Review of Avanti Trattoria – Oshawa

You know you’ve found a restaurant your family likes when you keep going back.  So on that note, let’s review our family’s Monday night get-together with some friends at Avanti’s.

Located in the heart of Oshawa (at King and Simcoe) and situated in premises that used to be a Bank (little known fact…), this Italian restaurant serves some of the finest Italian food in the Durham region.

Details: Avanti Trattoria, 17 King St E (King & Simcoe), Oshawa, ON,
(905) 404-8040, www.avantifood.com.

Ambience:  lots of windows, think nice casual with touches of Italian decor that go along nicely with the name (including an authentic stone bake oven).  Easy going enough to take the kids to and not feel intimidated.

Kids Stuff:  unfortunately, nothing given.  I think we got a page ripped out of a colouring book once with some used crayons… nice…

Kids Food:  probably the biggest drawback to this restaurant.  For our two kids, we usually get a caesar salad (which is almost big enough for the 4 of us to share) and buy one adult pasta for $9.95 (which we also split between the 2 kids).  Dessert comes up expensive as only choice our kids like are the gelatos (at $4.95 each… ouch…).

Coolest Thing About Restaurant:  It’s all about the food!!!  The above two minor points are more than offset by the delicious food which the adults get to eat!  You can’t go wrong with the Fettucine Alla Vodka with Smoked Salmon… yum!!!!!

Worst Thing About Restaurant:  Commented already above.  But to our family who enjoys food, minor points.

Overall Experience:  Kids always enjoy the meal.  Parents have an even better time.  Nice staff (they replaced a pasta that Ballet Girl dropped free of charge).

Rating:  4.0 stars out of 5

November 24, 2009 Update

Another trip back a couple of days ago for a birthday celebration.  Food again was delicious with my Fettucini alla Vodka with Smoked Salmon still amazing!  Here are some pics of the restaurant taken by myself.

Sign outside at night

Inside Avanti

October 2010 Update

Restaurant is still going strong.  Tried the Agnolotti Di Gamberi, wasn’t too impressed as the shrimp taste overpowered the pasta and sauce.  Penne Chicken was very good.  Remember it’s cheaper to order one adult spaghettini and split it between the kids vs. buying two kids meals.  Rating maintained at 4.0 stars.

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2. Review of Pickering Markets – Pickering
3. Review of East Side Mario’s – Pickering