Having done the weekend cooking demonstration in the past, we were really expecting a whole lot more from Papi's. Basically mediocre across the board.

It didn't help that the service was sub-par: either our waitress was new or just simply hadn't been trained in the basics. When two people order one starter to split, plus two other appetizers would you expect that all three would be delivered simultaneously? Especially to a table the size of a postage stamp? Never came to check if we enjoyed the food (we didn't) - not even when she cleared our plates (with more than 75% left on them). Had to flag her down for drinks after my glass sat empty for quite awhile. And a personal pet peeve of mine - clearing one person's plates before everyone at the table was done. That might be ok at a greasy spoon, but certainly wouldn't expect it from something billed as fine dining.

Food was "meh" - nothing special. The Frito Mista (what amounted to basic fried calamari & shrimp) were just ok. The mussels were just ok as well, flavouring was good but the quality of the mussels themselves was pretty poor. My wife's pasta special (with boar) was under-seasoned and rather dry. I had the Veal "Marsala" (quotes on the menu, when I asked the waitress why the quotes she had no idea) and it was tough and lacking in any Marsala flavour at all. Huge portion, but ended up only eating one of the three pieces - just didn't seem worth the calories.

Didn't bother staying for dessert - unusual for us - given the meal we didn't think it would be worth it.

Restaurant was also extremely noisy - could hardly hear each other once it filled up. For $140 (including undeserved tip) there are much better choices in the area.

I arranged for a large party to dine at Papi's last night and we miscalculated the number of people who would attend. Even though we asked the server politely to see if arrangements could be made to add a few extra seats to our table, she seemed flustered and annoyed. I understand that it was our mistake and I apologized, however, I expect servers to be understanding or at least not to give me attitude when there is nothing that can be done. Definitely sensed a pretentious attitude. A small party finally decided to sit at a separate table. Our server didn't offer additional menus to people who arrived late and there was definitely no warmth or friendliness when we were being served.

The restaurant is small, so it doesn't accommodate large groups. It has a mature Steveston crowd and would be a good place to take dates. We liked the ambiance and the open kitchen. The food was above average, but not the best italian food I've had. I'm a big fan of mussels, and they were only OK there. My friends tried a variety of pasta dishes, and the overall agreement was they were good to above average, but not outstanding. I liked the bruschetta.

Overall, my friends and I would not go back because of the service, which made it a poor experience. Perhaps it was that one server, but I wouldn't want to give it another try.

The great Papi's that once was should be embarrassed of the Papi's of today.
This restaurant has run the classic cycle of what was1 - once a great restaurant which turns into 2 - an alright restaurant that everyone says is amazing based on the past performance and then becomes 3 - not even a decent restaurant that people still say is alright and now has become 4 - an awful restaurant that no one can even recommend to people let alone go their to eat themselves.

Most recently some co-workers and I went in for lunch. It was empty other than us and one other table. The service was a bit awkward and honestly a bit uncomfortable. With that said the real problem here is the food. Bland, bland, bland. The tortellini and macaroni were flavorless. The crab cakes were burnt, we actually sent them back.

As for value, it's fairly typical of Steveston...Downtown Vancouver prices in a suburb. Not overly expensive but not cheap ether. I would be glad to pay if the food was better.

It's really too bad about this place. I don't know what happened but to be completely honest I think it would be very difficult for Papi's to recover.

With restaurants all across Metro Vancouver raising their game Papi's just can't compete anymore.

We had the pleasure of dining at Papi's on a Sunday evening with another couple. Everyone was extremely happy with their experience. We tried a few dishes especially good was the Ribeye steak, Vongole(clam) pasta,sablefish and the starters.The restaurant was busy for a Sunday night yet the service was friendly and professional. A great winelist,not overpriced, some very good values.The room looks good after they had a fire a year or more ago. A little more modern, a bit noisy but we loved the hustle bustle of the open kitchen. Definitely would recommend this restaurant.

We were definitely not impressed with our dining experience at Papi's. Service was so-so, and the food was really not very good at all. I wonder if the ingredients used came from cans - as everything tasted salty and truly not the fresh, home-made taste I have come to expect from an exceptional Italian restaurant. I don't know how this restaurant can charge downtown prices, when the quality and ambiance are certainly not worth the prices they charge. The decor is pretty basic - reminds us of a Holiday Inn dining room - very bland and boring. (Surprised that they didn't hire a decorator for the redo after the fire.) We will not go back to Papi's - will take a taxi downtown to sample some of Vancouver's better restaurants.

When I first went to Papi's the atmosphere was warm, candle-lit, and cozy. The food selection was amazing on Valentines Day in 2004.

We returned to Papi's last year for our anniversary and were greatly disappointed at the changes that were made during the renovation. Papi's went from a fine dining atmosphere to an Earl's/White Spot-like atmosphere. The ambiance was taken away by the open kitchen where diners could view and hear the 20 year olds cooking the food about to be served to them.

The food was okay, although the quality and taste was not as it used to be. The prices were approximately the same, but not the quality of food.

As for the service, the service started off okay until I noticed every table around me getting bread and oil. At first I thought that they were suddenly starting to charge for the bread and oil (which they never used to do)...I thought it was just one of their many changes. At the end of the meal we asked if we were supposed to get the bread and oil as well. (It's not that the bread and oil was a big deal...but what was appauling was the servers response). He blamed us for not asking for it sooner...he did not apologize, he merely put the blame on us. That particular server provided very poor customer service.

We went to Papi's about a month ago to try the dining room for the first time. I had read all these somewhat negative reviews before going but since we had just moved to the neighborhood we decided to try it ourselves and form our own opinion

Our service experience was awesome. We were fortunate enough to be served by Steve, a co-owner of the restaurant. For appetizers I had the fritto misto which was excellent and my husband had the salsiccia (sausage). Both were super tasty and really moderately priced. Dinner was good but not great. My pork cutlet was slightly overcooked as was my husbands Risotto, but not really anything to complain about.

After dinner we decided to linger a while and have a drink before sampling a dessert and here is where the service passed great and moved into excellent territory. While we were finishing a glass of wine Steve brought us a complimentary wedge of Stilton cheese with crema and some beautiful toasted baguette to munch on. It was really beautiful cheese and even my husband who doesn't like blue enjoyed it.

After the wine I convinced my husband to try a glass of grappa with me since he'd never had it before (what can I say, we were in walking distance!). I ordered two glasses of the good old-fashioned "bring you back to life after you've been dead for three days" kind of grappa because I thought my husband should have an authentic experience. After we knocked those back Steve again brought out a complimentary glass of milder strawberry grappa for my husband since the "real deal" wasn't quite his pleasure.

We had a great experience and definitely plan on returning!

Dined April 9th at this restaurant - hadn't been in a decade and my recollection was that the food was very good. Things have changed. Gordon Ramsay needs to visit this place. The "bread" was in the oven and did not arrive until our appetizer. The oven served to dry out the old focaccia even more. My caesar salad was overdressed and had that mystery powder "cheese" all over it. The croutons were overly hard (stale croutons??). My pasta was very undercooked and I should have sent it back, but wasn't hungry enough to wait for more. It was in my throat for hours after. The service was average - the wine selection boring. The room was very dated and hard to believe it has been recently redone after a fire. For a $175 meal (for two), this place is definitely not worth the price! I will not return and would recommend that you not waste your money.

Went there for dinner tonight and had a couple of appy's to share. They were very average. We picked a good wine . The main course was very average. Service was slow and girl was in rush to get our orders but the food was slow in coming. She did not thank us or say bye when we were leaving. Had to ask for the dessert menu. They were not very busy tonight. I would go someplace else for this kind of money. Too expensive for what the serve and a very average restaurant. Had the halibut cheeks which was very peppery. Not the best as i have had better.

Try it if you have no other choices. Not many Italian restaurants in Richmond so had to go to this one.

PaPis is re-opening next week for everyone to know. It was closed for almost a whole year but after all the construction the past while it's just about ready to open back up with updated styles and the same favorites in food and service
hope too see everyone in there soon
thanks so much.