Pasqualino Cafe & Bistro

It’s too bad when what should be a great restaurant is spoiled by the service attitude of the owners and, to a lesser degree, the staff.
Let me state that this rating is based on the fact that for the price and status of this restaurant, a high level of service and a customer centric attitude should be a guarantee.
Let me be clear, the food here is excellent. I have eaten there 7 times since the renovations and the food always met my expectation.
So my issues with Pasqualino’s from my last visit:
— If you accept a reservation for a set time. Be ready for your guests. If you are going to be late have the same common courtesy that you would expect of me and please call and let me know. I do not like standing in the door way for 20 minutes waiting.
— The owner of the restaurant should never tell the customer that «I am not here to make you happy»
— The owner of the restaurant should not tell the customer «if you don’t like it, there’s the door»
— The serving staff should know that they carry Moet and not say that they don’t and then later realize they do.
— You should pour our wines for as the glasses become empty — it is proper etiquette plus you would sell more wine (there are servers at other restaurants that would get very irritated with me if I poured the wine)
— If two weeks earlier, when I visited last, you tell me that I can bring my own wine for a corkage fee of $ 35.00, then I should be able to do that. If this service is not compliant with your license please let your staff know of the policies to save the embarrassment.
— If the dining party order a pizza (which was very good), as an appetizer, please slice it — we had to cut ours with a knife which was difficult.
In general, please improve the service and Pasqualino’s would be a leading restaurant in Halton.
Thanks

I wanted to walk out on this restaurant. We arrived at 8:35 pm. Waited 15 or so minutes for a table under a reservation. And the proceeded to wait another near-​two hours to be served the mains we ordered at 8:50. I still haven’t eaten while writing this and the mains are still yet to be seen.

Have been here a number of times before the renovation really enjoyed it. Not really sure if it was the night but I would say it was a fine dining disaster. We made reservations and my friends had to wait 20 minutes for their table they were on time and there were empty tables. When this was mentioned politely to some one. I believe. Owner. My fiends were told. There is the door. Sounds like complaining but wasn’t that way at all. We arrived and were not greeted or offered coat check. We were very optimistic and no one discussed this at the table. We ordered a bottle of Moët and followed with a brunello and food. The food was excellent Being fine dining I anticipated the wine being poured not once did our server come by and do this. There are more elegant and professional restaurants in MILTON where food and service is excellent. I say 2 stars for excellent food. Nothing for the service. This was the first time in my life I didn’t tip. And the first bad review I have ever given. The server asked what was wrong. Apologized and I felt bad for him. The management didn’t care to address this. BTW. I am a very respectful diner and hope the management reads this and considers how quickly reputation can ruin a business

Excellent food, excellent service, excellent ambiance!
We came here just before Christmas for dinner with a big group of friends (there were 10 of us). The servers were friendly and very helpful. The food was delicious and fresh!
This place is a gem in Milton!

Great food all the time… for dinner make a reservation but u may wait a bit longer at that time for your food. Try the tiramisu… nona’s recipe it’s delicious just like I had in Italy at a great mom and pops restaurant !!!

Hands down the best restaurant in town. Tried tons off the menu and it’s all been among the best foods I’ve tasted. Great service too!

We went here for lunch and everything was amazing! Delicious food, friendly and prompt staff, and what a stunning atmosphere! We hadn’t been for many years but the new renovations are absolutely beautiful. Very high-​end. Especially love the new wood-​burning pizza oven. Three out of four us got different pizzas and each of us loved them. Mine was Bosciolo (sp?), with mushrooms, caramelized onions, cherry tomatoes, fiore de latte, and arugula. Divine. One of us got the pasta special which was also really good. Huge portions too!
Can’t wait to go back! Highly recommended, especially in a town where it’s mostly chains.

Before the renovation this was one of my favourite restaurants in Milton. Since the renovation the ambience has gone, the décor although nice is way too bright, and the tables way too close together, I’m not a big guy but when people have to pull in their chairs to let you pass that’s an issue, and seeing as how I don’t know the people at the next table I’d rather not have to compete with their conversation. The service was also fairly poor, not bad but definitely not up to the standard of fine dining. This could be forgiven if the food was still as good but sadly no. The menu is uninspired and the dishes that we had were mediocre at best. Sad to say that nothing about the visit would entice me to try again. Extremely disappointed.

Stuff happens even at the best of restaurants but it’s what they do as resolution that makes you feel like you and or your business is appreciated.
QUICK SUMMARY: In our case there were 4 strikes in one visit … A) 20 minutes wait although we had a reservation. B) doubling up the order when we asked for one kids pasta. C) hair in the meal. I wouldn’t have written this review if there was any resolution or at least an attempt so in a way that’s 4^th strike.
I find that the owner is greedy and must have tried to squeeze in an extra party which is why we had to wait 20 minutes. Doubling up kids order and the fact that she didn’t offer us any discounts or even a desert knowing they had let us down several times proves her greed. She did say she was sorry on every strike but that was it.
Now the story:
I usually dine at South 202 few doors down and always drive by Pasqualino. I thought I should check it out so today I visit with my family. Our reservation was for 8:30 but upon our arrival there was long delay before we were even greeted. We stood by the door and minutes later I believe we were greeted by a lady who turns out to be the owner. I told her that we have a reservation for six, she said oh yes there will be a short wait please wait 5 minutes which turned into 20 minutes wait. We simply stood by the door with kids till 8:50 pm. Then we were finally seated. The owner started talking to us about the menu. I highly recommend her to join ESL classes before serving customers or simply get an English speaking server to do the job as her accent was very thick and I could barely understand her when she was trying to explain the menu. Later we order one pasta dish for my 4 year old and 2 year old so they could share as they don’t eat much. The owner took it upon herself to order two plates. My sister had hair in her plate and got really turned off. We complained about it and returned the plate. The owner offered to make another plate but my sister said no thank you as she had lost her appetite. When we got the final bill there were no discounts. Neither did they offer a desert or something on the house. The bill was served by another server and when I was paying with my credit card the owner came by and had her eyes on the machine. I guess she knew I was upset and was suspecting me not to tip. I am usually soft and always tip if when little things go wrong. But this a but much for me handle. I did not give any tip. As I was walking the owner said «again sorry and may be next time» … There won’t be a next time.

Great fresh ingredients, complimented by superb familial service! We recently moved to Milton from Toronto and had the opportunity to bring our current Toronto friends here. Well we are so glad we did.

Maybe worst dining experience ever. This restaurant has gone from best to worst in three months. Saturday evening, place was full, stood ten minutes at door waiting for someone to greet us. Had reservation, but no table ready so had wait at bar. Took one hour fifteen minutes to get appertizers. They had run out of scallops for the Napoleon’s. The calamari was like shoe leather. They apologized and said they were having trouble getting good calamari. If they knew it was bad then why serve it! The main course special they had run out of as well. Took another hour to get main courses. We were told we were still sixth in line, so we gave them 10 minutes to produce main courses or we would walk out. It came just in time. We counted 9 or 10 staff either cooking or serving some 40 people so there was no excuse for being there three hours. All in all a miserable and disappointing experience. If ever a restaurant needed Gordon Ramsey, then this is it.

Some of the best food in Milton!
Really good food. Classic Italian dishes done very well.

Had a great night at Pasqualino’s with my lady, and have to say I was pleasantly surprised.
A word of advice: If you’re expecting the kind of trendy, delicate italian food you might find at a bistro in downtown Toronto, you won’t find it here. Instead, Pasqualino goes for a more traditional-​style dish, with flavourful homemade pasta and honest ingredients.
I was constantly surprised by the quality and taste of our dinner. Firstly, we’re vegetarians, and they accommodated our meal without sacrificing flavour, and I appreciated that they added extra vegetables to the pasta in lieu of meat. Sounds like a simple thing, but you’d be surprised how many restaurants wouldn’t think to do so.
I nearly winced when I saw a big roasted carrot in my pasta — and then instantly regretted my snobbery when I took a bite and discovered that it fit perfectly with the rest of the dish.
The Tiramisu we finished our meal with was phenomenal; big enough for two to share, mind.
If you’re looking for somewhere to host a special occasion, or to take the wife out for a nice meal, Pasqualino’s will not disappoint. Honest, plentiful, delicious italian food — you’ll leave full, and happy.
–A

Love this place! We had our engagement party here and the manager was so great to work with. Authentic Italian food with an extensive wine list that turned even my most unsuspecting friends into wine lovers. You simply must try the mango cheesecake! Best i’ve ever had!

On my adore list for sure — Went with the family and had a wonderful meal there. Staff was very attentive and able to accomodate food allergies even for dessert!
We will go here again and again… I second the love on this place — fantastic!
Meal for our family of 5 was ~$ 180.00 not too bad.
My first time trying Innis and Gunn blonde beer — so fabulous!

Love.
That’s my one word review.
It’s pretty amazing to find little bistros like this in Milton. It has an incredible selection of art mounted on the walls that can be yours for a few hundred dollars (the artwork is quite nice and fits the décor perfectly). The service was attentive, friendly and informed.
The food. Now, the food really good. Seasoned just right and beautifully presented. The wine selection was quite good also. All in all, an enjoyable evening. A bit on the pricey side, but, it was worth every single penny. Can’t wait to go back again.

Lovely.
I first noticed this restaurant from its storefront on Main St. PASQUALINO in big bold letters. Café & Bistro. How could I resist? I was looking for the right time to try this restaurant. Last Thursday’s sunshine was just the thing to get me downtown and wandering… and I just wandered right into Pasqualino.
Lovely.
When I came in there was a couple having dinner, a family, a group of coworkers (i think), and a lady at the bar who seemed to be friends with one of the waitresses. Interesting bunch. Over the course of the evening, a 8-​person group, a few more families, and a few more singles walked in. I, myself, came alone… and as such, have become prone to people watching during dinner. So what does that mean & why should it matter in this review: It tells me that this is a great place to be & that there’s something for everyone.
Ok. now onto the meat of the review. Literally…
Pasqualino offers a $ 35 three-​course prix fixe menu during the weekdays. Very tempting. The menu changes daily & comes out handwritten. Lovely handwriting, btw. =)
I am a sucker for prix fixe… but upon further inspection… 3 courses very similar to the specials but the normal menu would be cheaper… so… I ordered from the normal menu. I was not disappointed. I had their soup of the day (a garlic & butternut squash soup), the chicken & mushroom risotto, and a crème brûlée. mmmmmmmm…
— The soup was rich & creamy with just the right amount of garlic. Really well blended. The Cali in me was wanting to add a dash of hot sauce… but the freshly cracked black pepper did the trick.
— The risotto was probably some of the best I’ve had up here in Toronto. It had an excellent consistency… not like a porridge-​like risotto I had a few weeks ago… and not like a cheesy rice I had last night. The mushrooms were perfectly sliced & the chicken was moist. The sauce was sooooo good, too. It tied everything so nicely together. It also had shaved parmesan cheese on the top, which added a nice saltiness to it.
— The crème brûlée was alright. The cup it was served in was a lot deeper than I expected so there was a lot more crème than brulee. Sigh… I really love that burnt sugar turned caramel…
I really like this restaurant in Milton. Might take a friend here to try their dinners for two. =)

Pasqualino Café (
) is the most exuisite Italian cuisine experiences my wife and I have had in a while. The ambiance is great, service fast and attentive, and food amazing. The calamari Grilled to perfection, our entrees of chilean seabass and pheasant wth mixed vegetables and fingeling potatoes well presented, done just right, and the home-​made tiramisu was delicious. It was our third time at Pasqualino’s and we’ll be coming back many more!