About – Pizzeria Defina

Our World

Located in the flourishing neighbourhood of Roncesvalles Village in Toronto Canada, Defina is a bustling wood fired pizzeria. Inspired by rustic tradition, we offer a blistering thin Napoletana-style dough, a crispier firm Roma-style crust or for an adventurous palate, the ancient grain Kamut.

At Defina we feel our warmth and communal energy is what makes us a popular host for our friends and neighbours. Local patrons and visitors alike meet for our weekly Defina Night Specials and share what they enjoy most: good value, great quality and friendly service.

Team Defina

Defina features an energetic and dynamic team with a locally handcrafted wood burning oven taking center stage. Our talented Pizzaiollos create modern spins on classic pizza. However it is their original creations, showcasing seasonal and local ingredients, where their cultural inspirations shine. Our Chef embraces each season with a rustic back of house menu featuring meats, fish, pasta and vegetables that pair wonderfully with our extensive imported and domestic wine list.

Danilo Lupo

Danilo Lupo is our Head Dough Maestro and Head Pizzaiolo at Pizzeria Defina. Danilo utilizes a recipe handed down to him from a veteran Pizzaiolo from Treviso, in his homeland of Italy. He takes great pride and skill in perfecting his dough recipes and recently introduced the very popular Kamut dough. Danilo made Team Defina proud in 2013, winning an award for The Best Traditional Pizza, International Region from the International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas. He returned in 2014 and then again in 2016 placing second in the Pan Division, Sicilian Style, International Region.

Frank Byrne

Chef Frank Byrne is our Head Chef at Defina. Chef Frank Byrne has been cooking professionally for 20 years. A native of Newfoundland, he has worked in renowned establishments as Le Select Bistro in Toronto and The Gransewoort Hotel in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Having a wealth of cooking experience from Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and The Cayman Islands, Chef Frank Byrne's passion for cooking fish and seafood is reflected on his menu at Pizzeria Defina.

Domenic Cuscianna

Domenic Cuscianna is the General Manager and Bar Manager at Pizzeria Defina. His 15 years in the Film and Television industry have contributed to his outgoing and inviting personality, though it is his 5 years at the helm at Defina's dining room which have enhanced his taste for our local Craft Beer Menu and our unique seasonal Defina Cocktail Menu.

Kimberly Rheaume

Kimberly (center) is the Wine Manager at Pizzeria Defina. Kimberly is our in house Wine Specialist and with each new season, Kimberly designs an extensive imported and domestic wine list. As our Wine Expert, Kimberly makes recommendations to our guests and pairs our wines with our back of house menu and pizza specials. Kimberly manages our weekly Wednesday Wine Nights with invited tastings and bottle features.

Maksym & Anton Ruzycky

Maksym (right) is a Pizzaiolo at Pizzeria Defina. Maksym Ruzycky acquired his Napoletana Style Pizza training from world renowned Pizzaiolo, Chef Roberto Caporuscio from New York City. Maksym and Anton Ruzycky both participated in The Caputo Cup 2016, in New York City, Anton Ruzycky who with Maksym make up our Pizzaiolo team.