User Reviews for Terroni
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The arrogance at Terroni's is appalling. All requests were denied. The assumption being that the chef knows what I like better than I do. Well he's wrong. Can I have my sandwich pressed? No. Can I dip my sandwich in olive oil and vinegar? No. Can I have mustard for my veal sandwich? No. Can I have cheese for my pasta? No. Can I have salt and pepper? Reluctantly, the waitress agreed to provide that, and watched over my shoulder while I added it to my food. Apparently she was not allowed to leave the salt and pepper on the table. I guess the diner is not to be trusted. The food was bland, dull, and overpriced; but the overall arrogance of the waitress and chef made the meal even worse. I know what I like, too bad Terroni's won't allow me to have it my way. In a city with so many great restaurants, Terroni's attitude doesn't stand a chance.
Disappointed Diner's Rating: 1 Stars |
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What I love about terroni is how true they stay to the traditional style of Italian food. They serve the food as if you are a guest in someone's home in a small countryside in Italy. Imagine asking for more balsamic or parmesan when you are a guest at someone's home! But also needless to say, each dish is a family recipe and is specially formulated to apply to each pallette. The problem with substitutions and modifications is sometimes those substitutions will ruin the flavours that are meant for the dish, and when this occurs, the customer automatically claims that the restaurant is not good. A customer would NEVER blame their own decision to modify the food. Having said that, I wasn't always on Terroni's side. In fact, I was just as angry at first, but having thought it through i think if that is how they want to run their business then so be it! All their ingredients are of the highest grade available. From the Vita Eggs that they use all the way down to the meats that are butchered themselves or bought from local butchers. Their cheeses are of highest quality and they make the pasta fresh straight from their basement daily. The seafood they serve is always fresh, not frozen.
Don't you want that kind of quality in all the food you eat?
Yummyum's Rating: 4 Stars |
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What I love about terroni is how true they stay to the traditional style of Italian food. They serve the food as if you are a guest in someone's home in a small countryside in Italy. Imagine asking for more balsamic or parmesan when you are a guest at someone's home! But also needless to say, each dish is a family recipe and is specially formulated to apply to each pallette. The problem with substitutions and modifications is sometimes those substitutions will ruin the flavours that are meant for the dish, and when this occurs, the customer automatically claims that the restaurant is not good. A customer would NEVER blame their own decision to modify the food. Having said that, I wasn't always on Terroni's side. In fact, I was just as angry at first, but having thought it through i think if that is how they want to run their business then so be it! All their ingredients are of the highest grade available. From the Vita Eggs that they use all the way down to the meats that are butchered themselves or bought from local butchers. Their cheeses are of highest quality and they make the pasta fresh straight from their basement daily. The seafood they serve is always fresh, not frozen.
Don't you want that kind of quality in all the food you eat?
Yummyum's Rating: 4 Stars |
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The chef Nazi apparently does not allow balsamic vinegar, although several different bottles are for sale at the court house location. The claim is that the chef knows better how you should eat your food and if you don’t like it- then go somewhere else. I invite you to reduce your tip by the appropriate amount. Same thing for parmesan cheese- not allowed according to the Nazis of Terronis. So I asked to purchase the balsamic for sale there with the intention of putting it onto my bread. She said she would take it away from me if she saw me putting it on my bread. So she lost about 2/3 of her tip.
I think it would be fairer though if when you walked it they simply stated we don't offer parmesan cheeze for your pasta/pizza or balsamic vinegar with oil for your bread. They you would already know once you started ordering. What kind of management puts their staff on the front lines to break down standards of previously set for italian food? I prefer Mercados on Toronto Street, much nicer people and better food.
Joe's Rating: 1 Stars |
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The music played didn't suit the food or atmosphere and at one point they decided to turn it up way too loud. Maybe they did that to drown out the people - I like the casualness of the place but the volume of people's talking was uncomfortable. My biggest complaint would be very small portion sizes (especially one dish compared to another at the same price), dishes not being quite as described and slow and inattentive service. The pizzas looked great and the wine was fantastic.
Brandy S's Rating: 2 Stars |
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I just tried Terroni's for the first time, after hearing great things about the food. We asked 3 waiters for fresh grated parmesan cheese for our pizza (which was supposed to have parmesan on it already, however we could not see any), and each time, were told that we could not have cheese for our pizza, as the dishes are all served in a very particular way. We eventually complained to the manager, who agreed with us that they are losing customers over this "policy", however did not wish to resolve the situation. He mentioned that Terroni's stopped leaving the cheese graters on the table 2-3 months ago, because people were using it on their pizza! We explained to him that denying a customer parmesan cheese is like denying them salt and pepper, and he stated that "no fine dining establishment provides salt and pepper". His comment is certainly lacking validity, as I have yet to be refused salt and pepper in any kind of restaurant! And after today's experience, I can't understand why he thinks Terroni is a "fine dining restaurant". His only attempt at rectifying the situation was offering us a "seafood dish" instead. At this point, I am still unsure what that would have solved, as we went to Terroni specifically for pizza!
I should have left the pizza and walked out, however I ate it anyway, and paid for it, however for the first time ever, I left exact change with absolutely NO tip!
There are many other wonderful restaurants in Toronto that actually try to please their paying customers - Terroni is NOT one of them! Do yourself a favour and spend your time and money elsewhere!
Jamie's Rating: 1 Stars |
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HI EVERYBODY:
WE WENT YESTERDAY TO TERRONI ITALIAN RESTAURANT...AND YOU KNOW WHAT? THAT WAS A VERY BAD EXPERIENCE!!! I GOT VERY VERY MAD; WITH THE SERVICE, WITH THE FOOD....AND LAST THING AND WORST....THE PRICE!!!
THE GUYS ASKED FOR PASTA WITH SEAFOOD, THE PASTA WAS GOOD BUT THAT WAS A POOR PORTION, THEY DID'T GET SATISFACTED AND MY LASAGNA WAS HORRIBLE!!! THE OUTSIDE WAS WARM, BUT THE INSIDE VERY COLD(BUT THE COLD WAS LIKE THE LASAGNA HAD BEEN IN THE FRIDGE AND THE JUST WARMED UP IN THE MICROWAVE.....OR MAYBE IT WOULD BE FROZEN, AND THEY JUST DEFROST MY PIECE OF LASAGNA)I DON'T REALLY KNOW BUT ALSO MY PIECE WAS POOR AND I THOUGT "THIS IS NOT ENOUGH FOOD FOR ANYBODY"
I ASKED TO THE WAITREES TO RE-WARM MY FOOD... AND IT TOOK ABOUT 13 MIN. AND SHE BROUGHT THE SAME PIECE OF LASAGNA WARMED BUT THE EDGES WERE BURNED...CAN YOU IMAGINE THIS KIND OF SERVICE? IS IT A REAL RESTAURAT? AND BEFORE THIS I ASKED FOR WATER, AND YOU KNOW WHEN SHE BROUGHT IT? NEVEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRR.....
THE LAST: THE CHECK.....$70...WOOOW! I DON'T MIND TO SPEND MONEY IN GOOD FOOD... I LOVE TO EAT OUTSIDE....BUT I DID'T EAT GOOD FOOD AND I HAD TO GO TO OTHER RESTAURAT TO GET MY STOMACH SATISFACTED....
PLEASE PEOPLE WORKING IN THIS RESTAURANT....DO SOMETING....I DON'T KNOW WHY YOUR RESTAURANT WAS FULL YESTERDAY...I CAN'T UNDERSTAND!!
WE ARE TOURISTS AND WE GOT A VERY BAD EXPERIENCE IN TORONTO!!! IS THIS THE REASON WHY WE WERE TREATED BAD? BECAUSE WE ARE TOURISTS? BECAUSE WE AREN'T ITALIANS? I DON'T KNOW.....PLEASE IF THE MANAGER CAN EXPLAIN ME ALL THIS SITUATION, I'LL APRECIATE IT!!!!!
Noemi's Rating: 1 Stars |
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What started out to be a birthday celebration ended up being a sickened and horrifying experience at Terroni - Yonge & St. Clair.
The pasta was tasteless, dry, hard and served cold. We would not recommend this restaurant to anyone.
First of all we were crammed on a table that accommodate 4...and it was five of us. We didn't think anything of it since we were out to have a good time and we didn't really cared....we were all very flexible.
Secondly one of our friends ordered a drink. She looked nothing like a teenager but was requested to show an ID. We know its the law and abide by it. Still having lots of fun. We give the waiter a health card with picture, DOB etc etc everything that you will think is required to check proof of age. He denied that saying that 'they' take only drivers license. We were all taken back, but humbly obliged and give him the drivers license. We were still having fun at this time.
Thirdly, we ordered a round of Ice Tea and water for everyone. We were given a container (bottle/Jug) of water of about 1 liter of water. Within a short time we finished the water and asked for more. At that time the waiter told us that 'they' do not have any more water. We were just stunned. At time point we knew that something was going on. We told him that we were never denied water before. He then went over to another table where people had just left, he picked up their water (1/2 jug) and brought it to us saying that this is the best he can do. We were just horrified and appalled that we were treated this way. We refused the water and said that we would not drink anyone else's water. He then took the same bottle and went to the back and fill it from the tap and brought it back. When he brought it was still foaming (not sure if he did anything with it
We ordered our food plus appetizer. We waited half an hour before we got our food. The table next to us that came in after us, ordered and was eating and our food did not arrive. When our food came it was cold and dry. There was no sauce etc etc etc. One of the party in our group took a while before he was served his pizza. We were all eating while one of the party in our group sat and waited and waited and waited for his pizza. We asked for Tabasco sauce and was told that they do not have.
We were deliberately ill treated and we felt violated.
I admire the comment above for not waiting for the food and just paid for the drinks. If we did today we would have have been $200 bucks richer. Good work.
I will NEVER return to Terroni. NEVER.
Girl's Rating: 1 Stars |
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Very comfortable little place on Queen West (the Victoria one is shut indefinitely, but it was also cozy.) The service is youthfully random at times, but this Queen location is a nice stop for a snack, a coffee or a decent meal.
Sometimes the food is a little bland and under-presented (such as boccocini salad missing very much basil or other seasoning.) Seems to vary with what's going on in the kitchen that day. Some of the fare is quite tasty by itself (case in point, the pizza with gorgonzola, pears and walnuts) while other dishes are a bit lonely without some rugged italian table wine to support it - indeed this is a pairing which the cuisine intended.
If you can handle the emphatic 'we'll tell YOU how everything should be in Southern Italy' aspect, and just go with it, you will have a fun time at Terroni. Opinionated, yes, but Cosimo Mammoliti cares about good food and an authentic atmosphere, and has created a unique overall experience for the city. There's a whiff of real Italy here which seems like the most important thing. It must be the social dignity of ancient culture that is so appealing (and somewhat alien to Toronto as a whole.)
Points for perhaps THE most classy washrooms in a casual resto-bar, always important for the lady friend you will invite. Okay I like them too.
Jonas's Rating: 3 Stars |
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Very comfortable little place on Queen West (the Victoria one is shut indefinitely, but it was also cozy.) The service is youthfully random at times, but this Queen location is a nice stop for a snack, a coffee or a decent meal.
Sometimes the food is a little bland and under-presented (such as boccocini salad missing very much basil or other seasoning.) Seems to vary with what's going on in the kitchen that day. Some of the fare is quite tasty by itself (case in point, the pizza with gorgonzola, pears and walnuts) while other dishes are a bit lonely without some rugged italian table wine to support it - indeed this is a pairing which the cuisine intended.
If you can handle the emphatic 'we'll tell YOU how everything should be in Southern Italy' aspect, and just go with it, you will have a fun time at Terroni. Opinionated, yes, but Cosimo Mammoliti cares about good food and an authentic atmosphere, and has created a unique overall experience for the city. There's a whiff of real Italy here which seems like the most important thing. It must be the social dignity of ancient culture that is so appealing (and somewhat alien to Toronto as a whole.)
Points for perhaps THE most classy washrooms in a casual resto-bar, always important for the lady friend you will invite. Okay I like them too.
Jonas's Rating: 3 Stars |
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For high maintenance people like Richard Pollara who order their food like Sally in Harry Met Sally, "no substitutions" is way too complicated a concept to understand.
Terroni is awesome. The staff can be a bit aloof and cool, but I've never been disappointed with the food.
Pete Largo's Rating: 4 Stars |
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Perhaps the rudest restaraunt I have been to in a long time. Got there at about ten on a Monday night. The place was about half-full. They walked us past 6 or 7 open tables and squeezed us into a small two top that was so close to the neighboring tables that I could have leaned over and taken a sip from their drink. Ok. I guess I should have asked to be moved. My fault. We got our menus and I chose a Penne Putenseca. I asked that instead of Penne could I get linguini or any other thinner pasta. "No! Absolutely no substitutions", our waitress said. But this isn't a substitution. You are cooking linguini, you are also making putenesca. Just put the sauce over the linguini instead of the penne." No! No sustitutions. "Ok, I said. Let me look over the menu again." When she came back I ordered Pasta Pommodore. I like tomato sauce so I said, "Can you bring me a little extra sauce on the side." "I"ll check with the kitchen." When she came back she said. "No sauce." It was like a Seinfeld episode and she was the Pasta Nazi. "Come back one year later!" So I threw up my hands, asked for the bill and paid for two cokes which we didn't drink (9 dollars by the way with tax and tip) and left. Maybe I am spoiled, but I eat our almost every night and most of the places I go to are small businesses where people appreciate your patronage and are willing to accomodate reasonable requests. Not this place. Maybe the food is great but I will never find out. I do know that restaraunts live or die by repeat business. People who come over and over to a place want to feel that they matter. That is not the case at Terroni.
Richard Pollara's Rating: 1 Stars |
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Since being introduced to Terroni's on Queen by a friend, who as a result became a good friend, I have become a Terroni's addict. The food, all of it and I've been there about 10 times now is amazing. The service is good and friendly but sometimes a little slow, the atmosphere is wonderfully genuine. Some of the seats are great, others are dismal, ie booth in front window. If I don't Terroni on a regular basis my meagre stock of humnaity just disappears. Must say smade of the negative reviewers do seem to have some very particular needs and wishes. In fact I am surprised they don't just stay at home a bit more if they are that adverse to a unique food experience. No restaurant is for everyone so no need to get bent out of shape, just don't go back.
Patrick's Rating: 4 Stars |
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I liked my meal at Terroni's but thought it was quite loud inside. The thin crust pizza is good but to tell the truth it's even better at Caffe Doria!!! I really enjoyed the mushroom salad though, that was perfection.
Judy's Rating: 3 Stars |
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Terroni is what it is--a pretty darn authentic Italian trattoria that adheres to tradition and maintains the integrity of their food by being stubborn about modifications to the menu. Trust them. Don't add sauces where they do not belong. Don't create your own dishes (there's something for everyone on the extensive menu and daily specials). And for heaven's sake, don't bring in your own dessert--to any restaurant for that matter! That's paramount to bringing in your a Starbucks coffee and asking for milk and sugar. It's just silly, especially when the majority of their desserts are made on the premise. Service can be hurried but the competent, charming staff have a line-up most hours of the day to tend to. And the wine list--all Italian--is a treasure.
Franny's Rating: 4 Stars |
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As anyone who works on Queen street W knows it's frustrating to find a good food day after day. I agree that Terroni has great pizza but FORGET about taking it out! They REFUSE to cut it for you!They will however offer you a plastic fork and knife....FANTASTIC! Have you ever tried to cut a thin crust pizze with plastic?? As well, do not asked for sliced tomatoes on any pizza b/c you will get a whole tomatoe cut into quarters! Yah, those hunks completely stay on the pizza when you pick it with your hands b/c you can't cut it! Great taste if you look at from the mind set that it all ends up in the same place!
Joannna's Rating: 2 Stars |
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Six of us were there for dinner celebrating our friend's birthday; a few of us were new customers. We spent several hundred dollars on wine, appetizers and pizzas. Following our meal, which we did enjoy, we asked if they would be willing to provide us with few plates as we had a personalized cake for the birthday girl. They refused until we mentioned we would like permission to ask the owner to accomodate our special request. At this point they relented. We stated that we would be happy to order coffees and cappucinnos to accompany the cake. Clearly irritated, the server brought over plates and rudely slammed them down in front of each of us. She left without saying a word. No one ever returned with cutlery. Although our server passed by us several times, in the end, we had to pick the cake up and eat it with our hands. They never bothered to take our coffee order. We then sat for an additional 45 minutes without anyone attending to our table. We finally had to ask someone if they could provide us with the bill.
Terroni had an opportunity to make a very positive impression by accommodating our unusual request with grace. Instead, they were extremely rude. They then automatically tacked on a 15% gratuity to our bill. We were very disappointed with the overall experience. If you are looking for a place with good food and equally good service, we would definetely not recommend this particular Terroni location on Queen St W.
Allison's Rating: 2 Stars |
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Best Pizza in town! Great pasta and with the new extension...more room. There's a reason for the line-up. It's just plain great.
Maria's Rating: 4 Stars |
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Terroni has the best thin crust pizza in Toronto. The perfect crisp thinness to showcase the wonderful first rate toppings. I crave their pizza weekly. Their mains and specials are great too. The atmosphere at the Queen W location is the funnest. The clientle is that coveted demographic of the hip, successful and fashionable and everyone is enjoying the food! The patio in the summer is a romantic getaway even when it's packed, and it's always busy. The common dinner wait time of 20 min can put a damper on things (and no one wants that front table because it gets a blast of cold everytime the door opens), best to wait at the bar and have a drink, perusing the menu until you are seated. And then the real fun begins!
Marie's Rating: 4 Stars |
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