Mundo Trattoria — Restaurant in Kirkland

Went on valentine day with friends and made a reservation that the restaurant agreed to well ahead of time. Our friends are "weekly regulars" of this restaurant.

The first issue came when we ordered. We were told by the cook, who happened to be passing by our table while the server was taking our orders, that the "a la carte" menu (clearly posted on a chalk board) was conveniently off the table (but they forgot to remove it) and replaced by a very expensive and inflexible "table d'hote". We do understand that under certain conditions, a "table d'hote" menu is more profitable and generate savings, enabling the restaurant to serve the maximum number of patrons, so we support such decisions. The "table d'hote" included 2 separate appetizers, a main course, desert and coffee. Two of us ordered only one appetizer and the main course.

Second issue, although we were there early, our server often forgot about us and was paying more attention talking to his colleagues or finishing the table setup for the rest of the evening.

Third issue, we were firmly asked to leave before the end of our reservation and then, when we asked to respect our reservation agreed upon by the restaurant, some other important hot shot gave us a look to kill after spending a whopping $621 all in, for 4 people including 2 moderately priced wine bottles that we had to pour ourselves during diner.

Although I agree that the food was well prepared and good, we will never repeat at this restaurant, as we felt pushed out to squeeze in more people since the evening was still young. The hot shot was rude and had no respect towards us. The server was average at best but very polite. We understand that the restaurant business is very difficult in these times. We like to encourage local restaurants so they stay in business and provide us with some well deserved relax time, but to offer hi price "table d'hote, no flexibility whatsoever, a casper server most of the night and finish this off with the "look", we are done and we will certainly share our experience with our social group as a...

I love restaurants. I love good food. I love great service. This place did not give me any of the above.

First they serve you sparkling water. Hummmm ok, must be the standard of the house right? Wrong! They gave us 2 bottles of what it seems to be refilled sparkling water bottles. No tags no name on the bottles. We were four couples at the table so four different bills. Well they charged us 4 times seven dollar for sparkling water. Thank god we talk to each other.... Please remember that this was "refilled bottles".

Beer? One kind of bear : Heineken !!! I ended up taking wine!

Food: the food was ok. Nothing great. Nothing fancy.

Coffee: when you take table dhote it comes with regular coffee. But they try to sell u expressos and cappuccinos like these are included... Hummmm yes I want my coffee... Please bring be my coffee...

The funny things is that we were sitting beside a huge group. They probably thought we were with them. So by the time it's time to pay, the guy comes to us and says " guys, if you want to pay cash, I'll remove the taxes...." ! Ok! I guess it's fair! I don't pay taxes, u don't pay taxes, everybody is happy! Hummm nope!!! I paid taxes on the money I'm about to pay with! You see this is one thing people don't understand. To use cash or to use cash somewhere, if u want a win win situation, you need to have made this money in a "cash" way too! If not your money is worth more than cash. 20$ cash is worth "27-30$ declared money". Why ? Well easy! You worked all week to get 1000$ how much left do I have of that money in your pockets after.... Usually u remove a good 25-30%!

So my tip to u sir. Next time I go, offer us the "cash" payment option but give us a 25-30% discount! It will me a win win situation. Basically u don't insult me by thinking I'm an idiot! Useless anyway cause I won't be going there again.

Italian restaurants are so overrated!

One star cause I can't...

This review is long overdue. Mundo is our go-to for a great night out on the West Island because it is consistently flawless. We've been eating at Mundo for years, and are ALWAYS impressed with the attentive service, cozy ambiance and great food. My love and I are both quite capable in the kitchen, so if we eat out it has to be worth it, and Mundo delivers every time.

All the servers do a great job of creating a homey, Italian ambiance, and never leave us waiting for anything. Luciano, the host and manager, deserves extra special mention. Even when we don't come for a year, he greats us like close friends, remembering our food preferences and going out of his way to make us feel like the most special table in the restaurant. That being said, when we watch him wait other tables, he is just as caring and professional. Also, when I developed some pretty severe food allergies, this was one of the only places I could eat because Luciano worked with me and the kitchen to prepare delicious food that was gluten-free, dairy-free and all around yummy. His genuine caring is a rarity.

The food is authentic, Italian that feels like it just came out of grandma's kitchen. We love all the appetizers - particularly the octopus, eggplant parmesan, the caprese salad (with real buffula mozzarella) and meatballs with polenta. If you like meat we both highly recommend the braised meats like osso bucco or lamb shank (the specials change all the time). Those are just some of our favorites, but honestly, everything is delicious!

No matter whether you're celebrating something or someone special, or just looking for a night off from cooking, Mundo is one of the best restaurants on the West Island, and DEFINITELY the best Italian...