Mondello Ristorante

Mondello Ristorante is certainly firing on all cylinders these days. Following a somewhat challenging start after their reorganization a couple of years ago, Mondello has matured nicely into a dependable and consistently satisfying restaurant.

Turnarounds are most often predictably unsuccessful as anyone knows who has kept track of the “Restaurant Makeover” accomplishments on Canada’s Food Network TV channel. Yet with their clear focus on customer satisfaction these folks clearly deserve all the compliments they are earning as a result of their determined ever-better attitude. Something no restaurant designer or consulting chef can ever deliver.

Everything we tasted today had a sumptuousness that indicated great care and pride was taken in its execution. There were also plenty of little things that made the experience special. Such as the delightfully fresh bread and its refreshingly smooth oil and balsamic accompaniment. The distinctive black table linens and thankfully soft music playing in the background to add to one’s comfort level while the fireplace provides a touch of winter coziness.

After sampling the food friendly Flying Squirrel ale, we all settled on it as our beverage du jour. This meal began with the omnipresent fried calamari, only here it is just barely coated and flash fried to maintain tenderness and flavor while avoiding the usual chewy texture and oily aftertaste. Our perfectly just-seared sea scallops served on a bed of grilled shaved fennel and topped with a garlic and pine nut butter sauce was culinary perfection. Delicious.

Our mains of Lasagna, Eggplant Parmigiana, and spectacular cream-bathed Cornish Game Hen Ravioli provided some Wow! moments. The lasagna and ravioli both won “best-evers” from my seasoned dining partners and I agreed. Chef's tomato sauce is bliss on a plate. We shared a distinctive Grilled Fresh Pear and Arugula salad with our mains and it provided a refreshingly sweet contrast to the savoury items.

And then there is the helpful and attentive service by the charming Heather. Poised, knowledgeable, and observant, she doesn’t miss an opportunity to try to please. How rare in someone young.

Another notable feature, Mondello has its own adjacent off-street parking lot. I have no hesitation to strongly recommend Mondello as a first class destination restaurant.

After seeing rave reviews about this restaurant we decided to give it a try.
We were not disappointed,the meal was outstanding from start to finish and everyone in our party raved about the attentive service provided by the entire staff.
It's nice to have a quality italian restaurant close by and we all plan to return often.
Keep up the good work.

What can I say... it is very hard to find a spot like this as in my many years of dining I have only found 1. The food and wine are perfectly paired, prepared and very tasty! I recently took some clients there and they have not stopped talking about the food. Antipasto and Linguine Pescatore... ya baby!!

Jessica nad Nico are the warmest most inviting hosts and they, along with their staff make Mondellos a great experience! And it is all about the experience!! From Wine Tasting events to a kick butt band, this place rocks!!

Keep up the good work and never stop being YOU! Gotta go to Mondellos...

Ringrazia dio! Great food, great service, Great atmosphere. The server knew her wines, the Chef made my steak just how I asked, he even came to my table to make sure I liked it! That's a touch of class. 3 nights before I went or to the "staple across the street". Your steak was better man!! They even brought my girlfriend a birthday drink, so much better (and age appropriate) then sparkler poked ice cream. However, if you like ice cream, ask for heather she will tell you all about there's!! Bomba Bomba Bomba Perfetto!!

My wife and I went for a rare night out without the kids. We had driven by Mondello's a few times so we thought we'd go in. I am very glad that we did. I loved everything; the food, the staff and the wine. So did my wife but I think the chandelier and the decor had her eye most of the night. We came in around 630pm and there was only maybe 6 tables full. They gave us the booth at the back. It was (in my wife's words) 'very romantic, so cozy'. We've learned this is table 10 (the secret's out!) By 730 the place was packed. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable. She even created the new buzz word in our house "Bomba" You just have to order it to understand! She let us know that the Chef and Manager are a married couple and it will be the restaurants 1 year anniversary in May. Great job to both of you. We are so please to have a place like yours close to home. We made a point to go back since and the experience was the same. Our server even remembered us by name, that's a nice touch; greeting us with hugs and the Italian 2 sided kiss. What a great addition to our little town here. You will see more of us and now that we know you have a kids menu we can come more often. Cheers

My girlfriends and I went for our dinner. Years ago this location was a Chinese eatery and friends of ours had said it went under new management. They had tried it during the taste of Streetsville and have become regulars ever since. We ourselves will become regulars, our experience was excellent. From the moment we walked in we were greeted with genuine smiles and friendly hellos. We didn't have a reservation (we will from now on) but they squeeze us in at their last open table. The vibe was hopping, everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Our server was excellent. Heather. She knew her wines, her food and how to keep our company. She even turned our pallets onto a new wine, Duck Duck Goose Shiraz. This was a big deal because we are avid Chianti consumers but her description and confidence lead us to taking a chance. Everywhere we go now we ask for Duck Duck goose but no one has it!! Heather recommended the Gnocchi and the Beef tenderloin. The description; again confident; made my mouth water. We went with her suggestions and the Eggplant Parmesan. We started with the Mondello Platter. While we were waiting she brought out fresh bread and dressing, she let us sample the wine before pouring, kept conversation and our water glasses full. Another server sang in Italian in the background with a group of gentleman while a band started to set up for live entertainment! It is evident they go out of their way here to try and please their customer. It was perfect so far. Then the food came out. With my life style I eat out 3 times a day and I am telling you hands down - Mondellos - the best calamari and meatballs I have ever had! Thick fresh seafood, hand cut lightly dusted (yes people notice!) and homemade meatballs stuffed with cheese!!! Excellent! We were so full by that point we had to tell Heather to wait on our main course for about 10mins. There was "no problem, everything is made fresh to order". She said she would let the chef know when we were ready. Half the places in this city your appetizer plate is still on the table when your dinner is coming out but not here! The Chef waited for us, imagine!! As we started our second bottle of wine the band started. Another great choice! I haven’t scene folks our age (let’s say late 30"s lol) get up and start dancing in the middle of a restaurant in Mississauga and feel that comfortable to do so in....forever! You bet we kicked up our heels for a tune by "JP's Band" (sorry if that’s not the correct band name) Apparently they come on the last Friday of every month and yes we have already made our reservations! Then dinner came out. The portions were large and hot! Fresh food is so good and yes for all those owners out there, the general public can tell the difference between fresh and frozen! The beef (med rare) cooked perfect, I know that was a fresh cut. The eggplant could make me go vegetarian and the Gnocchi, oh the Gnocchi. We went back the following Tuesday for Lunch just for the Gnocchi (and Bomba's, I'll get to that!!) Dinner was perfect. Just when we thought we were too full for words, Heather comes over with desert menus and tells about the Bomba. Peanut Ice cream, caramel, chocolate heaven. That girl could sell me mustard with her descriptions I swear. Excellent, Excellent Excellent. I've been meaning to write this for a while, since that night Ive been back 3 times for dinner and now take lunch meetings there during the week. They just did some very impressive (and quick) renovations so officially it is my favorite place to go in Mississauga. Well done to the team there. If you love homemade food, family business and being treated like "everybody knows your name", check it out.

I hosted my sister's baby shower (for a party of about 30 people) at Mondello and I could not be any happier.

I was taken care of respectfully and promptly from the planning stages to the end. Menu options and descriptions of the entrees where given so that I knew exactly what I would be getting. Jessie was very accommodating and patient with any changes that were made along the way, which included starting the party off a half hour earlier than expected.

The restaurant was set up ahead of time, which included a seating arrangement/chart (including high chairs), an area for gifts, and another area for the dessert display.

The restaurant was recently renovated and the decor is modern and stylish. The restaurant is a good size, yet cozy enough for private dinner parties.

The staff was attentive, polite, and cheery. We always had refills without having to search for a server and were graciously accommodated with any requests we did have.

The chef, Nico, came out to greet the guests personally, which was a nice touch.

The food was, in one word...ok...maybe two, ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS. Our meal started with the Italian salad (mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, and carrots with a balsamic vinaigrette). Our second meal was penne pasta in a fresh tomato sauce. The third entree was the chicken piccata (grilled chicken breast with a lemon caper butter sauce). The chicken came with a side of broccoli, carrots, and mashed potatoes. The chicken was SO GOOD. Just the right amount of garlic, lemon, and capers. The vegetables were cooked to perfection with just the right amount of "crunch". They were not overdone and/or wilted. The portions were very appropriate. No one felt cheated and no one felt uncomfortably stuffed. Quite a few of the dinner guests commented on how good the meal was and mentioned coming back to the restaurant for a ladies' night get together.

I can't forget the punch, which was a hit too! There's an alcoholic version, but I opted to forgo that option since we were being served wine with the meal.

I can't thank Nico, Jessie, and the staff enough for all their help and generosity. My sister said she enjoyed the whole event from beginning to end and wouldn't have it any other way. The baby shower was a definite hit.

I don't know about some of the negative reviews re: the food. The food was good as was mentioned by many of my party guests. I definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone!

I had the pleasure of bringing two very good friends of mine to experience Mondelo. It is surely the place to be if your craving great food, service and atmosphere.

I would recommend you try this place it's become one of my favorite dining spots and i'm sure it will be for you also. Well done p.s reserve on the weekend s or you won't get a spot. happy dining.

This place is a great neighbourhood restaurant. The food and wine is reasonably priced. The taste is good a little bit of tweeking with season is all that is required. We've been a few times and have always had a great service and food. Looking forward to my next visit. Great job Chef Nico... keep greeting your Customers.

The food is bad... and the place is dead. Who is really writing the reviews? I have to wonder because I had a party of many people and it was a really bad experience for me and all my guests. I paid the tab but still regret it to this day.