Sean K.
Yelp
I've been to the Colborne location of Piano Piano several times now, and it's become one of my go-to spots for a good pasta lunch in the city. I always stick to their lunch special--it's a solid deal for Toronto considering it often costs a lot more for a lot less in this city. For $35 you get half an appetizer, a pasta or pizza, and a dessert (Choice of ice cream of tiramisu).
On my most recent visit, I noticed they had a new menu item: the lobster fusilli. I decided to give it a try for a $15 upgrade, along with my usual go-to meatball rigatoni. For our apps, we went with calamari, and for dessert, the Nutella tiramisu and ice cream.
Let's start with the lobster fusilli. Not my favourite. For a $15 upgrade, I was expecting more. The portion was pretty small, the pasta was undercooked, and the flavours just didn't hit. Considering the lobster fusilli is only $11 more than other pastas on their regular menu, the $15 upgrade felt excessive.
The meatball rigatoni, on the other hand, was as good as always. There's a reason it's my go-to. The sauce is rich and creamy, the portions are substantial, and the meatballs are tender and full of flavour. It's consistently delicious and always hits the spot. I also always ask for chilli oil to go with it (and thankfully, unlike other places, they don't charge extra).
The calamari was perfect as usual. Light, crispy, and not chewy--a win every time. And the Nutella tiramisu was a standout! Not overly sweet, just perfectly balanced. I could easily eat five of them (not that I should, but I could).
Aside from the food, the Colborne location is a vibe. The interior is stunning, and the downstairs carousel bar is unique and worth checking out. The bathroom alone deserves its own shoutout and visit.
Despite how good the lunch deal is, I've never had to wait long for a table. The service is consistently great, too--attentive and friendly without feeling rushed.
Overall, Piano Piano remains a solid lunch spot. While I wouldn't recommend the lobster fusilli upgrade, the rest of the menu and the experience make it well worth visiting.