Claudio's Ristorante — Restaurant in Hamilton

UPDATE: The owner called me about 5 minutes after I posted my original review. She was extremely apologetic and mortified about my groups expierence and offered our group a birthday do over on her. I said okay so we went back last night for round 2. When we got there the owner greeted us at the front door and explained there was another large party in the front but she had a quiet table set up for the 4 of us in the back. Had I known there was seating in the back of the restaurant I would have asked the first time we were there to be moved to a quieter space. This experience was completely different. We could actually hear the music playing which was a nice ensemble of classic radio tracks at a perfect volume. We were able to have great conversations within our group and no issues with hearing each other. It was much more enjoyable! Our server was very polite and friendly and she made sure to check on us to see if we needed refills on our drinks. The food again was delicious. There was one minor issue the pasta was a little under cooked for one of my group members but she said it was still tasty. We didn't have to wait too long for our apps and I was also given some cake again since it was to be my birthday celebration. The owner went above and beyond to fix our original bad experience and I really appreciated that. Because this experience was great and the owner did the right thing I will definitely be back again to try some other dishes in the future! ORIGINAL REVIEW: I picked this place to celebrate my birthday and what a mistake.... It was my actual birthday yesterday too and I figured a Tuesday evening should be pretty quiet well stupid me there was a huge group of 12 men that took up most of the restaurant and of course they were catered to on hand and foot and my smaller group was put on the back burner... We waited almost an hour for appetizers! I had to ask the waitress what was going on and she said we're sorry but we have a large group... excuse me? How are you going make another customer feel that less important and you bluntly just say we have a larger group so basically we didn't matter! I then sternly said to her I made a reservation weeks ago which I did so that's not my problem there's a larger group. She just rudely walked away and then our actual server who was very nice might I say came over and tried to apologize again explaining they were a little understaffed in the kitchen but again these are issues that aren't my problem. I'm not trying to be demanding but you are running a business if you end up getting a big group coming you have to adjust things accordingly. It just wasn't handled properly at all. So they had this large group right in the middle of the restaurant and we couldn't hear each other think let alone talk they were so loud it made it very uncomfortable for me and my guests. If it wasn't for the fact that it was my birthday I would have just got up and left. When the food finally did arrive it was really good but this place is pretty expensive and they automatically put on a 20% gratuity because I was supposed to have 6 people but it ended up only being 4. They should have adjusted the bill... I won't make a reservation here again. If someone else happens to want to eat at this place I would go but I personally will never reserve at this restaurant again after this experience. It's so unfortunate because I had high hopes and was let down. * A message to the owner * You need to learn how to manage a restaurant better your customer service with your staff isn't acceptable for the type of establishment you're...

After reading so many positive reviews of Claudio's, our group of 6 was looking forward to an awesome meal. It was the first nice meal out for one couple since the start of Covid. Unfortunately, that was not the case. Appetizer calamari, burrata and Caesar salads were just OK. Veal dish was tough and should have had some type of sauce. The seafood pasta did not say on the menu it came calamari, (of which there was a lot), and compromised the main ingredients being shrimp, scallops and mussels. The gnocchi dish was also just OK. The desert was described totally different (a custard type desert), from what was served which was a lemon curd flan. The topper of the evening was when we received our bills and luckily one person discovered that an 18% gratuity had been added to each couple's bills (after one couple had already paid and added on an additional 18%). When the server was questioned she went back to the bar and said it was an error because we were a group of 6, even though we had separate bills. And no where on the menu it was stated that an 18% gratuity would be added to the bills. Also, the website shows linens on the tables, which there were not any and the wooden benches need some type of padding to make guests feel more comfortable. In good conscious we cannot recommend this restaurant and have no...

Update July 23, 2024: In all fairness to the staff at the restaurant, they did ask us how the food was shortly after we got the food. I am not sure of the timing though. The appetizers were fine. It was the mains that were very disappointing. This being said, even if we were asked when we had our mains, there's a certain reluctance on our part to tell them, point blank that this is bad food. We did not come out to eat for the evening to engage in criticism or face possible anger. No, the restaurant has had hours, or possible days, to get this menu item right. They are supposed to be experts, with experience in selecting the food, preparing it, and I would hope tasting it. It is not my job to help them prepare good (or even acceptable) food.

Original Review: Mediocre food and service was a bit overbearing; grossly overpriced for what was offered.

I had veal, which consisted a small portion of bland, almost tasteless strips of meat accompanied by completely forgettable sides. Seriously, I cannot even remember what they were. The caesar salad wasn't too bad, long leaves of romaine coated with the dressing. My wife had a pasta dish, with shrimp, and her observations were how small the shrimp were, how few there were, and that the dish...