La Vecchia Restaurant Lakeshore — Restaurant in Toronto

HORRIBLE. Rory was our server and he had a horrible attitude from the start. He seemed irritated and it made us all feel incredibly uncomfortable. I had my bridesmaid proposal dinner here and when I called I was told that the bill couldnt be split into more than 5 for a table of 11. I asked if an exception could be made and I was told the manager approved given that the restaurant likely wouldn't be busy.

1. Rory seemed incredibly annoyed from the start that it was separate bills which is something he should’ve taken up with management not the table. The restaurant was pretty much empty and serving us shouldn’t have been an inconvenience.

2. It was also a friends birthday and when he was informed of the birthday he was rude and sarcastically said “do you want me to bring balloons too?”

3. Rory failed to provide all the steps of service. There were zero quality checks provided to the table for appetizers, mains, and desert. My main was cold and a few of us wanted hot oil but were too uncomfortable to even ask Rory as he seemed so on edge.

4. When it came to the bills he confirmed gratuity was not added. After receiving a tip that he didn’t like he proceeded to slip everyone a second bill where he added the 20% gratuity without properly communicating that. He then gave half the table an angry tantrum about how he has to tip out and he needs to make money after cashing out only 2/11. The majority of the table hadn’t paid their bill and the entire experience was unprofessional. He simply could’ve said hey I forgot to add gratuity so I will go do that instead of freaking out at a few at the table who hadn't paid. He also messed up a few bills and seemed irritated when we informed him. He even gave another rant about how they can’t split into more than 5 bills usually. There are seat numbers on the system and we were what seemed to be his only table. It was definitely fixable.

I work in the industry and have been in it for over 10 years. I’ve never ever seen a server freak out and ask for more money after receiving one not so great tip. If you don’t add gratuity you need to either accept what you get or go back and add it without throwing a fit. Rory- you need to accept that what you receive is likely a reflection of your service and if you’re grumpy you have to split a few bills…. You should probably find a new job. The rest of the staff working that night were amazing- if only we had a different server. Thank you for ruining a really important...

La Vecchia Restaurant on Lakeshore is an absolute gem that offers a wonderful dining experience in a beautiful location. From the moment you arrive, the vibrant and modern atmosphere welcomes you, and you can tell it’s a popular spot just by the lively crowd enjoying their meals. The outdoor patio, set against the backdrop of the waterfront, is especially lovely, creating a perfect ambiance for both casual brunches and special evening dinners.

The food is nothing short of amazing. As an Italian restaurant, they truly excel in offering a rich, authentic menu. Every dish I had was incredibly flavorful and well-prepared. The pasta is fresh and cooked to perfection, and the seafood dishes are equally fantastic. It’s clear that the ingredients are of the highest quality, and you can taste the passion the chefs put into each plate. I especially loved their seafood risotto—it was creamy, flavorful, and generously portioned. The wine selection is also impressive, with a variety of options that complement the food perfectly.

The staff at La Vecchia are warm, professional, and attentive. Despite how busy the restaurant was during my visit, the service was prompt, and the servers were knowledgeable about the menu, offering great recommendations that enhanced my dining experience. It’s clear that customer satisfaction is a priority here, and the care they take in every aspect of the service truly stands out.

One of the things that makes La Vecchia unique is its balance of high-quality dining in a relaxed, comfortable setting. Whether you’re going there for a romantic dinner, a family gathering, or a casual meet-up with friends, the restaurant provides the perfect setting. Plus, its location near the water adds an extra touch of charm, making it feel like a mini escape within the city.

Overall, La Vecchia on Lakeshore is a must-visit for anyone who appreciates fine Italian cuisine in a beautiful and friendly environment. I’ll definitely be returning soon to explore more of their fantastic menu!...

We recently hosted a very special 40th birthday dinner at La Vecchia by the lake, celebrating both a milestone birthday and a firefighter graduation. I had been to this restaurant before and expected the same great service and food, but sadly this visit was a letdown.

Our server, Alex, wasn’t very warm or friendly with our table. We noticed a clear difference in how he interacted with other guests — especially a nearby table of four women where he was noticeably more outgoing and attentive. When one of our guests received the wrong dish, it was quickly corrected, but there was no apology, just silence.

The most disappointing part of the evening came when the birthday cake a custom ice cream cake we had delivered earlier — was brought out melted. After dinner had asked the server to confirm it had arrived, and rather than give us a heads-up that it was not in good shape or offer to store it properly, he simply brought it out. Had we been informed, we would have pivoted to a different dessert or waited until it was in better condition. The presentation mattered for such an important event.

To be fair, the manager was very understanding and applied an $84 discount to the bill, which we appreciated. He also offered drinks to make up for the service issues, but we declined.

What’s especially unfortunate is that I had budgeted $200 for the tip that night a reflection of the occasion and the size of our group. However, due to how upset and disappointed my sister-in-law was with the service, only $30 was left. I genuinely wish the experience had lived up to expectations, because the server could have walked away with a great tip.

As a business owner myself, I understand that not every day goes perfectly — but service and attitude are everything, especially for celebratory occasions. I hope this feedback helps improve the guest experience in the future, because the location and potential are...