Open since 1994 in downtown Sherbrooke, Pizzicato specializes in fine pizzas, salads and fresh pasta. Located near La maison du cinéma, it also offers a cinema package combining an admission ticket and a meal. Known to most Sherbrooke residents, the place stands out for its affordable prices, its local and fashionable character and the possibility of bringing your own drink.

The building that previously housed it having been prey to flames in 2009, the restaurant had to move in 2011 to the present modern premises, with two floors and benefiting from large windows with a view of the city center. As soon as you enter, you can see a photo gallery on one of the walls as well as magnificent rattan light fixtures hanging from the ceiling.

Knowing this restaurant well for having frequented it many times over the years, we had a slight fear when we went there this Saturday evening with a couple of friends. When booking online the previous week, we had read that the availability of tables was limited to two hours for reservations before 6:30 p.m. Having called directly to inform us about this, an employee had reassured us by putting a note in our file allowing us to exceed this period of time. So we hoped we could take our time and enjoy our evening.

From our table on the 2nd floor, we had a view on one side of the tables located one floor below and on the other side of downtown Sherbrooke. As soon as we arrived, our hostess showed up with a beaming smile and immediately handed us the menus along with glasses of water. Noticing our bottles of wine, she offered to open them.

The Pizzicato menu consists of salads, classic pizzas and a very wide choice of pastas and mixed pizzas. They also offer a gourmet corner where you can get take-out food: pizzas, pasta, sauces, salads, desserts, oils, soups, dressings and so on.

We opted for the discovery menu, offering four courses. First, we tasted their delicious soup of the day, a minestrone accompanied by a baguette. Our starter choice was warm goat cheese spread on perfectly toasted croutons covering a bed of arugula, tomatoes and black olives.

As a main course, we had access to all the salads, pastas and pizzas on the menu, each one more tempting than the other. After much procrastination, Nicolas opted for pizza # 14, which he was able to appreciate the taste of lamb merguez with goat cheese, onions and sun-dried tomatoes. As for Julie, she feasted on the must-have pizza #1, flavored with prosciutto, walnut and basil pesto and black olives.

We must absolutely note the excellent service of our hostess, smiling, courteous and very professional. Employed by Pizzicato for only two weeks, she offered us a warm presence without being overwhelming.

Finally, the tiramisu was offered as a dessert from the discovery menu, an exquisite cake coated in whipped cream with a creamy chocolate center. This dessert ended this marvelous evening admirably well, from which we came out sated, without breaking the bank and by far exceeding the two hours allotted for our table. Having decided to share our dessert, we were able to bring back two bags of fresh pasta for free that we can cook at home.

Walking towards our car parked in the La Grenouillère parking lot, we realized that Pizzicato remains a staple of Sherbrooke cuisine, a place where it is always good to come back and rediscover, with family or friends, young and old. .

Rating: 9/10

What stood out to us the most during our visit: Wide variety of choices on the menu

The most expensive main meal on the menu: Seafood ravioli tied with lamb ravioli, except for the discovery menu and menus combining movie tickets

The cheapest main meal on the menu: Classic Pizza with Marinara Sauce

Do we recommend this restaurant: Yes

What time of day did we visit: Dinner

Pros:

• Service

• Location in the city center

• Bring your own wine

• Children's menu

• Affordable prices

Cons:

• Paid parking