The rigatoni was amazing, but that was the only thing that was good. My friend and I shared 3 small plates, muscles, shrimp and octopus. All three of the apps were mediocre; and lastly the service was quite dull, not bad but dull and cold.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
Hazel de Mello
We attended the Valentine’s Day prix fixe dinner ($115 per person) and unfortunately left very disappointed.
To be fair, we wouldn’t normally go out on Valentine’s Day because you often end up paying a premium for mediocre everything — but that shouldn’t be an excuse for poor service or subpar food. If a restaurant chooses to offer a premium holiday menu at a premium price, the experience should reflect that.
From the start, our server greeted us with an ambivalent attitude, which set the tone for the evening. The menu indicated that the prix fixe included a glass of prosecco (alcoholic or non-alcoholic), yet we were never asked which we preferred. It was simply brought out without clarification, which felt inattentive and odd given that the option was explicitly mentioned.
Service was painfully slow. We waited a long time between courses — the delays just made the meal feel tedious. By the middle of dinner, I wasn’t even excited for the next course; I just expected dishes that didn’t actually taste like much.
The bar experience didn’t inspire confidence either. My husband ordered an Old Fashioned (around $20), and it arrived bright orange and tasted odd— almost as though Aperol had been used instead of bitters. Something was clearly wrong. I asked for a cocktail menu, but no one followed up to see if I wanted to order anything. Given the drink we received, I was skeptical about the quality and decided not to bother.
The dining room felt cramped and loud. Tables were packed so closely together that the couple next to us asked to be moved to a more spacious area.
As for the food, the presentation was consistently better than the taste. Everything looked refined but offered little flavour or uniqueness.
- The raw scallop (not oyster as noted and corrected by the resto!) appetizer tasted fishy and was just okay. - The artichoke was buried under an abundance of fine breadcrumbs, making it powdery and dry and lacking flavour. - The first-course pastas were a huge letdown. The truffle rigatoni was dull, and the pasta was not al dente, but underdone, giving it a sticky, taffy-like texture - The $30 upcharge for the lobster pasta was particularly disappointing — very little seafood, an overwhelming amount of pasta (with peas?), and a flavour profile reminiscent of a chain restaurant - The steak was tender and lightly seasoned but entirely unremarkable - The branzino was very thin and seemed to consist mostly of fried skin — not great, and certainly not memorable
The mains were, frankly, a welcome end to the meal — both average and not something we would ever return for. The lemon dessert was good, and the chocolate cups were just okay.
When my partner commented on the slow service and the lack of follow-up to check how our meal was going, the server responded by saying it was “the busiest day of the year.” There was no apology or accountability — just a dismissive “sorry you feel that way.” That response was particularly disappointing. Being busy may explain delays, but it doesn’t excuse inattentiveness or indifference.
Overall, the experience was super unimpressive. For $115 per person (plus drinks and upcharges), we expected something special. We would gladly spend that for a good meal in the city, but this was not good. Instead, it felt expensive, slow, and largely forgettable.
Ah well — lesson learned. We won’t be returning.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Theresa
Lovely Italian dishes served in a beautiful setting. Would be great for a girls night or an intimate dinner.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Julian
Went for Valentines Day on their set menu, all the food was fantastic. The restaurant was extremely busy and our waitress was still able to check in on us. Would love to go back and try the full menu.
Joerg
We made reservations for a Valentine's Day Prix Fixe Menu. Having dined with ARDO before and enjoyed the food and service, we were looking forward to our special date night dinner but unfortunately, this most recent experience was extremely disappointing. While we understand that the restaurant was busy, the level of service and food quality did not meet the standards we have come to expect, especially given the price point. Several issues made the evening specifically frustrating: • Food Quality: Our pasta course arrived cold. More concerningly, it appeared to be the same plates that the table next to us had sent back to the kitchen just minutes earlier due to some allergy issue. • Pacing and Service: The timing of the meal was poor. Our dessert arrived before we even had a chance to request tea or coffee. Furthermore, we were unable to order any after-dinner drinks because our server never returned to check on us after the dessert was dropped off. Overall, the meal felt lackluster and the service was not up to the caliber of a restaurant at this level. As returning customers who previously valued the quality of food and service at ARDO, we were very saddened by this experience.
Katie
So great, our waitress was so knowledgeable with recommendations and suggestions, very kind and respectful and added to the overall experience. Food was amazing, good portions for sharing. Will be coming back again.
Jessica Shaw
Food was excellent, service was friendly, and the interior was nicely decorated with warm lighting
We got the scallops, beef tartare and beet salad for apps and all were so well balanced and light. I had the vongole pasta for my main and it was really tasty, but I thought the shape of the noodle was awkward to eat, and a couple of my clams had a touch of sand. That’s really nit picking though
I was there for hours catching up with a friend, but the staff was really cool about it (it was also a wed night)
Overall, great spot!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Marjo
Was here for lunch. Everything was done just right. My beef tenderloin was perfectly medium rare and even the fries had just a little extra something to them. Chef coming to our table to check how we liked our meal wrapped up the experience very nicely. Highly recommend and will definitely come back.
Karen
Excellent experience. Perfect menu. Food was incredible. Chef Roberto and his staff made it an unforgettable night. Highly recommend the biweekly special dinners
Jennifer Arthurton
We have dined at Bar Ardo as a couple and for a special event with a large group. The experience both times was top notch. The food is amazing and the service, even better. Shout out to Jamie who was our server both times. He knows how to make guests feel important.and well taken care of. This place has quickly become our new favourite spot.
Pleasant environment. Not particularly attentive staff here. Long waiting time between ordering and arrival of food. Our salad was very good. My steak was ice cold. Barely 2 1/2 ounces. There might’ve been two pieces of broccoli if. It’s almost like they’re trying to cut costs. The guest beside me had the same meal it was also cold. My wife sent back her linguine because it was cold. She didn’t like it in the end. It was too salty flavours were overpowering. She did not finish the meal. I ate my steak in four bites. That should tell you everything right there if you are a steak lover. The guy beside me had a $30 hamburger which he thought was good. Restaurants in Toronto are on course to serve $50 hamburgers soon and tablespoon size steaks for 85 bucks. And people will buy it and think it’s good. This meal was over $160 with a gratuity and drinks for two. I’d rather take that money and go somewhere else next time.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Nora Axbey
Love this place Friendly service Food was exceptional Oysters on week days are half price....I think Check out their website
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Gottfried
Had an amazing birthday dinner. The food was excellent, the ambience was lovely, and the staff was very attentive. Had a wonderful experience.
Ian Freeman
Bar ARDO has delicious food and excellent service. Far beyond the price point. Highly recommend.
WmJ B
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 – The BEST burger I’ve ever had, hands down!
My recent visit to Bar Ardo was unforgettable, thanks to the incredible Bar Ardo Burger crafted by Chef Roberto Marotta. It is without doubt the BEST burger I’ve ever had—in terms of taste, quality, quantity, and pure satisfaction, nothing else even comes close. Every bite was a perfect balance of juicy, flavorful, and beautifully prepared ingredients. This burger doesn’t just meet expectations; it completely redefines them.
And let’s not forget the exceptional hospitality provided by Jacqueline Nicosia’s staff. Welcoming, attentive, and genuinely warm, they elevated the entire experience and made the meal feel special from the moment I sat down.
Honestly, this burger is so extraordinary that the name doesn’t quite capture its greatness. They should call it the “Quintessenza Burger” or the “Burger Ultimo”—something worthy of a menu item this remarkable.
If you’re anywhere near Bar Ardo, treat yourself. Chef Marotta’s creation is a must-try masterpiece.
December 2, 2025 My 2nd BAR ARDO BURGER lunch, and I’m starting to think this thing is dangerously addictive. I told myself I’d try something different… and yet here we are again. Juicy, perfectly cooked, and ridiculously well-balanced, it doesn’t scream for attention—it just quietly hooks you and refuses to let go. Everything works, nothing overwhelms, and before you know it, you’re planning your next visit. If I show up a third time soon, please understand: this burger made me do it. Sincerely, William Bradley
The rigatoni was amazing, but that was the only thing that was good. My friend and I shared 3 small plates, muscles, shrimp and octopus. All three of the apps were mediocre; and lastly the service was quite dull, not bad but dull and cold.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
We attended the Valentine’s Day prix fixe dinner ($115 per person) and unfortunately left very disappointed.
To be fair, we wouldn’t normally go out on Valentine’s Day because you often end up paying a premium for mediocre everything — but that shouldn’t be an excuse for poor service or subpar food. If a restaurant chooses to offer a premium holiday menu at a premium price, the experience should reflect that.
From the start, our server greeted us with an ambivalent attitude, which set the tone for the evening. The menu indicated that the prix fixe included a glass of prosecco (alcoholic or non-alcoholic), yet we were never asked which we preferred. It was simply brought out without clarification, which felt inattentive and odd given that the option was explicitly mentioned.
Service was painfully slow. We waited a long time between courses — the delays just made the meal feel tedious. By the middle of dinner, I wasn’t even excited for the next course; I just expected dishes that didn’t actually taste like much.
The bar experience didn’t inspire confidence either. My husband ordered an Old Fashioned (around $20), and it arrived bright orange and tasted odd— almost as though Aperol had been used instead of bitters. Something was clearly wrong. I asked for a cocktail menu, but no one followed up to see if I wanted to order anything. Given the drink we received, I was skeptical about the quality and decided not to bother.
The dining room felt cramped and loud. Tables were packed so closely together that the couple next to us asked to be moved to a more spacious area.
As for the food, the presentation was consistently better than the taste. Everything looked refined but offered little flavour or uniqueness.
- The raw scallop (not oyster as noted and corrected by the resto!) appetizer tasted fishy and was just okay.
- The artichoke was buried under an abundance of fine breadcrumbs, making it powdery and dry and lacking flavour.
- The first-course pastas were a huge letdown. The truffle rigatoni was dull, and the pasta was not al dente, but underdone, giving it a sticky, taffy-like texture
- The $30 upcharge for the lobster pasta was particularly disappointing — very little seafood, an overwhelming amount of pasta (with peas?), and a flavour profile reminiscent of a chain restaurant
- The steak was tender and lightly seasoned but entirely unremarkable
- The branzino was very thin and seemed to consist mostly of fried skin — not great, and certainly not memorable
The mains were, frankly, a welcome end to the meal — both average and not something we would ever return for. The lemon dessert was good, and the chocolate cups were just okay.
When my partner commented on the slow service and the lack of follow-up to check how our meal was going, the server responded by saying it was “the busiest day of the year.” There was no apology or accountability — just a dismissive “sorry you feel that way.” That response was particularly disappointing. Being busy may explain delays, but it doesn’t excuse inattentiveness or indifference.
Overall, the experience was super unimpressive. For $115 per person (plus drinks and upcharges), we expected something special. We would gladly spend that for a good meal in the city, but this was not good. Instead, it felt expensive, slow, and largely forgettable.
Ah well — lesson learned. We won’t be returning.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Lovely Italian dishes served in a beautiful setting. Would be great for a girls night or an intimate dinner.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Went for Valentines Day on their set menu, all the food was fantastic. The restaurant was extremely busy and our waitress was still able to check in on us. Would love to go back and try the full menu.
We made reservations for a Valentine's Day Prix Fixe Menu. Having dined with ARDO before and enjoyed the food and service, we were looking forward to our special date night dinner but unfortunately, this most recent experience was extremely disappointing. While we understand that the restaurant was busy, the level of service and food quality did not meet the standards we have come to expect, especially given the price point. Several issues made the evening specifically frustrating: • Food Quality: Our pasta course arrived cold. More concerningly, it appeared to be the same plates that the table next to us had sent back to the kitchen just minutes earlier due to some allergy issue. • Pacing and Service: The timing of the meal was poor. Our dessert arrived before we even had a chance to request tea or coffee. Furthermore, we were unable to order any after-dinner drinks because our server never returned to check on us after the dessert was dropped off. Overall, the meal felt lackluster and the service was not up to the caliber of a restaurant at this level. As returning customers who previously valued the quality of food and service at ARDO, we were very saddened by this experience.
So great, our waitress was so knowledgeable with recommendations and suggestions, very kind and respectful and added to the overall experience. Food was amazing, good portions for sharing. Will be coming back again.
Food was excellent, service was friendly, and the interior was nicely decorated with warm lighting
We got the scallops, beef tartare and beet salad for apps and all were so well balanced and light. I had the vongole pasta for my main and it was really tasty, but I thought the shape of the noodle was awkward to eat, and a couple of my clams had a touch of sand. That’s really nit picking though
I was there for hours catching up with a friend, but the staff was really cool about it (it was also a wed night)
Overall, great spot!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Was here for lunch. Everything was done just right. My beef tenderloin was perfectly medium rare and even the fries had just a little extra something to them. Chef coming to our table to check how we liked our meal wrapped up the experience very nicely. Highly recommend and will definitely come back.
Excellent experience. Perfect menu. Food was incredible. Chef Roberto and his staff made it an unforgettable night. Highly recommend the biweekly special dinners
We have dined at Bar Ardo as a couple and for a special event with a large group. The experience both times was top notch. The food is amazing and the service, even better. Shout out to Jamie who was our server both times. He knows how to make guests feel important.and well taken care of. This place has quickly become our new favourite spot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Pleasant environment. Not particularly attentive staff here. Long waiting time between ordering and arrival of food. Our salad was very good. My steak was ice cold. Barely 2 1/2 ounces. There might’ve been two pieces of broccoli if. It’s almost like they’re trying to cut costs. The guest beside me had the same meal it was also cold. My wife sent back her linguine because it was cold. She didn’t like it in the end. It was too salty flavours were overpowering. She did not finish the meal. I ate my steak in four bites. That should tell you everything right there if you are a steak lover. The guy beside me had a $30 hamburger which he thought was good. Restaurants in Toronto are on course to serve $50 hamburgers soon and tablespoon size steaks for 85 bucks. And people will buy it and think it’s good. This meal was over $160 with a gratuity and drinks for two. I’d rather take that money and go somewhere else next time.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Love this place
Friendly service
Food was exceptional
Oysters on week days are half price....I think
Check out their website
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Had an amazing birthday dinner. The food was excellent, the ambience was lovely, and the staff was very attentive. Had a wonderful experience.
Bar ARDO has delicious food and excellent service. Far beyond the price point. Highly recommend.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 – The BEST burger I’ve ever had, hands down!
My recent visit to Bar Ardo was unforgettable, thanks to the incredible Bar Ardo Burger crafted by Chef Roberto Marotta. It is without doubt the BEST burger I’ve ever had—in terms of taste, quality, quantity, and pure satisfaction, nothing else even comes close. Every bite was a perfect balance of juicy, flavorful, and beautifully prepared ingredients. This burger doesn’t just meet expectations; it completely redefines them.
And let’s not forget the exceptional hospitality provided by Jacqueline Nicosia’s staff. Welcoming, attentive, and genuinely warm, they elevated the entire experience and made the meal feel special from the moment I sat down.
Honestly, this burger is so extraordinary that the name doesn’t quite capture its greatness. They should call it the “Quintessenza Burger” or the “Burger Ultimo”—something worthy of a menu item this remarkable.
If you’re anywhere near Bar Ardo, treat yourself. Chef Marotta’s creation is a must-try masterpiece.
December 2, 2025
My 2nd BAR ARDO BURGER lunch, and I’m starting to think this thing is dangerously addictive. I told myself I’d try something different… and yet here we are again.
Juicy, perfectly cooked, and ridiculously well-balanced, it doesn’t scream for attention—it just quietly hooks you and refuses to let go. Everything works, nothing overwhelms, and before you know it, you’re planning your next visit.
If I show up a third time soon, please understand: this burger made me do it.
Sincerely,
William Bradley
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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