Gianni's Pasta + Italian Sandwich — Restaurant in Toronto

A Symphony of Homemade Flavors at Gianni's, Culminating in an Unforgettable Bolognese

Gianni's Pasta + Italian Sandwich on Pape Avenue is more than just a local eatery; it's a culinary haven where tradition and taste intertwine beautifully.

Our recent visit was a testament to this, particularly with the Bolognese pasta taking center stage as a truly unforgettable dish. From the first forkful, it was clear this wasn't just any pasta; it was a labor of love, a rich and deeply satisfying homemade Bolognese meat sauce that evoked cherished childhood memories. The flavors were a symphony – the savory depth of slow-cooked meat, the subtle sweetness of tomatoes, and an aromatic blend of herbs that spoke of authentic Italian culinary heritage. Each ingredient sang in harmony, creating a comforting and profoundly flavorful experience that left us wanting more.

While the Bolognese was the star of the show, the Chicken Sandwich was a formidable contender for our affections and still reigns supreme as the best we've ever encountered.

This wasn't just a simple sandwich; it was a carefully constructed masterpiece.

Tender, perfectly cooked chicken was elevated by the earthy notes of sautéed mushrooms, the sweet and savory depth of caramelized onions, and a generous layer of melted cheese that pulled everything together in gooey perfection. To say it surpassed our expectations, even outshining the beloved California Sandwiches, is an understatement.

It was an explosion of textures and tastes that left a lasting impression.

For anyone seeking genuine Italian flavors, a taste of comforting nostalgia, and a chicken sandwich that sets a new gold standard, Gianni's on Pape Avenue is an absolute must-visit.

Be prepared for a meal that not only satisfies your hunger but also...

Tried this place for the first time since the reviews were good, so let’s start with what was good! The amount of veal and toppings you get is great.

Alright that’s all the good, now for the bad, as an Italian who’s had many veal sandwiches from all over the city, this was probably the biggest disappointment I’ve had so far.

The sauce: This is not good sauce period, they put a lot of it (far too much as it was spread all over the wrapper before I cleaned it up) it tasted like a sauce I’d expect to get from a cheap can in a store and quite frankly smelled a bit nauseating. If you are expecting an authentic Italian sauce this is not it.

The veal: lots of meat, love that… BUT it’s cut far too thick for a veal sandwich and made eating it incredibly difficult. It wasn’t especially tender either and was more chewy than I expected.

The bun: The bun is a very basic white roll that was far too dense for this already dense sandwich

4: The toppers: I got mushroom, cheese and hot peppers like I always do, cheese and mushrooms were fine but nothing special and the hot peppers weren’t spicy enough to come through all that horrible sauce

In all, this sandwich had potential and if it had a half decent sauce it would have been much more palatable. My friend and I had a stomach ache after eating the first half and tossed the rest (take that as you will), my recommendation, if you enjoy food that’s trying to be Italian badly, go for it. If you want a real veal sandwich, this is not the place in my opinion.

Service was friendly that’s a plus, but the restaurant itself is not a place I’d recommend sitting to eat at now with all the construction...

EVERYBODY READ FOR YOUR SAFETY

My husband and I were lovers of the spaghetti and meatballs. We used to order it off of uber eats. One night we decided to order it as a nice dinner in together before I had to leave on a flight the next morning to Dominican ( a trip that I had planned for a year). When it arrived instead of the spaghetti and meatballs we received the spaghetti bolognese which we weren’t against trying considering we always enjoyed the spaghetti&meatballs. It ended up tasting absolutely disgusting. The sauce had cinnamon in it, the meat was off putting, the whole plate was pretty gross. Later in the night after ingesting this, I woke up and was power puking my guts up. I spent my whole time at the airport at 5am in the washroom projectile puking from both ends. For the next four days of my trip in Dominican I was terribly sick I didn’t get to enjoy any of my trip because Giannis gave me the worst food poisoning I ever had in my life. I will never order from here ever again in my life and I don’t recommend that anyone else does. Clearly they don’t practice proper hygiene in their restaurant and it was terrifying being in another country the next day with this...