A typical day in the Leparq Pizzeria kitchen begins several hours before opening, with the mixing, portioning and proofing of the sourdough.
“We prepare our sourdough fresh every day, ensuring consistently high quality and flavour,” says Sheila Cabildo. “Meanwhile, a pot of milk slowly transforms into rich, creamy ricotta cheese. We also carefully wash and prepare our salad ingredients in advance.”
The Cabildo family includes Sheila, her husband Albert, and her son Chris. Chris, who previously owned Super Deluxe in Winnipeg, is the Leparq owner, and he’s excited to have a unique pizzeria in the community.
“With Morden becoming more diverse and youthful, he saw the perfect opportunity,” says Sheila. “We believe Leparq has been a fantastic addition, offering a traditional pizza style that sets it apart from other restaurants in the area.”
Leparq’s name was inspired by its close proximity to Morden Park. The Cabildos have always appreciated the lush greenery and natural beauty of the park, and they wanted to reflect its ambiance inside the restaurant.
“With an abundance of plants inside as well as a cozy, inviting patio, we’ve created a warm and welcoming atmosphere for our guests to enjoy.”
It’s a space, diners will quickly notice, that doesn’t include televisions or loud music. That’s intentional. The Cabildos want to foster a sense of community and connection in the pizzeria, linking a thoughtfully-designed interior with high-quality food.
“By forgoing TVs, we’ve created an inviting atmosphere where guests can engage with one another,” Sheila explains. “They can enjoy meaningful moments and experience the warmth of a truly small-town gathering space.”
Once inside, diners can choose from a variety of pizzas, including the popular fennel, sausage and red onion; bacon and ricotta; meatball Margherita; and custom favourites like Albert’s grape and blue cheese. Then they can watch their pizza being cooked in a 400°C oven. The high-temperature baking results in a perfectly-balanced texture – soft and tender on the inside with a beautifully charred crust.
To ensure they can satisfy any dietary restriction, Leparq also offers gluten-free crusts and can modify most pizzas to be vegan or vegetarian. Sheila also recommends completing a meal with a salted caramel panna cotta.
As Kopper Kettle customers will already know, Cabildo restaurants always welcome large groups, gatherings and celebrations. Leparq Pizzeria can accommodate up to 50 people on the patio, and the back room can hold around 25.
“Morden and the surrounding area has been incredibly supportive and open-minded about giving Leparq a chance,” says Sheila. “If you’re just hearing about us now, come down and give us a try! Or, if you feel like following along and keeping up to date, give a follow on Instagram.”
Leparq Pizzeria is located at 622 Thornhill St in Morden and can be reached by calling (204) 822-4775. Delivery orders can also be made using apps such as DoorDash and Skip the Dishes.
