Come savor a delightful dish at Cook's Shop The Restaurant. This restaurant features a variety of pizzas and pasta for 11$ to 25$. You can get there by bicycle.
I will always remember what I had for dinner the first time my parents brought me to the Cook's Shop. It was the Chicken Diablo - a whole, large chicken, butterflied with a spicy sauce. The server commented that it was "bigger than me" and I might not be able to eat it all. I proved her wrong!
SInce then, I have made many trips to this little place and most of the time I still end up with the chicken. My girlfriend feels the same way about the Angus Scallopini. On our last visit, the "garnish" (as they call it), was an order of spagheti in marinara sauce. In most places, this "garnish" could have been dinner!
I will never stop coming here. The food is great. The wait staff are super nice and accommodating. And the one waiter who always seemed to be in a hurry is now gone - (some people will find that a relief, but I must say he waited on us a couple of times and it wasn't too bad).
Cook's Shop - hang in there - we are coming back!
Always great to come home to Windsor and have our traditional meal at the Cook's Shop- great food, great service; try the chocolate cake! Gnocchi is fantastic
We were very dissapointed when we returned to the cook's shop after so many years. It used to be "the" restaurant in Windsor to go to. First of all our table was so dark that we literally could not read the menu. I expressed this to our server and her response was.....yeah.....we don't have the candles anymore......sorry. We are not fussy or prudes by any means.....but, we really could not see the menue. I had to get up and go hold the menue under a light at another table. The food was o.k. nothing to the quality it used to be. They used to prepare dishes at the table, which made it all that more special, but, now they only do it for "certain" things. It has certainly lost it ambiance. Like I said, the food was o.k.....the service, o.k. (ordered an irish coffee after dinner and she used cc instead of irish whisky, then tried to convince me that it was irish whisky). The price was reasonable. I just wish it had that old charm like it used to. I probably wont go back. There are so many other good restaurants in Windsor now, that this one is very comparable to.
we usually visit this place once or twice a year, and we will keep doing that. However, we feel that they can set a better appetizers selection as there is almost none and same goes for their sides as the only option right now is their frozen vegetables.
we will visit again for the romantic atmosphere and friendly staff.. we hope to see an improved wine list and a new sexy menu, with the same great value
If anyone out there loves lamb like we do then this is the place to have it. Generous portions and melt in your mouth cuts! Husband had the rack (approx 6-7 chops) and I had the medallions (5) and they were delicious. Daughter had the filet mignon and it also was done to perfection.
As for the salad served with it....lettuce were full leaves so hard to handle and the frozen vegetables were overdone ...... the meal would of been much better maybe served with small roasted potatoes!!! Otherwise it was delicious! Thumbs up!
This place is a total gem in downtown Windsor. A rare find. Extremely reasonable prices, huge portions, and a fine-dining atmosphere (8-22$). I've been going here for years and always leave happy. Service is super efficient and professional.
Order a pasta appetizer, and your waiter cooks it right at the table. Jessica served me last time and was wonderful, super attentive and kind.
I had fond memories of Cook's Shop from when I lived in Windsor in the 80's, and read some good reviews here, so took my mother for a birthday dinner and we were all greatly disappointed.
The service was polite and attentive, but the food was not at all what we expected. My filet was excellent. that is where the quality ends unfortunately. Cook's shop was always known for their excellent pasta, and indeed they tout it's tableside preparation on the menu. Our party had both the carbonara and alfredo and neither were up to par. The carbonara was completely lacking in flavor, and there was no evidence of any bacon or egg in the dish, merely a bowl of spaghetti floating in a thin runny milky sauce. The fettucine alfredo managed to be both dry and tasteless and also floating in a thin, runny, flavorless sauce, which could have been the same concoction as the carbonara. It was impossible to tell them apart, since they both lacked any character. The rack of lamb was not like any we had ever seen. Extremely thin (less than 1/2" thick!) pieces of lamb cooked to an unappealing shade of gray. The filet mignon was the only high point of the meal and was cooked to perfection. Even the garlic bread and salad were sub par, with the bread being tiny pieces of squishy white bread with a garlic concoction, and the salad was also lackluster.
We had a reservation and arrived early and were the first patrons, so a busy kitchen was not the problem. Although our pasta was cooked (badly) tableside, Later patrons were not treated to the same. Their pasta was brought to the table in stainless steel bowls already prepared.
Bringing my group to the Cook's shop proved to be embarassing to me after having given it such a buildup. I have had better pasta at chain restaurants.
Side note: the wine list was straight from the 70's. when was the last time you saw Mateus, Casal Mendes, Maria Christina and Colli Albani all featured on the same menu?
My previous experiences were good. Last night wasnt so good. I have to agree with whats being said about the bald waiter. Stay away. His accent doesnt add nothing to the table. He appeared to be in a rush the whole time. It wasnt even busy.....a sunday night. Wasnt too impressed with the trout. I had much better. My dad had the salmon and he wasnt too impressed either.....small portions with no taste that jumped out at u...at least it didnt taste fishy. Maybe increase the prices and serve something that will fill u up. I recommend the pastas and meats.
Needed no reservation
A wonderful first impression place.
If you want to impress your date take her here.
Very reasonable prices. Service could not have been any better.
Romantic candle lit place where you and you loved one can dine and seem as your the only customers.
Pasta prices $12.95
Mussels $8.95
New york steak 22.95
Large Cesar Salad. (whole Head Almost)
I hate to say it but I will not go anywhere else for a night out with the misses. Thank you Cook shop.
Among the top 5 restaurants i have ever been to...
Among the top 5 restaurants i have ever been to. The Caesar salad was to die for. This was also a very romantic setting, where you;re pasta is made right beside your table by a quirky gentalman who joked with us and prepared the best pasta dishes ive ever had. I would drive the 3 hours back to windsor just to eat at this restaurant again. A definit return when ever i will be in the area again.
This my absolute favorite restaurant. It has ruined all other Italian restaurants for me--none can compare to the homemade pasta, light caesary dressing, sauces made to order, friendly service and atmosphere. I have loved everything that I've tried, and we always spend special occasions and birthdays here. The proprietor, Lino, makes an effort to visit our table and make sure our dining experience is nothing but the best. I strongly recommend!!
Two couples went for dinner and we thought it was the best meal we have had in a long time if not the very best. The steak was so tender the shadow of a fork could have cut it. Highly recommend it. Service is superb attentive and pleasant.Romantic setting dim lighting with candle. We will definately be back for more. Bob Appetit.dan mary randy julie
We had been here many times in the 80's this was...
We had been here many times in the 80's this was the place to go. 28 years later we returned in 2007 & 2008
to find it still the place to be. The food excellant, the ambience charming, Seniour Catroppa makes you feel right at home. We took our son and 3 of his friends there for his birthday. The boys loved it! Lamb melts in your mouth.
Service on this trip was not as attentive as prior visits.
The only thing I wish they would change are the chairs they are not very comfortable.
I have been praising this restaurant since 1984 to all my friends and family. The waiter everyone seems to dislike is one of the most kind people of all besides the owner of course.
The serving staff ARE quite busy as they prepare soups, bread, drinks and desserts as well as see to all our needs. Hats off to all of them as many people are hard to please.
Now about the food....I visit this restaurant about 4-5 times a year and have always ordered the Tortollini Alfredo........melts in your mouth. If you love garlic like I do, this is the place. Most of my friends order from the meat menu and have never complained. Why should they?
When someone wants to get me a gift, it always shows up in the form of a gift certificate for The Cook Shop - Like I would ever complain about that....not
We live in a world where everyone is over worked so to those whose experience was less than pleasurable, I say give it another try. They may have just had an off day.
The restaurant is somewhat difficult to spot, as...
The restaurant is somewhat difficult to spot, as there is a pink neon sign in the window that reads "the pasta shop." The restaurant is below, in the garden level of this building. There are two doors, but neither of them seem to be "an entrance" so when we walked in, it was a little odd as we were just standing next to someone's table until a waiter beckoned us to the waiting area.
The staff is efficient and knowledgeable, if somewhat overworked. There are no bus boys (as far as I could tell), so our waiter was a little taxed (busing, serving, mixing drinks and even cooking table side) and we waited a bit for our drinks and for the check. I didn't mind, as I was in no hurry, but I could see how this could be a turn off for some.
The food was excellent. My beef kebabs were on special, and they were magnificent - perfectly cooked and succulent. The escargot was also delicious. The gnocchi left something to be desired. The salad was also great. The wine list wasn't great, but it was very interesting.
I've eaten here on numerous occasions since discovering it. In 10 years of dining, I have only had one dish that was slightly too salty and this was quickly remedied. The service is fantastic with the waiter's recognizing you when you return. Also, the owner has visited our table and occasionally will give a round of drinks on the house if it's a special occasion! A very cozy and romantic atmosphere with great tableside service.
This is where my now husband propsed to me, and...
This is where my now husband propsed to me, and it was so romantic! The food was amazing and so was the service. We plan on going back as soon as I get my passport in the mail.
Probably one of the best restaurants in the area...
Probably one of the best restaurants in the area. Regardless of what classification people want to give it (Italian, not Italian), the food is great. The pasta preparation at the table is very enjoyable and it is cooked perfectly...not to dry or soggy.
Dessert is another treat.
While the quarters are a little cramped, the food more than makes up for it.
