Danilo’s Italian Cafe

A hidden gem in the northwest, Danilo’s is smooth, suave and ever-​brimming with Italian panache. The thin crust pizza are rather addicting, and rather than use North American flavours, Danilo sticks to Italian versions like Margherita and Caprese. They are perfect with a glass of crisp San Pellegrino. Be sure to grab a cannoli for dessert.

Danilo’s Italian Café is a great family place with good prices.
They have a great lunch special that comes with the daily pasta, bun and salad. It comes to about $ 6. If you are looking for a bit more food you will be looking at about $ 15 for a meal. They also have great deserts.
The service is really friendly. This is a family run business that makes everyone feel like they are part of the family. I was so satisfied with the entire experience.

I drive past Circle Square quite often and recently noticed a sign advertising a café that served stone baked pizza after 5pm. Interesting. I had no idea there was a coffee shop in there. So, when I had some time, I went a little further around the circle than usual and found Danilo’s. I got there far too late for pizza or much else as far as an actual meal. Once it’s gone, that’s it for the day. It makes perfect sense to me, no use having waste. There was one panini sandwich left but I decided to allot my calories otherwise.
There were a few other people in the café who were enjoying coffee refills while waiting for their sandwiches. I ordered a cappuccino. The other patrons were a lively bunch and chatty. One woman told me that I absolutely had to try one of the desserts. I had glanced over them and was trying to behave but she insisted there was nothing like them. So, I added a stuffed, chocolate covered pastry to the order. Then I noticed there was also gelati. I ordered the mango flavour. The owner, Pat, introduced himself and assisted me to a table with my order.
All that I ordered tasted amazing! I think it was my first gelati ever. The pastry was very nice and light. The cappuccino was just right. As I happily sipped away at my coffee, I really took in the atmosphere. The place is absolutely spotless. When the jovial group left, the table was immediately cleaned. I loved the fountains around the room and the tasteful, simple furnishings. I selected one of the comfy chairs near a coffee table. It’s such a relaxed atmosphere that I may have to start hanging out here and doing some writing!
One thing I noticed when I approached the counter initially to place my order was the largest Nutella jar I’d ever seen. It puzzled me a bit but I pushed it out of my mind. When I was finished, I was the only one there so I chatted with Pat, the owner for a bit. I had no idea the café had been there since April! It’s a family owned business — Pat, his wife and even his mom helps out. That explains why it feels so comfortable there — very homey. They have different lunch specials each day that are prepared fresh. He gave me a tour of the kitchen and it was so spotless it barely looked used at all! Then we got talking about what goes into making an authentic Italian pizza. And finally the mystery of the Nutella was revealed. That’s right, «La Nutella» is one of the pizzas on the menu. Apparently it’s huge in Italy these days. I’m going to have to get there earlier next time because I have to try it.