We went in on an early Friday evening as I knew that it currently closes at about 8pm (hopefully, it will be able to stay open a bit later as more people come for an evening sweet or pasta or pizza). It is a new place in the 118th Ave Circle strip mall (opposite the one where Sherbrooke Liquors is). Its goal is to be a neighbourhood spot. It is family owned, the owner, Giorgio came from Verona (his sister lives here in Edmonton) with his family and makes his home here now :-)
I gave it a 3, but would rather give it a 3.5 given my overall experience and that it has only been open for about 4 months.
The space is very simple, but bright and the food is made fresh, once ordered, including the pizza (they make their own dough, do not have it brought in from another baker :-) ). The menu is up in front, adjacent to the counter so once up there, you can order straightaway. One thing, given the location and the residents that live in the area that will patron the spot, is that they need to either have a sign that says to "Order here" or need to have the "host/hostess" welcome new patrons and let them know how things work. I say this having lived in this area a number of years and our older neighbourhood members are willing and WILL patron new places if they are helped along to "know" how things work. I witnessed this happen on this evening when I was there--an older couple came in and not knowing how things work, sat down and waited....and waited and then left :-( It is a learning curve for the new owners (from Italy where things work differently) and us too. If the couple had not been shy (unlike me, because I did ask how things work), they would have been able to enjoy a very nice pizza (my companion ordered this) and/or Penne Trentino which I ordered. Both were cooked well -- the pizza was perfectly cooked and not crispy or soggy, and the penne were al dente and not overflowing in sauce :-) For dessert we had a nice tiramisu', a piece of crostata, and a newer white and dark chocolate mousse dessert that, admittedly, the owner noted he wasn't happy with because of the cookie crumbs having come out more fine than he wanted...he was right and kindly didn't charge us for it (I was willing to try it anyway).
While we were there, others came in and based on the hostess seeing these folks come in, went to them directly to talk with them, introduce the new place and explain how ordering works :-)
We are planning on making our way to this spot in the mornings when the weather gets better for caffe'/cappuccino and a cornetto since it is open on Saturday and Sunday mornings :-)
With the exception of the one hiccup I mention above, Giorgio is a very nice person as are all who work there and more so, are glad to be in Edmonton and be a part of the Sherbrooke/Westmount/Woodcroft neighbourhood :-)
I happily do recommend a stop in for a bite to eat and perhaps even a quick chat with the owner who is glad to meet new people and prepare foods to be enjoyed :-) read more