Ritorno Restaurant, Oakville

Ritorno Restaurant Description

After 5 years together, Julia and Carl have embarked on their newest venture, Ritorno. Ritorno is what Julia calls a "return to the table, in the Italian way." - A return to traditional Italian food made and eaten traditionally, in a sharing encouraged environment. Ritorno is about stripping away the complications of modern dining, bringing things back to their basics. Fresh, quality ingredients presented in their truest forms, classic, attentive and unobtrusive service from a staff who shares their joy of their job and environment with the guests.

back to top

Ritorno Restaurant Reviews

By far the best restuarant in Oakville/Ever. I have never had something on the menu I didn't enjoy. Very authentic and well priced. Highly recommended

Just stopped in during lunch at this new place. Wow, I was back in Europe! Excellent mouth watering selection of quality meals. I will be back.

Click for more reviews

Ritorno Restaurant Share

Facebook Share on Twitter My Space Delicious Digg Bebo Blinklist reddit Stumble Upon

back to top

Ritorno Restaurant Menus

Main Menu Wine List Dessert Menu Alternative Diets

Main Menu

Pane e Bruschetta

Garlic Bread
Oven baked bread basted with garlic and parsley butter. Served with warm tomato sauce.
$6
With Cheese
$8

Bruschetta Pommodore
Crisp bread served with herbed Roma tomatoes, Asiago cheese and roasted garlic.
$9

Piadina al Forno
Traditional Flatbread from the Romagna region, basted with fig jam then covered with prosciutto and buffalo
mozzarella and oven baked. Served with an arugula salad with roasted garlic vinaigrette.
$12

Tre Bagni
A trio of dips – Roasted tomato, spinach and cheese; White bean, artichoke and arugula; Caramelized onion,
fig and goat’s cheese served with fresh bread, crostini and foccacia crisps.
$16

Crostini alla Chiantigiana
Tuscan style chicken liver pate served with black grape chutney and herbed crostini.
$14

Antipasti
Antipasto, literally translated into English as “before the meal”, is how Italians signify the official beginning of a meal.
Be they simple or elaborate, Antipasti are fun to share – the original “icebreaker”!

Marinated Olives and Italian Bread
Our signature marinated mixture of Manzanilla, musco, kalamatta and Sicilian olives served with fresh Italian bread,
extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
$6

Mussels Brodetto
Mussels braised in a traditional Italian seafood broth flavoured with onion, celery and fennel.
$12
*traditional marinara also available*

Calamari Fritti
Calamari dusted with seasoned corn meal and flour, fried and served with grilled lemon and a spicy roasted garlic aioli.
$12

Gamberone con Fra Diavola
Pan fried tiger shrimp sautéed with red onion, sautéed sweet and hot peppers and cherry tomatoes served on a bed
of dandelion greens.
$14

Linguine Carbonara
Prepared in the traditional style of the Lazio region of Italy, fresh pasta is tossed with prosciutto, peas, eggs, Romano and
Grana Padano cheeses.
$14

Risotto con Funghi Matta
Creamy Portobello, Porcini and Cremini mushroom risotto finished with Grana Padano cheese and fresh thyme.
$14

Pan seared Scallops
Seared jumbo sea scallops, served over a puree of cauliflower with a fennel and walnut pesto then topped with oven
roasted prosciutto crisps.
$15

Zuppe e Insalate ~ Soups and Salada

Potato, Asiago and Arugula Soup
Creamy puree garnished with basil pesto drizzle.
$8

Zuppa del Giorno
priced daily

Caesar Salad
Romaine leaves tossed in our house made dressing and served with crisp pancetta, herbed croutons and shaved
Grana Padano.
$8
Add Chicken
$5

Insalata Ritorno
Mixed greens tossed with cherry tomatoes, black olives and red wine poached figs in a shallot, goat’s cheese and
red wine vinaigrette garnished with crumbled goat’s cheese.
$8

Insalata Italiano
Baby spinach, arugula and radicchio, simply dressed with balsamic vinaigrette.
$7

Caprese
Roma tomatoes with Ontario Bella Casara Mozzarella di Bufala, fresh basil leaves, aged balsamic drizzle and
extra virgin olive oil.
$15

Grilled Vegetable and Goat’s Cheese Salad
Seasoned and grilled vegetables served with a honey mustard dressed arugula salad and topped with pan
fried goat’s cheese coated in a light breading.
$14

Pasta & Polenta
“Life is a combination of magic and pasta” – Frederico Fellini
** Please feel free to substitute gluten free corn penne or whole wheat linguine for any of our pasta dishes **

Al Forno ~ Oven Baked

Polenta “Lasagna”
Goat’s cheese polenta, layered with herbed mushrooms, spinach, Grana Padano and mozzarella cheeses.
Oven baked, and served with our classic tomato sauce and grilled vegetables.
$16

Sausage and Pepper Casseruola
Hot Italian sausage braised in a tomato broth with sweet peppers, onions and fennel, tossed with our hand
rolled gnocchi then oven baked in a cast iron skillet with mozzarella cheese.
$17

Four Cheese Ravioli
Egg pasta stuffed with ricotta, Parmigiano Reggiano, fontina and Romano cheese, with sundried tomatoes and
asparagus in a roasted garlic tomato cream sauce and served on a bed of baby spinach.
$20

Lasagna Ritorno
Pasta layered with spinach and a tomato, sausage and mushroom ragu. Baked with mozzarella, ricotta and
parmesan cheeses. Served with Panini-pressed garlic bread.
$18

Crespelle Manicotti
Savory crepes, filled with spinach, Romano, Grana Padano and ricotta cheeses. Topped with our tomato sauce
and mozzarella cheese and then oven baked.
$17

Gettato ~ Tossed Pasta

Gnocchi Alla Vodka
For the past 25 years, Nonna has been hand rolling gnocchi for Julia in all of her restaurant kitchens.
Techniques and tradition has been handed down from Nonna to Julia’s Chefs in order to maintain this legacy.
There is no recipe, as Nonna puts it “it’s all in the hands”. These little pillows of potato, egg, flour and love
are served in a tomato and cream sauce, finished with fresh basil.
$20

Penne Bolognese
Penne tossed in our traditional savory three meat Bolognese tomato sauce.
$16

Spaghetti & Meatballs
Spaghetti served simply with a classic tomato sauce and topped with a trio of oven baked meatballs.
$16

Fettuccine Alfredo
Fresh fettuccine tossed in a creamy Alfredo sauce, with parsley and Grana Padano.
$16

Tagliatelle Fegato di Pollo
Chicken livers sautéed in olive oil with fresh tomatoes then finished with spinach and an herbed chicken broth.
$17

Penne Con Vitello Ragu
Tender pieces of veal sautéed with wild mushrooms and leek, finished with a tomato and veal stock reduction
and then tossed with penne noodles and shaved Asiago cheese.
$18

Linguine Pescatore
Black tiger shrimp, mussels, clams and fresh fish in a white wine and basil tomato sauce.
$21

Spaghetti Puttanesca
Flaked tuna simmered in a traditional Sicilian-style sauce with extra virgin olive oil, anchovies, garlic, parsley,
black olives and tomatoes finished with white wine and arugula.
$18

Piccola Pasta
Enjoy all the “grande” flavor of your favourites in “piccolo” form!
Spaghetti Pommodore (tomato)
$7
Penne Bolognese (meat sauce)
$10
Fettuccine Alfredo (cream sauce)
$9
Penne alla Arrabiatta (spicy tomato)
$7
Spaghetti Puttanesca
$10
Gnocchi Alla Vodka (tomato cream)
$12
Linguine Aglio e Olio (oil and garlic)
$7

Carne e Pesci ~ Meats and Fish
Good food takes time. Many traditional Italian meat recipes will attest to this, with hours of careful monitoring and cooking in order to bring
out the most flavour possible. Fish and meat cookery can be an event, one that sometimes whole days are devoted to the loving preparation of.
We’ve taken the time to recreate these dishes for you without the day long wait, but once you’ve tried them, the anticipation of having it again
will be the same. Buon Appetito!

Vitello Piccata
Pan seared veal scallopine, lightly braised in a caper, lemon and parsley white wine butter. Served with grilled
vegetables and roasted fingerling potatoes.
$18

Vitello Parmigiana
Tender veal cutlet, covered with herbed breadcrumbs, pan fried then topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella
and Grana Padano cheeses, oven baked and served with a side of linguine pommodore.
$18

Vitello Marsala
Tender pan seared veal scallopine, in a sweet Marsala wine cream sauce with wild mushrooms and herbs and
served with mashed potatoes and sautéed green beans.
$20

Maiale Involtini
Bacon wrapped pork tenderloin filled with Italian bread, sundried tomatoes, goat’s cheese, arugula and red
wine poached figs. Oven roasted and served with roasted fingerling potatoes, sautéed broccolini and finished
with a balsamic fig glaze.
$25

Pollo Limone
Lemon herb marinated supreme of chicken, slowly braised to reach the utmost tenderness. Served with grilled
lemon, roasted potatoes and asparagus.
$20

Zuppa di Pesce FOR TWO
The ultimate Italian seafood extravaganza! Calamari, littleneck clams, mussels, shrimp, scallops and grilled
halibut in a white wine, fennel and tomato broth. Served with grilled Italian bread and a mixed green salad.
$54

Prosciutto Wrapped Halibut
9oz halibut fillet, wrapped in Prosciutto di Parma, coated with herbed bread crumbs and then oven roasted.
Served with sautéed cherry tomatoes and spinach risotto.
$25

Agnello al Forno
New Zealand lamb shank, braised in an herbed red wine, mushroom, bacon and onion broth for a minimum
of three hours. Served with tomato basil mashed potatoes and oven roasted brussel sprouts.
$25

Bistecca della Griglia
Grilled 9oz rib eye with a fresh herb and sea salt rub, served with an asparagus sformato and oven roasted
fingerling potatoes. Topped with crumbled gorgonzola and a roasted garlic and tomato rosemary butter.
$28

Contorno ~ Side Dishes

Grilled Asparagus
$5

Sauteed Broccolini
$5

Grilled Vegetables
$7

Sauteed Green Beans
$4

Sautéed Spinach
$5

Alfredo Sauce
$5

Tomato Sauce
$3

Add 4 oz Grilled Chicken
$5

Add 3 Black Tiger Shrimp
$9

A 17% gratuity will be added to all tables of 8 or more.

back to top of menus

Wine List

VINO BIANCO

Featured Wines

Pinot Grigio
Paradiso Veneto Chardonnay
‘Berro’ Piemonte Soave
Cantina Levorato Veneto
Glass $9
Bottle $35
1/2 Litre $24

Light & Lively

Verdicchio, Garofoli The Marches
Flavourful peaches and apples!
$65

Pinot Grigio, Peter Zemmer Alto Adige
Apple blossom & alpine pear. Grigio in its finest form!
$45

Riesling, Forchir Friuli
Fruity bouquet with hints of orange blossoms, peach,
apricot and blueberry.
$48

Medium & Mirthful

Pinot Bianco, Peter Zemmer Alto Adige
Fresh flavor and crisp apple…a foodie!
$49

Sauvignon Blanc, Principi di Porcia Friuli
Exotic Fruits and Citrus perfect seafood match!
$45

Full & Flavorsome

Muller Thurgau, Peter Zemmer Alto Adige
A bowl of fresh exotic fruits.
$60

Gavi di Gavi, La Scolca Piemonte
A white wine for red lovers.
$75

Anna-6, Tenuta Santome Treviso
Intense and complex with a light citrus finish.
$43

Spumante – Sparkling

Prosecco, Bel Star Treviso
Apple & white peach, fresh and creamy.
Glass $9
Bottle $45

Chardonnay, Principi di Porcia Friuli
Peachy Keen!
$65

Gavi, Soldati Millesimato Piemonte
All you need is a reason.
$200

Riserva – Reserve Wines

Barbaresco, Castello di Verduno Piemonte
Broad shouldered, peppery purple fruit.
$135

Brunello di Montalcino, La Fortuna Tuscany
Voluptuous cherry and rose petals.
$140

Barolo, Cascina Adelaide Piemonte
The king of wines, the wine of Kings.
$160

Amarone DOC, Grotta del Ninfeo Verona
Classic Italian beauty, seeking a strong and bold
companion for one night only.
$165

Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG Tuscany
Deep ruby colour and long finish make this a Chianti
for the ages.

$125

Amarone, Monte Zovo Veneto
Warm notes of black plums, coffee, and mocha equal
classic comfort.
$95

 

VINO ROSSO

Featured Wines

Chianti
Coppaia Tuscany Montepulciano
Vigna Sole Abruzzo Cab Sauvignon
Tenuta Santome Veneto Primitivo
Ugozanier Puglia
Glass $9
Bottle $35
1/2 Litre $24

Light & Leisurely

Chianti, Fattoria Casabianca Tuscany
Classic bright cherry – The wine for all occasions!
$47

Pinot Nero, Peter Zemmer Alto Adige
Outside Italy they call it Pinot Noir – Silky smooth.
$55

Barbera, Casa Brina Piemonte
Lean sour cherry and pepper.
$50

Sangiovese, Badia di Morrona Tuscany
Ruby red, fresh & delicate tart berries.
$39

Medium & Mellow

Syrah, Terre Nuove Puglia
A Shiraz by any other name is still…ruby red with
blackberry and chocolate.
$38

Merlot, Cantina Levorato Veneto
A perfect companion to tomato based dishes!
$36

Valpolicella, Grotto del Ninfeo Veneto
Red fruit and cherry aromas. Smooth and persistent
with an aftertaste of sweet fruit.
$45

Malbec, Principi di Porcia Friuli
A red wine well suited for arrabiatta and mussels.
$45

Chianti Classico, La Leccia Tuscany
Black cherry and plum, a handful of herbs, made in a
rustic old world style.
$75

Full & Fabulous

Rosso, Paradiso di Frassina Tuscany
Organic Super Tuscan, Deep Cherry and Oak.
Perfect with olive oil and ripe tomatoes!
$65

Taneto Toscana, Badia di Morrona
Young super Tuscan, juicy black fruit and round tannins.
$55

Refosco, Principi di Porcia Friuli
Raspberry, earth and savory oak. Akin to braised meats.
$65

Lagrien, Peter Zemmer Alto Adige
Hunters wine – a rustic gamey and very rare find.
$65

Valpolicella Ripasso, Musella Veneto
A ripasso for Amarone Lovers!
$75

Nebbiolo, Cascina Adelaide Piemonte
The famous grape of Barolo and Barbaresco –
liquid prosciutto.
$85

Bottiglia Mezza – Half Bottles

Amarone, Le Salette Veneto
Seductive texture, dried fruits & lush blackcurrent.
$80

Brunello di Montalcino, Paolus Tuscany
Sexy, harmonious velvet. Elegant and persistent.
$80

Valpolicella Ripasso, Musella Veneto
A ripasso for Amarone Lovers!
$36

back to top of menus

Dessert Menu

DOLCI~DESSERTS

Cannoli
Pastry shells filled with a sweet ricotta and chocolate chip cream.
$7

Tiramisu
Espresso soaked ladyfinger cookies layered between whipped cream and
mascarpone cheese filling. Topped with chocolate shavings.
$8

Cioccolato Semi-Freddo
Traditional decadent dark chocolate mousse served with white chocolate
shavings and vanilla whipped cream.
$8

Pannetone Bread Pudding
Traditional bread pudding made in house with pannetone; an Italian sweet
bread. Served warm with caramel espresso and vanilla whipped cream.
$8

Cheese Plate
Assorted Artisan cheeses with citrus and port reconstituted figs and red
wine poached pear.
$15

Assorted Gelato and Tartufo
$7

DIGESTIVOS ~ AFTER DINNER DRINKS

Amarula Cream Liqueur*
$6

Appleton Estate
V/X

Jamaica Rum
$8

Calvados Boulard
$8

Raynal X/0 Brandy*
$8

Osborne Cream Sherry*
$6

Dujardin VSOP Brandy*
$6

Ouzo 12
$6

Amaro Lucano
$6

Amaro Averna
$6

Bottega Grappa
$6

Limoncello
$6

Single Malt Scotch Whisky:
Glenfiddich 12 Year Old
$8

Glenfiddich 15 Year Old
$10

BEVANDE CALDE ~ HOT BEVERAGES

Coffee
regular or decaffeinated
$2

Tea
Orange Pekoe, Chamomile or Green
$2

Latte Macchiato
$4

Espresso
$2.50
Decaffeinated
$2.75

Cappuccino
$3.50
Decaffeinated
$3.75

CAFFE SPECIALE ~ SPECIALTY COFFEES

Caffe Ritorno
Hot Chocolate with Vanilla and Espresso, mixed with Amarula Cream Liqueur
and Crème de Cacao, then topped with Tiramisu Cream.
$8

Bacio Siciliano
Amaretto, Southern Comfort and hot coffee topped with vanilla scented
fresh whipped cream.
$8

Caffe Italiano
Amaretto, Dujardin VSOP Brandy and Frangelico with hot coffee and
whipped cream.
$8

Espresso Coretto
Short espresso with a 1/2 oz of grappa.
$6

back to top of menus

Alternative Diets

This menu has been created to assist those with dietary restrictions in making healthy and safe choices at Ritorno
Restaurant. Please be advised however, that we are not a Lactose or Gluten Free environment and although we offer
these choices as a convenience to you, we cannot guarantee complete gluten or lactose free products.
Gluten Friendly: GF Lactose Free: LF Vegetarian: VG

Appetizers

Potato, Asiago and Arugula Soup
Creamy puree garnished with basil pesto drizzle.
$8 GF VG

Calamari Fritti
Calamari dusted with seasoned corn meal and flour, fried and served with grilled lemon and a spicy roasted garlic
aioli.
$12 LF

Insalata Ritorno
Mixed greens tossed with cherry tomatoes, black olives and red wine poached figs in a shallot, goat’s cheese and red
wine vinaigrette garnished with crumbled goat’s cheese.
$8 GF VG

Caprese
Roma tomatoes with Ontario Bella Casara Mozzarella di Bufala, fresh basil and aged balsamic drizzle and extra
virgin olive oil.
$15 GF VG

Insalata Italiano
Baby spinach, arugala and radicchio, simply dressed with balsamic vinaigrette
$7 GF LF VG

Bruschetta Pommodore
Herbed Roma tomatoes with gluten free bread, roasted garlic, and Asiago cheese.
$9 GF VG

Gamberone con Fra Diavola
Pan fried tiger shrimp sautéed with red onion, sautéed sweet and hot peppers and cherry tomatoes served on a bed
of dandelion greens.
$14 GF LF

Mussels Marinara
Mussels braised in a traditional Italian tomato sauce.
$12 GF LF

Tre Bagni
A trio of dips-Roasted tomato, spinach and cheese; White bean, artichoke and arugula; Caramelized onion, fig and
goat’s cheese served with choice of gluten free bread or Italian white bread.
$16 GF VG

Risotto con Funghi Matta Appetizer
Creamy Portobello, Porcini and Cremini mushroom risotto finished with Grana Padano cheese and fresh thyme.
$14 Entrée $21 GF

Pastas and Entrees

Polenta “Lasagna”
Goat’s cheese polenta, layered with herbed mushrooms, spinach, Grana Padano and mozzarella cheeses. Oven
baked, and served with our classic tomato sauce and grilled vegetables.
$16 GF VG

4 Cheese Ravioli
Egg pasta stuffed with ricotta, Parmigiano Reggiano, fontina and Romano cheese, with sundried tomatoes and
asparagus in a roasted garlic tomato cream sauce and served on a bed of baby spinach.
$20 VG

Crespelle Manicotti
Savory crepes, filled with spinach and Romano, Grana Padano, and Ricotta cheeses. Topped with our tomato
sauce and mozzarella cheese and then oven baked.
$17 VG

Gnocchi Alla Vodka
Signature hand rolled potato gnocchi, served in a tomato and cream sauce, finished with fresh basil.
$20 VG

Pasta Bolognese
Traditional savory three meat Bolognese tomato sauce. Served with your choice of Gluten Free Corn or Regular
Penne noodles.
$16 GF LF

Pasta Primavera
Choice of Gluten Free Corn Penne or Regular Fettuccine noodles tossed in roasted garlic and olive oil, with leeks,
sundried tomatoes, peas, Portobello mushrooms and spinach.
$18 GF VG LF

Pasta Puttanesca
Flaked tuna simmered in a traditional Sicilian-style sauce with extra virgin olive oil, anchovies, garlic, parsley, black
olives and tomatoes finished with white wine and arugula. Choice of Corn Penne or regular Spaghetti noodle.
$18 GF LF

Pasta Pescatore
Black tiger shrimp, mussels, clams and fresh fish in a white wine and basil tomato sauce. Choice of Corn Penne or
regular Linguine noodle.
$21 GF LF

Vitello Piccata
Pan seared veal scallopine, lightly braised in a caper, lemon and parsley white wine butter. Served with grilled
vegetables and roasted fingerling potatoes.
$18 GF

back to top of menus