3827 Bathurst St, North York, ON M3H 3N1, Canada
Paese [pa’eze] means “town or village” and for us this symbolizes neighborhood. Paese opened over 25 years ago and has stayed true to a handcrafted and housemade approach to a menu that’s Italian-inspired, with a distinctive and original made-in-Canada twist. The multi-region wine list is not only a wine lover’s dream but is reasonably priced for all to appreciate.
Very great ambience and awesome customer service.we tried penne pasta and pizza. Food was amazing. I will be definitely reaching back to this restaurant and 5star for the amazing service and food💯🎖️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Very nice, cute Italian restaurant. Food is so delicious, service is good. Will recommend.
I enjoyed my moments, every time ! Sitting down in the lovely outdoor area, amazing and scrumptious meal, relaxing and simply satisfying. The gentleman who served me today was exceptional. He was able to deliver that customer's happiness is definitely a priority in making the dining experience even more remarkable. Much appreciated ! I had Spaghetti Gamberi for lunch, and it was too delish !
We throughly enjoyed their Summerlicious menu ! The portions were generous and delicious! The service and atmosphere were fantastic ! We definitely will be back ! Thank you for a wonderful dinner !
The food was amazing!! Really happy with the vegan bolognese and the salad (special). The asparagus soup was ok. Nice to see some vegan options. It was a good thing. They didn’t have more vegan dessert options (lol!) Service was fantastic. The seating was ok, it was interesting where they put us. Our bench seats were not clean.
This place is incredible!!! It’s my go to date night spot and dinner with the family. Food is always 10/10 and staff are extremely friendly and accommodating. The braised beef special I had was cooked to perfection. The hardest part is deciding between the tiramisu and chocolate cake… sometimes we end up with both!
I had the pleasure of dining at PAESE Ristorante recently, and I must say it was an exceptional experience. Tony, the owner, truly went above and beyond to make our visit memorable. His personal touch and attention to detail added a special touch to the evening. The service at PAESE Ristorante was nothing short of excellent. The staff was attentive, friendly, and made sure we felt welcomed throughout our meal. They were exceptionally knowledgeable about the menu and offered great recommendations. The food itself was an out of this world. We ordered the Gnocchi, Spaghetti gamberi, Fettuccine Funghi, Cornish hen, and a margarita pizza. The pasta is made in house, fresh, daily. It's evident that the kitchen takes pride in every dish they prepare. From appetizers to desserts, each course was a culinary masterpiece. Overall, our expectations were excepted in every way. Tony's dedication to creating a fantastic dining experience shines through, and the outstanding service and delectable cuisine make it a must-visit restaurant. I can't wait to return for another unforgettable meal. There is a parking in the office building beside the restaurant. (Not a robot 🤖)
The good: the food overall was good. Steak was good, sweet potato ravioli was good, but very small, tiramisu was good. Mushroom calamari was pretty bad and we didn’t like the bread at the table. The bad: service was ridiculously slow. It took forever for our food to come. It took painfully long to pay. Like 3 waitresses served us. One had an attitude, one was decent, one was good. But oh my god, the speed was brutally slow.
A very nice cozy setting, innovative Italian at its best, great vibe with a classy atmosphere, large menu selections of pasta & pizza, reasonably sized portions, soft & succulent very tasty braised beef short rib, pan fried Branzino was tasty with a nice selection of salad beans, very friendly, helpful & attentive staff.
Delicious food! Friendly staff. Vegetarian options: Yes. Delicious kale salad. Dietary restrictions: Yes Parking: Side street have parking
We had a delicious dinner at a special family celebration. The kindness and attention of Sabine, our server, made it even more special.
Food and service were great. The red wine however is over priced for what you re getting.
I recently planned an intimate event at Paese Ristorante and the food and the service was exceptional. I highly recommend them if you are looking to host a private intimate dinner party. Wheelchair accessibility: We did have a few guests with a walker and therefore this restaurant was a suitable option since they do have an accesible washroom on the main floor.
An amazing evening with awesome wine and outstanding food. The wine list is sublime and the service top notch! Love this place
We unexpectedly went to this restaurant for dinner on a Saturday with 6 children and 4 adults after a great interactive VIP experience at Bubble Planet. The restaurant looked promising and was close so we dared to take our kids in. We were seated on a covered patio, which was nice, but when I went in to use the restroom the young gentleman server assumed (probably because they don t seem to have a lot of Asian clientele) that I was some drug addict or degenerate said out loud in front of the patrons sitting nearby that there is no vaping or smoking etc in the washroom. I was taken aback by this and noticed the snickers from the indoor seated patrons. I was desperate to use the washroom so I brushed it aside. The words bothered me all night and then I realized that because I was only wearing black Lululemon and not dressed up for a local suburban restaurant that he didn t feel I belonged. Had I realized sooner and had I been the host, I would have left and taken our business elsewhere. That said, the server we did get was friendly and attentive (probably because they wanted us out too). When she realized we had happened on their establishment and that we had been to an interactive exhibit (she asked about the VIP tags on lanyards), she seems to let her guard down. The food was ok. The focaccia looked promising, but was hard like they just took it out of the freezer and partially defrosted it. The kids were so hungry they ate pizza and mushroom calamari for appetizers and pasta for main course. They had cookies, a slice of cake and ice cream for dessert. The adults had mushroom pasta, liver, chicken and branzino. I was surprised by the pricing for their branzino. The person who ordered it said it was good. Looking back it was a decent restaurant for a spur of the moment dinner, but had we planned for a dinner with the kids we might have made reservations elsewhere and been better dressed. Main point, don t be judgmental of a person s appearance and embarrass them. You may be surprised what they do for a living, how smart they are, their degrees and the word they spread about the establishment and the treatment they receive. Vegetarian options: Surprisingly a lot.
Excellent staff, service and food!
Avoid this place old menu and got worst every year. Also they are not paying their employees overtime. Food : 2/5
We had a wonderful experience hosting a private event for my daughters 1st birthday! The Paese Team made the process seamless and very easy to plan. Not to mention the food was delicious! Thanks for a great experience.
We came here for dinner on the last weekend of summerlicious. The starters were amazing, the oyster mushrooms done calamari style were the clear winner. My main dish was salmon with crisp green beans and fingerling potatoes, all done perfectly, maybe some more seasoning and sauce could put it over the top, but no real complaints. My husband had the veal I believe with potatoes as well. Dessert we had the tiramisu which was creamy and absolutely delicious, and the fresh fruit on top of the cheesecake tart was fresh and a great finish to a great meal. Overall the vibe, food and service was all great, will definitely be back to try more!
Every time I visit Paese I thoroughly enjoy it! The service and atmosphere are warm and welcoming and the food is stunning and delicious. Would recommend!!!
Good food and service. We love this restaurant
Fantastic restaurant with wonderful staff and even more amazing food. I have hosted 4 family events at Paese in one of their private dining rooms upstairs. The food was exceptional each time, and the service was beyond great.
Delicious!!!!!
Tried the summerlicious menu. While it wasn t horrible, I found the food to be a bit blah. I expected something more elevated or unique. Everything needed more flavour or seasonings or sauce. It needed more creativity. Chicken was just plain roasted chicken, equivalent to a store bought rotisserie chicken. No special flavours or seasonings or anything. When I go out to eat I generally want something that I might not achieve at home, something unique. However the service here was pleasant and efficient and unpretentious, which was nice.
It was excellent food!! Amazing service! All over great!! I recommend
Arranged a surprise birthday dinner for my husband and 10 people. The food was outstanding and the service couldn t have been better! It was great to be outside on the patio. I highly recommend this restaurant!!! Parking: There s an office building on the side street that is empty after 5:00. Lots of parking spaces available so if you are going for dinner you can park there.
Nicely done! Good Italian food and they have a nice selection of drinks too
Excellent food, staff, and ambiance, not to mention the option to sit indoor or outdoor, rain or shine. Parking is available across the street. Lovely experience each and every time I dine here!
Paese just hosted a party for our family on their enclosed patio. It was a warm and inviting event, that had an excellent spread of delicious desserts. Pooja, our coordinator, and Robert and Kelly, our hosts, made the evening a memorable event. We will most definitely host more parties there in the future. We are especially grateful to Paese for helping us pull off our surprise party that was so beautifully decorated and catered, with only 4 days of planning! See you soon!
Had two fabulous experiences at Paese Take Out recently. Tony is so helpful and generous with his time and to make sure you re a satisfied customer. Staff are always friendly and knowledgeable as well when we dine in. We are so fortunate to live close by and have such a gem in the neighborhood. Food : 5/5
Paese and Leat are our go-to whenever we have a family celebration! We always receive our favourite combo of professional but comfortable service
We celebrated my wife s 80th birthday with about 50 guests. The planning staff was a delight to work with, the servers were excellent and the food was over the top. I would not hesitate to recommend your restaurant.
We do private parties here at least once a year and the service, the food, the professionalism, its all superb. I love knowing that even when I arrive an hour before to set up for my guests, theyve already got the room ready, the staff are in place and prepping, and everything ALWAYS goes smooth as silk.
Paese is great restaurant for casual dining or even celebrating a milestone event like your childs Confirmation. On May 11th, 2024, my wife and I (along with 20 or so family members) celebrated our sons Confirmation at Paese and we had a delicious meal. I definitely enjoyed the coconut shrimp, the burrata just melted in your mouth and the branzino was lean, but ever so tasty. Great service by the wait staff and the bar staff. Thank you to the Paese event planners too (Pooja and Deirdre). Your help was invaluable at making our sons Confirmation party memorable for all in attendance. All the details and special requests were honored. Well be back!!
We have been visiting Paese for years and have used them for private dining events as well! They are so organized and professional! Their food quality is very good!
Before our dinner event, I had the pleasure of working with Pooja Sharma at LEat Catering, who guided me through and fine-tuned the menu for the evening. Our host wait staff for the evening was Sylvia, a very competent gal, who, after our 28 guests were seated, introduced herself and the servers and invited us to enjoy ourselves. That set the pace for a seamless evening; the servers were efficient and accommodating, the plate presentations were beautiful and the food, of course, was delicious! I am definitely returning when the next family event presents itself!
We selected Paese for a family diner on a special weekend of celebration. We could not have been happier. The surroundings were cozy and personal. Food was perfection and the service was attentive and 5 star . I highly recommend this wonderful restaurant for special moments in life.
The food and service feels like a simple family restaurant trying to masquerade as an upscale place. The spaghetti gamberis sauce taste like the same thing out of a can of tomatoes, and the spaghetti is too thin to really enjoy the texture and chew of a handmade pasta. The rapini is a little soggy, was hoping it might be charred, grilled, or have some sort of garlic on it. Parmesan cheese comes in a heaping spoon out of a bowl. Just seems really sloppy and simple for the prices they are charging. Limited parking in the back. Parking: Theres 4 or 5 spots in the back of the restaurant.
We had a great time last night at Paese. The service is great. You are treated with respect and kindness. There are very few places today that have good customer service but this is one of them. The food was good. They go out of their way to give you that special treatment even if you don t like a dish. You will leave this place feeling great.
The best italian place ever. They make very delicious food. Karan is the best waiter ever. He explained every detail I and my family were so excited
AMAZING COFFE & GREAT FOOD! LOVE IT
Is a divine place to dine. The food is amazing, the presentation is to die for. But the best of all, the service is excellent. Highly recommended.
Celebrated a friends birthday at Paese today. The food and ambience was outstanding but what made excellent experience was our server Karam. So kind and pleasant and did everything he could to make our visit such fun. Thank you. Ill be back for sure. Vegetarian options: The veggie spaghetti Bolognese was excellent Dietary restrictions: Several options for gluten free food including pasta and pizzas Wheelchair accessibility: Karam quickly set up ramp for the wheelchair and showed me where the wheelchair accessible washroom was situated
Outdoors Tent was full. Food was amazing. The mushroom calamari was insanely good. Bravo!!
My colleagues and I had lunch here with a guest. Karan took care of us from start to end with amazing service and attention to detail. The food was great, and the atmosphere was perfect for our lunch meeting. I will definitely visit this restaurant again.
The best restaurant in Toronto.
First time dining here, what an absolute treat! The atmosphere was great, food was fantastic and freshly prepared and the wine selection was just fantastic. I would recommend to anyone!
We had a great time dining at this restaurant. The food was great and the desserts were even better. Customer service was also 10/10. Highly recommend!
Staff s friendly demeanor truly enhances the dining experience. From the warm welcomes to the attentive service, their hospitality adds a delightful touch to every visit.
Alright, folks, let me tell you about my experience at Paese Ristorante on Bathurst in Toronto. First off, their pasta with turkey bolognese was top-notch, seriously delicious stuff - cooked to perfection and the sauce is what Id expect from a Nonna at her (basement) kitchen. And dont even get me started on their Caesar salad it was hands down the best Ive ever had - nothing you can buy in a store or even expect in 95% of restaurants. Oh, and the desserts? Lets just say they know how to end a meal on a high note. If youre in Toronto and craving some Italian goodness, Paese is the spot to hit up... All the locals know its amazing but its worth the trip. Trust me, you wont be disappointed!
Paese is a straight 5/5, the staff is friendly and knowledgeable, the atmosphere is elegant and fun, the food is delicious and innovative. Whenever we visit we can t help but leave with satisfied appetites and a gratitude for our experience. It s a must visit!
I have dined at Paese Ristorante a few times now and its always been spectacular. From the moment you walk in, the warm ambiance and inviting decor set the stage for a delightful experience. The menu at Paese is a true celebration of authentic Italian cuisine with a modern twist but what took me by surprise, during my last visit, was their butter chicken pizza feature which was so delicious and flavourful - it made me nostalgic. Apart from their attentive staff and extensive wine list to choose from, the desserts were also amazing! Keep up the good work Team Paese!
One of the best restaurants in the city. Especially for authentic Italian! Love this place. Owner is also amazing, friendly, and cares about his guests and the small details don t go unnoticed.
Amazing place to enjoy a delicious meal with a modern and sleek vibe. Meatballs are a must!
Was a fabulous evening with incredible food, great atmosphere and our wonderful server who took great care of us.
We had a wonderful dining experience last night at PAESE RISTORANTE The restaurant was quite busy considering it was mid-week but, that didn t affect the exceptional service we received. Tony and his team looked after us so well, along with looking after all of the fine details with our dining experience. The freshly baked homemade focaccia, the fresh pasta selections and then the dessert - Afogdo!!! I got lost in the wine list, which is so extensive with exceptional offerings not found everywhere. This is the place to go for great dining outside of the downtown core. Highly recommended for a great dining experience.
Mushroom calamari, 3 sister soup, spaghetti gamberi, shrimp gamberetti, tiramisu.All delish. This is a go to for Italian food. Our server, Natalya, was a cut above superb. 6 stars ..
Wonderful service and delicious food.
Absolutely one of the best Italian restaurants in the city! Great service and amazing food - wine list is fantastic and prices are absolutely reasonable! Definitely recommend!!!
Back at Paese .this is one of my favourite places for Italian Cuisine around North York. Everything is made from scratch and in-house. The Burrata is refreshing served with pickled beets. The Mushroom Calamari is a stand out for me lightly battered mushrooms served with a vegan aioli were so delicious. The handcrafted soft chewy Gnocchi stuffed with ricotta with roasted squash and sage in a brown butter creamy sauce. This is very tasty! Save room for dessert. The Raspberry Tart with a shortbread crust is so yummy. You can t miss out on the homemade creamy tiramisu. I highly recommend you add Paese on your list of restaurants to try!
Tony Loschiavo is brilliant. He hates not to have his fingers in all of the pies so he has a restaurant, a catering company, a food truck, a farm and a sugar shack! I may be missing a few things. Paese has one of the best wine cellars in Toronto and I believe that s a secret to many. Tony is also a health nut so in between all the decadence in the menu you will find gems like vegan bolognese, cauliflower pizza and a gf dessert you would never have any idea. Now, Paese also has perfection in their hand pulled Mozzarella, off the chart pizzas and foccacia, killer tender octopus and divine desserts. Paese also has one of the best and biggest patios in the summer. It is super pretty and you would never believe you are on a main road. Come in for some homemade pasta and Tony also imports his own perfect olive oil. There is so much to enjoy along with great service and a spot where everyone chats with everyone Please follow @joannasable on instagram
Great dining experience at a quiet Italian restaurant. Staff was attentive and the house made pasta was on point.
Ordered mushroom pasta, split pea soup, and mushroom soup - through Uber Eats - the pasta arrived in perfect temperature. The soups are meant to be heated at home. It was my first time trying out Paese - excellent home made fresh pasta. And super tasty fresh soups, with plenty of different variety. I will definitely order again.
Quick Google for Italian Restaurant had us land here by mistake. I remember being here years and years ago. But the food tonight was divine. Inspiring. Best part of my week, I m not kidding. I needed this this evening. Nice, authentic and approachable staff, great wines choices but the food? They didn t just feed my belly tonight, they fed my soul. Thinking of coming here every week now. Vegetarian options: Brought a vegetarian, they left delighted. Need I say more? Parking: Tight parking spots, but no trouble at all finding a spot.
Paese is a favourite restaurant of ours. We have never had a bad meal. Always 5 stars! Sabine is a wonderful waitress. We love it when we get her. She is smart, caring and knowledgeable about the food and drinks. She has such a friendly demeanour and great sense of humour that always puts my husband and I in a great mood. She goes above and beyond for us! Such a great experience!! Highly recommend Paese Restaurant for their amazing Italian food and great service. Parking: We parked in their parking lot. Front parking and back parking available.
Hidden gem
Went here a week ago and was one of the worst experiences Ive had. The smoked salmon tartare was literally just some salmon thrown on top of avocado, not seasoned. Essentially served a salmon avocado roll for $30. The pizza was worse than dominos, greasy, bready, and barely any toppings. The worst surprise came when I got the bill and got charged $8 for water. The server in the beginning asked if I would like flat or sparkling water. I asked for flat. Did not expect flat meant $8 for water, absolutely ridiculous. Total bill came out over $100 for 2 and I wouldve enjoyed takeout pizza more. Stay away from this restaurant.
Excellent and friendly service by Natalie, and a huge fan of the mushroom calamari and Caesar salad and turkey bolognese. My gf loved her gnocchi, and the portions were so large we had lots leftover. Will definitely come back again.
This place is amazing, the food, service and staff everything is top notch. We ordered mushroom calamari and fettuccine fresca and it was delicious. Tony and Jorge are amazing and we loved their service. They gave us a complimentary Tiramisu and It was the best Tiramisu I ve had in GTA. Even though when we arrived the kitchen was almost closed, still they accommodated us and the whole staff was very patient and friendly.
Great meal, great company and great service!
Excellent lunch today. Ravioli was cooked perfectly. Thanks to Tony for recommending the wine. Great choice and good value.
Value is often determined by what is desired and/or required at the time. PAESE Ristorante NAILED it!! A long, rushed, frustrating day resulted in the knowledge my need for food was i.m m.e.d.i.a.t.e or heads were gonna roll. While some may find a drive through a reasonable solution I would just as soon carry out a rampage than shovel that pure poison imposter into my system; besides the results are virtually the same. Consider the need to douse an out of control fire, but the only liquid available is gasoline. Its terrible idea. Same concept. So I googled. PAESE was about 7mins away from me, my next meeting was in 28mins and also 7 mins away. Thats some drive-thru math right there... I turned up at the wrong door dressed for a construction site. I think I looked desperate, possibly a bit unhinged, but Tony looked amused and unperturbed and led me through the kitchen for a fast pasta and a glass of wine. As requested, so it was delivered. I had a beautifully uncomplicated dish of succulent shrimp, oil and garlic on what I think was hilarious nod to the situation -pappardelle. Never my choice of pasta, but it was soft and satisfying, yet robust and just delicious. To be fair, the wine wasnt what I would be thrilled to pay $20 /glass for, BUT the gracious server arrived with it in his hand and it was there, and it was ok. In fact, everything after that was ok. So thank you, PAESE people...saving lives one pasta at a time!! I look forward to returning with hours of time to experience your offerings in a civilized, ladylike manner. And to any who read this, I suggest you do too. Solitary dining is a great pleasure when the company of the food is so complete.
We visited Paese, me, and two of my friends.we usually meet up 3 times a year. I chose this restaurant by Google search and and I was nervous if it doesnt meet expectation . As we were excited to see one anothe,our server had to come to our table several times to check wether we decided. We apologize for the delayed decision making. Our server however was so patient and courteous with us. He politely gave us more time each time he checked back. Were grateful. When we finally ordered and the food arrived and I must say all were so delicious. Everyone were praising their meal. I had the Fungi pizza that was mouthwatering delicious. My friends wanted Salmon with salad and although this combination was not on the menu the chef modified the meal to please them. Overall we had a great night and my friends thanked me for choosing this restaurant. We would like to thank everyone at Paese for their superb food and service. Thank you all.
Stop by for a quick pizza. It was an okay Pizza staff very friendly looks like a nice place would like to dine here one day
Both the food and service were great. Thank you to Sabine for making it an extra special evening!
Been to Paese many many times over the years and for the most part, food and service has been pretty good - no complaints. In the past year or two, management changes have reflected an inconsistent experience, including my last. Service was quite slow, although the restaurant wasnt overly busy (Saturday night). The mushroom calamari appetizer was bland and needed salt. My mushroom fettuccini, although good tasting, was a little soupy. There were clumps of stuck together noodles that were not separated during boiling and the oyster mushrooms were cut too large and were quite chewy. Should have gone with the pizza or veal scalloppini, which they tend to do well. So for me, at least for this experience, was sub-standard.
My name is Erinlea (Erin) I did an observation shift here on Friday night. I didn t get the job, but, I wanted to thank Sabine, Zaola, Rod and Tony for having me. I had such a wonderful experience here and I hope I find a job with this much warmth and excellence. I had great interactions with the guests and the atmosphere is professional, but, warm and inviting. Definitely the best observation shift I ve ever done and I can see why it s such a successful establishment. I wish you all continued success. Thank you for considering me. It s an honour.
We hadnt been to Paese for some time, so I was excited about returning. The asparagus soup special was tasteless and the quantity so small that I mentioned it to the server. The main course was great but the portion was really inadequate. Time for desert, we ordered apple crumble with ice cream. The crumble wasnt great, and straight from the refrigerator and not warmed up. All in all I was disappointed. Tony the owner called me after I posted the review, he apologized and said it had been an off night. I really appreciated him reaching out to me.
Food was good. Our waitress was rude and took forever to bring the drinks. However, I am rating as a whole. Patio is quite nice. Prices are decent and desert/food was good.
Ten of us got together for a birthday so we decided to do the summerlicious at Paese. We were greeted and made comfortable while we waited for the rest of the party. Waitress explained the menus to us and gave us plenty of time to decided. Started off with the funghi pizza and meat pizza. Both was good, my favourite was the mushroom pizza. Great flavour with the arugula and parmesan. Kale salad with the pine nuts, raisins with vinaigrette was delicious! Also you must try the mushroom calamari- excellently seasoned with a nice crispness. The NY sirloins were cooked to perfection, tasty! We also had the roasted branzino fillet. This flavour profile didn t excite me. Maybe I was mixing up the description for grilled and I was thinking a whole fish. The tart topped with raspberry was just the perfect dessert. Tiramisu was missing liquor and was just like sweet pudding. But overall we all really enjoyed our meal and dining experience. Highly recommended!
I booked a lunch in Paese 3 times during the last week. Every time the reservation was cancelled the following day. The excuse was that they dont have enough kitchen staff. Its very disappointing. We liked this restaurant and wanted to support a local business, but apparently the owners dont care about their patrons. Very sad....
If you are a lover of mediocre food and so so service this is your dream place.After reading the reviews I was really excited to check this place out. Such a disappointment.Remarks from the waitress that remained of her mother was totally inappropriate.I guess because I was a party of one I wasnt worth to wait on. My fungi pasta had mushrooms with sand in it:( I didnt feel like sending food back. Didnt finish just paid and went on my merry way.
Went for summerlicious. Food was delicious portions were generous and Natalia was attentive and lovely with a great personality. 5 star
Went for Summerlicious. Portion was super small, Salmon Curdo was only three slices. Veal Scallopini has four pieces of veal that were so small, with three finger-sized potatoes. Waited more than 40 mins after app to entrée. Our table also had NY Striploin with fries. Super salty. Again, they did not even bother to give you more fries to fill up the plate. Server came by to ask how as the food, only to ask, and walked away without even hearing our response.
Food was just okay. Kind of bland and my group felt it could use more salt/flavour but service is amazing. Our server was so friendly and attentive. The best part of our meal was the dessert. Tiramisu and gelato was delicious
Among the very best Italian food I have ever had. I came with family for my birthday and truly everything was delicious. Service was prompt after waiting 30 minutes after reservation time... We were a large group, I understand it happens sometimes. The experience was so excellent that Im not even mad. Highlight: 72 hr sous vide beef short ribs was to die for
Beautiful restaurant, 20 years ago we used them to cater a bat mitzvah and they re still fantastic.
I ve had some very nice date nights with my wife at Paese. It s been a great experience each time. She s from the neighbourhood, where we live (10 minutes from Paese) and has told me that for many years it s been excellent, too. The staff, both service and the chefs, are top notch. I come from midtown St. Clair Ave., and grew up having Italian in Forest Hill Village and Corso Italia. Paese is easily top notch, too. Thanks, Paese!
Was lovey, paste was great! Atmosphere was very nice
My family has been coming to Paese for years and we always leave happy. The food, service, and atmosphere are excellent. Paese is an all time Toronto restaurant.
Kid-friendliness: The service was fabulous and the staff was great. Had a successful party. Recommended dishes
Excellent food, good prices & very attentive server.
Couldn t have taken my boyfriend to a better place for his birthday. Its been a while since i ve found a restaurant which such amazing service and food. We started with their bruschetta which was a special menu add for the day. Definitely one of the best I ve ever had. Main course was the sweet potato ravioli and fettuccine funghi. Both topping each other in flavour. Cannot name a favourite for sure. To go with the meal I ordered an aperol and gin based cocktail which was very refreshing and complementing my dishes very well. Lastly when I asked for the dessert menu our server very generously got us a bowl of tiramisu on the house as a kind gesture for his birthday. I definitely thought this was a cherry on the cake to an already remarkable service our server provided. Not to forget mentioning the tiramisu is a must have. Definitely recommend this restaurant to everyone!
Always a great experience!
Amazing evening! Sabine was absolutely wonderful. The food was fresh and delicious and we really enjoyed ourselves. Thank you Sabine!
We booked a dinner reservation for 23 people at this place as it was closed to our office and local hwy for those of us who commute on them. At first, I was hesitant as I compared to others high end restaurants but thought give them a chance. I arrived with my husband about half an hour before our reservation but since our party was large we were accommodated on the upper floor with a beautiful set up, staff was quick to offer us something to drink and had us seated. The food was excellent, extremely generous portions on appetizers that left no room for the main course, non the less i was not going to let that stop me from enjoying my Cornish hen. The dessert choice was not something I like, chocolate as it gives me migraines but other options were available and absolutely delightful! We had a fun fill dinner and would definitely consider a place of return. Vegetarian options: Plenty of vegetarian dishes Parking: Front of location limited parking buy plenty to the back
Service was amazing...Megan was the best hostess.
we went as we had heard of their amazing mushroom calamari. every single dish had zero taste. nothing. buratta was deep fried and served on 6 marinated cherry tomatoes on a miniscule amount of tasteless green oily stuff ...spinach maybe. zero flavour in aoli that came with calamari. all salt and very liquid. service was incredible as was the bread and butter. wouldnt recommend until they get a new chef.
The staff here were really great - friendly and very accommodating. Everyone enjoyed their meals but my favourite part was the raspberry white chocolate tart!
This place is a gem. Great quality, modern Italian menu.
Nice restaurant! The mushroom calamari is surprisingly good. Ravioli is also amazing!
Food was excellent, everything came in on time. Interior was nice and modern. Atmosphere was a little dull. Servers were fine, but almost like robots. No emotion or expression even when we exchanged words. I was told these times are hard for everyone so be kind. And we were. I just found out it strange that even though we were trying to engage and compliment them they don t say much. Like walking robots. I just felt weird. Only take outs from now on.
Greeted by a very pleasant host upon entering the restaurant, but our waitress was grumpy throughout the night. We enjoyed the pizza, but the pasta and mushroom calamari were a bit underwhelming. Overall experience would have been fine if the service did not leave such a sour taste in our mouth.
Great service. Our hosts were very friendly and overall pleasing to have. He offered suggestions, and was very patient as I came in to eat with a fairly large group. The food was good and appealing to the palette, but I do think you can get the same at a lesser price. Overall 4.5 out of 5 for the resto.
We just had a lovely meal at Paese to celebrate my 50th birthday..and wow..what a wonderful treat! After 2 years of pandemic open and closures, attempting to have a nice meal on a patio...I have to say nothing can compare to the real dining experience. What a great evening at Paese, wonderful food (the Branzino is a MUST!), nice ambience..and great staff!
I just received a bizarre invitation from L-eat Catering/Paese Ristorante. It seems that they are hosting an event for Roman Baber and thought their customers would like to join. There is absolutely no way Roman Baber would have my contact information so its clear that Leat/Paese used their business email list. What are they thinking??? As an ICU nurse, I have first hand knowledge of the suffering caused by COVID and this company is supporting an individual who opposed public safety measures meant to save lives. SMH. Where there is life there is the opportunity to rebuild. Dead is forever. I will never be able to support this business again - and the food wasnt all that great either.
THE FOOD IS AMAZING!!! THE STAFF ARE AMAZING!!! THE TONY AT HOME MEALS ARE FABULOUS - YOU MUST TRY THEM!!!! VERY FRESH FOOD!
We just ordered Tony at Homes Fried Chicken dinner and it was incredible! The Crudo was insanely delicious, the Burrata and Fennel Salad never disappoints, and the fried chicken is some of the best I have ever had! We will definitely be ordering again and again and again!
Everything on the menu.....top notch and sinfully delicious. Thank you for the great evening! My family sincerely enjoyed it. Service, quantity and quality of food perfect! Will be back again. Be sure to try the oyster mushroom fritti. Polentfries with sundried tomato ketchup. Pera pizza with gorgonzola, and spicy Maple syrup. Veal scallopini. Spaghettini with Gamberi. Gnocchi with pancetta, mushrooms, squash and mascarpone cream. Just a few of their creative and delicious dishes!
Tony and his staff are accommodating, kind and considerate - I asked for a specific type of wine and they remembered and had it ready for me the next time I came. Its all about the details and they have really gotten it right!
The vegan Bolognese was to die for!
Wonderful service, fantastic food, and a lovely environment!! I ll definitely have to make it out again!
Super friendly staff and a great vegan pasta bolognese!
Great pasta! All food was great. Waiters are friendly. Good for kids with nice kid menu too.
The food and the service was amazing. The dessert was incredible
Dinner was excellent. Service was great.
We sat out on the patio. It was freezing! We asked for more heaters and they couldnt get them to work. The waiter was slow and hardly paid attention to our table of 8, but managed to add his tip to our bill, probably knowing he wasnt going to get much of one. We paid the tip. The food was fine (when it finally came). The place was half empty, so no reason to ignore us.
good food! good service....but the coconut cream pie! OMG .....best in the city!!!!!!!
Wow! One of the best Italian spots I have been too. We ordered Fettucine funghi Pasta,Funghi pizza,baked cod with beans and potatoes(chef special),gnocchi for mains and affagato,Tiramisu for desserts. 100% delicious. I would def come back here. Great job Team Paese !! Thank you for the loveyl service. Our host in particular was absolute delight . Gabriella you made our evening most memorable with your best service and presence. Thanks again
Nice patio, but I ordered the cheese pizza and it was covered in oil with a very thin crust to balance it. The oil made me feel nauseous, and it was expensive for what it was.
The food here is always spectacular, love the patio, great drink menu, and customer service is always superb. Would highly recommend as the food is top tier as well.
Delicious food! The oyster mushroom calamari is probably the best fried appetizer Im ever had. Pastas were also really good. The staff was super attentive and nice.
Great
Excellent restaurant. Very clean. Modern Italian restaurant. Great menu selections. Was in the mood for a pizza. Ordered the Salami pizza. Perfectly baked. Quality toppings. Delicious crust. Pizza was amazing. Service was friendly and attentive.
My girlfriend and I are HUGE foodies and our epicurean experience at Paese continues to bring us back there time and time again. Paeses menu has something for everyone, is always super delicious and we always leave there feeling gratified. Tony, the owner of Paese and L-eat catering is second to none!!!!!
Food was nice enough but theres room for improvement on several fronts
What s not to like on this place? The staff are friendly and welcoming. It was our family s first time here and it did not disappoint. Great food, great service! My son and wife are very picky about food and if they enjoyed it, it means its Fantastic! I highly recomend this place and would surely be back!
The food looks and tastes GREAT ! we enjoyed the evening !
Fabulous time at Paese. Their veal chop Milanese is the best in the city! It is huge and flavourful!
Fantastic!
Got a bottle of delicious wine and some riccota gnocchi to make at home, can wait to try it, definitely coming back
Called to place a takeout order and the employee complained to me after i was put on hold 3 times. Nonsense. After being a patron for years I will never go back as this service is pathetic. Choose another restaurant , this establishment wont survive much longer during COVID.
I cannot recommend this place enough when you re looking to treat yourself, or create a special take out experience with a friend. The food is fresh and made by hand. The flavours are classic and on point. Take tour first bite and you know you made the right call. Special extra bonus at pickup, Impulse buy some of local business salt chocolate that PAESE features by the front counter. You can thank me later.
Kudos to Paese and its staff - have continually pivoted and reinvented themselves throughout the last year and with great success - outdoor dining, outdoor BBQ, fresh produce, dry goods etc. - well done - one of our favourite local restaurants pre-during and post COVID - keep up the great work - no obstacles just new opportunities
We really enjoy their Funghi pizzas, and would recommend them strongly! The owner genuinely cares about the food they serve and the customer experience. Tony reached out to us and rectified the rare issue we had with our order promptly. Thank you! Btw there funghi pizza is best in the city!!
Should try 100%
The food presentation was excellent. We just found it slightly pricey for the ribeye steak, delicious though. To me, the steak could be one level warmer. All in all, we had a great experience, and wed certainly come back.
Great experience at this location...decent portion sizes, food tastes really good and staff is super friendly .. prices are relatively high but its really worth the money.
Well done Paese ..You have created an attractive and SAFE patio for your guests. The food and service was excellent.
What a great restaurant! My husband and I came here for dinner and enjoyed their kale salad as well as a Margherita pizza! It came out so quickly and it was delicious! The pizza crust was perfect! We finished with the peanut butter tart for dessert which was really easy to eat . I forgot to mention that I had an Amaretto Sour which was made just right!
The food was amazing , portion size isnt the best, however the customer service was really bad , took about an hour to get my food, waiter did not check up on me , he forgot multiple times when I asked for refills i had to ask another waiter to bring me water ,and when I ordered he forgot one of the dishes and did not seem apologetic at all, overall food is great but customer service needs to improve because it was a very frustrating experience.
Excellent place , food amazing a.must go
Lovely vibes, great food. Good service. Would definitely return
A fantastic restaurant with a unique menu and a wonderful wait staff, I will return again and again. The food was well prepared and service was excellent. The outdoor seating was spacious and pleasant. A thoroughly enjoyable evening with great dishes and cocktails.
I was baffled by the service that we received last night. Our reservation was at 9:45pm, the waiter came to our table 3 times within 5 minutes rushing us to place our order. When we said we were debating between two dishes , instead of providing any type of recommendation, he walked away. When we asked if there were any non-alcoholic cocktails, he gave us his two cents by showing us the wine menu and saying you see this wine menu you, we are known for having 400-500 wine options! This comment was unnecessary, we had already known there was a wine menu but we both dont drink alcohol. He immediately walked away after and i had to wait for him to come back to ask him if there were any carbonated drinks or other beverages we can order, he simply said pop, juice , water...what do you want ?! in a very rude tone. Last but not least , when we were about to pay for the bill, I had the bill whereas my friend handed over her credit card but I insisted to pay since I had the bill. The waiter showed his frustration and lectured us by saying you both are adults, I shouldnt have to be involved with this!. Overall we bad a terrible experience, this our first patio experience together after the restaurants were able to open for dine in services and he made it awful. I would never recommend anyone to visit the restaurant with such horrible service.
Went there today with a friend and my 1 year old. Delicious food, and somehow my daughter ate all the veggies off the pizza, which is a miracle in itself. A little on the pricey side, but worth it.
The pros: The food was phenomenal. The wine menu was very diverse. The atmosphere was very pleasant (except the loud fan, but I guess that was necessary) The cons: Slow service and even though we had a reservation they made us wait for 20 minutes.
Just spent $23.00 on a terrible dish. No taste and it was a risotto, served as soup. I could not eat it. I asked the other three people I was with to try it too and they couldn t believe how gross it was.
We booked out Paeses large beautiful patio for our covid-safe wedding dinner with 40 guests and could not have been happier! They were very friendly and helpful over email and phone correspondence during the planning process in the months preceding our big day and were very patient even when we needed to change our date a few weeks before. They helped us arrange a custom menu for our wedding and all the food was beautifully plated and absolutely delicious! All of our guests raved to us about how great the food was at the end of the night. The servers were friendly and brought each course out quickly and kept the drinks flowing, also coming around often to refill water. The Owner Tony, Restaurant Manager Sal and our server even took care of me when the 38 degree heat and exhaustion of our wedding day caught up with me at dinner, and let me rest inside for a while, offering me Gatorade, a cold towel for my neck and did their absolute best to help this exhausted bride feel better. I really couldnt be happier or more grateful for what a wonderful experience Paese provided for our wedding dinner and for all they did to take care of us! We cant wait to celebrate many future anniversaries with them.
Honestly.. SO good. Perfect portion sizes and great quality food. It was our first time there so we tried a few different things, and I would easily order any of them again. Service was good as well. We ll definitely be returning!
Amazing restaurant! The food was so delicious and the servers are very nice. The pretty lights made the dining experience even better. I definitely recommend trying the margherita pizza.
Loved this restaurant! Very clean and beautiful atmosphere. Amazing service and the food was delicious! I would definitely recommend eating here!
Pizza was outstanding, veal ok, really hot under the tent. I asked our server to open a panel of the tent and he refused. Another young fella was delivering food and when asked to open the tent panel did it immediately and with a smile. I wish the tip went to him instead of our waiter. Overall really great
My partner commented that there will be more nice Italian restaurants than these. The food is standard. The service is ok. The table for 2 is small.
Good food good place.
This is the type of home style cooking I could eat weekly. There arent a lot of restos I can say this about. We went 2 weeks ago and waited for our RSVP to open up and I asked if we could get a Peroni and chardonnay as we waited just in front. The answer was a quick YES - with a smile and the drinks came and we drank happily as we waited for our table. Then we went back a few days later. Its this type of experience that keeps me coming back to this place. And will continue to do so. Its the little details that are memorable. The food is amazing! Well worth the wait:)
Consistently good food priced well. Especially love the mushroom calamari appetizer and tiramisu dessert. (Edit: I increaed to 5 stars because in Canada anything less than 5 means there was something wrong).
Phenomenal food and service. Highly recommended.
Came here for lunch on their patio and had a great experience. Reserved online so getting a table was easy. The patio was super cute albeit hot as there were no fans around. Our server was amazing. He was super courteous and replenished our water like a champ. It s like he had level sensors on our cups and knew exactly when to fill our water. The food was tasty and I liked how they had a more affordable lunch menu. The only reason I gave this place 4 stars rather than 5 was because I wish they had a bit more menu options.
Great food, great people! Very knowledgeable and attentive staff
Sitting in the exceptionally comfortable outdoor dining facility and I say facility because its way better than an ordinary patio, its hard to watch the toll the labour shortage is having on good restaurants. Everyone seems overworked and stretched to their limit, and deserve gratitude...Paese is really good and has a menu that can accomodate everyone, including vegetarians and those with allergies and sensitivities. Good in every way. Easy to enjoy and worth a family/ friends evening or many.
Overall a wonderful experience. Service, food and atmosphere were exceptionally great. Cant wait to go back and try the Pizza next.
very high end ambiance with a good list of cocktails at the bar. The food is delicious and the service is very accommodating. I would happily dine here again!
Paese is one of the best restaurants in Toronto. It has the ideal combination of being high-end and a place for families to dine. While at Paese I have had the gnocci and sweet potato ravioli. Both are outstanding choices for anybody. So far, hands down my favourite entre is the funghi pizza. This might be the best pizza that Ive ever had. From the service to the sourdough focaccia and Ceasar salad, the entres and then topping the experience off with cookies, Paese checks every box and knocks it out of the park every time. Well done!
Great COVID Patio dining experience! They setup the patio absolutely beautifully. You truly are socially distanced than the other tables and the space looks beautiful! The food was really good. Portions a good size and very tasty. They had bread as an app and it was delicious, soft, flavorful and plentiful! The prices were surprisingly affordable for a restaurant of that caliber. We had the Burrata Salad which was fabulous and fresh tasting. A variety of pastas and desserts and all was great. The service was super friendly, she was very sweet, however she wasnt very well trained and she did forewarn us that it was her first day. But we wouldve preferred that if it was her first day maybe she work shadowing someone? As there were some small mistakes and then one of our pastas came completely wrong but we didnt want to wait for them to re-make it so we ate it. As well, they were sold out of quite a few of the cheapest wine bottles and she kept having to run back to find out what was in stock and then have us re-order. Small things but for a $400 dinner we wouldve preferred that she served us with a more senior server so that we didnt have to go through the mistakes that added up. Otherwise would 100% go back! Amazing food and atmosphere and really enjoyed ourselves. And really well done COVID patio!
The ice tea and the margarita pizza were really nice. Bread and the olive oil for appetisers is a nice touch. Good ambiance but dont add turkey to the sauce on the pasta..its better without it. Used open table for the reservation I believe. Apple Pie / Ice Cream dessert was also pretty good. Food can always be better. I think a little more refinement to the dishes will go a long way.
They dont answer phones. Bad customer service.
Great food, great pizza and friendly staff
And if you also like hearty Italian cooking, Paese has also got you covered just fresh ingredients presented simply and without fuss. Their creamy buratta ($23) arrives on top of a bed of vibrant ripe tomatoes that make a great salad. The pool of olive oil is jazzed up a bit of pesto and is really all the flavouring the appetizer needs. When having meatballs as a starter, I want them nice and large. The size of tennis balls, the menu describes polpette di manzo ($16) as being made from ground beef, but it s surprisingly delicate for beef. Sitting in a lovely tomato sauce, it pairs so nicely with the complimentary salty oily focaccia. I had doubts when I first laid eyes on the thick crust on the parmigiana ($22) pizza did I make the wrong choice? The crust is deceiving as once I bit into it, it is surprisingly light and airy, and nicely toasted on the bottom. This main combines my love for eggplant parmigiana and pizza and Paese doesn t skimp on eggplant or cheese. While they augment flavours with basil, chili, and oregano; I would have liked more salt to seep into the neutral eggplant and dough as the tomato sauce isn t applied as liberally, rightfully so, on the pizza versus the traditional dish. Overall, Paese makes some good sauce not too acidic and fresh tasting. Interestingly, their bolognese di tacchino ($25) incorporates turkey instead of the traditional beef, pork, and/or pancetta mixture, which makes it taste lighter. So even though it arrives as a huge plate, the men at our table were able to get through the entire dish. This would have been even better if there was some chili sauce thrown into the mix.
Good menu selection. Pizzas are well made and delicious. Staff is courteous. Recommend but note cost is a bit pricey.
Excellent food and real stand up guys. Ive been going to this restaurant and their catering for years and dont plan to stop any time soon!
Great food and service. Lovely patio atmosphere
They told me I need a vaccination report to come and eat inside but outside I didn t have it he said to me it was Bylaw but he can t disclose if anybody else is vaccinated or not
Bad service. Had patio seating, my table was off on the side with no heater around. I asked to be moved to one of the available tables near a heater before my meal came. Long story short the hostess said yes then no, and said the table was reserved. The table was open for almost an hour with another table also available. Bottom line, you should always take care of the customers that are present before the ones who might come and then dont show. No need to ever go back to this place, outside of service the food was only ok. You can find better for the same price.
Great food and great service!!!! Went here for lunch and had a perfect time. Food was delicious and restaurant workers were very friendly and knowledgeable. 10/10 would recommend
I have taken down my initial review as I was blown away by the phone call I just received from the Owner. He called to apologize for the way I was treated on the phone while trying to make a reservation. It is a breathe of fresh air when the owner of a company, takes the time to reach out to a customer PERSONALLY to apologize for his or her staffs behavior. I will return to Paese for a meal in the near future. Other businesses can learn customer service from him!!
Paese is one of my favorite places , the food is consistent, the music is great and the cocktails are AMAZING! Not to mention, the service is spectacular, Derek is a fantastic server probably one of the best in Toronto. The vegan bolognese is the bomb dot com, I totally recommend!
Had an awesome meal here on a quiet weeknight. We sample a number of appetizers including octopus, burata, and fried mushrooms. All were excellent. For mains we ordered a gnocchi, seafood pasta, calf liver, mushroom pizza, and a fish entree. Everyone loved their food. Finished off with a few desserts. The waiter was super friendly and attentive. He even got a special drink made for the kids. This was our first time here, but it will certainly not be the last. We left quiet satisfied with the service and the great food.
Excellent meal and service.
Nice outdoor setup Great food!!!
Great great restaurant
First Impressions are lasting ones-Great Place-I had an interview with Chef Vlad and, it was great. Everyone seems nice and, the restaurant is very clean. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone. JP Preston
The Food is extremely yummy specially the fried oyster mushrooms, i highly recommend this restaurant for Italian food lovers, the prices are not cheep yet not too expensive.
Ive have now been there 3 times during the last 2 months and honestly it is consistent with food, service and safety. The chef must be commended for tasty and well presented dishes. Their outside patio is spacious & well heated. Highly recommend in all accounts!!
Out side heated patio was just right. The staff very attentive. Food was very good.
What a gem. Great food, simply awesome staff and service. Patio works well and is heated. FIrst time there last Saturday, will be back soon. Thanks for a great experience. Update: Hi Sal, will chat next time, thanks for the note. If I remember well, you personally brought us some fantastic bottles of wine. We were there with Gordon.
European Sea Bass. Perfectly done... moist and no fishy smell.
Fantastic experience! Their heated patio is really nice. Service was excellent too; friendly, fast, and accommodating; customized our order that was not technically on the menu. Margherita pizza was fantastic , and look at the size of those meatballs! White chocolate raspberry tart dessert was delicious too! Will definitely be back!
Great menu. Delicious and wonderful presentation of food. Covid ready - dining outdoors in closed tent with heatlamps. It works! Recommend reservations. Its popular and busy!
Great place to dine
Good place and food
Had a wonderful dinner a Paese on their covered Patio. The service was exceptional and the food was great. They were able to create a warm safe space to somewhat bring a sense of normalcy to these weird pandemic time.
Their pizzas and pasta dishes are some of my favourite in the city. Well done with their heated patios and safety protocols in place during covid