Rizzo's House of Parm — Restaurant in Fort Erie

I cannot believe how incredibly lucky I was so snag a last minute reservation for me, my husband and our two friends we were travelling with this past weekend. We are all foodies, but my friend is a chef and absolutely LOVES Matty Matheson- it took the mention of his name for Jacob’s mouth to start watering and he was immediately on board with getting a reservation at Rizzo’s.

You walk in to this unassuming building to the most beautiful setting. Modern with a clean vintage flair- everything is beautifully designed, and yet simple and clean. The minimalist dried floral arrangements on the tables, the tile on the floor, the gorgeous bar and chairs that welcome you, the tables are perfect for sitting and sharing with your friends, and the back pillows that line the benches add the perfect touch of comfort.

We were greeted warmly at the door- like they already knew who we were. We were seated immediately and greeted by our wonderful waitress, who gave us so much information about the menu! She suggested we choose the sharing menu and we were quickly on board!

After being brought our drinks, we were brought our first course of appetizers. Burrata with homemade focaccia, meatballs with marinara sauce, bread with olive oil and vinegar dipper, mozzarella sticks and Matty’s Salad. Every single bite ignited my tastebuds and there was just pure silence at our table. I knew we were all indulging in the best food we had ever eaten. The mozzarella sticks were beyond incredible, the burrata was creamy and fresh with the focaccia, and the meatballs were packed with flavour- but the flavour of the meat mix, and not over seasoned with other elements. The marinara sauce was not acidic- it was perfectly balanced. Matty’s salad was the fresh crunch that everything needed to pull this course together.

The second course came- the parm & pasta course. Veal Parmesan, chicken Parmesan, pasta a la vodka, tagliatelle bolognese, broccolini, rosemary potatoes and a side of spaghetti with marinara. Every single bite was perfection and I had no favourites because everything was incredible! The homemade breadcrumbs on the pasta a la vodka added the perfect crunch and seasoning contrast to smooth richness of the sauce. The pasta was absolutely perfectly cooked Al dente on all dishes. The bolognese was a dish of my dreams from the perfect pasta, to the creamy, smooth and wildly flavourful meat sauce, that created the perfect vehicle for the homemade chilli flakes. The broccolini had the perfect char taste and was not overcooked even in the slightest. The parm… how do I even describe it. The low acidic, perfectly balanced sauce, blended beautifully with the thin cutlet of meat (veal/chicken) the breading stayed crispy in some spots, and soft from the sauce in others, with the perfect amount of cheese on top. Absolute perfection on a plate, and in every single bite.

Between each meal we had someone clearing our table and ensuring it was cleaned up from spills, as well as having our wonderful waitress checking in and guiding our experience with every dish that was presented in front of us.

She knew how much we adored MM, and brought us two beautiful desserts- the tiramisu which had the best custard I have ever had- it was rich and yet light, plus the whole dessert had this smoky element to it that was just incredible. The warm fudge brownie with mint chocolate chip ice cream on top was phenomenal. The flavours were amazing together and we all would have considered licking the plates if we weren’t in public.

Rizzo’s House of Parm- you delivered. You made my foodie dreams come true from the service, to the drinks, to every single bite I consumed within the gorgeous walls of your establishment, surrounded by my favourite people and taken care of by absolutely wonderful staff.

I cannot wait to come back soon, and do it all over again!!

A 10/10 rating is nowhere near high enough for what this place deserves. See you...

My friend & I heard about this place from my brother who had visited last week, and we decided based off of his glowing review to make the 1.5 hour trek out to Crystal Beach and see for ourselves. To our pleasant surprise, on Tuesday evening I was able to get 9pm bar seating reservations for that Friday night.

On Friday night I got a text at 8:39pm that our table was ready and we were sat straight away. I enjoyed sitting at the bar because I was at the very end towards the kitchen counter and I could see what all the dishes coming out of the kitchen looked like, as well as watch the bustle of the kitchen staff and the talented bartender do his thing. The bar stools weren’t very comfortable - but I’ve yet to sit on a barstool that is. We liked the look of the restaurant, it’s quaint and understated. Not a ton of decor, but I think that makes it classier and makes the small space feel larger. Whatever playlist they had going was perfect, and not too loud.

To start, I ordered the focaccia with parm and garlic, and the Italian wedding soup. My friend ordered the mozzarella sticks and the antipasto. The focaccia was incredible, and originally I had planned to just have a few pieces and take the rest home (not wanting to fill up) but I literally couldn’t stop myself from eating it all. The wedding soup was good, but lacking a bit of salt. This was the only thing I tried that I was underwhelmed by. My friend said the prosciutto in her antipasto was the best she ever had, and she graciously let me try a mozza stick which was the best I’d ever tried. The other reviews aren’t lying, these mozzarella sticks are unparalleled.

For our mains, I ordered Chicken Parmesan and a side spaghetti, and my friend got the Rigatoni Carbonara. Both were phenomenal. The chicken parm was crispy and the breading was light and flavourful, the sauce was delicious, and the baked mozzarella on top was rich, decadent and really elevated the dish. I was so full I couldn’t touch the spaghetti.

Despite being extremely full, I knew I had to order the brownie with mint ice cream for desert because I’d come all this way. My brother told me it was the best brownie he’d ever had, and I agree. It’s fudgy and chocolatey without being too rich, and the spearmint ice cream added a fresh kick. My friend, who is a tiramisu aficionado and said it was just okay, nothing special. We both ordered espresso martinis, my friend loved hers but I think I should have cut myself off because I was too full to enjoy any more flavours at this point.

Our server was on the ball and very sweet, I wish I got her name for a shoutout. We had such an amazing experience that we are already planning our next visit back to celebrate both of our birthdays in June. I think the way to go here is order a bunch of dishes and split them so that you can try lots of different things on the menu. Rizzo’s absolutely lives up to the hype and deserves the 5 star reviews. I highly recommend the mozzarella sticks, chicken parm, and...

A Hidden Gem with a Few Caveats

Nestled slightly off the beaten path, this restaurant offers a culinary experience that is truly second to none. If you’re willing to venture out of the way, the food alone makes the trip more than worth it. However, there are a few aspects you should be aware of before you make your reservation.

The Food: 10/10

Let’s start with the star of the show: the food. Every dish we tried was an absolute delight. The Chicken Veal Parmesan was cooked to perfection—crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and topped with a generous portion of melty cheese and a robust marinara sauce. The Mozzarella Sticks were golden, crunchy, and filled with gooey goodness. The Caesar Salad was crisp and fresh, with just the right amount of dressing and a sprinkle of Parmesan.

Then came the pasta dishes, which were nothing short of extraordinary. The Pasta Bolognese was hearty, rich, and packed with flavor, while the Penne Vodka brought a velvety sauce that was absolutely divine. A word of caution, though: both the Penne Vodka and the Calamari had a significant spicy kick to them—not palatable for children or those sensitive to heat. While we enjoyed the added spice, it would have been nice if the menu had included a note about it.

The Atmosphere: 6/10

While the food is impeccable, the atmosphere is where the restaurant loses points. The space is often packed to capacity, and for good reason—everyone wants a taste of the incredible menu. However, the result is a sensory overload. The noise level is so high that having a conversation becomes nearly impossible, and the tables are squeezed so tightly together that you feel like you’re dining with your neighbors.

During peak times, the environment can feel overwhelming to the point that a few of us had to step outside for some fresh air. If you’re sensitive to loud and crowded spaces, I highly recommend visiting during off-peak hours for a more enjoyable experience.

Service: 9/10

The staff is attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable about the menu, further enhancing the dining experience. Despite the busy atmosphere, our server ensured that every dish arrived promptly and hot.

Final Verdict

If you’re a food lover, this place is a must-visit for the incredible dishes alone. Just be mindful of the atmosphere, particularly if you’re dining with young children or are sensitive to noise and crowds. Plan your visit strategically, and you’ll be rewarded with one of the best meals you’ve had in...