Pasquale's Trattoria — Restaurant in Oakville

Now, this was a very positive experience, and after some investigation - I want to claim that Pasquale's Trattoria in Oakville is the best restaurant in the West of Toronto area. The "best" may mean different things to different people, and here I refer purely to the quality of food, which is exceptional and suggests deep knowledge and care about the produce and tradition. The same applies to the staff, who were all mature experienced people with deep understanding of what they are doing (and serving). We visited dozens of highly rated restaurants in the area, and Pasquale's stood out very clearly. The photos show the small room, so you probably need to pre-book if you want to visit at a popular time (we came at 12 noon on a Friday, so it was half-empty, yet there was no compromise on the food they served). The menu is classical Italian, with most items you will recognise in most authentic Italian restaurants. But there was quality you would seldom find even in Italy... All portions were very generous, so you need to be quite hungry if you plan even two courses. Calamari Fritti had a heavenly batter, and a remarkable twist of flash-fried spinach. Breaded Sicilian Eggplant was also very good: the eggplant took all the flavours of provolone cheese and tomato sauce. The two mains we had were the Fresh Sole fillet with egg wash, white wine and lemon sauce, and the Veal Calogero (with fontana cheese, fresh tomato and demi glace). The sole especially was very good: quite large so it was meaty and flaky (not thin and falling apart as some ex-frozen sole fillets often are), with the white sauce adding freshness and flavour. Demi place made the veal dish quite rich, but choosing the broccoli stems (Rapini) with it was smart: it cut through the deep sauce well. This was a high-level cuisine, and other items on their menu promised the same experience (mins you, the menu you see on Google isn't full). One of the photos shows the steep staircase to their toilet area, so if you have impaired mobility - try to prepare and...

2 days ago We had previously gone to Pasquales and had an amazing time and thoroughly enjoying the food. Needless to say was very excited to celebrate my birthday there. Unfortunately we were gravely disappointed. Our waiter was unattentative almost to the point of being rude. Pasquale himself who always seems to make the rounds of the tables was really nowhere to be found. We had made reservations and asked for a table by the window. We had to wait for a table but not the one requested. They eventually moved us to the window table. The Siciliana salad was subpar - having had it before I was gravely disappointed. The eggplant parmesan was was soggy and once again not the usual we were accustomed to. Both veal dishes were fair. The worst part came when Pasquale came by cleared the dishes and said enjoy your wine and we will be back with a dessert menu. Next thing we know the waiter arrived with Tartufo with a candle stuck in it. Being a birthday celebration. We were never even offered a dessert menu. If we had we would have both ordered the Tiramsu. Especially not Tartufo. That being said I don't think Tartufo is even on the dessert menu. As an after thought our waiter asked if we would like a coffee or tea. All in all in made what was supposed to be a very special celebration a grave disappointment. I would be hard press to go back or to recommend to others. As I had once done very freely. Happy Birthday became an extremely unhappy event. There were a few other minor faux pas as far as serving and etiquette goes but at this point no use in rehashing them Truly disappointed. Need a Birthday...

Blah! Not that impressed. Invited 3 colleagues for a business lunch. I was expecting to have my socks blown off. It was sustaining but uninspiring. Grilled calamari and shrimp was good (not rubbery), would have liekd a second shrimp, but....OK! The stracetella soup was a big disappointment. Warm at best, no taste what so ever. The egg was plentiful, appearance was spot on! Just no seasoning! Hmmmm,,,, Next course! I had the Fillet of Sole. The sole was done quite well but who puts penne in a tomato sauce on the same plate! I didn't ask for it. So I tried it! No clue how to make a simple tomato sauce! Couldn't eat a second penne (and I love penne!). This was confirmed my associate who did ask for the gnocchi. He could eat them do do the sauce. The Linguini Rapini looked like spaghetti (I was to embarrassed to ask if it was spaghetti). The bread was amazing! It may sound like i enjoy ripping into establishments, but I don't. I wait a long time to go here always wondering and reading great reviews. I was supposed to return for a dinner with good friends at the end of the month. I won't. Hard to find great Italian food... and it really is so...