"It is more fun to talk with someone who doesnt use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words, like What about lunch?" A. A. Milne
QUICHE OF THE DAY
OUR CHEFS DAILY CREATION; WHEN ITS GONE, ITS GONE. YOUR CHOICE OF SOUP, CAESAR SALAD, WILD GREENS SALAD, OR FRITES.
$12.00
SOUP AND BAGUETTE
YOUR CHOICE OF SOUP | FRESH HERBED BAGUETTE YOUR CHOICE OF SOUP, CAESAR SALAD, WILD GREENS SALAD, OR FRITES.
$10.00
CRISPY SHRIMP TACOS
BATTERED SHRIMP | FETA CHEESE | AVOCADO RANCH | ARUGULA | TOMATO SALSA YOUR CHOICE OF SOUP, CAESAR SALAD, WILD GREENS SALAD, OR FRITES.
$14.00
HERBED CHICKEN BURGER
HOUSE-MADE CHICKEN PATTY |SMOKED BACON | SMOKED MOZZARELLA | LETTUCE | TOMATO | ONION |SAGE MAYO | ASSEMBLED ON A BRIOCHE BUN. YOUR CHOICE OF SOUP, CAESAR SALAD, WILD GREENS SALAD, OR FRITES.
$14.00
PIZZA AND SALAD
PERSONAL SIZE CLASSIC PEPPERONI PIZZA WITH YOUR CHOICE OF WILD GREENS OR CAESAR SALAD
$14.00
ROASTED TURKEY AND BRIE
ROASTED TURKEY BREAST | BRIE | CRANBERRY MAYO| GREENS ASSEMBLED ON LIGHTLY TOASTED SOUR DOUGH BREAD. YOUR CHOICE OF SOUP, CAESAR SALAD, WILD GREENS SALAD, OR FRITES.
$14.00
GRILLED VEGETABLE WRAP
WHITE BEAN HUMMUS | SEASONAL GRILLED VEGETABLES | SPINACH | GOAT CHEESE YOUR CHOICE OF SOUP, CAESAR SALAD, WILD GREENS SALAD, OR FRITES.
$12.00
SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALL
LUNCH-SIZE PORTION OF OUR DINNER CLASSIC. HERBED BAGUETTE WITH MELTED MOZZARELLA CHEESE.
$11.00
PRIMI MENU - Cavallo Nero
"Everything you see I owe to spaghetti." Sophia Loren
SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS
SPAGHETTI NOODLES | HOMEMADE TOMATO SAUCE AND MEATBALLS
$17.00
SHRIMP AND SCALLOP LINGUINE
PAN SEARED SHRIMP | SCALLOPS | ARUGULA | GRAPE TOMATO | SQUID INK LINGUINE TOSSED IN A LIGHT LEMON BUTTER BROTH *GLUTEN FREE OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE; PLEASE ASK YOUR SERVER.
GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST | SPINACH | MUSHROOMS | SPAGHETTI TOSSED IN SUNDRIED TOMATO PESTO CREAM SAUCE, AND TOPPED WITH GRANA PADANO
$21.00
GORGONZOLA TENDERLOIN
BALSAMIC MARINATED BEEF TENDERLOIN | RED PEPPER | MUSHROOMS | CARAMELIZED ONIONS | FETTUCCINE TOSSED IN GORGONZOLA CREAM SAUCE *GLUTEN FREE OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE; PLEASE ASK YOUR SERVER.
$22.00
GNOCCHI
PAN FRIED GNOCCHI | RED PEPPER | HOUSE MADE TOMATO SAUCE | GRANA PADANO. SERVED WITH YOUR CHOICE OF TEALS SPICY SMOKED SAUSAGE, OR GRILLED CHICKEN BREAS
$20.00
BAKED LOBSTER RIGATONI
LOBSTER | BACON | RIGATONI TOSSED IN A CHEESE CREAM SAUCE, BAKED WITH HERBED PANKO CRUST
$25.00
SECONDI
ATLANTIC SALMON FILLET
GRILLED ATLANTIC SALMON FILLET | GINGER LIME PESTO | BLACK BEAN AND RADICCHIO SALAD
$24.00
ALE BRINED PORK TENDERLOIN
GRILLED TEALS PORK TENDERLOIN | APPLE BUTTER BBQ SAUCE SERVED WITH GARLIC MASHED POTATOES AND MARKET VEGETABLES
$26.00
CHICKEN PICCATA
PAN SEARED CHICKEN | ARTICHOKES | RED ONION | CAPERS | RED PEPPER | WHITE WINE AND LEMON BUTTER SAUCE
$22.00
CHICKEN OR VEAL PARMESAN
CHICKEN OR VEAL | SMOKED MOZZARELLA | ASIAGO AND PARMESAN CHEESES | SERVED WITH RIGATONI TOSSED IN OUR HOMEMADE TOMATO SAUCE
$20.00
BRAISED MOROCCAN LAMB SHANK
BRAISED LAMB SHANK | WARM CHICKPEA MIX WITH ROASTED CAULIFLOWER, RAISINS, AND PEPPERS | LEMON YOGURT SAUCE
$22.00
STEAK AND FRITES
10 OZ. TEALS SIRLOIN STEAK | PARSLEY BUTTER | SALT AND PEPPER FRITES
$24.00
HONEY GOAT CHEESE CHICKEN
GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST | HONEY | GOAT CHEESE | TOASTED ALMONDS SERVED ON BED OF SAFFRON WILD RICE AND MARKET VEGETABLES.
$22.00
PIZZA RUSTICA MENU - Cavallo Nero
"You can do irrefutably impossible things with the right amount of planning and support from intelligent and hardworking people, and pizza." -Scott M. Gimple
ROASTED RED PEPPER | HOUSE MADE BASIL PESTO | CAPER | FETA | ARTICHOKE HEARTS | OLIVES | RED ONION | BALSAMIC REDUCTION
$18.00
GLUTEN FREE CRUST IS AVAILABLE; PLEASE ASK YOUR SERVER.
DOLCE MENU - Cavallo Nero
"I have a friend whose mantra is: You must choose. And I believe the exact opposite: I think you should always have at least four desserts that are kind of fighting with each other." Nora Ephron
TIRAMISU
VELVETY MASCARPONE MOUSSE, RICH DARK ESPRESSO, MOIST LADY FINGERS, AND A TOUCH OF COCOA POWDER ALL COME TOGETHER IN THIS ITALIAN CLASSIC. SERVED WITH OUR HOMEMADE BISCOTTI.
$9.00
CRÈME BRÛLÉE
BAKED DAILY IN OUR KITCHEN. PLEASE ASK YOUR SERVER ABOUT TODAYS FEATURED OFFERING
$9.00
CARROT CAKE
TRADITIONAL SPICED CAKE WITH A LIGHT CREAM CHEESE ICING, TOASTED COCONUT, AND WALNUTS.
$9.00
THE CHOCOLATE POT
DARK CHOCOLATE CUSTARD WITH RASPBERRY COMPOTE, CARAMELIZED WHITE CHOCOLATE, AND CANDIED COCOA NIB CRUMBLE. SERVED WITH A SCOOP OF VANILLA BEAN ICE CREAM
$9.00
SEASONAL CRUST-LESS CHEESECAKE
FROM OUR BAKERS, A RICH TRADITIONAL NEW YORK STYLE CHEESECAKE. PLEASE ASK YOUR SERVER ABOUT TODAYS FEATURED FLAVOUR.
$9.00
APPLE BREAD PUDDING
THIS DELIGHTFUL COMFORT FOOD IS DRIZZLED WITH OUR HOMEMADE CARAMEL SAUCE, AND SERVED WARM. BALANCED WITH A GENEROUS SCOOP OF VANILLA BEAN ICE CREAM.
$9.00
HOMEMADE GELATO TRIO
SEASONAL SELECTION
$7.00
CAFFÈ MENU - Cavallo Nero
COFFEE
$3.00
TEA
$3.00
CAPPUCCINO
SERVED WITH HOMEMADE BISCOTTI.
$4.00
ESPRESSO
SERVED WITH HOMEMADE BISCOTTI.
$4.00
LATTE
SERVED WITH HOMEMADE BISCOTTI.
$4.00
SPECIALITA DI CAFFEE (1.5OZ)
ESPRESSO CORRETTO
COFFEE | BRANDY
$8.00
B-52 COFFEE
BAILEYS | GRAND MARNIER | KAHLUA | WHIPPED CREAM
$8.00
MONTE CRISTO
KAHLUA | GRAND MARNIER | WHIPPED CREAM
$8.00
SPANISH COFFEE
TIA MARIA | RUM | WHIPPED CREAM
$8.00
IRISH COFFEE
IRISH WHISKEY | BROWN SUGAR | WHIPPED CREAM
$8.00
AMARETTO COFFEE
AMARETTO | WHIPPED CREAM
$8.00
BLUEBERRY TEA
AMARETTO | GRAND MARNIER | LEMON
$8.00
Weekly Features MENU - Cavallo Nero
Monday
ANY APPETIZER FROM OUR MENU FOR HALF PRICE WITH THE PURCHASE OF AN ENTRÉE AT REGULAR PRICE.
TUESDAY
FAMILY PIZZA NIGHT ANY TWO PIZZAS OF YOUR CHOOSING AND A LARGE SALAD FOR $36.
WEDNESDAY
ANY APPETIZER FROM OUR MENU AND A BOTTLE OF WINE FROM A SELECT LIST FOR $40.
THURSDAY
$5 GLASSES OF SELECT WINES.
FRIDAY & SATURDAY
DINNER FEATURES WITH WINE PAIRINGS (PRICE VARIES).
SUNDAY
THREE SELECT ENTRÉES FROM OUR MENU, SPECIALLY PRICED AT JUST $15.00 EACH.
Elegant, classical, and savory showing a lot of vibrant fresh cherry and plum fruit. Well integrated smooth fine-grained tannins. richly textured with a very long length.
Brunello
Brunello di Montalcino vintages possess a fleshier texture with common aromas and flavors of blackberry, black cherry, black raspberry, chocolate, leather, and violets.
Cabernet Franc
Typically, a light to medium-bodied wine with more immediate fruit than Cabernet Sauvignon and some of the herbaceous odours evident in unripe Cabernet Sauvignon.
Cabernet Sauvignon
A bold wine known for its depth of flavor, aroma and ability to age (present by the wines noticeable tannins). It is full-bodied and intense, with cherry currant and occasionally, herbal flavors.
Chardonnay
Golden and velvety with hints of fruit, nuts, butter, oak, spice or vanilla and have medium to high acidity.
Ripens midseason. It can bring very deep colour, ample tannin, and a plum-like flavour component to add complexity to claret blends.
Merlot
Medium to full-bodied wine, with black cherry and herbal flavors. Merlot is typically smooth, soft and mellow.
Montepulciano
Black-fruit driven, chocolatey wines best enjoyed after 4 or more years of aging.
Pinot Grigio
Dry citrus blend with fresh lemongrass notes.
Pinot Noir
Strawberry, cherry, plum raspberry, mushrooms, earthiness and beetroot are all common characteristics of Pinot Noir.
Prosecco
Pale straw colour; pear, melon and lime flavours; medium bodied with soft spritz; pear and melon flavours followed by lime flavour to finish.
Reisling
Medium to high acidity and light to medium body with a distinct flowery, fruity aroma.
Rosé
Light, usually somewhat sweet and best served well-chilled.
Sauvignon Blanc
Characterized by a light, crisp acidity. It will often contain several fruit components.
Shiraz
Shiraz, also known as Syrah, can produce giant red wines with strong tannins and complex combinations of flavors including berry, plum and peppery smoke.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel is a spicy, peppery wine, with a hint of fruity flavour berries or dark cherries are often in the taste range. Whispers of strawberry, plum, raisin, spice, leather, and tar can also be present.
Craft Beer MENU - Cavallo Nero
Always on tap
(18 oz.)
$7.00
Mill Street Organic
Delicate floral-herbal aroma; light palate with malty flavour, balanced by a hint of hoppy bitterness.
$7.00 (18 oz)
Mill Street Tankhouse
Aromas of citrus and spice with roasted notes; complex malty texture with a snappy bitterness from the cascade hops.
$7.00 (18 oz)
Wellingtons Trailhead
A careful balance of malt sweetness and clean, crisp hop bitterness.
$7.00 (18 oz)
Beaus Lugtread
Displays interwoven malt and hop flavours, subtle fruit notes, and a crisp, lingering finish. A satisfying Graham cracker malt character mingles beautifully with notes of freshly cut hay.
$7.00 (18 oz)
Steamwhistle
Characterized by a floral hop aroma, sweet graininess with distinctive grassy notes, and balanced with a clean, crisp finish and pleasant lingering bitterness.
$7.00 (18 oz)
Ask Us About Our Rotating Draught
$7.00 (16oz)
Cocktails - Classic Cocktails
Old Fashioned
Canadian Club Rye, simple syrup, bitters, orange slice, maraschino cherry
The Bruschetta, Caesar salad, and Chicken Bruschetta pizza were excellent. Alex our server was friendly, and we received exceptional service. We have been to Cavallo Nero many times and are
never disappointed. Another compliment for Alex, she is the best!
Incredible new lunch and dinner options, wonderful selection of wines, all within a fresh, cozy atmosphere... Great for a date night or evening with family and friends!!! Staff are all outstanding!!
Was not spoken to for the entirety of our 35-minute stay after being seated, save for halfway through being told by a server that she would be right back with our waters. 15 minutes later, while everyone else around us was catered to seemingly fine, we still had not received any service. Embarrassing as it was not terribly busy nor was our 2-person reservation unexpected/burdensome.
A must-visit for me whenever I'm in, or near Ancaster. The servers are attentive without being intrusive, and the food never disappoints. Great choice for a celebration, or just a casual night out. Live music is a nice touch on the weekend.
Three girlfriends an I just had dinner at the Cavallo Nero.....honestly the worse meal I had in years!!! The slow cooked lamb shank was dry....absolutely not slow cooked...mashed potatoes cold and some kind of cold red liquid....the calamari was soggy with oil....I can't go further it was terrible!
PS: I eat out mostly everyday!!
We have eaten on a regular basis here and have found the food and service to be going downhill. The food has been very inconsistent and during our recent visit the service staff oblivious to our disappointment. Dining here has become very unpredictable, never sure how it will be making it impossible to take guests there. Very disappointed to see this once good restaurant become mediocre.
Wow, what a truly fabulous restaurant! From the moment we all walked in, it was like dining in Europe, where they smile and bring you warm, fresh bread right away! We felt very comfortable. The coconut shrimp and crab mushroom appetizers arrived hot, fresh, and incredibly tasty! The baby greens salad with salmon my sister had looked great. All of our entrees were great too. I had the pork tenderloin that was stuffed with pears and walnuts. Mmmm! Here's another nice thing: my daughter is on a gluten-free diet. Our waitress was quick to make some great pasta suggestions, and even made a slight menu alteration to suit my daughter's taste. I thought the pricing was quite reasonable, considering the comfy atmosphere and all the friendly staff. I hear they have great music on the weekends, so we're going back then for sure. Kudos to the chef, the management and the staff of Cavallo Nero!
Mike M
This is an incredible restaurant! The atmosphere and decor is beautiful -with marble tables, beautiful dark booths, and a gorgeous bar with a great wine selection.
Upon entering the restaurant, we were greeted friendly by a hostess and brought to our table. Our waitress was very attentive and friendly with us throughout our dinner -our glasses were never empty!
Despite what is said in other reviews, the food was amazing and extremely well priced. This restaurant definitely knows Italian food!
I would recommend this restaurant and all of the food we had to anyone!
Thanks Cavallo Nero!
Flies buzzing around our heads should have been the first clue to leave. Waitress came to our table while we were trying to kill the flies with our wine menu and she proceeeded to tell us about the "specials". I ordered the mussel appetizer which smelled disgusting and was cold. After sending it back it was taken off our bill. Our entrees were cold and tasteless. Pasta did not taste homemade.
After reading other reviews I realize we didn't receive
the complimentary bread and garlic butter.... might have been at least filling. The only thing that made this dinner special was getting dessert at the Purple Pony down the street.
I've dined a few times and found the food fairly good though you are on your own for vegan options. The decor and atmosphere are very classy and everything I have tasted has been good but nothing unbelivable that has me coming back. Quite frankly on a student budget this place isn't likely to become a favorite but it is nice for a treat.
We had heard great things about this place and decided to give it a try, boy were we in for a surprise! When we first walked in, the atmosphere was great, it was nicely decorated and the waiters/waitresses were very nice. As soon as we sat down at the table, our waitresses came by with some bread with a garlic dip, tasted okay, nothing great. It came too fast, we didn't even take off our coats yet, it seemed to me they were wanted to rush us out of there. Then, we ordered our food. First, the appetizers. We ordered the polenta sticks and the grilled calamari. The polenta sticks were so salty, they tasted awful! The grilled calamari were overdone and tasted like they were burnt, yuck! Then we ordered our main meal. The veal parmagiana came with a huge piece of veal, which tasted stale, and the pasta that it came with lacked salt and was cold. The gnocchi was okay, but it had too much cream. I had mentioned to the waitress when we first got there that there was a birthday, in hopes that they would sing 'Happy Birthday' or give us a piece of cake on the house. All she said was 'Since there is a birthday, would you like to order a dessert?' We ordered a piece of cheesecake and it tasted like store-bought, nothing superb. The manager had brought over all of our food and all he said was 'Hi, how are you?', and hurried to set down the plates and walk away. He wasn't friendly and didn't even ask us how we enjoyed our meal. The food was HORRIBLE!! We had told the waitress that the polenta fries were salty and she said 'I will tell the cooks in the back, they are still new to the menu'. This place has been open for almost a year, how could you still be new to the menu!! Another thing, there was no tiramisu for dessert! What Italian restaurant doesn't have tiramisu as dessert? We asked the waitress why there is no tiramisu and she said 'We used to have it, I don't know why we don't have it anymore.' Definitely not a great answer. Our bill was over $100, and we were definitely not satisfied, will not return and will recommend others not to either!!
Our group of 6 dines out regularly. This was the worst dining experience ever. The atmosphere is quite nice, modern, clean. The meals however, left much to be desired. Two of the 6 of us barely ate at all, 2 others said their meals were OK and the other 2, who both had the tilapia, enjoyed theirs. The waitress did not seem at all concerned that 2 meals were returned barely eaten. I shared an appetizer with my husband, had a glass of wine, and returned 3/4 of my meal. I realize now that for $30 I had a glass of wine and 2 stuffed mushrooms! Will NEVER return. I think the management should be embarassed by what goes on the dinner plates for their customers.
I'm pretty surprised by some of the negative reviews on here. I've been 2-3 times and will gladly go back. Everything I've tried has been solid, from salads to pizza to pastas. Having moved out here from Toronto I'm always happy to see new spots open up and add to the variety of options in Ancaster.
Decor and atmosphere was very pleasant, the patio is great in the summer, and while the service could've been quicker they were nice people and each time I've gone the place was pretty much packed so you have to allow for some delays in that scenario.
If someone is just looking for huge portions at a discount price (which seems to be the case in some of the complaints) then yeah, this isn't the right place to go, but I'd sacrifice quantity for quality in my food every time.
Ambiance was nice...beautiful interior.
Our server I immediately recognized as an individual who had worked at, and been fired from two other establishments in Ancaster --- good job checking references and vetting your staff!!!
Starter was ok, and a nice aoli was included with the bread basket.
Meats were overcooked and under-seasoned. Accompanied by the most bland and uninspired steamed veg and roasted potatoes I have ever had.
I have eaten better banquet food. This meal did not at allllll merit the 24 and 26$ price of mains.
