Virtuous Pie has FINALLY opened in Toronto (PHOTOS)
It’s been a long time coming.
Vancouver-vegan favourite Virtuous Pie has finally landed in Toronto, nearly a year after they had originally planned to open their doors.
But good things take time, and patience is a… virtue?
All that waiting surely worked up an appetite for plant-based Torontonians, and now it’s time to see what all the fuss is about.
The space is fresh and modern, with clean lines, brass detailing and lots of greenery.
Visitors will enjoy an “elevated fast-casual experience,” which means that a lot of the restaurant is self-serve, but your table will still be checked on by staff.
There’s a major focus on sourcing local at the restaurant, so you’ll see plenty of Ontario brews on tap. This spot’s also got kombucha on tap… which might be enough to tempt you to try the fermented tea beverage, if you haven’t already.
The freezer is locked and loaded with pints of plant-based ice cream, with flavours from Rocky Road, to Key Lime Pie, to Mint Chocolate Chip and beyond.
And the rest of the food is something to behold.
The Garlic Knots, loaded with parm and served with garlic ranch dipping sauce, are an excellent place to start.
If you’re wanting to start on a lighter note, the Ricotta and Gem Tomatoes plate is here for you. The sweet balsamic blends so beautifully with the creamy almond ricotta, you might just ask for seconds.
Virtuous Pie’s Toronto-exclusive is The Harvest, featuring roasted acorn squash, wild mushrooms, goat cheese and maple syrup. All of the crusts can be made gluten-free, which would turn The Harvest into a friendly choice for sensitive stomachs.
If you’re craving a pie with less sweetness, the Ultraviolet is an ultra-smart (and satisfying) choice. Walnut and arugula pesto serve as the pizza’s sauce, paving the way for cashew mozz, caramelized onion, oven dried tomatoes and pine nuts.
Just because you’re munching on ‘za doesn’t mean you can’t get your greens in. The Superfunghi is a deliciously sneaky way to get some fresh veggies in your belly. If you’re getting full, you can take your pie (or sides) to go.
But hopefully, you’ll save some room for dessert. There are so many options, you may struggle to choose.
For the gluten-free crowd, an ice-cream sandwich is an ideal choice. Gluten-free cookies hug a scoop of your choice of ice cream to re-create a childhood fav.
If you really can’t decide, you don’t have to. Ice cream flights mean that you can try three flavours of your choosing. We recommend taking the plunge with the Mermaid option to send your taste buds to magical lands.
While the wait was long, Virtuous Pie’s wide range of creative and flavourful options are well worth flexing the patience-muscle. And the spot is doing good things for the community, too.
They’ve partnered with Feed it Forward so that food items like imperfect vegetables or orders that were made incorrectly won’t be wasted.
A plant-based restaurant that’s varied, delicious, sources locally, and works to prevent food-waste? Now that’s virtuous.
Virtuous Pie
Hours: 11:30 am – 10 pm
Location: 611 College Street