The Main course 10-25
Toto's Caffé And Gelateria
A native of Italy, or anyone who has spent time there as a tourist, will feel they have returned upon visiting the amazing little Toto’s Caffé & Gelateria. This combination espresso café, “gelateria” (Italian gelato ice cream shop) and sandwich shop is a sweet slice of Italy transported to Ambler and dropped around the corner from SEPTA’s R5 station.
Toto’s is the now four-year-old creation of Ralph and Maria Palagruto, who trace their family roots back to the town of Maida in Calabria. “Toto” is the nickname for Antonio, one of their three sons.
With the exception of the café-style tables and chairs, all of the furnishings, the major equipment, even the coffee and gelato cups are from Italy.
His espresso coffee machine is a Faema, the grandfather of Italian coffee makers and the most widely used in Italy. With this machine and imported “Esse Caffe” brand coffee, the Palagrutos make what Starbucks has imitated. Just as in Rome or Florence, morning regulars will stop in at Toto’s for a shot of espresso or a double-shot latte, and perhaps a pastry, before boarding their train to work.
No one makes better quality, richer, artisan ice creams of so many enchanting and unusual flavors than the Italians with their gelati.
Toto’s is the real deal, the first authentic gelateria in this area.
I have enjoyed several extended stays in Italy, and I can vouch that the coffee drinks and the gelato are the real deal.
Ralph made a major investment in his Carpigiani gelato maker, just like the ones in the great gelaterias of Rome. His gelato recipes and ingredients are all imported.
On any day, there are 16 gelati and four sorbetti (sorbets) to choose from. Flavors change periodically, but there are classic constants including: “stracciatella” (vanilla with chocolate chips), “donatella” (chocolate hazelnut) and “tiramisu.”
Try an “affogato” — a scoop of gelato with a shot of espresso poured over it with homemade tiramisu pastry. There is even pumpkin gelato, special for Thanksgiving, just as there will be boxes of “panetone” cake for Christmas.
I have made many delight-filled visits to Toto’s, at lunchtime for sandwiches and in the late afternoon or evening for a dessert, or for a cappuccino and a good pastry. Try the chocolate-filled croissant.
My favorite sandwich is a panini of prosciutto, tomato and mozzarella sprinkled with olive oil and oregano. During summer, my visits might include a refreshing “granita,” a fruit-flavored Italian slush drink.
One day, my L.D.C. (Lovely Dining companion) and I stopped in and had a delicious grilled and pressed vegetarian panini filled with eggplant, sweet pepper and mozzarella zested with olive tapenade and a milder tasting chicken parmesan wrap.
We shared a hot bowl of hearty Tuscan white bean and ham soup, perfect for that rainy afternoon, that even the finest trattoria would be proud to serve. This savory lunch’s finale was scoops of dark and deep chocolate and coffee caramel swirl gelati.
Toto’s is also partly an “alimentari” (grocery store), its shelves stacked with imported packaged goods. Here you can buy Italian pastries, biscotti and crackers, rare pastas like “trafie di Puglia,” and the famous candies of Ferrara and Perugina.
An anonymous, ice-cream-loving philosopher once wrote, “Without ice cream, life would be darkness and chaos.” I would add, “And certainly not as sweet.”
Toto’s gets an Overall Rating: 4 m’s (out of 5 m’s), a sweet scoop of Italy in nearby Ambler.
To contact Mitch Davis, you can e-mail him at: MdavisMainCourse@aol.com
Toto’s is the now four-year-old creation of Ralph and Maria Palagruto, who trace their family roots back to the town of Maida in Calabria. “Toto” is the nickname for Antonio, one of their three sons.
With the exception of the café-style tables and chairs, all of the furnishings, the major equipment, even the coffee and gelato cups are from Italy.
His espresso coffee machine is a Faema, the grandfather of Italian coffee makers and the most widely used in Italy. With this machine and imported “Esse Caffe” brand coffee, the Palagrutos make what Starbucks has imitated. Just as in Rome or Florence, morning regulars will stop in at Toto’s for a shot of espresso or a double-shot latte, and perhaps a pastry, before boarding their train to work.
No one makes better quality, richer, artisan ice creams of so many enchanting and unusual flavors than the Italians with their gelati.
Toto’s is the real deal, the first authentic gelateria in this area.
I have enjoyed several extended stays in Italy, and I can vouch that the coffee drinks and the gelato are the real deal.
Ralph made a major investment in his Carpigiani gelato maker, just like the ones in the great gelaterias of Rome. His gelato recipes and ingredients are all imported.
On any day, there are 16 gelati and four sorbetti (sorbets) to choose from. Flavors change periodically, but there are classic constants including: “stracciatella” (vanilla with chocolate chips), “donatella” (chocolate hazelnut) and “tiramisu.”
Try an “affogato” — a scoop of gelato with a shot of espresso poured over it with homemade tiramisu pastry. There is even pumpkin gelato, special for Thanksgiving, just as there will be boxes of “panetone” cake for Christmas.
I have made many delight-filled visits to Toto’s, at lunchtime for sandwiches and in the late afternoon or evening for a dessert, or for a cappuccino and a good pastry. Try the chocolate-filled croissant.
My favorite sandwich is a panini of prosciutto, tomato and mozzarella sprinkled with olive oil and oregano. During summer, my visits might include a refreshing “granita,” a fruit-flavored Italian slush drink.
One day, my L.D.C. (Lovely Dining companion) and I stopped in and had a delicious grilled and pressed vegetarian panini filled with eggplant, sweet pepper and mozzarella zested with olive tapenade and a milder tasting chicken parmesan wrap.
We shared a hot bowl of hearty Tuscan white bean and ham soup, perfect for that rainy afternoon, that even the finest trattoria would be proud to serve. This savory lunch’s finale was scoops of dark and deep chocolate and coffee caramel swirl gelati.
Toto’s is also partly an “alimentari” (grocery store), its shelves stacked with imported packaged goods. Here you can buy Italian pastries, biscotti and crackers, rare pastas like “trafie di Puglia,” and the famous candies of Ferrara and Perugina.
An anonymous, ice-cream-loving philosopher once wrote, “Without ice cream, life would be darkness and chaos.” I would add, “And certainly not as sweet.”
Toto’s gets an Overall Rating: 4 m’s (out of 5 m’s), a sweet scoop of Italy in nearby Ambler.
To contact Mitch Davis, you can e-mail him at: MdavisMainCourse@aol.com
