is cooked al dente and then you mix it with whatever your heart desires. The possibilities are endless and it’s a dish that is both comforting and exciting. It’s perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner.  

For their traditional salads, they keep it simple and fresh! You can opt for their famous Caesar salad, with its lettuce and arugula base, shavings of Italian Parmesan, crunchy croutons and a touch of vinaigrette for an irresistible combo.

There are authentic Italian beverages. San Pellegrino offers limonata and aranciata, two sparkling options with lemon and orange flavors that capture the essence of Italian citrus. I sampled the San Benedetto Pesca peach-flavored juice, which was quite quenching.

For dessert,  their bombolinis filled with pistachio cream and Nutella are little clouds of happiness. For lovers of classics, the creamy tiramisu will satisfy your cravings with its generous layers of mascarpone and coffee.  And what about cannolis, crunchy delights filled with sweet ricotta and chocolate chips?  The Milky Way cake is as decadent as they come.   Finally, don’t miss their Nutella horns, a sweet treat that perfectly marries the crunchiness and indulgence of Nutella. 

You can also stop by the freezer and take home some frozen pizzas. I did just that with the marguerita and the quattro formaggi. Put them in the oven for five minutes at 500 degrees and it is like having them at your table in the restaurant.

For breakfast the restaurant serves its breakfast sandwich made with a croissant bun, prosciutto, egg, as well as the Frittata di Pasta and more.

“We are looking to expand the business and open several locations in Montreal, such as the Old Port, downtown and hopefully franchise in the future,” says Toia.

There is seating for about 30 people inside and a seasonal terrasse. You will find some very impressive framed photos of movie stars and sports legends on the wall, all with photoshopped graphics of the Angry Paesano mascot. There is even Toia’s own Vespa bike on display. 

Pizzeria Angry Pasano Café Griffintown is located at 1600 rue Notre-Dame Ouest. Opening hours are  8 am to 10 pm Monday through Thursday, 8 am to 11 pm Saturday, and 10 am to 10 pm Sunday. Delivery is available in the area via Uber and DoorDash. For more information, call (438) 375-3015 or log on to https://pizzeriaangrypaesano.com/.

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