| rev:text
| - It probably could be rated 2 stars but those 2-seater booths in the showcase-style windows at the front are worth a star. "It's like we're in a fishbowl!" said the Missus.
So, we've walked by Il Fornello plenty of times along the Danforth, usually on a Tuesday as I remember there always being a "$10 Pizza Tuesdays" sign out on the sidewalk, as well as the countless people sharing pizzas on the patio. Tonight, we wanted a place closest to home that wasn't a pub and this place fit the bill.
Speaking of "the bill," while service, cleanliness, comfort & timing were all fine, I feel the pricing is the main issue here. The size of my $17 Lasagna was average, and while it was good, it had no "wow" factor. The missus had the Chicken Parmigiana which had the portion size (and taste? I can't remember, and I tasted it myself. That can't be good) and she was able to get 2 meals out of it.
We skipped the wine list and went for something from the tap, which included a selection of one (1) brand: Stella Artois. I respect that. As a restaurateur, how do you choose if you can only provide one brand of draught beer? Big, important decision. I think Stella was a fine choice.
Il Fornello was not a horrible experience, I just felt that I never got value for my dollar. We left feeling short changed.
In contrast, as I write this, it's the following day and I am in Montreal, having just returned from a local Italian restaurant . We ordered the exact same meals (although I had the parm this time, and the missus was not with me, I was having dinner with my Mom), and I walked out of there "wowed." Incredible value, portion sizes, service and complimentary dessert & coffee because "we were a couple of cool customers." My feelings towards Il Fornello took another hit, but it's hard to compare Montreal eating to anywhere else.
|