Angelina — Restaurant in Ottawa

TL;DR: An emerging gem in the suburbs, but needs a little tweak.

It's great to see the suburbs getting a break from chain restaurants, so we had big ambitions for this spot. Modernly decorated and sophisticated, this place paints a picture of modern Italian. Granted the mid-2000s hiphop doesn't quite lend itself to it (chillhop would suffice), but look past that and it's a lovely little setting in the heart of Manotick.

The service were quick to bring menus, delicious bread and a lovely little balsamic-oil blend which definitely deserves a mention. The menu is interesting. The food choice is broad enough to likely cater to everyone, but also suggests that it's a bit too big to really hit a home run on every dish, especially when seasonal specials are counted. The wine menu has some gems in there, but also feels a bit saturated, and offers limited BTG options. Great that they have some local seasonal specials, but pitching as a higher end elegant restaurant, they need a somm consult.

Not to sound negative, the cocktails were yum, and really can't be faulted - particularly the smoked old fashioned and peach Bellini we had to get things underway. For starters we went with the bruschetta and the carpaccio of beef. The carpaccio was fantastic - beautifully cut, seasoned and presented, with the toast being on the right side of soft. Bruschetta is always so reliant on ingredients being critically fresh, and while this tasted like it could be a tad fresher, it really was delicious. 4 slices is arguably a bit much, but flavour wise it definitely was close to perfect.

For mains, we went with the classic chicken parmigiana and the gnocchi with gorgonzola. Both fantastic. The chicken, again huge, was fantastically seasoned, and cooked to perfection. The accompanying pasta definitely needed some salt and maybe some garlic in there too, but was again cooked to a textbook aldente perfection. The gnocchi was creamy and rich and a great case of modern-classic Italian cuisine. There's a strong argument for a bit of seasoning throughout (salt is your friend), but really it was a strong showing across the board.

Overall, this place feels like it's on the cusp of greatness - somewhere between establishing themselves and becoming a truly brilliant restaurant. Dial back the giant portions, add some seasoning, a bit of menu refining and less hip hop and this will be a sensation.

Also worth noting that this place seems to cater for a lot of different people. We were there on a date, but there were groups, families and kids, so that's a huge plus for them. Keep going,...

Walking up to a new Italian restaurant in Manotic that just opened not too long ago & that already had great reviews|star rating.. we decided to try it. We were a group of 9. Out for dinner on a Saturday celebrating Mother’s Day. We had a reservation already made a head of time, as it was hard to get in & also it was Mother’s Day weekend.

First, the facade|signage was very nice. I liked the look & seeing the tasteful touches inside & out (seeing the flowers inside & lighting etc.) as I was walking up to the front door of Angelina’s.

Walking in, “Ohhh wow!” was all I could say! It was so beautiful inside!! I Loved the floral mural on the wall & the design|decor touches the owner used.

Second, the menu was very pleasing. Great food selection too & not overwhelming. It was simple yet still having a great selection of different items. All of which at some point in time I am hoping to try-on my copious returns back! I honestly found the food selection was great.

I ordered the Nicola salad with 3 Jumbo shrimp & I had a glass of yummy Pinot Grigio. It was “Simply Delicious!” For desert I shared the Classic Cannoli(2) & paired it with a great cup of decaf coffee. It was so smooth & so good.. I had 2 cups!

I must comment on a few things; The ladies washroom (or the loo to the left) was nice & clean & has all the accoutrements one needs (pads|tampons etc.) but nicely tucked away, discreetly hidden in a pretty tin-beside-the-toilet. They also offer hairspray for touching your hair up, if it needs it! I love 💕that touch!!

The chairs were so very comfortable. I was on a soft blush velvet pink chair & ohh was I so fortunate! Honestly, If you’re looking for a spot to be able to sit & enjoy glass of wine (or beverage of choice) all the while eating your food with out your “bum going numb” hahaha ..then, this is the spot for you!!

Highly recommend!!

Book in advance & enjoy!!

Brava👏🏻 Angelina’s!!

by...

Our recent visit to Angelina's Restaurant in Manotic was a mixed bag of experiences. While certain aspects left us impressed, others fell short of expectations.

We had a reservation for a party of 10 at 8 pm, but unfortunately, we had to wait for about 25 minutes before being seated. The delay was somewhat compensated by the waitress, who graciously offered us a couple of complimentary appetizers, which was a nice gesture and helped alleviate the initial inconvenience.

The service throughout the evening was exceptional, with the waitress being attentive and accommodating. Despite the initial hiccup, the staff's effort to make us feel comfortable was appreciated.

However, the real disappointment came with the food. My wife ordered the chicken parm, and it arrived at our table overcooked and burnt. Similarly, our friend's fillet mignon suffered the same fate. Additionally, the pasta accompanying the dishes was notably dry. We brought this to the attention of the manager, who promptly replaced the burnt dishes and assured my wife that she wouldn't be charged for her meal.

Unfortunately, the positive impression of the service was somewhat tarnished when we discovered that my wife had still been charged for her dish. This oversight felt unprofessional and left us with a sense of dissatisfaction.

The desserts were a redeeming factor, albeit just okay. While they didn't reach the same level as the service, they provided a decent conclusion to the meal.

In conclusion, Angelina's Restaurant in Manotic offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere with commendable service. However, the inconsistency in the quality of the food, coupled with the billing error, makes it difficult to wholeheartedly recommend the restaurant. Whether or not to return would depend on improvements in the kitchen and a more meticulous approach to...