Papi's — Restaurant in Ontario

My wife and I decided to try what everyone was discussing. So, we made a reservation for 7:30 Pm on November 9, 2024. The entire concept is quite intriguing and, in general, unique and cool. Like those 1920s hidden speakeasy, the restaurant is behind a fake walk-in freezer door. Our table was yet to be free when we arrived, so we were invited to sit at the bar and order some drinks. We waited approximately 10m minutes, which was not a big deal, but the drinks never came. We were then advised our table was ready and handed our drinks. It was a little awkward, but it was not a big deal. The atmosphere is superb. Excellent tasteful decorating, albeit a hybrid of prohibition-era decor meshed with some more modern stuff. Our table was beautifully set. A couple to our right were in the process of ordering dessert. The table to our right was empty. We were handed our menus and asked if we wanted sparkingly or natural water. I must admit that although the ambiance was cozy and romantic, it was too dark. We both had difficulty reading our menus and kept trying to position them in the path of some light source. The water arrived, and shortly after, we ordered our meal. My wife and I had the rib eye and ordered three sides: Brussels sprouts, their signature triple-fried potatoes, and I can't recall the third. We also ordered tow glasses of wine. The couple to our left received their dessert, and at the same time, the table to our right was seated with four people. The "desert" couple finished their dessert, paid, and left. The table was cleared, and another couple was seated. The others to our right had the same issue with attempting to read the menu. One of the patrons pulled out his phone and used the built-in flashlight to scan the menu. We received our wine, and we waited. The people to our left ordered and received their meal. We were still waiting. The people at the table to our right ordered and received their meal. We kept waiting. No update, no "how are things going...can I get you another glass of wine...would you like more bread...nothing?". At this point, I became agitated, and the waiter sensed it when he came over and said, "Your steaks are resting". We finally received our steak after some more waiting, and shortly after, we began to eat. The couple to our left paid and left! This incredible service I had heard so much about must have had a day off. The strikes were wonderful. Perfectly cooked and flavourful. However, there is nothing I would rave about. Our bill, including our meal, three glasses of wine, and two cocktails, totalled $434.00!!! Yeah, you read correctly. I have had equally good steaks at The Keg with a bottle of wine, cocktails, and sides, and for less than half of what Papi's cost me. In summation, I'm glad we did it... I will...

Do not waste your time going to Papi’s Steakhouse. Zero stars would be generous for the level of incompetence here. Booked a reservation well in advance for a birthday party. We were blindsided day of when we were called and told that we could only have 16 people come, first red flag. We showed up on time and were informed our table was not ready….We waited in the lobby for 15 minutes. Then we were told to go to the bar as our large group seemed to be in the way and an inconvenience to the staff. Once we went to sit at the bar, someone then came and told us not to. Then we were told to stand against the wall. Being herded around like cattle and treated as an inconvenience is beyond disrespectful, especially for an establishment that claims to uphold such high standards. We waited a total of 40 minutes for the table that we reserved! In that time, we had a couple extra people show up as everyone was invited before we were told last minute of the guest cap. I kindly asked the hosts about adding extra chairs, and they rudely told us that the extra people in our party would have to sit at the bar while the rest of us sat the table. Once sat, we waited 5 plus minutes to even be acknowledged. Then half our table waited an extra 15 minutes just for water. Each time we wanted water or other drinks after that, we had to ask. We also had to ask 3 times before we got a drink menu. Our side of the table also took around 20 minutes for our first round of alcoholic drinks, with 5 bartenders on. When the drinks finally came out, they were all very inconsistent. One half of the table felt their drinks were not good and tasted watered down, others were okay. It also took around an hour to take our food orders, then the food also took around another hour. We did not leave until after 11pm, for an 8pm reservation! I wanted a piece of steak cooked up more than what the others wanted so we were informed we would get a side plate to cook up the meat more. We had to ask twice to get said side plate and everyone was basically done their meal before they offered to cook it up. By that point I just let someone else eat it as there was no telling how long it would take to get my food back. Extremely inhospitable and unaccommodating. Our servers were completely out of touch with one another and it was basically impossible to get the attention of them for most of the experience. I understand having to work out some kinks with a new restaurant, but after 5 or so months, there is absolutely no excuse for the sheer disappointment we experienced. Not even a single apology was issued, shameful. For the extreme prices that they charge at this sad excuse of a restaurant, this experience was absolutely inexcusable and...

Being in London for the first time, we wanted to make our dining experience memorable, and choosing Papi’s for lunch turned out to be the perfect decision. At first glance, the restaurant’s exterior seemed a bit unusual, as it appeared to be more of a butcher shop than a restaurant. We almost questioned our choice when we first walked up, but that all changed the moment we stepped inside. After entering through what looked like a freezer door, we were amazed to find ourselves in an entirely different world—a cozy, upscale dining space hidden away from the bustle outside. It was such a clever and unexpected transition, adding an element of surprise and wonder right at the start of our experience.

The ambiance inside was absolutely wonderful—dim lighting, elegant decor, and a sense of intimacy that made it feel like a secret spot only a few people knew about. The attention to detail in creating that atmosphere was impressive. It felt welcoming but still had that refined edge, giving it the air of a fine dining restaurant. The transformation from butcher shop to dining room was magical in itself.

From the moment we arrived, we were greeted warmly by the staff with a complimentary sparkling wine, and their hospitality made us feel right at home. Our server, Kyle, was excellent from start to finish. He was attentive without being intrusive, which made a big difference in allowing us to relax and enjoy the meal. Kyle had a great understanding of the menu and was able to offer helpful recommendations, which really enhanced our experience. His ability to guide us through the meal and make us feel cared for is something that stood out.

The food, of course, was the real highlight. Every dish we tried was beautifully presented and tasted even better than it looked. You could tell the ingredients were fresh and carefully selected. The flavors were balanced perfectly, and each bite seemed thoughtfully crafted. We’ve dined at many places over the years, but the quality of both the food and the service at Papi’s set it apart. There’s a real artistry to what they do here, and it’s clear that a lot of passion and expertise goes into every aspect of the dining experience.

Having been to a variety of restaurants, I can confidently say that Papi’s is a place that could easily earn a Michelin star. Everything from the innovative setting, to the outstanding service, to the delicious food, was simply top-notch. It’s the kind of place that leaves a lasting impression, and one that I’d highly recommend to anyone visiting London. Papi’s has truly mastered the balance of creativity and quality, and it’s a dining experience that we won’t...