BY: JESSIE GURNIAK

Allow us to welcome you to our Finest in Food edition, where we take your taste buds on a tour of some of the best eateries in Windsor-Essex. Mouth-watering aromas and delicious flavours await at every stop. With these recommendations, we are confident that you will find the perfect place for your dining needs. Book a holiday party, celebrate a special occasion, or simply have a night out and let these local gems take care of the rest. Bon appétit!

ANTONINO’S ORIGINAL PIZZA

In 1999, Joe Ciaravino, with the assistance of his mother Vita, opened a little neighbourhood pizzeria on the corner of Howard and North Talbot Road. He named the take-out restaurant in honour of his father, Antonino ‘Tony’ Ciaravino—one of Windsor’s pizza pioneers. A strict devotion to Antonino’s original recipe, combined with an unyielding insistence on using nothing but the best quality ingredients, has resulted in a loyal following of pizza connoisseurs who know that the proof is in the pie. Pick up your favourite pizza pie at any of Antonino’s three locations: South Windsor, (4350 Howard Avenue), LaSalle (6535 Malden Road), or Tecumseh (1695 Manning Road). Delivery available for advance party orders of $85 or more.

LASALLE: 6535 MALDEN RD., LASALLE, ON. 519-978-2500
SOUTH WINDSOR: 4350 HOWARD AVE., WINDSOR, ON. 519-969-1959
TECUMSEH: 1695 MANNING RD., TECUMSEH, ON. 519-979-9759
ORIGINALPIZZA.CA

ARTISAN GRILL

Offering a great variety of fresh food prepared with flair, Artisan prides itself on being a premium casual restaurant where everyone can feel welcome and well taken care of. Artfully designed food that is carefully crafted alongside friendly hospitality, Artisan selections are cooked with only the highest quality ingredients, and offer a wide variety of local and international wines as well as a primary focus on local craft beers. Lobster, 24oz steak, jumbo prawns, and herb crusted lamb are just some of the meals Artisan has on the menu, offering more casual dishes like Asian stir fry, angus surf and turf burgers, and chicken and wild mushroom paninis as well. First gaining success that continues to this day in the heart of historic Amherstburg, Artisan has opened its first expansion at Windsor’s Devonshire Mall. Visit them online at www.artisangrill.ca or come inside at either of their two locations: Amherstburg (269 Dalhousie Street) or Windsor (3100 Howard Avenue, in Devonshire Mall).

269 DALHOUSIE ST., AMHERSTBURG, ON. 519-713-9009
3100 HOWARD AVE., WINDSOR, ON. 519-962-5555
ARTISANGRILL.CA

Fine Dining Windsor Artisan Grill

CIOCIARO CLUB

The Ciociaro Club prides itself on offering authentic Italian cuisine in multiple fashions. For only $16.95 per person, you can enjoy a weekday lunch buffet between 11:30 am – 2:00 pm in the Bar Restaurant which includes pasta, salad, vegetables, potatoes, and 2 mains. Not wanting to dine in? You can opt for items from the new Grab N Go menu which includes sandwiches, pizza, pasta, chicken, soup, and more. On Sunday, stop by with the family, or celebrate a special occasion with Ciociaro Club’s famous Sunday Brunch. For $26.95 you can enjoy a full salad bar, breakfast items, 2 pastas, 2 mains, a fish dish, potatoes, vegetables, fruit, dessert, and more! The Bar Restaurant is open full service nightly, where you can have your all-time Ciociaro favourites. Every night starting at 5:00 pm, the special pastas, entrees, wood-fired oven pizzas, and more are available for you to savor. On weekends, you can indulge in an authentic Italian special; some of the most popular dishes include roasted quails, baccala in umido, prime rib, and osso buco! Specials are available for dine-in and takeout. For those looking to dine at home, or cater a small or large event, the Ciociaro Club has a full takeout menu available. Orders can be placed online by visiting www.ciociaroclub.com. Did you know that the Ciociaro Club even sells its savory pasta sauce and lasagna? Visit their website for all options. For however you decide to enjoy Ciociaro Club cuisine, buon appetito!

3745 NORTH TALBOT RD., OLDCASTLE, ON. 519-737-6153
CIOCIAROCLUB.COM

THE COOK’S SHOP

Now celebrating over 40 years in business, the mouth-watering menu and impeccable service of The Cook’s Shop has become a staple in Windsor’s restaurant scene. Keeping their motto Sempre Item (which means “never change”) close at heart, The Cook’s Shop has managed to grow while preserving their attributes that make them special. Anniversaries, birthdays, Valentine’s Day, New Years, no matter the occasion, The Cook’s Shop is an intimate restaurant designed to satisfy and entice your taste buds with every bite from their savoury menu. Located inside a historic building at 683 Ouellette Avenue, the charm of the old building has stood the test of time, maintaining the rustic atmosphere year after year. Thriving in the heart of downtown Windsor, The Cook’s Shop continues to write their story, offering a great array of delicious meals made with only the best ingredients and paired with exceptional service. Call 519-254-3377 to reserve a table for your celebration.

683 OUELLETTE AVE., WINDSOR ON. 519-254-3377
COOKSSHOPWINDSOR.COM

Fine Dining Windsor Cook Shop

COTTA FOOD BAR

Looking to have your next event catered? Look no further than South Windsor’s Cotta Food Bar. For the past 14 years, Cotta Food Bar has been creating delicious contemporary Italian food, and recently expanded their catering business into a full restaurant, complete with dine-in and takeout. Partners Antonia Maceroni and Tania Sorge knew they were taking a risk with opening a restaurant in the midst of a pandemic, but they knew that their dedication to delivering quality food, service, and time, and their team of talented chefs would create an indoor dining experience with wholesome food and friendly service. Located at 3891 Dougall Avenue, Cotta Food Bar is your place for private events, holiday parties, weddings, dine-in, takeout, catering, and more! Tradition and quality are never compromised when you dine at Cotta Food Bar.

3891 DOUGALL AVE., WINDSOR, ON. 519-915-6882
COTTAFOODBAR.COM

Fine Dining Windsor Cotta Food Bar

FRATELLI PASTA GRILL

Tecumseh’s home for Italian is Fratelli Pasta Grill, a locally owned and operated eatery borne of one family’s passion for authentic and memorable dining experiences. Fratelli Pasta Grill perfectly unites fine culinary craftsmanship and old-fashioned service in an attractive modern setting that retains all the warmth you’d expect from a classical Italian eatery. In addition to its extensive menu of specialty pastas, Fratelli offers succulent seafood and ultra-flavourful woodfire-grilled steaks. An extensive gluten-free menu is available, and Fratelli’s special “fresh and healthy” selections perfectly balance modern culinary creations and time-tested traditional dishes. Dine-in, takeout and catering are all available. Visit them and discover their daily specials at 13340 Lanoue in Tecumseh.

13340 LANOUE ST., TECUMSEH, ON. 519-735-0355
FRATELLIPASTAGRILL.COM

KONA SUSHI

Located in the heart of Walkerville, Kona Sushi takes the game of sushi restaurants and brings their own flavours to the scoreboard. The menu includes many favourites for sushi lovers, such as the california roll and numerous tempura rolls, but Kona is the only place you will find specialty rolls like the Kona Klub, the Walkerville, and the Mac Daddy, making Kona’s sushi rolls a standout. Beginning as a small group of friends wanting to try their hand at the art of sushi, they teamed up to build their vision and brand. Since then, Kona’s popularity has grown into expanding to LaSalle, Lakeshore, and have a fourth location in Tecumseh on the way within the next few months. Kona has also built up their own fanbase with their house sauces, which they have begun bottling and hope that luck will be on their side to get their sauces available for purchase in stores across Canada.

WINDSOR: 1801 WYANDOTTE ST. E. 519-997-4638
LASALLE: 5965 MALDEN RD. 519-969-9696
TECUMSEH: 11977 TECUMSEH RD., E.
LAKESHORE: 1224 ESSEX COUNTY RD. 22 UNIT 10, 519-727-3333
KONASUSHI.COM

MANCINI’S ITALIA BAKERY

With the holidays on the way, what better time to start thinking about gift baskets and holiday platters? Mancini’s has you covered with custom gift baskets to suit just about any budget, giving you the option of calling in with a theme and letting the Mancini’s team create your basket, coming in store and selecting each item yourself, or simply coming in and grabbing a pre-made basket. The bakery has more to offer on top of that, with a grab and go frozen food section and a well-stocked freezer, Mancini’s is the ideal place to go to when you don’t want to cook but still want a homemade meal. Come in, grab some ravioli or a lasagna (available in three sizes), bread and cannoli’s and dinner is served! You can call and order ahead, come in-store, or order for curbside pick-up. Mancini’s is all about family, and what better way to be a family than to share good food together? Located at 571 Erie Street East, come in today for your dinner needs.

571 ERIE ST. E., WINDSOR ON. 519-252-7066

MEZZO RISTORANTE

Do you want an evening of remarkable food, service and ambience? Try Mezzo Ristorante & Lounge. Taking pride in using top-of-the-line ingredients, they make the majority of meals from scratch while ensuring they offer options for vegan and gluten free diners. Offering the best ambiance and dining experience, book your next event and holiday party today. Voted top choice Italian restaurant of 2021 in Windsor, their intimate dining experience is quite a destination. Immerse yourself and tempt your taste buds at Mezzo Ristorante & Lounge. This not-to-bemissed destination for Italian cuisine and specialty cocktails is certain to make your dining experience remarkable. Visit www.mezzo.ca for more information.

804 ERIE ST. E., WINDSOR, ON. 519-252-4055
MEZZO.CA

NICO TAVERNA

When you visit Nico Taverna, you treat your friends and family to a true Italian, handcrafted experience. Devoted to consistently serving craveworthy food by using only the best and freshest ingredients, Nico Taverna creates dishes that always satisfy. From arancini to fire roasted shrimp  rainbow trout filet to wood-fired lamb rack, Nico Taverna has the meal for you. Come for a visit at 501 Erie St. East and enjoy our classic Italian menu in a cozy dining hall.

501 ERIE ST. E, WINDSOR, ON. 519.255.7548
NICOTAVERNA.COM

RICCARDO’S

If you are looking for a restaurant where you can overlook beautiful scenery while also getting a glimpse into the kitchen as your food is being prepared, look no further than Riccardo’s. With a series of Italian dishes specially prepared for you in an open concept kitchen, giving you that chance to see the care that goes into quality cooking, and a window overlooking Amherstburg’s Kings’ Navy Yard Park, dining at Riccardo’s is like nothing you’ve done before. Their award winning menu includes homemade lasagna, veal scallopini, black tiger shrimp, house-made manicotti, and, of course, lamb dishes that will leave lamb lovers in awe, these dishes paired with the ambiance will leave you with nothing but great food, great photos, and a great atmosphere. You cannot go wrong when you dine at Riccardo’s. Visit them at 238 Dalhousie Street in Amherstburg, or online at www.riccardositalian.com for more information.

238 DALHOUSIE ST., AMHERSTBURG, ON. 519-736-4333
RICCARDOSITALIAN.COM

SPAGO TRATTORIA

Over 30 years in business, the dream of two brothers to serve authentic Italian cuisine just like Nonna makes has proven to be a success. Three locations across Windsor, Spago Trattoria takes the legacy that was brought to North America from the Ciociaria region of Italy and brings it to the tables of Windsor-Essex. Open seven days a week, Spago’s red seal chefs are ready and waiting to serve you in South Windsor, Windsor’s Little Italy, and inside of Caesars Windsor. The taste of Casalvieri combined with the spirit of Ciociaria come together in a way that can only be found at Spago, making your time here special. For more information, you can visit our website at www.spago.ca. Welcome to Spago where you will taste Italy with all your senses.

690 ERIE ST. E, WINDSOR ON.
3850 DOUGALL AVE, WINDSOR, ON.
377 RIVERSIDE DR. E., WINDSOR, ON.
SPAGO.CA

SALUTE CAFE & BAR

Cafe by day, lounge by night, Saluté is LaSalle’s new place to be for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Great food, great cocktails, and a dream come true for co-owner Anthony Moscardelli, Saluté is a destination for shareable dining. With a menu packed with paninis, flatbreads, small plates, a sommelier designed wine list, and mixologists who have mastered the craft of creating well-balanced, creative cocktails, you are sure to have a pleased palate that will leave you longing to come back for more. Alongside the delicious eats and drinks, Saluté also loves live music, hosting weekly house guests from DJs to jazz to acoustic music. Come in for a visit at 1745 Sprucewood in LaSalle, or follow them on Facebook and Instagram and visit their website at www.salutelasalle.com.

1745 SPRUCEWOOD AVE., LASALLE, ON. 519-915-4600
SALUTELASALLE.COM

TUSCAN GRILL

For a truly intimate experience, completely customized to your taste, visit Tuscan Grill, located inside of LaSalle’s Ambassador Golf Club. The “experience” at the Tuscan Grill is called the “Chefs Tasting.” It’s a 5 course intimate and exclusive experience with the Executive Chef right at your table. Tuscan Grill offers the opportunity to provide the chef with your likes, dislikes, and dietary restrictions, no matter how vague or extensive. From there, the team will prepare you a custom 5-course meal, developed on your own tastes. Before each course, your table will be visited by our very own Executive Chef Daniele Palanca, who has been in the industry for over 30 years, to discuss the meal specially prepared for you. Using only the freshest local ingredients, every meal is cooked to order, from scratch, nothing is cooked ahead! The restaurant’s patio overlooks an award-winning golf course, complete with a tranquil and relaxing panoramic view. Unparalleled in Windsor-Essex, the Tuscan Grill experience is one you will never forget. Call us at 519-966-2425 to book your ultimate dining experience.

1025 SPRUCEWOOD AVE, LASALLE, ON. 519-966-2425 EXT. 2
AMBASSADORGOLFCLUB.COM/TUSCAN-GRILL

WINEOLOGY

In wine we trust. Windsor-Essex’s first wine bar which opened in 2014 has begun expanding outside of the county, having opened their newest location in Kitchener. Over the past seven years, Wineology has been focusing on bringing a unique dining experience to the area, with wine being the primary goal. Supplying wines from nearly every region in the world — including ones you cannot purchase at the LCBO — Wineology customers can come in and enjoy a wide array of the world’s best wines while also enjoying delicious food. The superstar team’s goal is to supply an exceptional selection of wines, and contribute to the education of fine wines. Whatever the occasion, Wineology will surely be a hit. As the hard work and creativity of this unique establishment continues to grow, you may soon be able to catch more locations popping up across Ontario. You can make a reservation online at www.wineologybar.ca, but be quick, they’re almost fully booked for the holiday season!

1646 WYANDOTTE ST. E., WALKERVILLE, ON. 519-419-5080
13300 TECUMSEH RD E., TECUMSEH, ON. 519-735-1200
19 MAIN ST E., KINGSVILLE. ON. 519-712-9065
WWW.WINEOLOGYBAR.CA