The Express Restaurant - Italian Eatery — Restaurant in Hamilton

We used to go to this restaurant for every occasion before my mom passed 2 years ago. Food is beyond excellent and the owner (or manager) would remember every single order without writing anything down! (Our table was usually 8-10). Today I brought my friend for the first time. I have a 6 month old, and I asked for a mug of hot water for my bottle. The server brought out a mug half the size of my bottle and I told her that it was too small and the water would pour out everywhere. She said she didn't have anything bigger and brought out a bough that barley warmed my bottle. We waited 10 mins for a menu, until we had to ask one of the chefs for them. The server took our orders, and then we gave her 2 Togo orders and said we were in a bit of a rush. For one calzone, my friend asked if they had ranch or Caesar instead of the marinara. She said "we don't really do that".. dumbfounded, my friend said well I don't want the marinara could I get a different dressing on the side and the server said "well we only have Caesar"- fine. I got my pasta (penne all a carbonara) phenomenal but very salty, and I asked for fresh parmigiana and she replied "we do, but we're phasing it out" so I said.. "ok.. well could I still get it??!" Anyways she brought it. We also had to ask another server for our bread. The food was fantastic my friend was very impressed, however the service was not great and I was very disappointed as I have always raved about this place. I most likely will not be...

First now knowing this was a change of management and CLEARLY a culture shock/clash or just inherently being ignorant to the italian culture I wouldnt have even suggested such a place, BUT because the other two were phenomenal in terms of service, food, and the way it looks on the inside we figured why not try out the last of the trilogy and damn, safe to say this one doesnt even compete with the other two.

My chicken parm was clearly made from a box, my chicken was soggy and the tomato sauce was the ONLY thing it had going for it and thats clearly due to being made elsewhere as somehow everything else was lackluster.

My girl gets her fettuccine chicken alfredo and when I tasted it I couldnt help but laugh and feel disgraced that even came out of a kitchen let alone a place thats literally meant to be an italian experience but I guess y'all read "Express" and thought of microwaved food because at that point you mind aswell be, no salt, no wine, no garlic, no pepper, I've had cream of mushroom taste better than this garbage.

The other two will get our money but as for this place, you're better off selling it to people who respect italian cultures and food because what I had was disrespectful and...

I hate giving low reviews but this experience deserved it sadly. We went for Mother’s Day dinner, 8 people… including two children. Reservation for 7pm. Took us 2.5 hours to complete. Not by choice. We have been here hundreds of times and have always loved it… known to be a bit on the slow side service-wise, but last night was insane. Food came out all at different times… spreading from 7:45-8:45… an hour gap between the first person and the last. The last person basically ate alone. Pasta was changed on one order bc they “ran out” of a style… but wasn’t told until the meal came out… a heads up would’ve been nice. Food was mediocre at best last night. Service was meh. Asked for the bill so we could have the last person eat quick and pay to get the kiddos home and server completely forgot and didn’t come back for yet another half hour. No refills on water. Or asked if we wanted another glass of wine…. One drink pp… 2.5 hours. Management needs to figure that out. We visit often and won’t for awhile now… so many other local restaurants to drop $400 at, where the experience is so...