Pastacino Restaurant Cafe

This place is one of my favourite places in all of Hamilton to go - I usually only go on special occasions as I revere the food and pastas that much and would never want to spoil the pleasure in which I have each outing I go. I boldly say that of my seven years in Hamilton that this is the best italian restaurant in the city. My favourite dish is the Chicken Parmigiana - the meal always feels like it was cooked right then and there and the quality is unreal, it just is perfectly cooked just a notch past al dente pasta with a delicious red sauce and a great serving of chicken cutlets. The servers are always top notch and so respectful and always take good care of things. To work there I would definately have some pride in my work, just outstanding place in all.

Food was okay, but nothing special and on the cold side. We waited AGES to get our orders taken and forever for our food after that. We asked to speak to the manager... got attitude from waitress AND the manager. Disgusting! We were told we were lucky to be accommodated without reservations so our service was our own fault... WHATEVER, would have gone elsewhere NO PROBLEM! You better believe I tell everyone to NEVER go there!!

A Good Experience

I have been to Pastacinos twice with my sister and enjoyed the experience both times. I didn’t know what to expect on my initial visit as the outside of the restaurant is very unassuming, but I was pleasantly surprised on entering. The atmosphere and décor were warm, and we were seated straightaway, although we had not made a reservation on this occasion. On our second visit we did have to wait a few minutes even though we had booked a table; but it was a Saturday night and much busier, so it was not unexpected. Once seated our drinks order was taken quickly and the cranberry juice I had was delicious. Neither my sister nor I eat meat so we were pleased that there was a good selection of dishes for us to find something we liked. The first time I had the penne with sundried tomatoes served with a salad which was extremely good. The serving was large and left me with no room for a dessert, so on our second visit we had the smaller portion which was just right. We both had the linguini with roasted vegetables which was even better. Both dishes were freshly made and although there was a bit of a wait for our meal it was not excessive. The staff were friendly and helpful on both occasions, and we were also thanked by the manager on our second visit for making a reservation. I thought the prices were reasonable for what you get, and would definitely go to this restaurant again.

Worst Experience EVER

My boyfriend and I have been going here for every special occasion for years. We went in on Valentine's Day.. we had a reservation at 7:15, showed up and were told there were be a little bit of a wait for your table. 5 minutes later, another couple came in and said they had a reservation at 7:30 and were immediately seated. We decided to give the hostess the benefit of a doubt but when we were seated 20 minutes later we had to wait another 20 before someone even took our drink order. 10 minutes to get our drinks and another 25 after that to have our order taken. Order order was finally taken at 8:30 but we then waited until 9:30 before we saw our food. We understood it was busy but we thought this was kind of ridiculous. Still, we felt we should voice our concerns with the manager. When we spoke to her she proceeded to start airing personal information about a staff member who was not at work tonight and listed off more than 5 excuses (none of which were our fault or anything as consumers we should have had to have been concerned about). My boyfriend finally spoke up and asked if it would be reasonable that our appetizer be removed from the bill because of the wait time (in any other restaurant, the meal would have been covered. From there she literally screamed and him citing how ridiculous he was being and stormed off. She promptly same back with the bill, slammed it on the table and cleared our dishes (without asking if we were done might I add!) Let me tell you, we will NEVER be back. Advice to management: take a course in customer service, when your customer complains, listen and offer a solution so you can hope they'll be back. I have never been so appalled in my life!

I visited Pastacino this past Friday night after trying to get into the Keg. I was in the mood for a fresh plate of pasta and that is exactly what I got. I ordered linguine with shimp and peppers in oil and garlic and it was excellent. The linguine is made in house (I asked before ordering) and the shrimp were plentiful. My date ordered the rotolo and she loved it. Rotolo are ricotta cheese, proscuitto and spinach in a rolled pasta, baked in rose sauce. I tired a small piece and they were great. The Caesar and house salads were both great as well. We skipped dessert, but the cakes looked great! My only complaint is that the service could have been more attentive, but it was a Friday night, so I’ll let it pass. I will be back again to try their pizza… I ordered it the first time I went and I remember it being excellent.

Not impressed.....

My wife and I recently went to Pastacino for dinner (we were in the neighbourhood) and were not very impressed. When we got to our table, it took the waitress at least 15 minutes to come over to us to say hello and the restaurant wasn't even busy. The waitresses were all standing around talking to each other instead of focusing on their customers. We finally ordered chicken parmesan and pasta (which took about 45 minutes). It was OK - not great, just OK. What really surprised me is that when my wife and I were leaving we overheard some of the waitresses talking bad about some of their customers who were still in the restaurant. This family run business has alot to learn about customer service......

Always a good experience!

Service Is pleasant and efficient despite how busy they can get sometimes! Been going here for years, and everyone we go with enjoys it as well! Definitely a fav! Love to support a great independant restaurant! Keep up the good work!

Pastacino has been one of our favourite restaurants for years, from before they moved to U. James. The food is always fresh and hot, the service can sometimes be a little slow, but who cares it's not a fast food joint. The staff is always pleasant and make you feel at home. Keep up the good work.

This was definitely the best pasta place I've...

This was definitely the best pasta place I've ever been, everyone I was with had an excellent meal, with room for desert. The large portion size is HUGE, but good if you would like leftovers. A small portion size is exactly the right amount. The hot chocolate is exquisite! Definitely going there again, no question.

ORDER THE PENNE GAMBERI!!!

I went to Pastacino on Saturday with a group of friends for dinner after hearing good things about the place from my aunt. We arrived about 7:00 to find the place packed. Luckily I had called and made reservations. Anyways, I ordered the calamari which were pretty good, though not the best i've had due to the breading. The chef salad was good, nice oil/vinegar dressing. But... the penne gamberi... amazing. I ordered it 'spicy' and they gave me a hot pepper paste on the side, which i drizzled over the shrimp-red-yellow pepper penne made with a olive-oil garlic aioli. Well done! Get cracked pepper on it as well...! ps. my girlfriend ordered a pizza.... she loved it.

Restaurant doesn't seem to want our business!

I am from BC and had heard about this restaurant from local hotel. I checked for a website (which they don't have) and also called them from BC to get a copy of their menu. They said that since their menus were laminated - that they couldn't do it. After suggesting the menus be copied and then faxed - I never ever received it and even when I called back - just couldn't get anyone to care. Not the best customer service - and they lose out on a large party reservation!

Good italian food.

My wife and I have eaten there about 6 times in last year or 2. Always had a good experience. The owner's wife has waited on us twice. She is a very congenial person and a delight to talk to...no hesitation in recommending this place.

Birthday Dinner

Decided to try a new place so here we are at Pastacino and from the outside I didn't expect it to be to impressive but the inside was nice and looked like a decent Italian Restaurant. We Didn't wait long for service, waitress was nice and took our orders without must problems. The appetizers were all good and the house salad I had was fresh. We waited a little for the main course to arrive which wasn't too bad, gave us all time to chat and enjoy the time there so no one minded about the little wait. The only thing I can say they need to improve on is the pasta sauces, not the best at all for an Italian Restaurant but then again I find it very difficult to find a decent sauce unless I make it myself at home. Overall the experience was nice, I wasn't too impressed but I would be willing to go there again and try something else.

We had made our reservation before I read the...

We had made our reservation before I read the reviews on this site. Luckily, since we may not have gone after reading some of them. This was one of the best restaurant experiences I can remember, and we dine out frequently. Our server, Charlie, contributed greatly to the experience. She was polite, pleasant and attentive. All of our request were met. Our food arrived piping hot and in good time. We had small periods of time in between courses to enjoy our conversation and some drinks, exactly what we want when dining out. We will definately go again and will bring friends. It was wonderful.

We waited a really long time before we actually...

We waited a really long time before we actually got our meal, when the salad came it was drenched in cheap vegetable oil. I specifically asked if there were mushrooms on the veal and the waitress said no. After an hour and a half she then served me a plate of veal that was covered in mushrooms, I told her I couldn't eat it because I am allergic and she asked me if I wanted to take it home. Why would I do that? She said she would make another one but it would be a while. At this point my children had waited long enough and we didn't want to wait another 2 hours. But the worst part was that they charged me for my entree and I didn't even have dinner. They told me I had to pay for it because they prepared the wrong entree. I don't understand how this restaurant is still in business. I would not advise anyone to dine here.

I enjoyed the atmosphere that was very Italian. I...

I enjoyed the atmosphere that was very Italian. I enjoyed the service. I was impressed with the food. I would go back because it is not a chain and I loved the space we had.

Salads were quite good, seasoned well. Antipasto...

Salads were quite good, seasoned well. Antipasto had excellent proscuitto and bocconcini was great. Mussels were average, seasoned well but aside from having fresh mussels there isn't much you can do with the frozen ones. My guests ordered a number of other items which they were pleased with. I had Chicken parm with Penne arriabiata on the side. The parm was excellent and the arriabiata was great as well, nice olive taste and spicy. My date had rotolo which she seemed to love. Other than the waitress being slow, i'd visit again for the food anytime. Well done Pastacino.

waited a fair bit of time to be seated w...

waited a fair bit of time to be seated w/ reservations, waited even longer for any orders to be taken, another person in my party had to ask if we could order our food/ get our bill because we couldn't be sure when we would be asked. Finally, while waiting for our bill, my 2 and 4 year old niece and nephew, being children, got tired of sitting, and made racket, which we assume responsibility for, however the cooks decided to tell us we needed to lower their voices. We understand its not very nice for them to be loud, but its also not cool to wait and hour and half for entrees.

My friends and I started with the Calamari, which...

My friends and I started with the Calamari, which was cooked to perfection, not to over-breaded and still a bit chewy. We ordered the Masi red, which is always a safe pick. I ordered a margarita pizza with olives, red peppers and mushrooms. The pizza was cooked perfectly, as the bottom was crisp and the pizza flavourful. My friend enjoyed his napoli pizza as well. My other friend ordered the Chicken Parm with fetucini and arribiata sauce. She loved it. The restaurant is nicely decorated and the atmosphere is comfortable. Great location and service. Will visit again. ps. there is also a yummy, cute chef that makes the pizzas!

My first time to Pastacino with a friend who had...

My first time to Pastacino with a friend who had been before and raved about the place. The bruschetta was so fresh and delicious. The pasta (a small portion) was huge, and UNDERPRICED for the portion and quality. I ate everything and normally take home leftovers! The atmosphere was so nice (perfect for a date) and our waitress was amazing. The owner came over and introduced himself - very nice touch and recommended a delicious after dinner shot (Frangelico on the rocks) - best dessert ever! I will definetletly be back. Disregard the bad reviews - Pastacino is just as some of the other local Italian Restuarants but with less of a wait, better decor, staff and less expensive!