Ristorante Donato

Lanni

3.0

Another unfortunate experience for me here. That marks 2 rather lousy dinners for me here.

Service was slow & our server was having issues with his voice & couldn't speak loud or hear us well. For that matter we couldn't hear him well either!

We ordered drinks & every time it would take longer to get the drinks than the food! But the worst part was I ordered the foie gras ravioli special & got some sort of pasta in a red sauce. When I asked if the foie gras was in the sauce already, the server looked shocked & said'no you ordered the VODKA pasta, not foie gras'. He did apologize, take the plate & replace it, but my dinner date sat alone with their meal while it got cold & waited for my proper order to get there. It was awkward. & NOTHING was done about it. No compensating for the mistake, no apology drink or dessert or anything. Any professional establishment would have done something for such a mistake.

This is the second time I've had a bad experience with no proper apology. The food is good, but I unfortunately won't be going back.View more

Jun 6, 2025
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Tamara

4.0

I'm going to be a bit tougher in this review, just because the prices are a bit high for the food you get. First of all, the service & the atmosphere are wonderful! No notes. The food isn't bad, but it does feel over priced. For example, the half chicken, it's a higher price, which should make sense, because it's a half chicken. Except it's literally JUST A HALF CHICKEN. No garnish. No side. No starch. No vegetable. Just a half chicken on a plate. The other dish we ordered was a pasta dish with the vodka sauce. The sauce was great, but the pasta didn't feel freshly made. Which at those prices, I would expect fresh pasta. Overall, it was an ok experience. I don't think I'd recommend or go back unless the prices change.View more

May 13, 2025
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Sarah

4.0

The bread was delicious, fluffy & full of flavour. The pasta was al dente but a little too hard even so, the sauce was good but not worth the price, same for the pizza. The truffle parmesan fries only had a hint of truffle, which was disappointing. The service was quick & efficient & they agreed to cut a cake we brought.
For the girlies, the bathroom was very aesthetic for picturesView more

Apr 8, 2025
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Lori

5.0

This place is my favourite steakhouse in montreal. I like steak but Im not a die hard fan but this place makes me a die hard fan! Filet Mignon, Foie Gras, Red Wine Sauce, Black Truffle Do i need to say more!!! Its the best thing on the menu believe me! I took my boyfriend for his birthday & he loved it. The place is also beautiful & very demure. I recommend!View more

Apr 6, 2025
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Stephanie

3.0

Joli restaurant rempli de jolies personnes. Service charmant mais cuisine très médiocre pour le prix: Les huîtres semblent conservées dans l'eau douce & manquent de sel. Elles sont sans goût. (Probablement meilleures en saison) Calmars frits ordinaire. Quant à mes gnocchis au ricotta sauce basilique: je n'ai pas vu de ricotta. Une seule feuille de basilic dans une sauce très basique. Le plat devrait s'appeler «Mini gnocchis sauce basique...» Réservez à l'avance pour des places à l'intérieur ou soyez mieux vêtus que nous!? (Difficile d'accès, la terrasse, pour mon père de 101 ans le pied cassé.)View more

May 17, 2024
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Tu-Mai

3.0

Went to this restaurant twice (Sunday & Thursday night) in the last week as I like to give a place 2 tries before I make up my mind. Unfortunately, as nice as the staff & the atmosphere is, this place simply does not bring satisfaction in terms of food & value. Most things we have eaten were close to being good, but always fell short of being done just right. For the price point, I feel like the quality of the execution should really be higher. Here's what we ate: the fennel salad had all the ingredients right, but was overdressed which killed it. The grilled octopus was okay, but the bean purée it came with was bland & not seasoned at all, bringing the whole dish down. The asparagus were okay, cooked well & the Fontina & breading on top brought flavour, but overall very average & underwhelming. Salmon tartare: same thing, just fell very flat after a few bites, nothing particular, but really not hitting the spot. The lobster linguine was the biggest let down. For some reason, the lobster meat wasn't served in fresh chunks; it seems as though they just took lobster meat & stuffed it into some sort of mold & cut it up & threw it in the pasta - the shape of the meat was in these compressed little rectangles, very bizarre. Maybe because it isn't lobster season, so they use flaked lobster meat instead of cooking fresh lobsters & shucking them into the dish? Either way, the sauce also didn't taste much of lobster, which would be the case if they used fresh lobster. If it truly is as raved about as the servers say, I would suggest to keep it a seasonal dish, rather than have an expensive, disappointing dish half of the year. The filet mignon was good, but the char made by the sauce made the outside bites bitter. They also don't seem to serve their meat with any sides here, just a plate of meat, so it was very intense with the foie gras - it would've been nice to have anything to cut the richness of the dish. If the desserts are consistent with the olive oil cake & chocolate terrine, I would say to avoid desserts in general. They just fell short as a whole, nothing amazing, didn't really hit the spot. I would choose a different shape for the cake & add stronger accompanying flavor, otherwise it is just lacking. The chocolate terrine's texture was just off, kinda like a really fudgey chocolate. Not enjoyable at all unfortunately. I will say that the ragu pasta was spot on though! Execution was right, flavors were on point, portion was perfect - very satisfying. Maybe this restaurant is more of a pizza & pasta joint? In which case my ordering was just off & that's on me. But if that is the case, I would prefer they put what they are good at on the menu, & take off everything else. Having items on the menu that are barely average or below satisfaction really lowered the experience of this place. I did comment about the salad to my server, to which the chef offered to compensate with a dessert. But after everything tasted, I found it wasn't worth mentioning every little detail to the server since the issue here doesn't seem to be a one-off, but rather just a lack of execution as a whole. I find this really unfortunate, because if everything was, at a minimum, seasoned right & executed right, this place could be a solid regular neighborhood joint. Alas, I find myself full, but not satisfied, & out 500$. I do not recommend this place, but I am sending love & hope my comments can be helpful to you.View more

Apr 12, 2024
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Alex

5.0

[BRUNCH REVIEW] Came here on a Sunday, around noon, for brunch/lunch & loved it ! We were 4 people & we shared everything in order to try a lot of dishes. Our favourite was definitely the creamy scrambled eggs with shrimps. It was good with the focaccia bread. My 2nd favourite is probably the caesar salad with breaded fried chicken cutlets (normally I don't like caesar but the sauce they make isn't very pungent, it was enjoyable to eat). Pain perdu & meatballs were ok, you can skip those dishes if you visit for brunch. The service was excellent, they checked if everything was good often, they changed plates between the salty & sweet dishes. Nicely decorated & very warm atmosphere. The bill was around 50$+tx per person (acceptable with the amount that we ate). I would not hesitate to come here for brunch or to try their supper menu (apparently it's quite popular with the locals).View more

Jan 15, 2024
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Neal

4.0

Donato, nestled in the heart of Westmount, is a culinary gem that truly deserves a five-star rating. I recently had the pleasure of dining at this exquisite establishment, & I can't praise it enough for its exceptional food, impeccable service, & inviting atmosphere.

Upon entering Donato, I was immediately struck by its elegant yet welcoming ambiance. The decor exudes sophistication, with warm lighting, tasteful artwork, & plush seating that sets the stage for an unforgettable dining experience. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or seeking an intimate dinner for two, Donato offers the perfect backdrop.

Now, let's talk about the food – an absolute masterpiece. Donato's menu is a symphony of Italian flavors, expertly crafted by a talented kitchen team. The appetizers, like the burrata with heirloom tomatoes, were a delightful start to the meal. Each dish showcased the use of high-quality, fresh ingredients that elevated the dining experience.

The pasta dishes at Donato are nothing short of divine. The handmade pasta, cooked to perfection, combined with rich & flavorful sauces, made each bite a true revelation. The linguine with seafood was a standout, boasting a harmonious blend of flavors that transported my taste buds to Italy.

The main courses were equally impressive. The veal chop, cooked to a succulent medium-rare, was a carnivore's dream. The careful attention to seasoning & cooking techniques was evident in every bite.

What truly sets Donato apart, besides its outstanding cuisine, is the impeccable service. The staff is attentive without being intrusive, & their knowledge of the menu & wine selection is impressive. They are more than willing to offer recommendations & accommodate dietary preferences, making the dining experience even more personalized.

While Donato offers an exceptional dining experience, it's worth noting that this level of excellence does come at a price. Dining here is an investment, but one that is absolutely worth it for a special occasion or when you crave the finest Italian cuisine.

In conclusion, Donato in Westmount is a culinary treasure. Its combination of exquisite food, elegant ambiance, & top-notch service make it a five-star dining destination. If you're seeking an unforgettable Italian dining experience, look no further than Donato – it's a masterpiece of gastronomy that leaves a lasting impression.View more

Sep 27, 2023
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