Rita focuses on the preparation of authentic Italian cuisine with a specific emphasis on traditional pizza-making techniques. The kitchen utilizes high-quality imported flour and locally sourced seasonal ingredients to construct pies characterized by thin, blistered crusts and balanced toppings. Each dish follows classic flavor profiles, avoiding unnecessary fusion elements to preserve the integrity of regional Italian cooking traditions. The interior environment features a minimalist aesthetic that highlights an open hearth where the intense heat of the wood-fired oven dictates the cooking process. Patrons encounter a direct culinary approach where the texture of the dough and the acidity of the tomato base serve as the primary markers of quality. This establishment maintains a focus on the fundamental elements of Mediterranean baking while ensuring consistent output across every individual serving provided to guests.
Rita is widely celebrated as a cozy, welcoming neighborhood gem in Verdun that captures the essence of a lively Italian bistro with a modern Montreal twist. Guests consistently praise the high-quality, flavorful menu, highlighting standout dishes like the potato mille-feuille, fresh pasta, and wood-fired pizzas made with local, artisanal ingredients. While the atmosphere is frequently described as warm, intimate, and perfect for dates or group gatherings, the experience can occasionally become quite loud due to the restaurant's popularity. Most visitors report exceptional, professional service, though a few diners have noted that the structured two-hour seating blocks and occasional rushed service can impact the overall flow of the meal. Despite some varying opinions on noise levels and pacing, the majority of patrons consider it a must-visit destination that offers a memorable and delicious culinary experience.
Celebrated my 45th birthday here! We were a group of 6 & we had lots of fun! The waitress was super nice & help with our orders. The cocktails were stunning & super tasty. We loved the appetizers, the pasta, & the pizza! Loved the desserts too. Will definitely come back.
I have hesitated to go eat there because I live in the neighbourhood, & every time I drive by, the place is always packed.
I finally decided to give it a try; the Holidays Table D'hôte was a great incentive. (58$ per person)
After reading plenty of reviews saying the place does get loud, I decided to book on a Sunday for 6 PM & sat at the bar.
I forgot to ask the bartender's name; but we had an amazing service.
I had 2 Espresso Martinis & Amaretto sour, both were impeccable, made with finesse.
The food was good, I was very impressed by the Duck Risotto I had because they didn't cheap out on the duck.
The homemade focaccia & butter were excellent, the pizza dough is also really good; fluffy, tasty.
I do have to admit that the drinks outshined the food & the bartender's friendliness & conversation made the experience better.
The place got pretty loud around 7pm; it was a full house. It was a bit warm & lighting was slightly too bright in my opinion.
The decor is very nice, personalized, I loved the warmth of the family & pets pictures around the restaurant
Too bad people steal them, since two of the frames had a paper asking people to return the stolen family pictures.. what a bummer.
I would definitely go back since they source local ingredients & everything is homemade, & the menu changes a lot.
I also would go back again at an early time & on a quiet night; a Monday & Tuesday would most likely be less busy.
The total was 210$, for 2 Tables D'hôtes & 4 drinks, which is very reasonable in my opinion.
The food at Rita was good, we tried a pizza, a pasta, & an appetizer, & everything was tasty, though nothing particularly memorable. The potato millefeuille, however, deserves a special mention, it was excellent.
The ambiance is cute & cozy, with more of a family-style feel than a trendy one. For one appetizer, one pizza, one pasta, two desserts, & a bottle of wine, our bill came to about $200 including tip, which felt reasonable for what we got.
The service was okay, our server was friendly, but couldn't answer our questions about the wine list, which was a bit disappointing.
The biggest downside was being asked to leave exactly two hours after our reservation started. I know the policy is mentioned when booking, but it was the first time I've been asked to leave before even finishing my glass of wine. The restaurant was half empty, but since we were seated at the bar, we still had to go.
Overall: good food & pleasant ambiance, but the service & overall experience could definitely be improved.
I'd been wanting to try this place for a while, & I wasn't disappointed. The menu looks amazing & it's hard to choose. We shared the tuna tartare to start, super fresh & delicious. For mains, we had the Verdun Hot Honey pizza, which was generous & tasty, & the gnocchi in a squash mornay sauce. The sauce was incredible, especially with the stracciatella & pistachios on top. A really rich, well-balanced dish.
The downside: the gnocchi themselves were heavy & doughy, not light at all. More like dense balls of pasta, which was disappointing.
& the cocktails… we had the raspberry passion one, & honestly, it barely tasted like it had alcohol in it…maybe a drop. Pretty underwhelming for the price.
Would I go back? Yes, because the food overall was excellent.
What an absolute gem this restaurant was ❤?❤?❤?. We had the zucchini appetizer & the patatoe mille feuille . So very tasty. The honey pizza was a perfect 10 . The peach cobbler was a perfect ending. Service from PJ was excellent.
Rita pizza not at all tasty take out. Base burnt & inedible near outside in many places & dough quite dry. Olives very strong & salty, whole olives dropped on not pieces. Tomato'sauce' like squirting fresh tomatoes with little flavour onto the base. Minimal cheese.
No option to add anything!! Not worth $18 for 12 inch. Dine in much better according to friends.
It was our first time at Rita & it was an amazing evening. The food was delicious ! We ate the buffarela with veggies, so tasty, we added the foccacia ( very good ), followed by beef shoulder, the meat melt in our mouth & lamb with pasta, the food was so tasty, well seasoned, the waiter very polite & knowledgeable about their dishes. We'll go back for sure.
I have been to this restaurant a few times, it's always full even in the week days, highly recommend make a reservation before you go. The menu is small, mostly are pizza & pasta,like other italian resturants. The sauce of pasta was simple & fresh, very tasty; The crust of pizza was so thin that it's a bit super burnt. I would like to recommend their starter - Gâteau Savoureux, it's well mixed with charcuterie, cheddar & salad, perfect egg on the top of dish, brought all flavors in the mouth, amazing! About the services, depends on which waiter/waitress. Although some are in rush, they always clean the table between starter & main course, & change the cutlery
