Smart shoppers don’t like to overpay for their wine at restaurants. So it is a great idea when Il Galateo decided to charge only $5 over the SAQ price for their bottles of wine. The restaurant has been around for 14 years but last year a new family took over. This might be just the place to take Mom for Mother’s Day.
Papa Gino with his golden hands, re-did the entire interior, making the two levels quite elegant. You must see the bathrooms though. Only the clever of you will be able to figure out how to turn on the tap. Notice the mirror with its embedded screen to keep you entertained by showing videos of Italy.
Daughter Sarah is in charge here and is also the assistant chef sweating over the stoves in the back. One of the best waiters we’ve come across (and he’s handsome too!) , Saverio, will make sure your meals goes smoothly. He’s been working in this spot since 1999 so he knows all the regulars, and will get to know you once you show up.
The menu has been totally revamped to reflect the Italian healthy Mediterranean diet. The free amuse-bouche was hearty, a reflection of portions to come. There was bruschetta, olives, thick Italian sausage chunks with peppers, and some pizza sticks.
Menu items were classic Italian with a very light touch. To start, there’s soups: pasta e fagioli and stracciatella, and fried calamari. beef carpaccio, and escargot. We shared the eggplant Parmigiana appetizer and licked the platter clean. It could easily suffice as a main course.
Spaghetti with meat sauce starts the pasta list, but you could have it matriciana with tomato sauce, pancetta and shallots, or pappardelle with mushrooms, linguine with clams or opt for seafood risotto.
Veal is served up the way you know it: Milanese, Parmigiana, piccata with lemon or poliniac – scrumptious with cream, mushrooms, and cognac. Meat loves can dig into the osso buco, pork chop or rack of lamb. Shrimp shows up along with a fish of the day.
The nightly table d’hôte is three courses here ($27-$32) and it might have gnocchi, rigatoni with sausage in gorgonzola, sea bass, filet mignon or veal chop. Lunch is popular, served Mon-Fri with two courses (three pastas, lasagna, salmon, veal) with coffee or tea only running up a tab of $16-$20.
When was the last time a restaurant brought you a hot cloth with lemon to wash your hands and face after eating? Order a lobster here, and you’ll get that treat.
Wednesday nights, you can enjoy the piano player/singer (Papa again), and perhaps some dancing.
Location: 5315 Gatineau Ave.
corner: Queen Mary Rd.
Tel: 514-737-1606
www.ilgalateo.ca
