This is my second trip to Sorrentino's Little Italy…read more Last time I was there, I had the pasta Stephenson which was full flavored and nicely cooked. This time I had the gnocchi Gorgonzola which is one of my favorite things of all time. Sadly, this gnocchi Gorgonzola was gummy and didn't have enough Gorgonzola for my taste. Still I do believe this is a matter of taste because it wasn't poor quality. Having said that... The service here is outstanding. Atmosphere is wonderful. And it might have just been an off night... Everything else we had as a table was well prepared. We had arancini, calamari, and some salads, all which received few complaints from our large group. I find the wine to also be reasonably priced which is another reason to go back. If I could do it again: Calamari (arancini was less outstanding) Pasta Stephenson Amari for dessert (the Amari was delicious.)

If you try to think of the longest standing Italian restaurant in Edmonton, you will likely come up…read morewith Sorrentino's. Now an empire with six restaurants in the Edmonton area, three pizzerias, a cafe, cooking classes, catering, annual festivals, and tons of philanthropic work... Sorrentino's is a force. It all started with Carmelo Rago, who came to Canada from Italy as a child and opened Sorrentino's in 1979. It's now 44 years later and the restaurant group is certainly the largest and most recognizable Italian restaurant brand in the city. Edmonton Journal has named them the Best Italian Restaurant 2020 and Favourite Italian Restaurant 2022. No matter what corner of the city you happen to be in, Sorrentino's is likely there. I decided to pay them a visit on a Saturday evening and I specifically set my sights on the Little Italy location in the McCauley area. Of the six restaurants currently operating, this one is the oldest. All of the other restaurants boast massive, gleaming, modern dining rooms... But Little Italy remains humble. You can feel the roots of the business in the space. There are no more than ten tables in the dining room and as such, a reservation is necessary. The best part is that they have tried to keep the same atmosphere and food as the first year that they opened. It's genius, really, to operate a restaurant that fully captures and maintains the nostalgia of the brand. The building feels a bit like an Italian villetta in the countryside, with dark wooden beams and a fireplace in the center of the space as a focal point. It's warm, cozy, and feels special. Seated by the window, I could take in the room and feel the vibe of the history reverberating in the walls. I gazed over the wine list but in the end I asked if the bartender could make a Negroni ($9.95). There was no cocktail menu in sight, but I was fairly certain that they would be able to make me this classic Italian cocktail. Our server confirmed that they could indeed. Made with gin, vermouth, Campari, and garnished with a slice of orange peel (I'm pretty sure this one was served with a slice of lemon instead), this cocktail has become my go-to when I dine at Italian restaurants. I find that the slightly bitter flavour balances well and cuts through the heaviness of Italian foods, similar to how I love to drink a can of Brio when I eat a pizza. It wasn't the best negroni that I've ever had, but this no-fuss version delivered the flavour notes that I was hoping for. A basket of warm bread and butter was also delivered to the table and I settled in happily for a delicious carb-filled journey. An antipasti was a must and all of the classics are on the menu; from bruchetta to arancini. However, I was in the mood for the Calamari Fritti (Flour-coated squid, deep-fried with canola oil, served with spicy tomato sauce - $16.00). Something easy to share and fun to eat. First of all, I loved the plate that this dish was served on because it was refreshingly adorable! We squeezed the lemon over top and began to dunk the crispy rings of squid into the sauce. Delizioso! The calamari was cooked to absolute perfection, which can be tricky sometimes. The meat was tender and not at all rubbery. The fried batter coating was light and crispy without being too heavy. I loved the zesty tomato sauce but I wouldn't exactly call it "spicy." It's so interesting that in Greece this same dish is served with tzaziki. In Spain it's allioli. In Italy; sugo. All of these Mediterranean countries have their own similar versions and each are wonderful. I wanted to bring some freshness to the meal and looked to the insalate section for the answer. While I was very close to ordering the caesar (made with anchovy dressing as per tradition) I had to go with the Bocconcino (Fresh mozzarella, tomato, basil, oregano, EVOO, balsamic vinaigrette - $14.00 for full size) because it's one of my favourites. In retrospect, I probably should have ordered the sorrentino salad because it's named after the restaurant itself. Beautifully plated and wonderfully fresh, I loved the bright slices of roma tomatoes. This salad is like eating in an Italian garden and the mild slices of bocconcini complimented the dish well. The olive oil and balsamic really punched this simple dish up in a delightful way. My only complaint is that I felt that the dried oregano was a bit heavy-handed and instead I could have used a bit more coarse salt. When it came to my main dish it had to be pasta. It just had to be. There are hearty dishes on the menu that include several preparations of veal, chicken, and even braised beef short ribs, but I had to choose one of the delicious pasta preparations. There are nine different options to select from and for me, it had to be the Gnocchi Gorgonzola ($24.00 for full size). All of the pasta dishes (and the salads as well) are available in full or half sizes, which I think adds a great way to customize your meal and also helps to accommodate your level of ap

Came here for Valentines day set dinner menu. Sourdough…read morestarter bread was so hard and dry. Shrimp were 10/10. Arancini 10/10. Crab ravioli was fine 8/10 (pasta itself was great but the filling was underwhelming), but scallops served within was 10/10. Raspberry mouse was so-so to me 7/10, but boyfriend loved it. Drinks: Holy Water was surprisingly very weak in overall alcohol flavor and taste Pink Lady: also very weak in flavor but lemon sorbet in it was good. Overall they have amazing pasta here and its a nice date-night place.

It was a great place that my friend suggested! The place was nicely designed and cozy and the patio…read morewas open since it was a nice day! Staff were friendly and helpful and the food was fantastic. I enjoyed my experience and I'll definitely go back there again! Highly recommended! :)

Great Italian staple in the donsdale neighborhood. Not sure the private room or set menu are worth…read morethe price but you can't go wrong with any of the dishes on the menu.

Overall, it was a fantastic night! The service was excellent and she greeted me warmly with a…read morefriendly smile. I'd definitely tip her well. They serve sparkling water which is amazing but remember everything comes at a price. Two glasses cost me $10, haha. The short rib and steak were delicious and all the other dishes were great too. The only slight disappointment was their old-fashioned cocktail. I don't know what to say but it wasn't surprising and it wasn't 2oz. It was a bit small. The environment was great though, with an open kitchen and a very clean space. We'll revisit.

Chicken Gigi is to die for. Great service and good food. Bread at dinner served chilled, which was…read moreodd. Otherwise highly recommend.

Have been coming here for years. Everything is wonderful…read more The chicken Gigi is to die for. The seafood pasta is terrific. I would highly recommend you try this restaurant. Ted C.

Always incredible service and exceptional food. Easily the best mussels in the city. I do not say…read morethis lightly. All of their apps are great. Their steak is one of the hidden gems of the city. The owner, Sergio, has created an Edmonton staple and gem here. One of the best restaurants in the city. Iykyk

Not sure where to park but big sign out front so you can't miss it. Greeted at the door and were…read moreseated in "over-flow". Which worked out super well as it was live jazz night and the music was soooo loud in the main room I was glad to be in over-flow. Waitress was very kind, efficient and friendly. I got the Rigatoni in Walnut Cream Sauce: pasta was cooked perfectly. Cream sauce was nice but no walnut taste. Only like 6 walnuts on top. Would have liked to be offered a protein I could add. Would have liked more walnut crumbles in it. 8/10. My Mother got Spaghetti Carbonara: 9/10. Not the best I've ever had but this was the best dish of the night. Lots of bacon. Noodles were cooked perfectly. Sister got Angel Hair Sergio: she liked. great balanced meal with really well cooked chicken ( not dry!) and lots of veggies. Overall very well cooked pasta and some good sauces/flavors.

Pazzo Pazzo is a great place for dinner after work, or before a game or a show. The service at…read morePazzo Pazzo was good, and the staff were friendly. However, at times, it felt like the service was a bit slow. The restaurant has an intimate atmosphere, which is nice for a cozy dinner. We ordered the Bruschetta, Penne Pazzo, and of course the Tiramisu! I must say, the quality and taste of the food hasn't changed in the last 10 years. It's still delicious, and the portion sizes are quite generous. Pazzo Pazzo is easy to access, with an entrance right off the street and low tables for comfortable dining. Street parking can be limited, but there are parking lots nearby, so you should be able to find a spot.

The absolute best pasta in Edmonton. The portions are HUGE, and the taste is exceptional. I go in…read moreknowing that my leftovers will be a full meal worth! The service is always wonderful and quick, even when they're busy.

We've been to this Edmonton staple a couple of times in the last year, and enjoyed both times. It's…read morean institution here, or so we've been told, but sometimes institutions get a little long in the tooth. Not the case here in our opinion. The space itself is understated but classic Italian in Canada. The pizza oven is central and the patio, which we dined on last Summer is a lovely feature. The service is top notch, but not over the top. Our server this time was very engaging, with a dry sense of humour and fun. The lovely K's steak was cooked to perfection, the potatoes done exactly right and the veggies done to her delight. My Penne Arrabiata was very nicely cooked, a little toothsome which I prefer and the sausage was nicely hot in the sauce. The bread they provide is very nice, although I'd like to see more balsamic in the olive oil to dip. Our martini's were spot on, the Puglian Chardonnay excellent, and the overall experience will certainly have us coming back again.

Sorrentino's is an Edmonton staple for authentic Italian. While I wasn't wowed with this visit, I…read morewasn't disappointed either. Nothing stood out to woo me, so I won't be rushing back any time soon. Service here was par for the course, again, nothing spectacular but nothing wrong. She did a great job. What I would expect from Sorrentino's! Our server was cheerful and friendly, attending to our needs and was efficient. I could tell she was definitely busy, but she never made us feel rushed. Our drinks were always full and plates cleared as they were emptied. The food was good. Not spectacular, but good value. The star of the show was the Brie and Fig Bruschetta! I'd definitely order that again. Sorrentino's is the Keg of Italian food! That's the best way I can describe it. Consistent and comforting. The cocktails were awesome! Sorrentino's West has recently undergone some major renovations. The dining room is tastefully decorated. Some booth style seating, dining room seating and higher top seating as well. Clean and no clutter, quiet music and some open style kitchen space. I will comment and say it is a little tight in some spots. I will return, but not really in a rush.

It was a Friday night. We called ahead for a reservation for 7 pm. We were promptly seated given…read moremenus, and then we waited to be served. We sat for 20 minutes with no service. Now the restaurant was reasonably busy but the place has 15 tables tops and at least 3 servers on this evening so... After 20 minutes of no service we got up and left. So disappointing. Sorry Francos you bombed on this night.

We had become so tired of trying new restaurants and turn out to be rowdy 'Pubs' or 'Bar-n-Grill'…read moreor 'Sports Bars Restaurants' with either loud, ruckus music or huge screens all over the walls showing every imaginable sports game- or BOTH! Whatever happened to going out for dinner to relax and enjoy peaceful conversation with friends or family over a nice meal? You have to yell to have a conversation in these places! Not so at Franco's Pizza Callingwood! There's a friendly, family atmosphere and soft Italian music. Yes, located in a strip-mall with convenience stores, medical centre, pot shops and a pharmacy looks a little "iffy". In fact, we moved into the neighborhood 8 months before we thought to give them a try! It was like stumbling onto buried treasure! It's a family owned restaurant in business for many years with a very Italian theme and many Italian dishes along with all the common Western favourites. Having only been there twice, both times we received excellent service from friendly staff. Prices are average and the food superb! The pizza we had our first visit far surpassed any of the chain pizza places and the Italian dishes we had on our second were Che buono! It is a very popular place for take-out and although the front door is near the restaurant area it was not distracting, per se. Our only complaint was the door chime. It was an incessant squeal the whole time the door was open- I think a simple quiet "ping" in the kitchen would be better for your restaurant customers. We will most certainly be back!