Paisano's Original Italian Garden Cafe — Restaurant in Toronto

The most mediocre Italian restaurant you could go to.

Located behind the Rona on Willowdale, the patio view isn't instagram worthy. I came here on a warm Summer night and was greeted by a polite hostess. We were seated at the patio and our server Tim brought us water and bread for the table.

I was already warned that the food here would be lackluster. They were right.

The food here is well below average and comes out sloooooow. They must only have 2 cooks back there. I think all the tables around us were complaining about how long it took for them to get food.

The bread I usually get at Italian restaurants are usually artisan breads like focaccia, ciabatta, rosetta, etc. The bread they serve at Paisano's is basically white bread. It reminds me of bread you get at a Chinese bakery. Sort of sweet and fluffy, not toasted. It's not bad, soaks up the balsamic vinegar and oil well.

My friend and I had the antipasto to share which was decent. It had 2 each of prosciutto, salami, tomatoes with mozzarella and a basil puree on top which was nice, and grilled tomato, mushroom and zucchini which were all cold and kind of off putting to eat all topped with some flavorless dark sauce which I assume was supposed to be a balsamic emulsion or reduction but it actually didn't taste like anything.

I ordered the veal parmesan with spaghetti and vegetables. The spaghetti was certainly made from dried pasta and probably a poor quality brand you'd get at the supermarket. For $25 I'd expect at least fresh pasta. The sauce wasn't well seasoned either and I found myself packing on the chili flakes to make up for it. The veal was actually 2mm thick while the breading and parm crust was around 4mm thick. The veal was like jerky, it was really dry. The cauliflower and broccoli were room temperature and pretty much raw. Lastly there were carrots buried under the spaghetti which were actually well cooked.

The saving grace of this restaurant is ultimately the service. Tim, our waiter was super kind and attentive even when juggling 5 or 6 tables inside and on the patio. He kept our glasses full as we waited on the food.

I'd personally spend my money elsewhere on quality Italian food or...

I recently had the opportunity to try out Paisano's, and I must say, it was an exceptional dining experience. The restaurant exudes a warm and welcoming ambiance, perfect for a casual meal with friends or family. I had the pleasure of trying two of their popular dishes, the Pesto Chicken Pizza and the Capellini Funghi, and I must say, both left a lasting impression.

Let's start with the Pesto Chicken Pizza. The moment it arrived at the table, I was immediately drawn to its enticing aroma. The crust was perfectly thin and crispy, just the way I like it, and the generous amount of pesto sauce added a burst of flavor that was simply delightful. The chicken was tender and juicy, and the combination of mozzarella cheese and fresh basil created a harmonious balance of flavors. Every bite was a delightful journey of textures and tastes, making it a definite highlight of the meal.

Moving on to the Capellini Funghi, I must say, it exceeded my expectations. The pasta was cooked to perfection, al dente and full of flavor. The dish was packed with a medley of mushrooms, which added a earthy and savory element to the dish. The sauce was creamy and well-seasoned, perfectly coating the pasta and mushrooms. The addition of fresh herbs and grated cheese on top added a nice finishing touch. It was a truly comforting and satisfying dish that I would highly recommend to any pasta lover.

In addition to the outstanding food, the service at Paisano's was excellent. The staff was friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu. They were more than happy to accommodate any special requests and ensured that our dining experience was enjoyable from start to finish.

Overall, Paisano's left a lasting impression on me with its delicious food and top-notch service. Whether you're craving a mouthwatering pizza or a comforting pasta dish, this restaurant is definitely worth a visit. I can't wait to return and explore more of their...

My 85 y.o. mother has been coming here for years. She asked me to take her this evening - my first time - and I will NEVER return. This has to be one of the worst restaurant experiences I’ve EVER had. Within a few minutes of sitting down, I started coughing uncontrollably. Our server told us that it was likely being caused by the Christmas decorations that had been gathering dust in the attic for two years and put up for display today. That’s a LOT OF DUST. Since I have no allergies, I have to assume she was correct. That, however, was not the worst thing that happened. In the midst of coughing our food was brought to us. I could not eat my dinner because of the fruit flies that started buzzing around. We all know what causes fruit flies - rotting food. Our server told us they were aware of the problem and were trying to get rid of them. Really? It’s not that difficult - you get rid of the rotting food! I could not swallow another bite!

It was not our server’s fault (she was very apologetic) and she tried to make amends by offering us a free dessert. I asked her if we could speak to the manager as I felt my mostly uneaten entree should be comped - I could not eat it with all the fruit flies. I was literally sick to my stomach. I was told there was no manager on the premises. Really? During the busy dinner rush? I told her how I felt, and she promised to call the manager. Later, I was told the ‘kitchen manager’ approved my request.

In summary, between the dust and the fruit flies I will never, ever go back. My worst restaurant experience ever!! And as an aside - never eat the duck! From the few bites I did manage to get down,...