Mario’s Paninoteca is one of those few places that make you feel instantly comfortable the moment you step in. Owned by Chef Mario, it has an inviting Italian decor and a simple, fuss-free concept. Basically just order at the bar, sit wherever you want in the dining room, and they will bring out the food to you. My co-worker Gary raved about this place, in particular the pasta dishes, so I knew I had to make a lunch trip out of it. Joseph and I have been really fortunate to meet some good people in our lives- people with strong family values and a genuine appreciation for others, and Chef Mario and his family encompass all of that. They certainly know how to make us feel welcomed every time. Our only difficulty is the opening hours: you can expect authentic Italian food served daily between 11:30am to 3:00pm, Monday to Friday, but not over the weekend and not during dinner. As for the rest of the time, Chef Mario privately caters to any event no matter the size.
We really love bread, and the bread here is actually soft (unlike some other restaurants)! Tastes great with butter.
Herbal tea (I highly recommend peppermint tea because of its soothing aroma and digestive properties), with a side of biscotti and dark chocolate.
They always feature a daily special, so whenever you see Linguine with Clams (and mussels) on the blackboard then you HAVE to order it! It is SO freaking good, and sadly they don’t make this all the time. It’s not even on their regular menu. The sauce is to die for, and they really do give you your money’s worth.
Gomitelli al Forno – nice and cheesy.
Coffee
Roasted chicken sandwich
A sucker for all things carb, especially pasta, we had to try the lasagna as well. Cheesy layers and a generous serving size meant we didn’t have to eat dinner that night 😛
And of course, spaghetti! You can’t leave an Italian restaurant without meatballs and spaghetti, and I can tell you that both were very, very good. With an awesome tomato sauce and a giant helping of meatballs, my belly was happy for hours.
So, what are you waiting for? 🙂
Catering by Mario & Mario’s Paninoteca
95 E Beaver Creek Rd #8
Richmond Hill, ON, L4B 1L4
(905) 881-0477
