Paulo's Italian Trattoria — Restaurant in Ontario

When a friend visited from out of town yesterday I wanted to show him a nicer spot in Belleville and so we opted for Paulos - I had heard many good things. I really wanted to like this place because I want to support independent restaurants and downtown Belleville really needs more places like Paulos downtown, but I was really overwhelmed by my experience here. The only redeeming quality was our server (Morgan?) who was really sweet and helpful.

It was lunch hour on a Monday and there were just a few other tables taken. Firstly, the place needs a bit of a makeover. The curtain to keep heat in the place as you are walking in looks like a carpeted shower curtain. The booth we sat in needs to be re-upholstered. It just felt really dated. The beams and high ceiling are really nice, though. The open kitchen design is enjoyable too. They appeared to have bright, sunny seating upstairs; however, our server informed us the seating is only available on Fridays and Saturday.

Our server brought us a bottle of water right away - I always enjoy this because it saves everyone the hassle of refilling water glasses over and over. She was able to list off all the beers offered on draft and by the bottle. They have a typical line-up. Steamwhistle on draft and by the bottle - Coors, Molson, Stella, Peroni, and one local beer from Prince Edward County (Bearly Bay?). My friend ordered the Bearly Bay and said it was surprisingly good. I wish they would have had more local beers featured.

Shortly thereafter, she brought some bread and packets of butter and told us of the specials. I ordered the Naomi's Special 8' pizza lunch special with a garden salad (which typically comes with raspberry vinaigrette but I opted for balsamic and olive oil). I was undecided on the lemon chicken pizza or Naomi's special (pesto, brie, mango, and pine nuts) and my server was knowledgeable enough to help me settle. Lunch was served promptly. We were not offered any fresh ground pepper or parmesan, but she happily obliged when we requested.

On the whole, the food was rather disappointing. I would not recommend Naomi's special. It was nothing to write home about. Largely, the salad left me hungry. The lettuce tasted as though it was straight from a box of spring mix with a few cucumbers, carrot shavings and tomatoes and it was drenched in dressing. I hardly touched it. The most disappointing aspect of this restaurant was the fact that it did not seem fresh. Butter was in packets, parmesan was not fresh, dressing (though I asked for balsamic and olive oil) was almost definitely Renée's ® Balsamic Vinaigrette, lettuce tasted like package spring mix. It's a restaurant and you sort of expect things are made from scratch and fresh, no? It just felt lazy.

For my 8' pizza and salad, and my friends 8' pizza and beer, the bill was $37 + tip. I really don't mind paying that, but I had higher expectations for Paulos. I know Belleville doesn't have much as far as fine dining goes but really, I had higher hopes for this place.

Bottom line: Service was good, but the food was nothing to rave about - disappointing even. Based on this experience I would not recommend the place. I might visit for a beer on the patio in the summer but will pass...

Having moved to Toronto from my hometown, I wish I had the words to describe how much I miss Paulo's and its sister restaurant, Dinkel's. My family has,had many lovely dinners here over the years, and I took one of my first major dates here. If you go to Paulo's, know that so many loving memories are held within those walls... and they hope you make many more. Also... is Tilapia still the special? I think I had it once, but it was an affectionate running joke with my family at how often it was the special. Since the two restaurants have a jack-and-jill style kitchen, the two side-by-side restaurants can share their menus. Because of that, my memory separating the menus of Paulo's and Dinkel's is fuzzy, but I will never forget the seafood lunguine as it is, to this day, the best I have ever had in my life. As for dessert, if they have mousse cake, get it. I have so many memories of my sister wanting double chocolate mousse cake and they had run out. I admit, I don't really like choco cake myself and even I liked their double chocolate mousse cake... that said, I liked all their desserts.

On top of that, I would like to thank Paulo Dinkel (I hope he is still the owner or at least involved enough to see this). He has been such an influence in the community and has contributed personally to so many happy memories. When I was young, I remember him visiting our table and complimenting my parents on how they raised such well-behaved kids, as my parents had taken us there at a much younger age than many do. I would say the menu is most agreeable for 16+ though anyone can find something they enjoy. His love for meeting his customers, couples or families or whatever, showed his love for the business and industry. If you have never been, I am certain you will see the love within the atmosphere of the restaurant.

Belleville is a tremendously lucky city to have such an incredible restaurant and food culture, especially for its size. There is no doubt that the food culture would not be as it is, if it were not for Paulo's, Dinkel's, and the late/great Limestone (my parents apparently went on dates there

Oh Hello Deliciousness!!! If you haven’t made any dinner plans tonight or for the weekend, or just don’t feel like cooking, I HIGHLY suggest you give Paul Dinkel and his team a call!

We took home a little bit of LUXURY to remind us of normalcy and better days. He had just returned from Toronto for his FRESH handpicked food order. Pandemic or no pandemic, Paul is still getting the best quality ingredients for his customers. The Paulo’s & Dinkel’s Restaurant Teams NEVER fail our expectations or TASTEBUDS! Chef Matt and our server, the lovely Joanne, were so amazing! We ordered:

Caramelized Ginger Tiger Shrimp

Bococcini & Tomato Salad

Wood-fired Paulo’s Focaccia

Seafood Linguine (35% cream sauce, mussels, scallops, shrimp)

Linguine Roberto (pesto 35% cream sauce, herbed chicken, SD tomatoes) - I’ve been ordering this fave dish for almost 3 decades!

Cappuccino Chocolate Meringue (Daquoise)

Cherry Cheesecake

THE PASTAS and apps were perfectly executed (al denté and the perfect balance in texture and flavour with fresh ingredients and a generous amount of herbed chicken in the Linguine Roberto and fresh seafood in the Seafood in the Seafood Linguine). The ginger brandy caramelized tiger shrimps were to die for and the bococcini and Roma tomatoe salad with capers, olives! Lettuce and onion drizzled with Paulo’s Balsamic vinaigrette dressing....amazing!

We love that the presentation made it during the car ride back to my parent’s. See that huge dollop of whipped cream on the side of the dessert? Yes, only the FRESHEST CREAM WHIPPED a la minute! Where are you going to get a delicious complimentary wood-fired oven focaccia included with your dinner? Paulos Dinkels...that’s where!

Thanks Paul and Team! My dad’s birthday...