Come taste a delicious dish at Queen's Pasta Cafe. Discover a menu featuring a variety of pizzas and pasta, priced at 11$ to 25$. Their atmosphere has been described as casual. Come unwind on their terrace under the sun. They are open at night all week. You can get there not only by public transit but also by car.more...See more text
This was my first, and last, visit to Queen's Pasta. I have worked as a chef for many years, and came to the restaurant to meet new friends. We had a large table upstairs.
Initially, the server was attentive, bringing drinks almost immediately. However, that practice didn't continue.
She brought a small basket of bread for 8 people, which was never refilled. We resorted to filling empty water glasses by using the ones at the end of the table which were initially for people who were slated to join us, but didn't arrive. She never asked if we'd like another drink or offer more bread.
When the food arrived, to say it was mediocre is a compliment. It was served lukewarm. The dishes were uninspired (boring presentation... remember chefs - your customers eat with their eyes first!) and flavourless. There were only salt shakers on the table as one presumes the server is supposed to return with the tall peppermills that were sitting on the bar. This never happened, and one member of our party finally got up and got the pepper for the rest of us to attempt to add some flavour to the bland pasta. We were never asked if we would like wine with our meal. Pathetic.
A member of our party - when finally able to get the lone server's attention - sent her food back. Inedible.
Finally, to add insult to injury, we had to ask that the lights be turned up so that we could see to read the bill. When it arrived, all meals were on one bill. When we mentioned that we SPECIFICALLY requested separate checks, the response was "we don't do this for large party's". Wow. That's really putting the customer first. Then again, if there were more than one single person attempting to attend to a large room, the service might have been better.
It would seem that this restaurant is resting on the laurels of dining experiences from a LONG time ago. The menu is rather pedestrian and lacking in imagination. The server was unprofessional and harried. The ambiance.... what ambiance. Perhaps downstairs patrons experience a different type of service, as it seems the diners with children and larger groups are relegated to the attic.
A major disapointment.
The soup and pasta was pretty good. Both desserts very disappointing.
Service was excellent, but our server only had 3 or 4 tables max.
Would probably go back if in the area, but wouldn't go out of my way to go here.
I have been to this restaurant twice and the food...
I have been to this restaurant twice and the food was excellent the both times I've been there. The staff were exceptional and extremely friendly.
Whoda thunk something this weird would happen, though? I couldn't finish my main course so I had it packed up to go. The dish had lobster tail and scallops and shrimps. I made a point of leaving a scallop and a chunk of lobster tail to be packed up. To my amazement the next day, I opened up the box and all the seafood is gone!
I called to let the manager know of what has happened and he offered a free meal the next time I go.
Will I take up the offer? I'll have to think about that one.
After reading all of the scathing complaints here, I was a bit hesitant to try this restaurant particularly on a holiday. However, we arrived to very pleasant greeting and were seated immediately at a window table beside the entrance. The service was very good and attentive and they responded immediately to our special requests (my 90-year old Mother was with us). The food was quite good and we all enjoyed our drinks, appetizers and main courses.
HOWEVER! I was disappointed that they have apparently rescinded their "NO KIDS" policy. I chose this restaurant because I absolutely hate having the enjoyment of my meal utterly obliterated by inconsiderate parents who expect everyone around them to endure their offspring's whining, squirming and screaming. If you can afford to dine out here, you can afford a babysitter. Contrary to your belief, not everyone is as enthralled by your little darlings as you are. LEAVE YOUR KIDS AT HOME!
Finally, one other small complaint. This restaurant needs somewhere to place patrons waiting for a table. While we were seated in the window area, we were subjected to constant jostling from new comers and their derrieres hanging over our food while they waited for tables. The restaurant could do with one or two less tables to reduce that "sardines in a can" feel of the establishment when it's busy.
My wife and I returned after a 4-year absence, as we frequented Queen's Pasta throughout mid-90's up to 2004. The first item on the pasta menu we both truly enjoyed is as fantastic as we remember it from the past. It's refreshing to return to the sensation on our taste buds ! The service was impeccable, and the ambience was very inviting. It looks like we will become weekly regulars once again.
Food: The ceasar salad was ok, nothing too special though, especially for an Italian restaurant. The pasta itself tasted very fresh and was cooked perfectly. The sauce was described as garlic parmesan cream, however I didn't taste any garlic. They were very generous with the bacon, and it was the main flavour of the dish. Order the half portion because it's quite filling.
Prices: Sharing an appetizer and splitting an entree will really help with their prices. I stayed clear of the Specials because they averaged 25$.
Wait Staff: Very pleasent and very helpful.
As has been said before, the service can be appallingly rude. We had a reservation for 7:30 and were asked to wait outside on the pavement until our table was ready.....after 8pm! hostess was arrogant and condescending, manager "too busy" for us. No apologies, no concern. We won't risk being embarrassed by suggesting this place to guests again, and won't be back. Food was average, wine list mediocre.
Great place...I've never had a bad meal here! And to all of those people who expect no kids, maybe try and dine in another area next time! BWV is full of kids and deserve to go to restaurants too!
The worst meal I have ever had. One of our dishes had olives and they were CANNED!!! Canned olives?! I am also pretty sure my raviloi was partially frozen. No taste, awful texture, canned ingredients. I advise everyone to steer clear of the Queen's Pasta Cafe....I should have known before ordering when they gave us our water in PLASTIC CUPS!!!
My companion and I were enjoying a quiet Wednesday night dinner. We had coffees at the end of the meal. Before we were finished, the manager came over to the table and said that he would have to ask us to leave because he was loosing business turning people away - he had accepted a party booking on the second floor so people were waiting for a table on the first floor. No apology. No discount. No special consideration offered to us in future.
I will not go back to Queen's Pasta Cafe for such thoughtless and shameful service.
Also - by the way - they now have customers bringing very young children (toddlers who colour at the table) to this restaurant.
The Penne Carbonarra was creamy good. The only downfall of this place is they do not serve draft beer. A good draft beer would signficicantly improve this place. However, I tried a couple of dishes of pasta that were excellent. All the food at our party was well done!
This place saw quite a few people come through the door even on a long weekend! They were forced to seat people upstairs because the main floor of this petite restaurant was full.
The service was excellent with your water glass never emptying and table being refilled with french bread every so often.
my ratings are all average because that is what...
my ratings are all average because that is what this restaurant is "Average". It hosts a relaxing yet busy ambience and the servers can be friendly or not, depends on the day. I have experienced delicious pasta here and have also had bland, boring, boring pasta as well, they must have 2 chefs very opposite pallets? If you like a nice friendly place to take a date or an intimate dinner group this is your place, it is a happy place and thank you for not allowign children. Not everyone is a parent and we need someplace to go without children, even if you do have children, you need a break from them too! Check it out, the atmosphere is worth it. My experience has been to always order the blackboard specials, they are always dependable.
I notice a lot of people reviewing this restaurant giving it a bad rating because their children were not welcome. Well, reading that made me want to visit this restaurant, LEAVE YOUR KIDS AT HOME! I am very happy to give my money to a place that caters to adults and doesn't have those massive strollers in the aisles, creating mayhem for the servers and for the patrons who are dining there.
The food was fine and I enjoyed the ambiance but I especially enjoyed the fact that it was all adults and there were only some teenagers on a date (cute to see, actually). Not one child crying, not one mother cooing her darling little baby to sleep, not one piece of food flung onto the floor, it was heaven.
We were truly disappointed. The food was the worst pasta we ever had. The salad had dressing that tasted like mayonnaise with garlic added to it and was not even tossed (there was just lettuce with a dollop of dressing on the side)! The pasta had absolutely no flavour and was so bland that no amount of pepper of cheese could save it! Definetly not a place we are going to recommend.
Great food that never disappoints. Dishes are excellently done without being too complicated or busy...or overpriced. The place is both affordable and sophisticated enough to treat yourselves to an adults-only date. On that note, we're glad we left the kids at home: this is not an appropriate place to bring the lively tots, and we wouldn't have it any other way.
This is the best pasta restaurant in Toronto. I...
This is the best pasta restaurant in Toronto. I am a native Torontonian and am in sales. I fortunately get to eat out alot part of my job and have to say that every dish that I have had here has been a hit!
Go - you will remember how good it was!!!!
