Pane Fresco Artisan Breads & Cafe

I researched where to go for a nice breakfast downtown Burlington, to start a special day I had planned for my guys - and decided on this one because of its rating. When we pulled up I was happy to see there were tables available on the patio - however that quickly changed to disappointment when I saw that almost all the tables were stacked with dirty plates of left over food, beverages and condiments. I asked the young person about the outside seating - 'just pick any table' . I had to ask about clearing them - I don't think that was normally his job but he tried to do his best. He took the dishes from the table we sat at but the other dirty dishes remained. I don't think it is the staffs fault, a manager should have been there to deal with this. I don't usually write reviews that aren't favourable - I just wouldn't go back. However, I thought management should know and have an opportunity to address what may have been a one time occurrence - I welcome a response. I still give a good rating for the food (though we chose not to have the full breakfast we came for) - but just couldn't overlook the table issue.

Great place to buy a variety of breads. Lunch choices are plentiful and absolutely delicious! Great coffee too!

Everything they make is top notch! You will not be disappointed with anything that you order here. Their pizza is exceptional along with all the different types of bread that they make.

Pane Fresco are located in Burlington, but they can be found at most, if not all Fortino's Grocery stores. We have been going to Pane Fresco, at our local Fortino's for years, They carry a wide variety of different foods foe different taste buds. Over the years we have tried almost everything. Their artisan breads are fresh & delicious. Their 10 different pizzas are different & also GR8. I really like the Montreal Smoked Meat pizza. They have breakfast items & fresh made sandwiches & wraps as well. You can also pick up ready made hot meals for dinner, sushi, desserts, salads, & different beverages. However, our favourites are the different coated, meaty chicken wings & the 16 varieties of absolutely delicious soups. My favourite soups are Thai Curry Chicken & the newly introduced Lobster Bisque.

We've been to Pane Fresco a few times. I like the people and the bakers are all very nice. Mostly we buy the pastries and they are usually tasty. We crave great coffee. And PF's coffee was never very good, not even when Mark was the owner, (Though he and his wife ran a terrific place otherwise). If the coffee came from the urns it wasn't good, but we have learned (here and in many places) to order an espresso or an Americano in order to avoid urn coffee. I ordered an Americano today and if there was a coffee taste, it eluded me! It was more like cooked grain. I was so annoyed that after I left, I walked back across the street and returned it. A first for me! I politely remarked that it was a shame that Italian cafes in Toronto and Rome can manage to serve really great coffee, so why couldn't they do the same? The answer was cheerfully brushed off with, "This isn't Rome!"Well, it is Burlington, not Wawa! And I know that we have access to great coffee beans in Burlington-Hamilton and in the GTA. Plus there's also a huge market of people living/working in Burlington who are hankering for REALLY GOOD coffee. Ditto tourists who might be visiting that part of town. Part of the problem with their espresso is that "pods" are used. Not the traditional method. Please revisit your coffee-making methods or you will continue to lose customers!