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Queen's Pasta Cafe
Category: Restaurants Italian Italian [Edit]
2263 Bloor St WToronto, ON M6S 1N8
Neighbourhoods: Bloor-West Village, Swansea
(416) 766-0993
- Hours:
Mon-Wed, Sun 11:30 am - 10 pm
Thu-Sat 11:30 am - 11 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual, Intimate
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
25 reviews for Queen's Pasta Cafe
Review Highlights
"i had the butternut squash ravioli."
(in 5 reviews)
"...been quite so calorically magical as that first time was."
(in 3 reviews)
"...they usually include a seafood pasta and a lamb pasta."
(in 2 reviews)
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25 reviews in English
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Review from Katlyn J.
Toronto, ON
8/4/2011
H'okay, so where does one begin after their first Yelping extravaganza?
Disclaimer: Had I arrived on the scene with a significant other or a friend perhaps, i'm sure the experience could have been slightly more suitable. However, solo lunches are sometimes necessary while on a dead line. Moving on.
Queen's Pasta Cafe, (or QP Cafe, if you're a fan of acronyms like myself), is a lovely little... well, it's a lovely lil' cafe. Situated in the heart of the Bloor West Village strip between Jane and Runnymede station, QP is not too shabby a place at'all.
Anywho, upon arrival, I strolled through the dining room to reach the patio. The space had a sensous elegance about it, and could accomodate up to 40 guests. I counted.
The patio itself was pretty cute, not gonna lie. It was a quiet lunch, so as soon as I was seated, my dear waiter arrived at my side.
To start, I ordered a Caprese salad ($9.95). The boccocini cheese was moist, and topped with a dash of pesto. It was so good I ate the whole thing, using fresh slices of baquette to soak up the remaining olive oil and home made balsamic dressing. Sweet, rich, absolutely delicious. I could have drank the dressing with a straw. Om. Nom. Nom.
As a main, I chose spaghetti in a fresh tomatoe sauce ($7.95). Yes, my starter was more expensive then my main. Weird? Yeah, I know. What chu' gon' do about it?
The noodles were fresh, and al dente. Near perfect. I wondered if they were made that way by a tiny Italian Nonna who had been flown over straight from Italy. The tomatoe sauce had a bit of spice to it, but was light and creamy all at the same time. Minus the cream, evidently. As I flavour the sauce, I picture good ol' Nonna stomping on fresh tomatoes in a wooden tub, a bit of seasoning here, a bit of simmering there. And, voila! Whatever the case, it tasted pretty authentic.
To wash this all down, waiter-boy helps me decide on a glass of Masi Volpolicella, from Italy ($9). It's light and compliments the flavours of my meal quite nicely.
Other Deets:
QP has a lunch and dinner menu. Plus factor: there wasn't an over-whelming array of options to choose from. They also had a great selection of wines, cocktails, martini's and beer.
If I were to return, I would return for dinner, rather then lunch. I would also bring a date, or a close-friend to keep me company.
Boo ya. Yelp virginity, taken. -
Review from Sheri B.
Etobicoke, ON
2/11/2012
DISAPPOINTING!
This place had come highly recommended by so many people that I was really looking forward to the meal. Any place that prides themselves on making their own pasta must be great, right?! WRONG! I ordered the the Penne with hot Italian sausage, peppers and onions. The pasta was overcooked (way too soft) and literally tasteless. In all fairness, my bf enjoyed his meal (can't remember what he ordered) which is why I'm giving it two stars instead of one. However he did agree that mine was just awful.
On the plus side, the atmosphere was cozy and charming and the service was really good. Unfortunately, it just can't make up for such a horrible meal. -
Review from Andrew m.
Etobicoke, ON
12/12/2011
I'm not a foodie, but I can cook, My wife and I have gone to a lot of restaurants and have worked in many, The service and food should not vary depending upon day or time. The service was poor. Seated, order taken, food arives.......................long time later, we finally were able to pay the bill. It wasn't busy. Had the waiter ever shown up again, he'd know there was a problem. Probably didn't care. Lunch menu costs the same as dinner so $14 for an overcooked, luke warm incipid pasta is insulting.No italian cooks or italian trained cooks have been anywhere near this restaurant. My wife's was worse. Same sauce but pesto thrown in and stirred. Ad too much pesto at that. And that was their special.
Crappy food and service. I hope that customers walk with their feet. Don't usually review but this was really baddddddddddd. -
Review from Matthew H.
Toronto, ON
8/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
The first time I ate at Queen's Pasta Cafe was after a lengthy apartment move, so pretty much anything was going to taste like 5 stars at that point. I've been back several times since, but it's never been quite so calorically magical as that first time was. One thing that never fails is the quality of the freshly made pasta. What often does fail is the execution. If you're a fan of North American style pasta preparations (i.e. extra-large portions with heavy sauces), then this is probably the best you'll have, but if you're hoping for more authentic, light and fresh flavors, you won't get that here.
I recommend the Penne Carbonara, which, counterintuitively enough, is probably the lightest, subtlest dish on the regular menu. The specials are usually good too, but they can be pricey (they usually include a seafood pasta and a lamb pasta).
The interior on the main floor as well as the nice summer patio make this a great place for a cheapish dinner date in the west-end. -
Review from Nate G.
Toronto, ON
5/20/2011
I haven't been to Queen's Pasta in years, at LEAST 7 I would say.
It was always great food, busy place, but I was concerned when I checked out the reviews on Yelp when I decided to swing by there while I was in the b-dub with the wife.
Thought maybe it had gone downhill in quality over the years.
Answer? Nooope.
Food was fantastic. Service was super friendly and FAST. I can't believe how fast the food came and yet it was still that great.
To be fair we went at like 6:00pm on a Thursday night so a lot of people were just starting to file into the patio. We stayed inside because of construction down the street made for a noisy/dusty patio.
In the end though everything was top notch and exactly what I remembered from the place. Highly recommended. -
Review from Michael Y.
Toronto, ON
10/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
The food seemed like it was reheated and everything was just above par. I had the Rigatoni special. The taste was all there but the noodles were mushy and the sauce seems overcooked and old. Wished it was fresher.
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Review from Jason A.
Etobicoke, ON
4/7/2011
Very nice place, great service, good food.
Good spot for a date, or a casual dinner with the family.
I highly recommend the Butternut squash agnolotti, it's a plain but tasty dish at the same time. I'm also a fan of the veal parmesan.
My only complaint is that they don't have pizza on the menu, when i go into an Italian restaurant, i always like to have that option. -
Review from Vivian W.
1/26/2011
I thought this place is decent too, and it is a place that I will go back as well. 3 stars for good food but 4 stars for returning! I don't live in the area, so I've only been there twice in like 4 years. I remember I had the angel hair pasta the fist time and it was well done. The texture of the pasta was just right, not too soft, not too hard like uncooked. Second time I probably had the ravioli, it was delicious, but I felt the portion was a bit small.
This place definitely worth a three star! -
Review from Kat F.
Reading one mediocre review after another made me terrified to return here after a year's absence, but I was pleased to see things are just as I remember them. The daily specials remain as uninspired as always (seafood, chicken and lamb entree) but luckily there are enough tried-and-true options on the menu to satisfy most cravings. There's Prosecco on offer for $30/bottle as well as other wines, and sitting outside is a nice option on busy weekends when there's lots of people-watching to be done on Bloor Street West.
Tonight I had the grilled salmon entree (in cream sauce with angel hair pasta, cauliflower, broccoli, carrots and wilted spinach) for $15 and it was fabulous. My least favourite server of all time (who I can only imagine was at the helm of all the recent 1-2 star reviews) is still there, but I've picked up tactics in order to avoid him entirely. There's a cute, perilously young server that's recently started working here and he's a real charmer. If you previously hated the service this guy might turn you around.Listed in: Toronto's Best Italian…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/20/2009
I've been going to Queen's Pasta for nearly 10 years now and the only times I've had terrible… Read more »
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Review from elffie t.
Toronto, ON
1/23/2011
I'm actually surprised that this place has gotten so many bad/just okay reviews because everytime i go in this place, its packed! I went a couple of weeks ago, and in a nutshell, i would say that the food is of good quality, but it is a bit too expensive.
I went with a loud table of 7, and all of us enjoyed our food. The specials that they have are very expensive, upwards of 30$ which i think is a bit crazy. most of the entrees are about 15-20$. i had the butternut squash ravioli. it came tossed with roasted red and green peppers and some other vegetables. when we asked the server, she told us more about how the pasta was made, as it had orange stripes on it. it was a very pretty dish! it wasn't amazing tasting but it was tasty.
the atmosphere is nice, it has a classy-laid back feel, with candles on the tables, but white paper table clothes, and crayons are provided so that you can draw as you wait. i thought the service was good, especially upon dealing with a larger crowd.
i would go back to queen's pasta, but probably order something a bit more exciting, and not until i am prepared to spend quite a bit of money on a meal. -
Review from James K.
Toronto, ON
4/2/2011
Excellent.
The food is great, as is the wine list.
The wait staff is prompt, professional, and friendly.
A little busy at times, but aren't all good restaurants? -
Review from Renata R.
4/10/2010
I went there today because my husband wanted to eat pasta anyway. I asked for a Caesar salad with shrimps - you must pay an extra of 5.95 for shrimps on your salad, but I was ok with it.
From the start: I've lived in So Paulo (HUGE Italian community) and I come myself from an Italian family. When I go to an italian restaurant, I expect good italian bread and excellent olive oil as an appetizer. Queen's offered me cold bread and only butter. This was a bad signal.
When the food arrived, my 5.95 dollar shrimps turned out to be THREE SHRIMPS. The waiter told me "I'm sorry I have nothing to do with the prices, we pay an expensive rent, etc". Bad excuse. 5.95 + taxes for THREE SHRIMPS? You must be kidding.
The salad was a default Caesar Salad, nothing spectacular.
My husband asked for a black-and-white pasta. His pasta was good, but I also think it was not worth the price - almost 20 dollars. It should be an AWESOME pasta, but it was more like something we could do ourselves.
We decided not to tip after our experience at this restaurant. Specially after the 3 shrimp thing. That's offensive. You can find shrimp dishes on Bloor for 10-12 dollars, FULL OF SHRIMP.
I'm not coming back and would not recommend this restaurant to anyone. -
Review from Ktimene G.
8/21/2009
Atmosphere:
- The host welcomed me in from the tornado conditions outside and let me drip off on the wood floor, which was kinda nice.
- We were seated upstairs, with a cozy feel and a nice view down Bloor West Village.
Service:
- It took forever to get anyone's attention, but finally flagged a guy down.
- I recognized the "unfit for service" server-- the one who looks like an evil leprechaun, right? I embarked on a social experiment to kill him with kindness, and it worked!
- Sadly, our original server didn't know the specials (and read them only when prompted) and didn't tell me about the gluten free chocolate torte (which I saw on the chalkboard as we exited). I really wish he would have told me because I had already stated I was celiac, so that was not cool!!!!
Food:
- When every other Italian restaurant has "10,000 Leagues under the Sea" sized grilled calamari, how does Queen's Pasta end up serving the runts of squid?
- But my g-free butternut squash soup was delicious-- both sweet and savory, and piping hot. Just the thing to warm the soul that entered from the storm.
Overall, I think it had the best atmosphere of the BWV restaurants I passed on foot, and our table of 4 left satisfied with bellies full of pasta. -
Review from Susan M.
Toronto, ON
10/7/2009
With the kids on board we went to Queen's Pasta for dinner last night 10/03/2009. Walked in and we were seated right away and for a Saturday Night the place was not as busy as what we thought it would have been.
Upon being seated we were given water by 1 waiter & for a second there I thought that would be our waiter for the night but alas a 2nd waiter came on board to get our drink orders & we felt confident that this was definitely our waiter. Surprise a 3rd waiter came to take our food order ok do we really need that much attention to get 3 different waiters within a 25 minute time frame.
Enough of the waiters, we ordered 3 different pasta's & we were very satisfied including our 2 year old daughter (she never really eats a lot but she ate the Penne Carbonara).
My husband enjoyed the Linguine with chicken & he said it was the best that he ever had, and I just loved the Butternut Squash Agnoloti WOW!
We are definitely going back to the Queen's pasta! Next time we hope we are just served by 1 or 2 waiters maximum. 3 waiters is absolutely unnecessary. -
Review from Alexandria M.
Toronto, ON
3/30/2011
My boyfriend and I went here for Valentines day. The server had a bad attitude, we felt rushed, and we were not impressed with our meals. We could have saved the $60 and made a delicious meal at home. I've gone here before and had the canneloni (sp?) but it's the only thing that I find super tasty. Food isn't worth the price in my opinion.
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Review from Vanessa G.
Toronto, ON
9/11/2011
I've eaten dinner at Queen's Pasta a number of times as there is not slot of choice in the area. Unfortunately, I've never been impressed with the food, which I consider to be fairly unimaginative, mediocre Italian. The service is always good, but I just can't recommend the food.
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Review from Matthew L.
Toronto, ON
11/22/2010
Nice little place that delivers great pasta. Most experiences have been good with one exception, some way over cooked sea food. I can look past it.
The regular menu items are far cheaper than the specials, and are often the better choice. -
Review from Kim B.
ON
12/23/2008 1 photo
I know some people in my neighbourhood have a big boner for QP, but honestly? I'm not buying their high back chairs and white table clothes and over sized wine glasses.
Ultimately, the food is really bad.
First time I went my chicken was undercooked, which is to say, the middle was NOT cooked. The second time my pasta was over-cooked. The third? (yes I went again) it was REALLY over-cooked!
I ask you this, how can a place with PASTA in its name OVER COOK its pasta?
If you're thinking about going, I suggest picking up the pasta yourself at Queen's Pasta Take-out on Beresford (right nearby) and cook it yourself. -
Review from Luke A.
Toronto, ON
8/27/2008 1 photo
Don't quite understand the "Queen" connection, but the "pasta" part is a no-brainer: these guys serve nice pasta. The bistro feel of Queen's Pasta hasn't changed much over the years, but why mess with a good thing?
Anyway, if you'd like to enjoy some of their tender fresh pasta at home, be advised that Queen's Pasta has a small shop just off the other side of Bloor where you can buy freshly made, uncooked pasta by weight to take out and make at home. Definitely beats the dried stuff. -
Review from A J.
8/23/2010
I'm shocked by the negative reviews. This place has been awesome since we started coming here around 10 years ago. The only negative is going here on a cold winter day. When people enter and the wind blows in, it is miserable. Otherwise, especially for me as a vegetarian, this place offers wonderful pasta dishes at a reasonable price.
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Review from Chantal B.
Toronto, ON
10/7/2010
The bad reviews for this restaurant are completely undeserved. We've been several times, and have had a great experience every time, even with our toddler. Despite what you might read elsewhere, this place is child friendly. The staff went out of their way to accommodate us and our son (keep in mind we have a head on our shoulders and take our child out to restaurants during non-rush hours). The food is always delicious and reasonably priced - I'm actually not a pasta fan and this is one of the only places I actually order pasta. This is our go-to restaurant in Bloor West for dinner. Some restaurants in Bloor West deserve their bad reviews (like Sharkey's) - this place does not.
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Review from John F.
North York, ON
10/7/2009
Not impressed. Overcrowded, a bit arrogant in appearance for what it is. My partner was in a bad mood after he ordered gnocchi with gorgonzola expecting a creamy cheesey sauce with some tomoatoes and 'shrooms as they stated. Instead, he got tomato mushroom sauce with hardly a discernible trace of gorgonzola. My pasta was passible but its sauce seemed to be a variant of his - sort of like dunking into a common kettle and making a few changes.
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Review from Lan T.
Toronto, ON
6/4/2009
I thoroughly enjoy eating at this restaurant. It's my favorite restaurant in Bloor West Village. The service is usually luke warm but I always enjoy the food. My husband's favorite is the black and white pasta, and we always enjoy the soup.
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Review from Keidi K.
3/30/2010
Been here twice. First time got some kind of a pasta and thought it was ok, actually I could make something better at home. Second and last time I had a veal sandwich, which was cold and didn't look quite right, had only half and got sick... needless to say I won't we going back.
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Review from John G.
Toronto, ON
8/21/2009
Good food, reasonable price, good service, nice wine list in the heart of Bloor West Village right near Village playhouse theater. Seating is a little cozy (read tight). I'd go back no problem!
