5768 Monkland Ave, Montreal, Quebec H4A 1E9, Canada
Wood-fired pizzas, risottos & custom-sauced pastas in an unpretentious venue with lively decks.
I used to order a lot 2-3 years ago and it was ok. I stopped when I was not happy. Thought of trying again tonight with uber. Cesare salad had no anchovies or Parmesan. Just 50 cents lettuce and 5 small croutons. Pasta very heavy and not at all al dente. Not ordering again. I don’t see any response to reviews by owner so it means he doesn’t care. Don’t waste your time and money.
Been coming here for over 25 years. Great fresh italian food and with always a good service. Well priced and also it’s a bring your own wine. A must try!
On this particular evening, we were a party of six people. They sat us in a different place where our reservation was because if we were to sit there, it would’ve been very noisy since it was near the kitchen. Therefore, we had a lovely spot. everybody enjoyed their food. The waitress Brought our food promptly. We did not have to wait too long. The food was delicious. I am including some pictures for my review.
Sandra was a 5 star server. Food is very good ambiance great. Only issue is I wish they'd change the table dhote once in a while. Byob. Reasonable prices.
Good food and service. The new extra charges for whole wheat pasta and whole wheat pizza crust mean we visit less often. The Parmesan they offer with pasta dishes no longer tastes like real Parmesan from Italy. It has little flavor bowl
Couldn't be more disappointed what a rip off, I go to the menu at their website.... pictures will be posted of their pricing basically double the price when I go to pay for my takeout not only that the portion on the pizza was ridiculous. When I called they told me they didn't update their website how can you not update your pricing on your website in today's day and age? really I will never go back I said this 20 years ago when I found hair in my food and they wouldn't comp me my dinner.I paid it and never went back 20 years later here I am again getting burnt by these guys what a bunch no thank you.
It's a cute little hole in the wall kind of place, but the food and service is amazing... The pizzas were so so delicious and all the pastas were just so sooo good.. you can bring your own wine. Our server was very sweet.
Loved our experience at Al Dente. It feels casual, friendly and familiar, while still being a total treat. The atmosphere is really joyful, with people chatting over pasta, soups and glasses of wine. The seafood pasta was fantastic, as was the lemon meringue pie. Getting a table on a Friday, last minute, was also relatively easy and our waiter was nothing if not incredibly friendly. A must try! BYOB as well.
Im from New Brunswick Canada and Im far from being vegetarian but we had vegetarian pizza and it was the best, anyone not satisfied with this place is in the wrong place, cant wait to go back
Been going here for years every Wednesday. Food is excellent and great service. Warm atmosphere . Definitely recommend!
I didnt have too many expectations, but I was surprised by the quality of all the dishes, the festive atmosphere and the outstanding service. Bring your own wine too!
Okay! Italian Restaurant bring your own wine 5/5 but then it goes downhill . Penne arrabiata?! The sauce is really not good, too thick, tastes too much like capers and it is not spicy! The lasagna seemed nice to me but again... the sauce is not that good! :( With the sauce has to be the star of the meal especially if it s boxed pasta from the grocery store! So if you want a big portion Go! The service was very good though
Dont expect refined culinary expression of Italian cuisine. This is wholesome, simple, and traditional cooking. You know? Like your Mom and Aunt would serve. We had a couple of different pizzas, the salsiccia balsamico, a caesars salad, and a few homestyle soups in minestrone and tortellini. Solid from start to finish. The restaurant has stood the test of time. Its not that spacious and tables are very small. I guess its been there 40 years, give or take. Tarek was a great server. Bring your own wine.
Delicious food
Unacceptable food Pizza sauce canned and bad crust is awful They no longer used their pizza overall Asia canned sauce frozen over cooked noodles Not a place I d ever recommend New owners
Amazing tortellini
Too crowded. Too noisy. Can not have a decent conversation. Tables are not distant enough from each others. Food is okay but the service is great though!
The salad really beautiful especially the Mediterranean salad and pizza santa clara and rizotto prima .
It was really excellent I ate a Margarita pizza and I loved it! Impeccable service and reasonable prices.
Great place to eat. Lovely atmosphere.
We came several times and the service was excellent. Unfortunately today we came on Saturday around 2 p.m., spent $80 for two table dhôte pizza menus which included coffee or tea, as well as an extra $5 for sharing. Not only were we not offered coffee, but when we asked for it we were told that it was only in the evening that it was offered and that they were only going to open the coffee machine for two coffees. .. and then go back to being on his phone. Very poor service. Unfortunately I believe that this restaurant has changed ownership and it shows. Just want your money. $80 for two pizzas and no service!
The foodd was normal compared to price. Staff were nice and welcoming.
I used to go regularly but it had been several years since my last time, and last night was my last time. I ordered pasta with clams and I got a bowl of overcooked pasta swimming in cream with bits of things that maybe were clams.It wasnt even tasty. Oh, any the bread was stale. Serving bad food, and keeping it too cheap results in losing customers. P.S. Typically pasta con vongole does not have cream.
Good unpretentious bring your own wine restaurant with friendly service Kid-friendliness: Smaller portions reasonable for children
Underrated quaint Italian restaurant. Their Osso Bucco would make a vegan reconsider their diet. BYOB aswell , with SAQ conviently located 3 blocks east in center of Monkland Village.
Excellent italian restaurant, we had pizza but the osso buco looked amazing as well (planning to try it next time). Dont forget to bring your own bottle of wine as this restaurant is strictly bring your own wine!
Love the pizza and terrace and dining. Staff is always amazing.
This place has always been mediocre at best. No improvement over 15 years.
I ordered for delivery online and called me to tell me that the delivery man couldnt come. I dont understand since he came several times and I always give a good tip, the last time I ordered from this place. place
Very delicious food. Good price, good portions. 1000% recommended. Their putanesca pasta...I love it
Good food. Pizza was great. Friendly staff. Food
Tasty and affordable BYOB. Will definitely be back.
Spent an evening at Al Dende s with family. I order the provençale pasta, my girl friend the veggie risotto. The flavours are bland. Some of the vegetables are more cooked than others. I need to add more parmesan and Chili flakes to my food just to add flavour. Took a bit of one of the veggie pizzas and it s equivalent to double pizza. I was frankly disappointed for the price tag.
so overpriced. I had the primavera risotto that was over cooked and super watery; some veggies were overcooked, some raw. there was so much garlic, that I got heartburn at the end. The food was searing hot as well, and after waiting a 40min for food, of course I d want to eat right away, but I burned my tongue several times which made the eating experience even more unpleasant. they would forget to bring more water when asked. very cramped space and servers hit my chair a lot.
Nice place for dinner with homemade & original dishes.
The food is okay and they charge a lot for what you get.
Went for dinner with my future in-laws after getting engaged! Lovely time.
While the decor would need a bit of modernizing, the food was extremely appetizing. Their carbonara was delicious and creamy, however a bit heavy at the end. Portions are very generous. The tiramisu felt more commercial than homemade but still tasty. The bread was delicious and service impeccable
Overcooked pasta, regular pizza. For the price, its not worth the detour. There are several other good Italian restaurants in Montreal.
Just wanted to mention that they are temporarily closed do to water damages. I forgot to take a picture but it says on the door that they are close for a few weeks.
Went there for dinner last night, my partner and I were the only ones there yet during our meal no one thought to check on us for water or anything else for that matter. I ordered the Pesto with Gnocchi. It was the worst Pesto I had ever had, even the Gnocchi were overcooked which made them acquire a slimy texture. My partner had somewhat of a better experience. She ordered the Spaghetti Bolognese. The spaghetti was perfect al dente and the sauce was ok a little shy on quantity and flavor.
Freindly polite waitres who took the time to ask our names. Never had such personal service. Good job, Alicia
They have the best provincial penne ! Everything freshly cooked! Best Chef Noor! Food
Ordered online, they just didn t include the mussels I paid for, they gave the wrong soup, and they gave me a ceasar salad without dressing-just some lettuce in a plastic container. That s at least $50 of food wasted. Requested a refund from Uber, but by the réalisation of the third mistake it was a frustrating meal. Probably won t go back, there are other more reliable options
was ok, clean space and rly good food but a lot of the workers kinda just stared at us lol
I have been ordering from this restaurant pizza for years , was in my opinion the best pizza in the neighborhood, and at reasonable price, and then covid came...wich gave them the license to increase prices at about 50% more then any restaurant we order from, there is however a big issue more then the increase in price, the last two times, I ordered the quality is down, the pizza was always crisp now it is oily and sawgy, 2 pizza(10inch) for $52.00 before tip, come on guys, last time I order from them
Very authentic Italian trattoria . Love the terrace the food . Pizza was delicious. We ll be back . Very reasonable price for a bring your own wine BOW
The food is delish and well priced.
Very good.
Really very good and authentic Italian cuisine.
An eternity to get seated, to get a menu, to order, to receive the food and to pay. Lots of staff. But they all run away as soon as we speak to them. The quantity and quality of the food is quite normal. The prices are very high.
A great ambiance great servers and the food was to die for
It was nice, the only problem we had was that the restaurant was full and it was a little cold at the outside tables. Kid-friendliness: There are plenty of high chairs for children.
I went there yesterday Saturday, I ordered spaghetti bolognese and it was delicious. The service was excellent, thank you Sofia for so much kindness
Good experience
Was average. Nothing we got was excellent. Just mediocre. Barely filled our water glasses
Lots of pizza and pasta selection. Not much else, but good quality for the price. BYOB
The pasta bolognese was very simple, it looked like pasta with milk, I wouldnt go back. same thanks
Ive been going to Al Dente for years, but lately the cost and quality of the food has taken a turn for the worse. Some menu items like the risotto or tortellini in brodo are good and unchanged except for the price. The lasagna I had last night was a big disappointment and way overpriced at $31. They do not serve real parmesan cheese. Al Dente is still a popular local restaurant, But the prices dont reflect the quality of the food. And the servers are personable, but not sufficiently trained.
I ordered the pasta napolitana and it was pretty disappointing. Tastes like way too much garlic and onion, too chunky, and over-seasoned, to the point that the sauce was a dark brown instead of red how it should be. Im sure some of their dishes are delicious but this isnt the one for me.
Always good service. I ve had better pasta but still good food and decent price
I never leave reviews. But in any life, DO NOT ORDER Salsiccia Al Balsamico. The 18$ appetizer that is, ONE sausage cut down the middle. One. The pizza and pasta is serviceable, and staff is great. Take my advice or live to regret it!
Outstanding service, succulent food and friendly atmosphere It was my first visit certainly not the last. Vegetarian options: Fresh salad and vegetables Al dente Parking: In the street.
Great bring your own wine Italian restaurant. The table dhote menu had many great choices. The chicken in lemon sauce was one of the best dishes Ive had eating out in a long time.
Dined here about a half dozen times. The food, ambiance, family atmosphere, service ... it all comes together. A real neighborhood restaurant, in the best sense.
Good wooden oven pizza
Great local Italian restaurant. When weather permits the outdoor eating is great.
I tried Al Dente two times. The staff were nice and the pastas had a good quality!
Having grown up in Italy, i avoided this restaurant for years as I suspected it was not authentic Italian due to the misspelling of various items (e.g. its linguine/fettuccine, not linguini...). Well, the staff may not be Italian, but they sure make a good authentic pizza! Those complaining of scarcity of toppings clearly dont understand Italian food - if you want piles of pepperoni and pineapple go to Dominos! In fact, I personally thought the pasta dishes had too much sauce, but I guess they cater to N. American tastes. Two small criticisms - firstly it was a hot day and too hot inside. Secondly the parmesan cheese is the dried ready prepared stuff that can spoil a good dish. It was a little more expensive than I expected, but BYO makes it reasonable.
Very good pizzas, excellent online service. If picking up, they give you the time when it will be ready and so far it has been accurate.
We ve been a number of times for many occasions or just for a night out! Wonderful little terrasse in the warmer months serving NDGers for years. We bring our kiddos, a bottle of chilled white and enjoy pizza. My favourite since day 1 is the goat cheese pizza. Their crust is a perfect texture and thickness. Staff can be spotty depending on when you go but my family has generally always been well served.
The best Italian restaurant in town!!!
The daily specials menu was expensive for what it was. Very tasty but 32$
We had such a nice time enjoying crisp fresh salad and yummy wood oven baked pizzas. Our rose stayed cold thanks to our excellent server who brought us an ice bucket. Service was really great throughout.
Very overpriced
Pizza is great. However, if you order for delivery, sometimes its takes too long to arrive and is not that great. Avoid their 14$ cesar salad which is just salad and grocery store salsa.
Great service, delicious food, and BYOW. What else could I ask for? I d give Al Dente 10 stars if I could
Le pire. The worst.
This place is ok if you are laid back and not bothered by a slow service. Pizzas are ok, but the mushroom risotto I have ordered was something else. Mushy rice that has nothing to do neither with arborio rice, nor with creamy consistency, attained by stirring the rice frequently and helping it to release the starch. Its ok for an instant rice porridge with some mushrooms on top, but you shouldnt mislead people with this dish name.
Great BYOW spot in NDG! Food and service were spot on. Definitely recommend and would go back. Kid-friendliness: They had highchairs and booster seats.
Delicious every time! Nice staff. Prices are reasonable
The best pizzas in the neighborhood.
I used to love this place, but recently their pizzas for delivery come too thin and dry. Very disappointing.
Not what it use to be
Came to the restaurant and ordered for take out. The process was ok. I ordered the carbonara pasta and capricciosa pizza. I really loved the pasta, it tasted amazing and the size was pretty good. The pizza was ok, wasn t my favourite.
Extremely rude waitress Ms Mai- she lack people skills Foods was cold and did not match the prices
The food was subpar and overpriced, and the service mediocre. They messed up my order and didn t change the error so I was stuck with a meal I couldn t eat (food intolerance to an ingredient) and had to pay for Didn t like my experience overall.
Staff is really good.
Great quality of pizza and specially pasta, with good services. I recommend!
Truly like Italy - absolutely fabulous
Great experience with al dente pasta and pizza !!
More than happy to support a local business, a mainstay of yumminess on Monkland Avenue in NDG :-).
An old favourite happy to say its as good as ever!!
Had a nice night with my family here.
Forget this place until they fix their pizza oven. I am a loyal customer for at least 25 years!! Was always good until the last 2 times. Something was wrong as the pizza were not coming from the normal hidden spot at the left, but from normal kitchen. I have learned that they are no longer using their wood fire oven, only the standard kitchen oven. Result: it takes forever, the top of the pizza is cooked, but not the bottom, the dough is still uncooked and the bottom is bland white. The dough is no longer crusty. On top of that, the owner has apparently forgotten that customers are back inside, as each phone call they received is super amplified and you cannot hear anyone, this is soooooo annoying!!
The Al Dente pizza is a must. Heaven on earth. In terms of pasta, the Al Dente and Bolognese are fantastic as well. Could use a sprucing up. Bring Your Own Wine.
Best wood fired pizza in the city. Great staff. Cozy restaurant in the heart of the Monkla d Village with a fantastic terrace. Bring your own wine and enjoy!
Nice, simple spot with good pasta and byob policy.
I would give 0 stars if I could. I would never bring my friends or family here.
very unprofessional waiters gave me two wrong uber orders two pizzas missing two salades client ordered one paste they gave me one salade.3 people checked my uber orders and still gave me the wrong one no receipts are attached to each order unbelievable and unacceptabe. Plus I have been waiting there for 25mins extemely slow services.
Amazing.
Amazing service and the food was excellent!!
Fresh pasta, succulent sauces, bring your own wine. I really liked this restaurant. For dessert, have the keylime pie.
Good service.. pasta was mush..
Good food reasonable price, BYO wine
Yummy mushroom risotto!!
My family and I eat here for my birthday supper almost every year, its sort of like a tradition. This year, it was BAD. They say they havent changed chefs, but the pizzas were wildly under cooked, the pastas were flavorless or really off and the prices have gone up 10-15%. I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED because it was my favorite place for rose pasta (as simply as it is). We are looking for a new Italian place to eat at. We might try it again in a few months, hopefully it was just a bad experience...
Pretty good pasta and wood burning pizza. However, the place has been around for a long time and the different pizza types are not as avant-garde as they used to be. The menu hasnt changed much over time and actually seems somewhat stale. Despite these critical observations, I still like the food- though not as much as I used to.
The quality of the food is excellent, which is a shame since the service leaves much to be desired... I went there on a busy evening and I had to get up several times to get service, such as for have a bucket of ice for our bottle of wine and even to have it uncorked.
Love it
Food was great. LAMB SHANK was very tender and flavorful.
Very good food, we were with a group on a weeknight and service was decent. Good traditional Itialian menu.
Great food, fresh and handmade. I loved it!
Food is very good and the service is impeccable
Some of the pizza you will find in Montreal. This tiny little hole in the wall is easy to miss if you aren t paying attention. It s bring your own wine which makes it far easier on your wallet. I recommend this place if you are in NDG. Very at home and delicious
Excellent pizza and very good risotto
I had a Ceasar salad and pizza... absolutely no seasoning or tasre in either. The Ceasar consisted of dressing with no anchovies or chesse (at least it tasted that way!!!)
Nice evening and good service!!!
Simply the best pizza in the neighborhood. Thanks for being there.
Excellent pizza. To taste, number 13.
A dying restaurant on Monkland that needs either a refresh or replacement... after years of dining there, this last experience with my daughter left nothing but a bitter taste. Service was fine if limited the food on the other hand was .... bad ... I had a dish that I ve had many times .... on this occasion it was tasteless over cooked mush.... Now I can accept an off night .... listen to your customers, make the customer happy and correct course... no? Nope, not this venerable institute, their response was to charge full price for a plate with three bites out of it and offer a coffee for my inconvenience 20 years ago this restaurant was full on a Friday evening it should have been a warning to us when we showed up to a bustling four other people dining. Sadly this will be a final visit for this long time customer and his adult daughter who lamented past great meals shared when she was a little girl. It s a shame but I suppose all things come to an end.
It was good. I always order the same pizza since I love it.
Its delicious every time.
Delicious pasta. Good service. BYOW
Loved it!
Never have I ever eaten at a restaurant with such poor service. No amount of complaining helped our cause. The reservation was for 8:15. We were seated at 8:30. We waited for 15 minutes before we saw our waitress. So far, its understandable for a Saturday night. Then the fun started. We were 5 and we all ordered quickly because by then we were pretty hungry. Two pizzas, 2 pastas and one muscles were ordered. We were served 45 minutes later. No one came over to apologize for the delay. Clearly they were understaffed. When we complained to a man in a chefs cloak we were shrugged off and he stormed off. The food was ok except for one of the pizzas. When $19 is spent on a single 10 inch pizza one expects there to be ingredients on the top of the dough, right. Well not this time. I needed a magnifying glass to see the olives or pancetta. All I saw was red coloring and dough. Throughout our meal, no one came over to see how we were doing of if we were enjoying our meal. Last time they will ever see me.
Generous portions, friendly staff and good food!! I would love to have this restaurant in Toronto!! P.s It is byow (bring your own )
Delicious clam
Cozy and friendly atmosphere.
Decent Italian menu, reasonably priced, BYOB
The service was horrible that day. Normally there is better service. I was very surprised because Ive been a regular over the years.
Good service, good food. Beautiful terrasse on a sunny day
Excelent pizza, pasta, etc
Nice food, good taste.
Tasty food, nice outdoor terrace. Could perhaps do with some more servers.
good pasta and pizza
Excellent food and service! You can bring your own wine! And the restaurant terrace is really cool.
Great poached salmon!
We found stickiness on the tomatoes in the salad and charcoal on the pizza but according to the waiter it wasnt anyones fault... To avoid....
Excellent food, good value, bring your own wine. Great value for your money. Been there many times. Highly recommended.
Delicioso. Perfect spot for a dinner date!
Fantastic wood oven pizza, great osso bucco, and BYOW.
Gorgeous, thin crust pizza, salads, pasta.
It took sometime for the food to be served , food quality and taste is so good , friendly environment
Very good food. Great location.
Meh...
Cold food. Dated ambience.
Decent food and pleasant staff. The pizza Arrabbiata was surprisingly spicy. I like out that way, but they could have been a bit more generous with the toppings.
Not what it used to be! Pizza was disappointing. Dough was tough. Menu promised boconccini cheese. It was topped with ordinary mozzarella instead. Raviolli was overcooked and tasteless. Service was friendly and efficient.