Dear reader, I love my white noise app and I can’t sleep without it, but I tried something different last night. Instead of the anesthetizing sound of static, I listened to a new podcast called Pepperoni Pizza Dreams, in which the host simply reads aloud restaurant menus. Each episode is around 40 minutes long, revolves around a theme—pizza, obviously, but also bagels, diners and deli-style sandwiches—and includes the menus of a few different kitchens, which the host reads out slowly in a breathy voice with plenty of sibilance. The intention is to lull listeners to sleep. And while it’s not exactly relaxing (and maybe, quite honestly, a bit creepy), the host’s voice is hypnotic enough to have the desired effect. The latest episode, “Live, Laugh, Linguine,” focuses on pasta, specifically from the menus of three of Toronto’s Italian kitchens: Famiglia Baldassarre, Porzia’s and Annabelle Pasta Bar. Sure enough, after a few minutes of listening to whispered sweet nothings about noodles, my eyes started to get heavy. It’s classified as a health podcast, which, I guess, sure, it aims to help people fall asleep naturally—but I woke up craving cacio e pepe, and I feel like I’ll lean into carbs more than usual today. That brings us to the featured story of today’s newsletter, a piece about a fun new event series called That Nonna Life, which celebrates Italian-Canadian culture. The latest event took place at the Corso Italia institution Tre Mari, where guests sipped wine and snacked on all-things Italian (antipasti, spaghetti, cannoli) while playing card games like Scopa and Briscola. The idea was to bring the Italian basement party (IYKYK) to life—but invite a bunch of strangers and host it in a bakery. Also in this week’s Table Talk—to continue the pasta theme—a look at what’s on the menu at Occhiolino, a new Italian restaurant in an old auto body shop. Plus, Toronto bars serving celebratory champagne-based cocktails, and 15 bottles at the LCBO that will make great gifts for your wine-loving friends. And just a note to say that there won’t be a newsletter next Thursday, but Table Talk will return the week after, in 2025. Whatever your holiday, I hope it’s a happy one. For more of our food-and-drink coverage, visit torontolife.com or subscribe to our print edition. |
