Tommaso's Trattoria is located in a tiny strip mall on Eastern Avenue near the new Mini and BWM dealerships. I almost feel like I'm in New Jersey on a Soprano's set. Kappa sweats and fine Italian clothing brush by me. It's casual, bright and friendly. I'm told this is the 18th restaurant Tommaso has owned and that a second "Tommaso's" is due to open late June in the Kipling and Bloor area.

I arrive at 1:30PM and am surrounded by a steady stream of customers. Owner Tommaso Conti is there and greets everyone with his good humor. He loves people and people adore him. Maintenance workers and film industry types crowd in for veal on a bun and meatball sandwiches. ($8).

It's super hot today so I'm feeling like a cool Caprese Salad. ($8) The salad is beautifully composed with perfectly ripened tomatoes, mozzarella de bufala with a delicate chiffonade of basil. A generous amount of good extra virgin olive oil pools on the plate. There's every type of antipasti you can think of here: marinated artichokes, spiced olives, grilled asparagus and cold cuts to name a few.

Tommaso's also offers a hot /cold buffet lunch for $12.99. Deal! Manicotti, lasagna, made-to-order pastas, rice and potatoes may be combined with the cold pasta bar. You can load up as much as you like!

I'm wondering what the pizza is like so I zone in on a pepperoni, pepper and mushroom slice ($3). It has an invisibly thin crust and is filling but not heavy. Smokey mushrooms dominate. Three different pizza specials are made daily around the clock.

An ice-cold Mio Italian beverage (Italian for 7 UP) washes it down. ($3) Delizioso!

The restaurant opens each day at 6:00 a.m. for breakfast and closes when Tommaso sees fit. Dinner is a complete switchover from the Lunch menu. Pastas and meat mains dominate the menu. A vast selection of deserts include citrus gelati, tiramisu and pastry creams. Dinner mains range from $12 -- $23.