San Remo — Restaurant in Hamilton

My daughter and I went Friday May 30 2025 at 6pm. There was no one in the restaurant. The TV was playing and the old man didn't hear me or see me walk right up to the TV to ask him if he was open. His English is not great. There is no real menu and its cash only. My 14 year old daughter was dead set on not eating there once she saw the place. I convinced her we should try. I totally regret that decision. My daughter ordered spaghetti and marinara sauce and I had spaghetti and meatballs. Took maybe 10-15 minutes to prepare. Two plates they looked the same except I had two small meatballs on either end of my plate. The spaghetti was soft, the plate mostly looked like spaghetti with some sauce dispersed in between. Extremely bland. The owner brought out what looked and tasted like craft parmesan cheese. I was not able to cut the meatballs with the spoon or fork, they were rock hard. The only way to break them open was to use the tines of the fork and pry it apart. Chewing it proved just as difficult, was so very dry. I ate as much as I could, 1 meatball and a bit and as much of the spaghetti as I could force down so as to not appear that we totally didn't like the meal. My daughter had one bite and said, I'm not eating this. So we traded plates and I ate half of hers to not offend the old man. At the end I covered what was left with the paper napkins but the old man came back and looked under the napkins and asked if we wanted the rest to go, and double checked we didn't want to take the rest home. I had two bottles of domestic beer and the old man said everything is $50. No receipt, we had no idea of what anything cost before we ordered so I suppose $50 in a half decent restaurant with tax would be about right. I honestly felt that spaghetti o's would have been about the same maybe even a bit better, hate to say it. That was my absolute worst meal I think in all my years of eating out that I have had. I chalked it up as a learning experience and now we know where the bottom of the floor ratings are. I was honestly shocked. I would say the meatballs were probably two weeks old, they were not bad meaning that they were not off, so suspect it was stored in a tight container in the back of the fridge. No chance they were made that day. I think the old man is 90 and I felt bad that he is actually serving this food, if this is his every day food I think it might be...

Our experience was well... interesting to say the least. We asked if we could dine in and the owner had to ask his wife for approval and checked the clock. Then he UNLOCKED the door to the empty dining room and very quickly told us to hang our coats because he “doesn’t like coats on chairs”. We were then instructed to sit at one of the several tables with mix matched table cloths. The owner then came out with a small pitcher of ice water and two small glasses and then proceeded to tell us the 3 items that were available. No menus offered. We placed our order and shortly after a small elderly lady walked to our table and said she was going to get us some garlic bread which evidently comes with every meal. To our surprise when she arrived with the garlic bread we were also treated two stuffed breaded olives. The garlic bread was very good and so were the olives. Once we had indulged in that we were highly anticipating our meals. After about 30 minutes or so the owner brought our food to the table, the apparent chicken looked a little overdone but to our surprise it was pork. The pasta was very delicious. Then as we were indulging our pasta another couple came in asking for appetizers. The owner then told them that they did not offer appetizers. Then one of the customers asked for a Coca Cola. When the man came with the can the customer asked for some ice in a glass which ensued an argument. The owner explained in a harsh voice that the pop was already cold hence being in the fridge. The argument escalated leading to swearing and the elderly gentleman then escorted the couple in a harsh way, slamming the door behind them. Then explained to us that he doesn’t need those people asking for stuff for nothing. All and all it was a lovely and very interesting experience. I will...

We have been here a few times over the years, always going because it is so old Italy and we love the step back in time feeling. We have never had an option other than veal or chicken parm on any of our visits, which we do like, so we know what we are having before we go. There is usually only us there or maybe 1 other table. This past visit July 2025 at 5pm, we were the only diners. We were directed to a table by a window where the light was brighter. The decor has not changed and I am not sure when things were really cleaned last. The table mats were not clean nor were the glasses hanging in the racks on the table. It was a very hot day and there was no ice for the water. The sign on the table said: Appetizers: garlic bread, stuffed olives, fried artichokes and cucumber, Dinner: pasta, chicken parm and Salad: garden salad $35. What we did get was a slice of slightly warmed bread with a garlic spread and no other options, we had a choice of chicken or veal parm, I had chicken and my husband had veal. The meat was ok however the sauce was very bland . What we didn’t get was stuffed olives, fried artichokes or salad. The bill however was still $35.00. It saddens me to say we will...