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Cafe Nervosa
Categories: Food Coffee & Tea Restaurants Italian Coffee & Tea, Italian [Edit]
75 Yorkville AveToronto, ON M5R 1B8
Neighbourhood: Yorkville
(416) 961-4642
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
Gregory F. said: "The coffee here is distinct and flavorful and delicious. And like most of the places I've had the pleasure of frequenting in Toronto, everyone is really nice that works here." read more »
36 reviews for Cafe Nervosa
Review Highlights
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"...nonna which had spicy tomato sauce, ricotta cheese, and..." In 4 reviews -
"Great thin crust pizza with zesty tomato sauce and the..." In 3 reviews -
"But the pizzas are tasty." In 5 reviews
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36 reviews in English
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Review from Karen S.
3/20/2012
Soo yummy! Just never ever come during lunch hour with a large group. The food service is S-L-O-W, but I gotta say, attentive. I gouged myself on the mushroom cream pasta when it finally came like the ravenous beast that I became after waiting and waiting and waiting... as food for smaller tables came and went around us.
Beautiful upstairs patio that I can't wait to try! This place is a lot bigger than it looks from the first floor. -
Review from V V.
Toronto, ON
3/14/2012
Nice restaurant. They unfortunately won't accept reservations but other than that everything is great. I was a little surpised that they wouldn't make an exception in order for me to propose, but it worked out better elsewhere anyways.
The atmosphere is nice with our favourite table being isolated on the small balcony facing Yorkville Avenue. A great summer location overall.
The bison carpaccio is excellent. We;ve had a number of entrees there all of which were good, but nothing amazing.
I would go here with expectation of having a consistently good meal and enjoying the neighbourhood in the summer, but I wouldn't go with the expectation of having an astounding culinary experience. -
Review from Mark S.
Vaughan, ON
4/26/2012
It smells delicious in this restaurant at dinner time. I suggest Nervosa for lunch though because it's less busy.
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Review from Cara L.
Toronto, ON
3/18/2012
Love this place! Best visited on a sunny day when you can enjoy the patio scene and sunshine eating delicious flatbread pizza and coffee. Everything is authentically Italian, including the atmosphere which makes you feel like you want to put on some shades and order wine for dessert. It really doesn't get better than this on a nice afternoon in Yorkville.
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Review from jocelyn l.
10/23/2011
We had a great experience here. The ambience is really cute- small, personal, contemporary bistro feel. The food was very good:
- Pumpkin Gnocchi with brown butter and sage: pillowy, delish goodness
- Bruschetta with mushrooms and truffle paste and parmesean shaved on top: Awesome
- Pizza with proscuitto and goat cheese and gorgonzola with oyster mushrooms: Wow. We couldn't get enough of it
- Caprese Salad: really not quite a salad...but the mozzarella was good
The service was quick, efficient and friendly...will definitely be back -
Review from Maddy K.
Toronto, ON
9/27/2011
This is one of my all time favourite places in Yorkville - as a student. It's got a brilliant street patio that overlooks Pink Tartan and Anthropologie - what more can a girl ask for? drooling over great fashion while enjoy a good meal and not to forget people watching - quite amusing.
I've dined there several times for dinner. Its Italian food - the pastas and pizzas are good and super great for a budget in Yorkville. The margheritta pizza has just the right touch of melted mozarella and tomato sauce and the vegeterian pasta hits the right spot.
The atmosphere is good - the interior is small and comfortable.
The service is okay - i've personally never had a bad experience here.
So if you want a nice casual evening in yorkville, Cafe Nervosa is a good bet! -
Review from Lauren M.
8/17/2011
3 star food, but 4 stars because the patios (they have 2!) are brilliant. Great for watching all the "beautiful people". They have a small rooftop patio which is especially cool in the summer. Even the interior is a nice and cozy in the winter time, although the tables are cramped rather closely together.
Service is spotty but has always been reasonably quick when I go at lunch.
The pizzas are A-OK and they have a few salads that are really yum - the chicken & goats cheese one is a great choice.
Reasonable pricing too, considering the Yorkville location.
Decent wine list with good price range, bottles starting from $30. -
Review from chris s.
Toronto, ON
2/11/2012
Cafe Nervosa is frozen in time - circa 1997. The decor, style of food, waitress uniforms, and best of all music is stuck in the late 1990s. Food is quite good, but not amazing. Servings are a good size. One of the better restaurants in a generally boring and highly overrated neighbourhood.
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Review from Melinda M.
Toronto, ON
10/22/2011
Reliable place for a nice Italian lunch in Yorkville. One of my favorite dishes on the menu is the very good Nicoise salad, although they give it an Italian name - insalate di tonna or something like that. Anyway, it's very good. The pizzas are also quite good - thin crust, with good cheese and sauce.
It's a busy place but the staff takes care of everyone in a timely fashion.
Recommend: The gorgeous patios in the summer. Get there early on a nice sunny day.
The inside is not as nice as they pack the tables really tightly together. Yesterday at lunch one of the waiters kept bumping my chair which wasn't so comfortable. If you don't like being crowded, go somewhere else. Ditto if you don't want noise. -
Review from Josefa M.
Toronto, ON
7/11/2011
My friends just took me here on a recent weekday evening to celebrate my birthday. I have been here many-a-time and agree with others that it is a good go-to place. But you need to get there early if you want a spot on either patio! This place is full of Yorkville-philes and I admit that while we waited for a table upstairs, we had plenty of people watching to keep ourselves amused. So much botox, peeled faces, diamonds and mini-dogs in shoulder bags walking past!
If you can get a table on the upstairs patio, that's the best spot. Especially the table in the far corner against the wall. There are plenty of burlap wrapped outdoor pillows to recline on.
The food is good. I had a pizza with rosemary and thin sliced potatoes that was really bland, by my friends enjoyed their pasta dishes. I had a few glasses of chianti which made the meal that much more enjoyable. Our waiter was not very friendly, and I actually recognize him from all the years I have been eating here. He was just as unfriendly as I remember him being. He offered parmesean and pepper to my friends and just walked away when I said, "I'll have some."
Overall I do like it here, but it's fairly standard, slightly overpriced Italian food. Yes I will go here again. Maybe for a different pizza. -
Review from Monica F.
4/22/2011
What the hell is the appeal of this place? Service here is so bad. Maybe they're all miserable from having to wear those ridiculously dorky suspenders as part of their uniform? It's also the most crammed place I've ever eaten in. I really don't like touching elbow's with someone sitting next to me that I don't know. Or smelling their B.O. So nasty.
We had initially gone only for drinks and ordered 2 martinis to start (a manhatten and lychee). We weren't that hungry and as I was expecting bread to come and bread is quite filling, we ordered a pizza to share.
Our server's attitude totally changed toward us once we handed back our menu's, having only ordered 1 entree. What an asshole. We didn't get any bread and had to flag him down to order a second set of drinks. We weren't asked how our pizza was, which was probably a good thing cause I would have been obligated to tell them the truth and say "quite bad actually, very soggy and not nearly enough cheese." If you're paying $20 for a personal sized pizza, at least put enough cheese on it.
Our bill still came up to almost $70, so I don't know, maybe you have to spend a minimum of $100 to be worthy of bread?
**Note: Noise level here is RIDICULOUS. My ears were actually ringing when I left.Listed in: My S#!% List
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Review from Raghida S.
Toronto, ON
5/23/2011
I have eaten here multiple times. Food and menu options are very good. It's good quality authentic Italian food (not Italian American). The atmosphere is very nice. The service however is very poor.
We had an Octopus salad, Capellini with tomato sauce & Margherita pizza. For drinks we had a limonata and an aranciata. -
Review from John H.
Toronto, ON
3/4/2012
Great pizza and pasta. Sure wish they offered corkage as their wine list is preey drab
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Review from Tanvi G.
Toronto, ON
2/18/2012
I can see where Cafe Nervosa gets its name! It's always crowded and one is overwhelmed by their insignificance in the fabric of existence until they're actually given a seat, and then your like royalty because they're always checking to see how you're doing (or they're trying to get you to eat fast so they can make your seat available for the next people- but i'm a glass half full kinda person!).
The food is absolutely fantastic! I had a vegetarian pizza and it's literally the best gourmet pizza i've ever had the pleasure to experience! And I love my meat, so that's really saying something!
I'm not a fan of white wine but a glass of Chardonnay did give the basil and vinegar flavours a clean, balanced finish (I have no idea how the culinary world looks at it but I'm referring to the unfinished business feeling you get after you eat a meal that leaves something to be desired).
I went with my friends, but it's also a cozy scene for a date or a small birthday, or meeting the parents, or even your parents for that matter.
It has a balcony setting as well and the candle lit glow is just all warm and relaxed. If you're lucky you'll see a little old couple sitting in the corner and being all old-timey romantic and your heart will melt as your hopes and dreams trickle from your very soul!
It's perfect for a summer/fall evening out on the town! -
Review from Tony D.
Toronto, ON
9/26/2010
The other reviews that criticize this place's service are quite accurate -- it's terrible! I've been here a few times, and I'll admit the food is tasty and reasonably priced. As an Italian, it's quite satisfying.
But the service is another story. After you're seated, you can expect to end up sitting down for at least 10 minutes before your waiter will actually approach you. Drinks come pretty quickly, and so does the food once you've ordered, but it's not thanks to your waiter. It seems that the bus boys running around carry out the brunt of the work. The waiters are often useless. If you ask for a glass of water, you'll be lucky to get it in 15 minutes.
Thank god for the bus boys! I hope they get a nice chunk of the tip. -
Review from Dean L.
Toronto, ON
7/12/2009 1 photo
Holy Sh*t....this place sucks b@lls.
Ok..to be fair, the food was pretty good. I was in the mood for simple food and had the arugala salad and a pasta dish. I have no complaints in the food dept.
The service however was horrendous.
I have never had a waiter come up to us with our plates more than half full, and say "are you still working on that?"..that just baffled me.
Also, why is it so hard to fill my water glass? That's a no brainer. And a must if you work in the service industry.
You can see where this is going...yes the bill took forever to come.
Wait it gets better....
The bill came to $40.67. I gave our waiter (Muda) $60.00.
Ok, now you do the math.
Ask yourself, what is the best logical way to provide $19.33 as change?
1) A 10 dollar bill, a 5 dollar bill, 2 toonies, + change.
2) Three 5 dollar bills, 2 toonies + change.
3) A 10 dollar bill, 4 toonies, a loonie + change.
Either of those combination's seemed logical to me. But I almost couldn't believe my eyes, when I received $19.25, in toonies and loonies.
I just laughed..I thought that was unbelievable. First of all, Who does that? And second, if your gonna nickel and dime me...please don't short change me too.
(see the pic).
I'm sure our waiter knew he was doing something unacceptable. Instead of thanking us and handing us the billfold, he sent his bus boy to drop the billfold off to us.
Our waiter claimed that the restaurant was out of fives and tens, and could only provide change in toonies and loonies. And then he said, not to tip him.
The whole experience left me puzzled. I would go back for the food, but not if I'm served by the same guy. What a weirdo.
true story. (see pic)Listed in: My Blacklist
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Review from Jay G.
Toronto, ON
2/8/2010
It's really hard to like this place even though they have great pizza.... and I LOVE my pizza.
This is the kind of spot that relies heavily on location, location, location. Upon first glance Cafe Nervosa seems like a charming and romantic date spot with reasonable prices in the haute trenches of Yorkville. Walking up to this yellow building there was a line forming outside the door on a very cold night. Good sign. I walked in asked how long the wait would be, 5mins. Another good sign. The clientele was ordering copious amounts of food, there was a private party happening upstairs, and they let me browse the menu without giving me a weird look. More good signs.
After a 20minute wait (acceptable) and getting seated close to the door when there was a banquette available the charm was starting to wear off. The interior is incredibly small, with a high ceiling, white walls, pot lights, wood and wire chairs and table cloth covered tables. The chairs are ridiculously uncomfortable but I still looked forward to the meal as I hear good things of this place. The space is incredibly loud as the shape of the room amplifies everyone's conversations.
Service was absolutely dismal. The server never greeted us and barely paid any attention. I repeated my order twice and when I said I needed time with the wine list I was scoffed at and he abruptly turned around and walked away without saying a single word or offering water for the time being. After 15 minutes of trying to wave down the server I placed my order. Throughout the service, or lack there of, I was neglected and felt as if I needed to beg in order to get a passing glance. The bus boy cleaning up was easily more attentive than my server as he ended up fetching me more bread and grabbing me some more water and wine since my server felt no need to pay attention.
The food is good. Great thin crust pizza with zesty tomato sauce and the right amount of toppings and cheese. The pastas have great balance and flavor. The food is very tasty and I like it a lot. Simple Italian cooking executed with just enough flare to elevate all the flavors.
Overall, I was greatly disappointed by Cafe Nervosa. The food is good quality and the flavors pop. The service and atmosphere killed it as the more neglected I was by my server the more I began to see the other faults of the restaurant. In the tail end of my meal I ended up flagging down a server that wasn't mine and he was incredibly hospitable and nice. Maybe I had a one off experience but it has left a sour taste in my mouth. I may come back for a pie during lunch when it's not too busy but I will think twice before ever going for dinner again. -
Review from Katrina L.
Richmond Hill, ON
11/16/2009
WOW, I'm really sorry that I didn't listen to what yelpers were saying about this place. I decided to try it regardless since it has been on my to try list for a long time.
Coming in, it is a very tiny little establishment. Seating downstairs is for a max of 30 people. All of the tables are 2 person seaters but are pushed together when a larger group comes in*.
The noise level is up there. It's very loud and a little bit distracting. If you wanted to come here for a nice evening with a loved one, well you may have to talk a bit louder because the walls are reflecting every other conversation going on in the room.
The bathrooms were *gasp* upstairs and were old looking with wooden panelling but at least they were clean and lit brightly. There was also another room upstairs for dining, I'm not sure if you come up here to separately wait or if they usher you up if there is seating available.
I'm not too sure if this place is family style serving, though most small places are but our initial server that took drink orders and our food orders happened to disappear after we placed our order. And yes it was busy but there were only 4 other tables that really needed attending to and there was a second server. Most of the time I found our server over by the computer screen punching things in or just furrowing his brows. He never once came over to check how our food was, and he didn't even ask someone else to ask how everything was. Ah, the disappearing act, so I assume that he's going to show up lovely when the bill comes.
Food was decent. Nothing spectacular but not special. It was good. I had the bucatini bolgnese which was very good, the meat was made of veal and beef. The noodles (bucatini - thick tube like noodles) were dense but worked well with the sauce but if I ever get this again, I think I'll ask to substitute the noodles for linguini. I had the banada tiramisu for dessert, which was...lack luster. The bananas were hard, I initially thought that there were nuts in the tiramisu but it just turned out to be raw bananas, not impressed. I was impressed with the presentation of the dessert, in a individual short square vase with a gooseberry and mint garnish.
When it came time to finish things up, our waiter still had not arrived. The busboy was the one clear our dishes and get my tea and dessert menus (which we had to ask for) and then we had to call over someone to take our order. After I finished dessert, it was time for the bill, so of course the disappearing act would end, correct? Negative! I still had not seen our original server come by. We asked the busboy (again) for our bill and paid. I honestly think we overpaid since we left a $10 tip for a $69 bill but we just wanted to get the heck out of there.
Everything took long. We could've been out of that restaurant 20 minutes earlier if we had not been waiting to get a dessert menu, waiting to order dessert, waiting to ask for our bill. So when did our original server show up? AFTER we had gotten the bill and it had been collected (again by the busboy), "Oh do you need the bill?" No thanks, we already overpaid for your shit service.
The food was decent, but the service was shit. Not likely to return as the food wasn't great enough for me to endure that crappy service again, it's too bad because it could've become a go-to spot for a quick meal, but again service was bad and a little bit too pricey for the quality.
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*Note: do not come with a large group as it is very difficult for them to accomodate you -
Review from Victoria M.
Toronto, ON
1/31/2009
It's my favourite restaurant in Yorkville.
From the salad's to the oven baked pizza's all the food is amazing.
The service is just as good too! -
Review from Alison B.
7/16/2010
I visit Cafe Nervosa on the regular.
I always take my mom here when she comes for a visit and have gone here with friends as well. Basically, my decision making process is as follows - I don't want to wander too far from home and Yorkville is ridiculously priced overall. Cafe Nervosa is not cheap, but it is reasonable.
My mom and I got delicious hand marinated olives, the arugula salad , a pizza with artichokes and olives, and two beer. It was more than enough food for two people and came to about $40. The food was good (I normally hate ordering salad at a resto, but it was worth it) and the price was right considering the yuppie location.Listed in: Bloor/Yorkville Eats and…
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Review from Sara T.
Toronto, ON
8/19/2009
Cafe Nervosa is the fast food version of dining in Yorkville. Don't get me wrong here I mean that literally. It is FAST. They usher you in, and get you out faster than a celebrity at Ultra, but that is what I expect when I eat here. The tables on the patio are extremely close together it may as well be a communal dinner table, but I kinda dig that! (make a note here folks.. the business that you are spilling to your friend just got a lot more public so ammend where needed!)
I've had both pasta here and the pizza. Both are decent!
Perfect for a post mani/pedi lunch or a pre-movie dinner.
If you are looking for something unpretentious in Yorkville, wih the price point to match.. go. Would I go if I wasn't in the area? Probably not, but there are just too many restaurants to try now aren't there?? -
Review from Tamar F.
12/29/2009
When I was at UofT I'd often pass Cafe Nervosa while strolling through Yorkville and be amused by their outdoor seating. But not once did I stop in. Now that I've come back for a visit, I decided to hit up the place for the first time.
There are two floors - we sat on the first level. The place was slightly cramped but not uncomfortable. The waitress was very friendly and attentive even though she was one of few serving the entire floor.
And the food - yum! I got the insalate caprese with burrata which was delicious and perfectly seasoned. Then I had the rigatoni alla nonna which had spicy tomato sauce, ricotta cheese, and eggplant. J got the prosciutto and then a pasta dish with sausage and enjoyed both. They have a decent wine list and their mojito hit the spot on a night when I really needed a drink.
The bathrooms are cute except one stall was broken (I'll leave it at that). It also looked like they had a second patio upstairs. The indoor decor is interesting/cute/cooky with plenty of reliefs against the wall and photographs lining the stairways. -
Review from Adeline C.
Richmond Hill, ON
7/4/2011
Service is not so good, but the atmosphere makes up for it. Their wine selection is 3/5 and the food is pretty good for the price ( about 4/5) -- I would not dare to say the best that Toronto has. Saying all this, this is still one of my favourite places to go in Yorkville because the atmostphere is great!
Their pizza is delightful. -
Review from Helen Y.
Vancouver, BC
2/9/2011
this is one of my Go to place in yorkville..
food is good and service is good..
i always seem to order some kind of salad and bruschetta with mushrooms or sometimes pizza, but all and all food is consistent and atmosphere is cozy..
my tip is to sit upstaris if possible.. much quieter and cozier..:) -
Review from Marc L.
6/30/2010
I love old school Italian dining. There are few places left in Toronto that have a great menu, but that also caters too that true Italian cuisine.
The ambiance is great and the food excellent. The wait staff are friendly and the owner and hosts always greet you with a smile and warm wishes.
Right in the heart of Yorkville, so there is plenty to look forward to, before and afterwards. -
Review from Paul R.
Toronto, ON
9/15/2009
This place seems to be hit or miss depending on who is working and how busy they are. Some restaurants keep their standards up no matter how busy or crazy it gets, but you can see that this is one of those places that never plans on getting busy so the flustered looks and shortened attention spans come out when they do.
Food is always good. I prefer upstairs where it is quieter. I've never gotten a bill that I was shocked at. -
Review from Anna V.
Toronto, ON
10/7/2008
It's kinda the best spot in Yorkville. Hilary Duff loves it there, don't ask how I know this, but she's always spotted there when she's in town. They have no smoking on either their street side or upstairs patio, which blows hard in the summer. And again, it's a great people watching spot and better inthe summer than the winter.
The best part about this place is the pizza. They have every kind of gourmet pizza imaginable. And you can make your own too.
if you're a pizza fan, this is your spot. -
Review from Sam S.
Toronto, ON
5/6/2011
I don't know what happened when others went here, but it was amazing when i was there.
I was with three other girls, we sat on the rooftop patio - which is beautiful - for drinks and dinner. The Sangria was delicious and actually worth the price since you get a very large pitcher. We had the mushroom bruschetta, carpaccio and prosciutto pizza. Everything was better than the last. After dinner we ordered coffee and lemon cheesecake for dessert. The cheesecake was served in a tart and was very light and delicious! and the coffee?? BEST COFFEE EVER!
As for the service, it was perfect. Our waiter (and the staff serving other tables) was attentive, friendly and knowledgeable.
This is definitely going to be my new go-to after work spot! -
Review from R C.
5/19/2011
Surprisingly good italian food. The bolognese was great, and from what I saw and heard from my neighbors, the shortrib was also good. Wine selection is decent and the fact that they have outdoor seating makes it even better. Food came out fast, but not so fast you think they are rushing you out. So why only 3 stars? The service wasn't great. It wasn't horrible, just not great. Once you have your food you're pretty much on your own until you flag someone down.
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Review from Wes M.
Toronto, ON
7/31/2011
Horrible service.
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Review from Raymond M.
1/24/2010 1 photo
Was there for a private party in October in the upstairs space...Great pizza and cappucino, service was good as well.
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Review from Andrea B.
Montréal, QC
5/27/2009
Nervosa's dependable if you're not sure where to go in Yorkville, and not expecting too much. The pizza is delicious (thin-crust, whole-wheat option), and the salads are great. The main dishes are ok, pretty hit or miss. Some pasta is good (linguini w/ mushrooms) while other dishes not so much. The service is sometimes slow, but it's just one of those places. They have a great patio upstairs and outside which is one of its saving graces.
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Review from Dominic G.
Toronto, ON
10/7/2009
It's not opulent. But the pizzas are tasty. And you can't argue with the primo people watching. And it's affordable n everythin'.
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Review from Lily R.
Toronto, ON
6/17/2011
Cafe Nervosa is one of my faves. It is a great place to drop by for lunch if you're out shopping or work nearby and has delicious food. My grandmother is in love with it as well but I come here with friends mostly. I love their tuna salad and beef salad. Their caesar is fine but very much an appetizer and not a favourite. Their pizzas are what to really write home about because they have amazing thin crusts and perfect toppings. Even a simple margherita pizza is delicious because of the freshness of the basil they use. Their Tiramisu is AMAZING. One of the best I've had anywhere. Only downside is that if you are chatting post meal then they don't give you your bill quickly and you end up sitting there forever waiting around for them.
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Review from Danielle S.
Toronto, ON
8/2/2009
We came here because the smoking smell was so bad at the restaurant patio that we wanted to eat at...so that was the upside to this restaurant, no smoking, and their upstairs patio was cozy. But overall, wow this has got to be the most disappointing restaurant in Yorkville. The service was bad and while the food was okay, not for the price for sure. We ordered the caprese salad and ravioli and for both, I could make far far better at home.
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Review from Andy B.
8/2/2009
Good ambiance. Food so-so. Sat inside at a quaint table. Nice atmosphere, open windows to the street and all. Food overall was very adequate. Spinach and gorgonzola salad, with no dressing. Trio of meat, was just that, nothing to add to the flavors. Smallest double cappuccino I have ever had. The banana Tiramisu was good. If I go back, I'll try the pizza that that is supposed to be so good. Our server was good, but very busy. Hilary Duff was not sited.
