Caffe Torino

Doesn't Recommend

sunnysw

Joined 3 years ago

Mediocre food and service. I grew up in New Jersey and I learned to judge the quality of an Italian restaurant by its veal. So that is what I went for. The veal Marsala had a good flavor, but was over cooked to the point of borderline tough. I think it was helped along by a fair amount of time under a heat lamp. Service had been slow and my meal arrived with the top of the garlic/oil pasta already dried out.

My wife had the lasagna. Homemade pasta can be wonderful, but it cooks quickly. And my wife's lasagna had been baked for a long time. There was no difference in texture between the pasta and the filling. Rather like a mouthfull of seasoned tomato mush.

So we tried, we paid (80$ w/appetizers) and I doubt we'll' go back.

And a PS. I did not see a description of the origin of either the salmon or the tilapia. It makes a difference.

Recommends

LMCG

Joined 3 years ago

EXCEPTIONAL!. My husband and I dine out frequently. We are extremely particular in our expectations and this restaurant far exceeds them. We often find ourselves dining here on a couple nights throughout our week. Cafe Torino is a wonderful neighborhood restaurant with an intimate feel. The owner is "hands on" and frequently visits with her guests when not in the kitchen. The food is absolutely exceptional. The pasta is all homemade, each morning ,and the menu offers many northern italian authentic selections as well as rotating specials. I have impressed many by bringing them to this little gem. For breakfast or dinner...it is one to not miss!

Recommends

Devildocmom

Joined 3 years ago

Great service, wonderful food April 12, 2010. My husband and I arrived early about 1630 for dinner. The restaurant had not opened yet, but they could not have been more helpful. Of course, we had our pick of tables and we sat outside with a view of the Catalina Mountains on our right and wildflowers on our left.

They brought us cocktails and water (we are in Arizona :) ) quickly. Even extra cherries for my husband in his drink. The waitress explained the specials which included lamb chops. My husband chose Scaloppine di vitello al Marsala from the extensive menu, I had the lamb. We each had salads; my husband asked for the darker greens in his Insalata della casa...the chef himself came to explain they only use dark fresh greens, no iceberg. My husband asked for some fruit with his salad, they brought it, no problem. I had the Insalata Caprese with fresh Willcox tomatoes. Both were WONDERFUL.

With my meal I ordered a glass of wine, thanks to the waitress it was a great choice. I cannot begin to tell you how wonderful my lamb was, truly the best I have had ever!. Four thick chops done just right. My husband really enjoyed his veal as well. Of course with the meal being so great we had to have dessert. This is one item I do not have the full name of...just to let you know, it had cherries and was great.

We will be taking my son and his girlfriend out for a belated birthday dinner soon. This will be our choice of restaurants. We were so impressed with dinner we will be having breakfast or lunch there soon, they gave us a copy of their menu and we are salivating over it now.

As we left, I could see others agreed with our recommendation, the restaurant was quickly filling up with other hungry diners.

Recommends

Isabella123

Joined 4 years ago

Warm and friendly...fantastic food. This newly expanded bistro is and has always been one of my favorite places. I have been dining at this restaurant for nearly 10 years, when the owner first opened her doors. There is always a warmth in the air and the smell of such wonderful food. From what I have been told there has been some glitches to work out after she doubled in size with the expansion this past August. It is a lovely family who has put their hearts and souls into making this place unique to all who dine here. The homemade raviolis were sheer perfection this past Saturday night and I so look forward to coming back. Keep up the good work!

Doesn't Recommend

theworldtraveler

Joined 4 years ago

Terrible Food and Service!. Our 7pm dinner reservation was a disaster! The place was busy, so busy that the waiters crashed into each other and dirty cutlery landed on our table. (no apologies provided) At 8:20pm we asked how much longer until our food would be ready and were told a few minutes. It arrived at 8:45pm! Unbelievable! To top off the lateness and neglect from the wait staff, the sauteed spinach was raw, like a handful was plopped onto the plate from a bag, and the linguine was undercooked! The chef/owner refused to speak with us about our evening though we requested the wait staff 3 times to have her come to our table. We were stuck with what we got and no correclty cooked food ever came from the kitchen.

This was the worst dinner I've ever experienced, made worse my the absence of the chef/owner to ensure our pleasure.

Recommends

Danihappy

Joined 5 years ago

Caffe' Torino is still open and still going strong. Caffe' Torino is still open and still serving breakfast and lunch seven days a week and still a favorite in Oro Valley. You are referring to Torino ristorante Italiano that closed down a couple of months ago. Spice bistro next to Caffe' Torino is now serving the same food that Torino ristorante used to serve and to customers opinion even better food and better service. The owner is the chef and she is from Italy. Very cosy and warm ambiance and nice selection of wines and drinks.

Recommends

cisero

Joined 5 years ago

No Longer Open!. The owner had to close because of some legal issues. It seems that this fantastic place was just a side hobby for him. Sad to see him go.

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Editorial Review by Christy Buena. Italian style cafe serves breakfast and lunch including eggs pizzaiola and grilled panini at reasonable prices.

Recommends

steelslider

Joined 10 years ago

BEST Italian Food In Tucson!. Have tried most of the top rated Italian food places in the Old Pueblo, but...

Caffe' Torino outshines them all!!!

Exceptional dishes, wide variety. Fine wines,etc.

Small, but friendly.

Come early, the place fills up quickly once the doors open for business!

The finest pasta in Arizona...:-)