Al Dente Trattoria

Avy-Loren

3.0

Food. Average.
Service. Average.
Atmosphere. Dated & stale & cramped.

I have eaten here many times over the years & each time I am not impressed. Many people swear by it, I do not as I find it very average / mediocre especially for the price & quantity. The reality is they have a really well established name & there is a captive audience in & around the Monkland Village area. Most restaurants in the village are on the pricier side for the same reason in addition to some having legit great quality food & portions. You see a lot of older people eating here, not a younger scene & this also speaks to the drab basement front of house that is pretty much been the same for years. It's not a place to bring a first date, it's not a place with an upbeat atmosphere to have a party. It's not even a cosy or romantic place. Tables & chairs are average. There are plenty others Italian restaurants to eat at & a few in the village, but not all have pizza.

We ordered two pizzas to go, one all cheese & the other an American - essentially an all dressed. I welaos ordered the house green salad. Take a look at the miserable tiny portion for over $15 with tax! It's all air. This was the most insulting salad I have ever recieved in my entire life when eating out. If I had ordered this in the restaurant & received this portion I would have said something or perhaps sent it back. This to me, is ripping off a customer. There a way too many places to get a fresh hearty salad for the same or less with a nice portion. I don't know if this is due to laziness, quality control, or ownership trying to save money by providing a tiny portion. All in all, two pizzas & a salad cake to just over $68.00!!!!

Their pizza was one of the poorest examples of a pizza. It was dry, no moisture & very very little sauce to the point of not even tasting sauce. Cheese portion was ok, but the cheese texture & taste were not top quality. I'm sure management is going to come back & argue the portions are great & the cheese is top quality & fresh & blah blah blah & that they have never received any complaints - like most every owner or management. & perhaps they may be correct to some extent, they have been in business for many years, but how is business these days - is it the same as when it was over a decade ago or earlier when they were always busy? When I went, prime time, two tables were filled in the whole restaurant. Ok it's a Monday - but come on??

I think this restaurant has seen its prime pass & ownership is just cruising along & investing as little as possible. The menu is also basic & has been for years.

Overall, value is not there for me nor is the taste of the food or portion is some cases. There are many alternatives at this level of pricing if you're willing to drive a little further-longer & you will be rewarded.

Timothy

2.0

I've been going to Al Dente for years, but lately the cost & quality of the food has taken a turn for the worse. Some menu items like the risotto or tortellini in brodo are good & unchanged except for the price. The lasagna I had last night was a big disappointment & way overpriced at $31. They do not serve real parmesan cheese. Al Dente is still a popular local restaurant, But the prices don't reflect the quality of the food. & the servers are personable, but not sufficiently trained.

James

4.0

Lots of pizza & pasta selection. Not much else, but good quality for the price. BYOB