Cafe Oro di Napoli — Restaurant in Toronto

My review is mainly about how amazing the food was and how unpleasant the service(one waitress) we received.

Food: We were here for the first time, absolutely loved the pizza and the pasta we ordered. The tiramisu was the perfect way to wrap up dinner and I wish I had more room in my tummy for the gelato. It was absolutely delicious, authentic and I would 100% come back again to try more dishes.

Service: When I said I will start with water rather than getting a drink, the waitress said "Are you not gonna get a drink the whole night?" My excitement to try a new restaurant was immediately ruined. That was inappropriate. I mean, normally people would just say "I'll leave the drink menu here for you when you are ready."

When we were looking for Google photos to share with the waitress to order, she was holding the menu standing beside us, and used her long nails to quickly tap the menu, like she's telling us to "Hurry up". My friends noticed it too, and we were not impressed.

Towards the end of finishing all the food, the waitress came over 3 times and ask if she can take over the plates when there was still food in there. At the second time, I was a bit annoyed so I said "I'm still working on it." So she took my friends plates away. The whole dinner plus dessert and paying bills we spent 1.5 hours there. Why we were rushed when we ordered food, drinks, desserts and having a good time?

I can understand the staff is inexperienced or eager to turn the table for more customers when the place is getting busy. And I'm sharing my genuine feedback...

I had a very disappointing experience. The venue is very lovely, but that is where the good experience ended. I asked my server about vegetarian and vegan options, she told me "not much", and I inquired about the Napoletana. She conceded that, yes, that would work. I clarified that we could do it vegetarian, she said yes. Fast forward twenty minutes, my pizza arrives. It has anchovies on it. I said "oh are these fish? I ordered a veggie option". My waiter suggested I "pick them off" and walked away. I did pick them off, but the fish flavour, as you know with anchovies- is very strong, and had completely permeated into the sauce. It was so unpleasant that I couldn't even finish a quarter of my pizza. The waiter came back and said "Need a box?" and I said I would not be eating it. She said "ok- just the bill?".

Now, I do not expect all restaurants to cater to vegetarian or vegan consumers, but I do expect that a concerted effort be made when we request those options. And if an error is made- rectify it!

What was an exciting day for me turned into total disappointment. I am sorry to say that this experience has really soured my view of the restaurant.

And to spend $60 on that experience...what a waste.

I reached out to the owner and manager about my poor experience and they didn't even reply. ☹️ I will not be back. Hopefully this serves as a heads up for someone else, or at least improvement for the...

Welcoming atmosphere.

Staff are great and accommodate my reservation change on the same day.

Parking is not available right outside so need to walk a small distance.

We are group of 5 and when we get inside, we were not immediately seated although we have made reservation, as the staff is busy serving other customers.

We were seated closest to the kitchen and also the back door where all the Uber drivers pick up the orders. It could be a problem for someone if they find the constantly open and closing door bring in cold air.

Food is generally great. Their famous stone bake pizza is thin and crispy which we all enjoyed. But we find both of our pizza are not cut into slices and very difficult for us to cut it on the plate.

Pasta is also great, we had the carbonara and since it was served with the pizza, after we finish the pizza, the pasta is cold already. Would have tasted better if it’s hot.

The “worse” was the seafood risotto. Too moist and the risotto is too mushy and overcooked.

Gelato was great but no wow factor. Nonetheless, it’s a great option to end the meal and the serves are friendly to children.

Double espresso was highlight of the day! Premium coffee beans and pack of flavours.

Also ordered Penna cotta to go with the espresso and it was wonderful.

Not 5 stars because we need to constantly ask for water refills, pizza is not cut properly and the seafood risotto...