Dolcetto — Restaurant in Ontario

Though this is a low rating, I may consider going back due to how their hostess/manager tried to resolve our unpleasant experience. I appreciate them trying to rectify the situation afterwards.

I don’t know if they were off their game the day we came in but we weren’t very happy with the food or service - overall disappointing experience. Very surprising due to the decent ratings. Their hostess and Manager did try to make it right but caught us on our way out after we were done. I do think they would have done something while we were there if the Manager had known. I am surprised no one came by while we were dining.

We ordered a couple drinks and a few dishes to share. There was a piece of hair in our drink which we needed to wait about 15 minutes to catch our waitress and wait for the replacement. I told the waitress quietly to not draw attention and she was apologetic. Chalked this up as a rare accident - it happens. She brought the replacement drink which was fine. We carried on and remained waiting a little while for food. The service felt slow. As food started coming out, we asked for larger plates as our small side plates had little room. In the same ask, we also asked to settle the bill since we needed to make an appointment. The waitress came back with plates and handed us them. Before we could quickly say wait, she had already walked off. One of our plates had crumbs or dirt (?) all over it and a piece of hair. Really gross. We were waiting a while and she finally came back with the machine and we told her we didn’t use the plate. She said no worries, she’ll bring it to the back. I shared again, that we didn’t use the plate due to what was on it. She clued in after looking at the plate, was apologetic and told us she’d inform the manager. This was the second case of having hair and I wanted her to know to prevent it for others. Since we had waited a while (during what seemed to be a slow day for 3 waitresses on the patio with under 10 tables total), we left around 10 minutes after settling, and didn’t receive the second plate. The service was slow and sloppy.

On the way out, the hostess asked us if everything was okay to which we said it could have been better. She tried to solve it right then and there but we had to leave. She was really kind and genuine. She asked for our email since we were in a rush, and the Manager emailed us quite promptly disclosing she wasn’t informed and would have solved it. She offered a solution which was a great gesture, just unfortunate it came afterwards.

The food: the food was mediocre for the price. The pizza we had was soggy underneath - like it was wet and the slices didn’t hold. The salad was overpriced and didn’t have much flavour. Almost felt like spring mix with a splash of olive oil. The ravioli was delicious though. We’d recommend that.

Overall, I’m thinking they had an off-day but definitely ruined my perception of Dolcetto. Hoping others have a way better experience. Thanks to the staff who tried to fix it. If we come back, I will post an...

We made a 5pm reservation for Sat PM and were all seated on time. The atmosphere seemed a bit "roadhouse" plain from what one would expect from an upscale italian restaurant, but perhaps this is the feel they intended? Lacking an intimate atmosphere ambiance from traditional italian, this place is more casual Roadhouse for bar drinks- a pub feel. The chairs were plain wooden schoolhouse type chairs, tables were weathered scratched up wood without tablecloths. All 4 of us were unfortunately a bit disappointed with our meals..nothing great about this food, I wouldn't return anytime soon, didn't feel we got good value for our meals. Hostesses were very friendly and organized, as was our server...but food lacking in quality and flavour. None of the meals were as good as hoped. 2 of us got the Fettucine Dolcetto -which had stringy tough, hard to chew chicken pieces , and the sauce lacked flavour and proper texture (greasy/gritty). The flavours weren't very appetizing and no real tastes I was expecting. the mushrooms and meat didn't taste overly fresh, both weren't an expected texture or taste. Chicken Marsala wasn't the nicest our friend had experienced. It wasn't served with mashed potatoes either that she had wanted: but server apologized she couldn't get them..although on line menu showed you could, server said it's not possible today. Disappointed. Our guest also found their meal also lacking and had initially wanted to order an extra meal to take home..but once tried the food, decided against it. Would have expected more tender chicken. Flavours were salty. Lacked other complimentary spices. mushrooms looked a bit old,dish felt greasy. our other guests had de mar scallops and clams..Neither was as good as hoped also he seemed disappointed.

My suggestion would be for the owners to have a taste of each dish made for them and regularly review with each chef the process-make and taste for themselves- revamp some dishes to add more Flavour, quality and variety to each individual dish. Less salt. Better experiences for Italian in London at: Portinos, Fellini Koolinis, La casa,.

Hopefully Dolcetto improves because the potential is there if the food were to taste better. Flavourless and tough chicken shouldn't be words describing a $30 plate..here's a pic of the Fettucine Dolcetto from Sat Feb 25 5:30 PM. Note: the Covid precautions here were very good with plexiglass etc. Hostess checked everyone's QR vaccine code...

If you love Italian food then there is no better place in London to visit than Dolcetto. We have come to have dinner here several times over the years and if one thing can be said it is, despite the time of year and how busy they are, the quality of food and experience has not once changed; the food has consistently been of top quality and flavour.

We started with the complimentary bread service. It’s simple, but hits the right spot as a warm up to your meal. This time out we also order the burratta appetizer. If anything, out of the whole meal, we weren’t too fussy for this app. Although everything was fresh we felt like something was missing. It wasn’t a bad dish, but overall we found it to be lacking.

I enjoyed their seafood pasta which has the right balance of zest and spice. My son went for the Marguerite pizza. Although a safe choice, it was also perfect. The sauce had a richness to it and the crust was light, airy, and had the right touch of charring. (Another go to pizza is the Maria Blanc. This is perhaps the best dish here!). My wife enjoyed their salmon salad. The fish was tender and the flavours incredibly well balanced.

As we were there for a celebration we given a complimentary gelato and brownie dessert with sparkler. The brownie was thick and fu of deep, rich flavour and the gelato was a perfect creamy companion.

In the summer the colonel Talbot facing wall opens up to expose a large opening that leads to a seamless transition to the patio. This place gets busy, but that business adds a certain type of kinecticism to the experience. The staff is well trained and they never miss a beat despite how busy they may or may not be.

There is a reason Dolcetto has been named one of the Top 100 Italian Restaurants in Canada. The food is astounding. The service exemplary. And, in full honesty, it has ruined dining at other Italian eateries for us because no where else we have been has come close to being able to replicate the experience found at Dolcetto from service to quality of food.

This is a must eat at...