Bottom level was 40% full 7PM on a Tuesday night. Upstairs was booked for private event. Server was professional if not a little stiff. Place has "very fancy" feel and would be good for special events/celebration dinners. Free bread to start was fine but not the best I have had. I prefer mine with butter but the oil/vinegar is probably more typical. We tried the: Calamari: 10/10, great texture, loved that we got 2 sauces to dip in. Fettuccine Tavolino (cheese wheel pasta): 10/10. Boyfriend was not too full after. Pasta was cooked perfectly. Nice cheesy creamy flavor. Ravioli Alla Zucca: 9/10, I can't remember if there were 6 or 7 ravioli in the dish. Very pleasing presentation. In my opinion too many sundried tomatoes. I love that it comes with sundried tomatoes as that added some great tang/flavor. Ravioli themselves were perfectly cooked. Brown butter sauce was excellent and wanted more. Creme Brule: 9/10, exactly as expected, definitely enough to share between 2 people. Affogato: vanilla gelato was 11/10 good to me but boyfriend didn't like the flavor. We both agree the espresso was excellent. Very small portion (too small to share!). Free cookies at the end were fine. Overall food was excellent and I'll be back but to try something different on the menu. read more

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What a lovely evening! We've had some of our best dining experiences in old homes, and thankfully only a couple clunkers. This was one of our best! Violino, in an old home, its staff, and the food exceeded our expectations. We will most certainly be making a reservation the next time we visit the Oilers hometown. Damn that was good! Ushered upstairs, didn't really get a chance to take it in, so will be sure to stop and look around next time. The complimentary bread was great, the martini's good although one glass had far more than the other. I ordered the spaghetti bolognese, and although quite different from what we make at home, was excellent! K had the Alfredo flambé which was fired up tableside. It seems to be a popular option as it happened 6 or 7 times while we dined. They also don't soak you for the privilege of the tableside presentation. It was a little cheesy for K, but excellent nonetheless. Our server Eugenia from Hamburg was excellent, she can serve us anytime. She was attentive, and her timing was exceptional! We plan on making a reservation the next time we are in Edmonton. Top notch experience! read more

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I had really high hopes for this meal but it was just so very disappointing and I can't imagine ever returning. To be clear, the service was not 1 star. We were greeted nicely, asked where we wanted to sit and had our water orders taken quickly. We had to wait a while for our server but I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt as I don't think he is a server and may have had other things to do. But it w asnt busy and we were paying a lot so I should expect a little more attentive service. We eventually ordered an appetizer, each had a special and drinks . The appetizer was a lobster and cream cheese dip with toasted pita. And it was very good, though the pita was just cut in triangle. Hard to mess that up. The dip was fantastic and cheesy with big chunks of lobster. Great start and we were excited. That is the end of anything good. My wife ordered the special ravioli with shrimp, scallops and mussels. The shrimp was decent but nothing special. The scallops needed a better sear and were a bit soggy. The mussels were so small as to be almost tasteless. But the crime was the actual ravioli. It was thick and under cooked. The stuffing was good but you can't get over the huge bites of undercooked pasta. It was very off putting. The sauce and stuffing made it palatable but my wife couldn't finish .And I know it wasn't just us because I talked to friends at another table who said the same thing about theirs. I ordered the surf and turf special. Big mistake. Great presentation with the big lobster tail and good looking steak. The lobster was good. Not great. But it was a bit bland if you didn't dip it in the butter. And it seemed way smaller than the shell. I gave a bite to my wife and that left me with basically 3 more bites. And I'm not talking big bites. Normal bite sizes. Seemed the shell was larger than the meat in it. The steak looked great. But I couldn't even swallow the first bite. It was so stringy and fatty. It is hard trying to spit out food at a fancy restaurant. But I had to. And not just once! Every piece around the edge was fatty and gristly and stringy and I couldn't eat it. I tried to cut around the sides and just eat middle pieces. Managed to get a couple pieces but most of them were still stringy and I had to chew forever to get it down to size to swallow. My jaws hurt. In the end, I managed to eat less than half and left two big spit balls of inedible meat and the circumference of fat on the plate. To make it worse, it was close to rare and almost raw looking in some parts despite ordering medium rare. Just an awful steak all around. The mashed potatoes were very good though not plentiful and not near enough to overcome the meat. The veggies of one carrot, one bush of broccoli and a couple soggy zucchini slices were well done and actually I could have made a meal of them and been almost satisfied. When we started the dinner a group of four was sat behind us and they were the loudest people ever. No indoor voices. They seemed to know our waiter as they had a couple loud conversations with him and he was over a lot. I mean our food was terrible but the ambience had been nice. There was at least that. But now even that was ruined by these people. And I know I can't blame the restaurant for that. But I will say that they got much more attention from that point than we did. I actually think he came over exactly once to see how things were and we didn't get offered another drink at all. Our water glasses were refilled, not always by him. Again, maybe he had other things to do, but he seemed to have time for this other table. But I would still expect more attentive service at a place like this. By this time, we just wanted to leave. My wife still had half her plate and my plate looked like a bloody massacre on porcelain. Then our waiter came with a dessert with a sparkler going. Our friends surprised us by ordering it. It was bread pudding with a ball of vanilla ice cream. The bread pudding was good not great. IBut it was passable and it was free so that makes it better. Ice cream is ice cream and great but it is ice cream and hard to mess that up. In all it was a passable dessert but did not come close to making up for the atrocity that was the main course. Unfortunately, we are not the kind to send food back or cause a scene but it would have been deserved. Anyways, he leaves us the machine and we don't see him again. Got a good bye and thanks from the hostess but that was it. We got in the car and looked at each other and agreed it was terrible and we would never go back and that we would have a do-over anniversary in a couple months to make up for it. Such high expectations and promising start but overall not good at all. There are too many good restaurants to go to and explore in this city to waste another night there. read more

This is a lovely restaurant for a special occasion. It is beautiful and in a character home. The ambiance is cozy, elegant and warm. Also very comfortable to sit in and enjoy a leisurely glass of wine and some traditional Italian food. Server was friendly and prompt. I already knew what I was getting so I didn't need any explanation of the menu. I love the Fettuccine Tavolino which is flambed in a parmesan wheel. Rich and delicious. Kinda pricey but a generous portion. I had some to take home. My friend and I also shared the calamari. Calamari Fritti - Crispy Calamari served with Red Onion, Italian Pepperoncini, Chipotle Mango Aioli & Red Pepper Couli. It was tasty and I loved the red onion and pepperoncini added to the dish. Gave a nice zip of flavour. Complementary bread was appreciated. For dessert we had the creme brule even though I was stuffed. It was delicous and well presented. read more

Violino Ristorante - fettuccini tavolino - Italian Near Me - Edmonton, Alberta

We surprised my mother-in-law with dinner at Violino, because she's a huge Italian fan, but also a creature of habit (they only eat at the same places over and over, and for some reason East Side Marios)... So, since this would be a surprise, we would not give the chance for resistance - and boy am I glad we tried this place!!! She loved it! I should mention I am NOT a fan of pasta... and as a result I never think to try Italian places! This place showed me that Italian food can be bold in flavour, and more than just pasta!!! I had a beautiful chicken entree that was perfectly seasoned and cooked, with scalloped potatoes and vegetables... I started with cream of asparagus soup which was DELICIOUS. Finished it off with tiramisu, which was perfection. The sommelier paired a fabulous wine with our meal, based on our own preferences. They nailed it. Everyone at the table loved that wine. In case you'd like a recommendation: Gran Emotivo Rosso (red) The pasta-hater will be back (and might even see what they can do with PASTA!!!) read more

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It was awesome. The food was great, the service was great. I did not appreciate the loud drunks at the other table in the semi private dining room. Otherwise it was perfect. read more

Violino Ristorante is such a gem! It's got this lovely atmosphere that just makes every dining experience special. All dishes are scrumptious and cooked to perfection. Yes, the prices are a tad on the higher side but...their tiramisu is out of this world! The flavours are so vibrant, delicate and not too sweet, just perfect to compliment a cup of americano. I tried the original tiramisu in Italy, and the one in Violino seems even better. A must-visit for anyone looking to indulge in some truly exquisite Italian cuisine! read more

Haven't been to Violino Ristorante in years but my sister booked it as they have a spacious patio. It's tucked away behind Urban Diner and nearby Brasserie Bardot. We dropped in on a Saturday evening (with 6:30pm reservations for 8). There's plenty of outdoor seating with both an upstairs and main area. No view though. Service was mediocre. The menu consisted of pizzas, antipasto, insalata, pasta and entrees. - Bread - some bread with olive oil and balsamic dip to whet our appetites. - Nervatura ($39.00) - my sis's dish was the best of the ones I tried. The meat was tender but could have used more sauce. Risotto could have been more flavourful and creamier. - Fettucine tavolino ($34.00) - this is their signature dish. Probably the saddest iteration of a fettucini alfredo that I've had. Sauce was bland, lacked any cheese flavour and to top it off, not rich or creamy enough. Barely any chicken (which for some reason were cubed) and overcooked. I'd even go far as saying Olive Garden's is better and the last time I ate there was when I was a teenager. - Truffle pizza ($20.00) - one of the strangest presentations for a pizza I've seen. They have chili flakes, pickles, sweet pickled pepper, sweet red pepper and pickled red onions as "sides". Flavourwise, the pizza was generic. Couldn't taste any of the truffle. - Margherita ($16.00) - Dessert - they brought out a complimentary dessert for my sister's celebration, which was a nice touch. Some sort of apple cake with vanilla ice cream and berries. Eating at VR reminded me why we haven't ate here in years. Don't come here unless you've got money to burn. read more

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I get a big smile on my face when I think of the lovely, comfort food available at Violino. The bruschetta is a must start. So fresh and tasty, without being overwhelmed by garlic. The calamari is also a great starter dish. Very tender and not chewy. The accompanying sauce was delish. The special was a seafood ravioli. Nom nom! I've bee dreaming of good ravioli since I visited Italy 6 months ago. This is it! Gorgeous little shrimps were mouth watering. It was so hard for me to chew slowly and not slam it down like I wanted to. I wanted to savor it. The budget Malbec was good at $49. Our water glasses were filled regularly. There was absolutely no room for dessert but the choices were beautiful. I'll be back for the tiramusu. I did have an espresso though. The staff was so nice to us . I got a call shortly after I left. I had forgotten my glasses. Thank you guys for being so courteous. Be sure to make a reservation and leave your number. That is how they were able to contact me. read more

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We had a business lunch and arrived at 11:30 to find the restaurant empty. They seated us downstairs but we wanted a more private space so they moved us upstairs where there was a long table that could seat everyone (they have a private room but it was reserved). The table was lovely and spacious and I liked the comfortable seats and we had some room to move the chairs so we weren't so close to our neighbour. There was a nearby closet and it was very convenient to hang our coats there. The lunch menu had lots of options. There were salads and you could add protein, pasta, paninis, and pasta. I ordered the duck panini with a Caesar salad. While we were waiting for the rest of our party to arrive, the server brought out sparkling water and warm bread with dipping oil. The bread was deliciously comforting being soft and warm and I didn't even mind eating the end of piece! I don't recall how long it took for our food to arrive since we were chatting but I think in a reasonable amount of time. We were offered fresh pepper. I started with my salad and I loved how the amount of dressing was perfect and the lettuce not drenched in dressing and ideal number of croutons. The sandwich was duck, onions, mushrooms, and melted provolone cheese on a sliced of bread. There was a lot of cheese and I'm not big on cheesey sandwiches so I didn't eat all of it. But the duck was delicious. My table mates' pastas dishes looking good too! Service was attentive and friendly. I can't wait for our next lunch here! read more

Violino Ristorante - Tirato Anatra Confict (duck) panini and Caesar salad ($17) - Italian Near Me - Edmonton, Alberta

Decided to visit this fine italian ristorante and beautiful mansion built in 1913 surrounded by lush flower gardens, beautiful streets on our first wedding anniversary and it turned out be a memorable experience. We got served by Jesser and he made sure to provide us a great dining experience at Violino. Even he asked, if there is any special occasion that day. Order: Fettuccine Alfredo: We decided to give a try to violino's signature pasta. They cooked the pasta in the kitchen and then Jesser prepared the alfredo sauce in Asiago cheese wheel in front of us while explaining the process. Pasta was incredibly rich and flavoursome, it is really difficult for one person to finish it off. I would definitely recommend to try this. Strato Lasagna: Totally enjoyed this mouthwatering infinite layers of italian sausage and meat, Ricotta, baby spinach, Mozzarella and asiago cheese. Bread Pudding: We planned to order bread pudding before but after having the delicious and fulfilling meal we changed our mind. And to our surprise, jesser served us the scrumptious bread pudding as a sweet gesture from violino family on our wedding anniversary. Rating: Taste:4.5/5 Ambience: 5/5 (would definitely come in the summers to enjoy the food while sitting in the patio) Price: 4/5 ( Being a fine dining, it is bit higher on price side. But food and the service makes every penny worthwhile) Portion:5/5 (Fulfilling for one person) Service: 5/5 (Appreciate the service by Jess) read more

Can't say enough about this gem of a restaurant. The food and service is exceptional! Can't wait to go back read more

Violino Ristorante - Penne Pollo - Italian Near Me - Edmonton, Alberta

We love this place! We have been going for years. Who can go wrong with fresh pasta tossed in a barrel of asiago cheese. MORE PLEASE. Celebrated a 40th for a family member and we had a great time. They give you room to socialize and bring the food in time and together. They do need to work on cleaning their wine glasses but that is something that can easily be improved. read more

Violino Ristorante - Tableside Pasta tossed in asiago cheese - Italian Near Me - Edmonton, Alberta

Impeccable service, and a beautiful veranda to enjoy your meal. The food has left me with mixed feelings. I had the seafood special (Sea Bass $40) and the fish was sadly dry. My SO had the steak special ($49) and it was a generous portion and cooked perfect. I would rate the food a 3, based on my one dish and the very high prices, but the atmosphere on the veranda is a 5. The inside is very classy. I hope to be back soon to try the brick oven fired pizza, as the oven was out of order the day I visited. read more

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Went here for the first time for my parents anniversary dinner. Food was great, very cozy atmosphere. I believe the food quality/service justify the prices. read more

Having lived next to this stately manor restaurant for as long I have, I am now mortified it took me YEARS to check it out. My bad Violiono... I always love restaurants that are old houses, something about the whole experience is just safe and quaint. When you walk into this place it like walking back in time. Old school domestic design with a beautiful modern Italian decor. The staff is exceptionally friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and wine list, our server Danny was an absolute gem! 25 dollar corkage is right in our wheel house too as we basically had to haul my wine fridge through the doors. I don't mess around with a 4 top!! The food is incredible. We started with classic calamari, caprese salad, and these delicious little fish cake things that looked as good as they tasted. Crispy on the outside and just melt in your mouth on the inside, a definite winner. Mains were equally amazing...I had my go to, if it's ever on a menu, in the Osso Buco. Maybe the best I've ever had (and I make a mean Osso Buco ;). My gf had this just simple unctuous, rich, seafood risotto that was to die for. I can't recall what our other diners at the table had, but I do remember long silences with the occasional "oh my god" uttered in delight. This place is doing Italian right. The environment isn't stuffy at all but definitely bring the extra wallet as it can get away from you if you aren't paying attention (or just don't care) you for sure get what you pay for. Great job Violino, I promises not to wait 15 more years to come back a see you. Cheers Andy read more

I brought two friends with me who had never been at Violino.Front of house is very kind and helpful.Everything was better than perfect. We shared the lobster dip and arancini as appetizers. Highly recommend both. The best Wild Salmon I have ever tasted. My friend ordered the lamb for herself and she said it was the best lamb she ever had, perfection. We shared dessert Tiramisu, best Italian Tiramisu flavor.Service was impeccable , timely, friendly, and well versed in everything on the menu as well as the history of the restaurant. Outstanding. The Sommelier/Wine Steward is really really great. Our wine was exceptional .Love it! read more

I absolutely love this place! There's something about dining in an old house with a very traditional atmosphere. The food is amazing. I've eaten here a few times and I've never had a complaint. Great service, great wine, great food. I went here on a romantic date and another time in a girls night out. Definitely dressier than other places but is good for a special night out. Can't wait to go back! read more

Violino Ristorante - Italian Near Me - Edmonton, Alberta

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A gorgeous room, a spectacular patio, excellent staff and an evolving menu. All that and more is in store where violins and classical music romance you through your meal. Violino has been around for a while now, but major change is in the air: With a new GM at the helm whom brings decades of experience from California to Cruise Ships to deluxe dinning destinations in Europe, I think this rock-steady eatery is about to finally be all that it can be. They are the only place in the city with a forno oven that resides on the patio! It is pretty cool to sit out in the sun, surrounded by beautiful flora and fauna and watch as they pull your pizza straight out of the oven and over to you. Tres chic! The wine list is stellar, the pasta fantastic, some really great apps (I highly suggest the prosciutto and melon as well as the bruschetta!) There were a few misses, my cucumber and tomato salad; not a winner. But hey, like I said, they are diligently working on the menu! For a leisurely lunch with the ladies, to a romantic evening with your amore, this is definitely on my shortlist of go-to places! read more

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Violino was an amazing nom experience. Long time readers may have figured out that we decided to take a break from our usual visit to Normands this year - a decision prompted by the opening of XIX. Yet, the group concensus, this time, was to go to Violino Gastronomia instead. Since I'd heard nothing but stellar things, I went in with high expectations. I enjoyed that the restaurant itself is in an old house - while there are a number of smaller restaurants that employ a similar design, it gives the restaurant a very cosy feel, and puts you at ease. Our waiter was awesome, middle-aged, polite and warm with an complete understanding and confidence in Violino's menu. That's a good thing - it's refreshing for me to encounter a waiter who can make a recommendation without reservation, and it reminded me of my experiences in Italy. As Brittany K. and Janine say, the Fettucini Alfredo (Pasticcio di Pollo alla Créma) must be amazing; it was by far the most popular item being served during our stay. But after an epic inner-struggle, I went for the Honey Garlic Lamb Osso Buco. The meat was perfectly cooked - falling off the bone when it was served, and it tasted like amazing. It turns out that the rest of my folks weren't able to finish their dishes, so I got to try some of the Filetto di Manzo (beef tenderloin, Gratin potato and asparagus), and the Chef's Signature Costina di Manzo Brasato (boneless ribs with mushroom risotto). Going straight from a sweet to a richer dish made it taste a bit odd, but both those dishes were quite nice as well. Portion sizes follow Italian structure - smaller than Western servings, as part of an Italian cultural perspective to fully enjoy every bite over abundence of supply. With that said, the portions here were larger than most Italian servings. Sadly, this meant there was no room left for dessert. I'll be going back, and I can't wait for it. If you love formal-food with a laid-back atmosphere, you should check this place out. read more

What an amazing little restaurant! It has ample parking too! Converted from an old house, you immediately feel welcome when you walk in the front door. The decor is so fitting for the space completely with carpet and large plus chairs for each table. The main floor is open and there are quite a few tables. The second floor is a little bit smaller but consists of a large private room that can seat probably 12 comfortably and an open area. Their menu is extensive and so very delicious! Like all good Italian restaurants, the meal started with some fresh in house baked bread in vinegar! We tried both the seafood starter platter and the cold platter and there was nothing that was anything short of decadent!! I had their halibut special topped with shrimp and scallops and everything was cooked perfectly. Everyone in our group loved their supper and there isn't one bad thing that we could think of! To top off the amazing decor and menu, their service was superb as well. Our waiter was so attentive and always made sure we were not needing anything or waiting long. It's probably the best service I've ever had in edmonton! This is a well deserved five star review!! I will most definitely go back again and again!! read more

Violino Ristorante - House made cannoli - Italian Near Me - Edmonton, Alberta

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If you're looking for a genuinely romantic restaurant to woo your (soon to be) significant other, I highly recommend Violino. It's an Italian restaurant located in the upscale High Street district, in a newly renovated 1913 mansion. Inside, the restaurant is accented with granite and marble walls, and dark wooden panes around the old-fashioned windows. The suede chairs and fireplace on both levels of the restaurant add to its classic yet modern charm. My boyfriend and I recently came here for our anniversary, and I was so glad we picked this place. It's absolutely beautiful, plus I felt like a princess the whole night! The waiter did the whole flapping out the napkin and placing it on your lap thing, which I wasn't expecting. We ordered the antipesto misto for appetizers, and their signature dish, the bistecca alla fiorentina, a 40 oz. sterling silver steak with veggies and gratin potatoes. If you order this, be sure to order it earlier on, because it takes them about half an hour to prepare. Our waiter was really great, and gave impeccable service through the whole night. He suggested that we order the antipesto for one, because the servings are quite large, and we still needed lots of room for our steak. I really appreciated his help on that, because boy was he right! The antipesto misto is basically a platter of cold and hot appetizers, like smoked salmon, mushrooms, artichoke hearts, and prawns and scallops. The smoked salmon was delicious, and I highly doubt I will ever taste salmon as good as that anywhere else. I was disappointed that there was only a single shrimp and one scallop on the entire plate. They were delicious -- tender and juicy -- but we had to cut each in half in order to share them! Sorry, Violino, but you lose one star there. The steak is their signature dish for a reason. They bring it out to you on a cart, and before hand-slicing it for you, they pour some Italian brandy into a ladle and warm this ladle over a flame. Once the flame is really hot and glowing blue, they pour it over the steak, and it all looks like one big blue flame. It's really amazing, to see what you're about to eat engulfed in hot blue fire! The steak was heavenly -- so tender and juicy! It makes the Keg seem like McDonald's! I noticed a few other tables around us ordered the same dish that night too, and afterwards, the guy sitting behind us commented on how good the steak was as he was leaving. Everyone agreed, you can't beat a steak like that. I really wanted dessert, but my stomach urged me not to stuff it anymore, or there would be consequences. Our dinner came to $85 that night, including tip. Expensive, but you really can't expect anything less of this place. And for the excellent quality and service, it's definitely worth it. For your next night of fine dining, consider Violino! read more

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An intimate restaurant in the Oliver neighborhood, perfect for date nights or special occasions. The restaurant looks like it was converted from a house. The server told me they have a private room on the second floor too. Our server was really friendly and seems to know the food really well which is great. They also have a pretty big selection of wine. For appetizer, we ordered the Lobster dip. I did not taste and could barely see any lobster bits in this dish. I probably would not order this again. The Chicken fettucine was interesting. It was finished in a wheel of asiago cheese (lit up with fire and all) at your table. You will enjoy this if you like very very rich and creamy pasta. The daily special was a seafood pasta with cream sauce. It was good but I wish they used larger shrimps though. Knowing that we were celebrating our anniversary, they surprised us with bread pudding on the house (complete with sparklers)! I enjoyed the evening and will be back :-) read more

Violino Ristorante - Italian Near Me - Edmonton, Alberta

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My boss took me here for an impromptu Christmas lunch during a week day and we had no trouble getting a same day reservation. This has been one of the restaurants I have always wanted to try as it has been in Edmonton for quite some time now. The history of this gem is that it is in a 1913 mansion tucked in High Street Glenora. We were seated on the main floor and the tasteful Christmas decor on the stair banister and tables gave it a nice homey holiday feel. Everything on the menu literally sounded delicious and I truly had a hard time picking an item so my boss and I shared. I ordered the Vongole pizza with clams, garlic, tomato and spinach. The pizza came out on this wooden plank with sides of pickled onions and radish. The aroma was to die for and I really liked the presentation. My boss ordered the penne pollo with fire-grilled chicken breast, boar bacon, asparagus, roasted red pepper sauce & parmigiano cheese. The boar bacon was not overdone and cooked just right. This pasta was amazing and absolutely scrumptious. I am also not a huge fan of breads in restaurants unless they are fresh out of the oven and warm. I could not stop myself from eating their bread and it was mainly because of their fragrant balsamic vinegar and olive oil. I could not stop dipping my bread in this! We had very attentive service from our waitress and was pleased with the whole experience. I just wished we had room for dessert. Until next time. read more

Violino Ristorante - Vongole pizza - Italian Near Me - Edmonton, Alberta

My husband and I used to hem and haw about where to go for our weekly date night and then we discovered Violino. It is difficult to go anywhere else now. The staff here are exceptional- knowledgeable, friendly and attentive, always going the extra mile to make sure you have an amazing experience. The environment is romantic, intimate and cozy and the food is delightful. I cannot count the number of filet mignons we have had here and every single one has been cooked to perfection. All the pasta dishes are to die for. We hosted our wedding reception here, as well as many Christmas parties and celebrations. Their Valentine's Day menu is second to none (that heart shaped pasta... yum!). The staff work together and do a fabulous job accommodating any size of party. Adrian is extremely attentive to every single customer and is a big reason we come back week after week. read more

Highly recommended! My wife and I have been here a few times for our anniversary and have loved it every time. We started with a crab fritters (my wife decided to dig into them before I could snap a picture). I had the short ribs as an entree, and they were the most the most tender pieces of meat I've had in a long time. If it wasn't for table etiquette, I would have just used my fork to cut through. My wife had the salmon and she loved it as well. We had the Gelato for dessert and they asked if we were celebrating anything special. They brought out the dessert on a platter with "Happy Anniversary" written on it. Way to make it feel extra special. So much so we have decided to make it our regular anniversary dinner place. read more

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Went here for valentines dinner special. Was served a four-course meal that was mediocre at best. Bought a glass of wine for the misses and a stella for myself. Including the mandatory gratuity charge of 18%, the total for this came to $270.00. Seems a ridiculous price for the small serving sizes and unsavory meal. The service was excellent however and the setting was okay - perhaps unlucky, but we were set up in what i imagine to be a former bedroom, dining with two other couples. read more

This place is quaint and romantic and very Italian. Started the meal off with the amazing charcuterie tray. It was full of an array of samplings and delights for the taste buds. My favorite was the pickled artichoke. Not exactly special but non the less yum. The warm spinach salad with- ham eggs mushrooms artichoke feta. Was verly salty. Not recommended. On the other hand the beet salad had good reviews from my dining companions. Main coarse I went with the lamb. Totally delicious, tender and saucy. I don't do risotto so instead I had extra veggies, but again thanks to my dining companies I can tell you that the risotto was great. When dining Italiano of coarse you need to try the tiramisu. Unfortunately it feel a little flat in flavour. Overall this place is dynamo. Just skip dessert and go for one of their great cappuccinos. read more

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I don't know, I get it, but I don't. It's a cool building, but old fashioned inside . It's a complete menu, but not exciting. Service is attentive, but....unrefined? Ordered 3 dishes: Fettuccini Travolino - chicken fettuccini in an alfredo sauce, then, for show they dump some booze in a cheese wheel, light it on fire throw the pasta in, stir it around, plate it and, voila! Its 1983 again! Taste wise, it's ok, chicken was a bit dry. Next up was a stuffed ravioli with a cream sauce. This was my favorite of the 3 pastas, but I wasn't wowed by it. Penne Pollo was #3, slightly spicy tomato sauce, it was ok, same issue with the chicken being a bit dry. Desserts are house made, which is good, as are "some" of the pastas. Beer menu is not good. (Coors, Canadian, Kokanee etc) Price wise it's a bit high, and there is better Italian in the city. It is what it is, it probably has a group of loyal clientele that go once a month...but I think ill go elsewhere next time I want Italian. read more

Perfect 5 star restaurant. Worth going to . Beautiful Decor, great staff, and you can dress up fancy to go. Lots of free parking, And you can make reservations. My new favorite place for Italian! read more

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Great quality and service. I love this restaurant's. They have a beautiful patio outside. I love this area of Edmonton.

Went for coworkers birthday. Got seated upstairs to communal area. Shared one room with another large party. At first it was pretty noisy and then we had to wait on menus, but the waiter was pleasant and helpful. It is a 1990s small house turned restaurant with contemporary styled decor; Serving Italian cuisine Main floor has multiple small tables and decor has definite charm with old school feel. The narrow staircase leads upstairs from the main floor to the "private dining area" upstairs. We were close to the fireplace, so nice and warm. Long tables with comfortable chairs. The food was amazing. They served the starter bread and I tried not to eat it but couldnt resist, served with their balsamic vinegar and olive oil it was heaven. I had to control myself with only taking one piece and savoring it! Usually at Fine dining restaurants you expect portion size to be small, but not here. I Started off with the Calamari Fritti ($17) and others the scallops (12$). I left half only because I was waiting for the main dish. The portions were standard large! For the main dish, I asked the waiter what he would recommend and he recommended the Nervatura Shortrib in which it was so delicious, the meat was tender and practically melted in my mouth. The Risotto!!!!! Its presentation was amazing. I couldnt finish it all. Surprisingly enough, the restaurant treated the birthday girl with dessert and that was special. We were there for a while so we each chose our own dessert and of course I went with the Tiramisu. Very different than other places I have eaten at and it was worth it. Others raved about there's include the one who had Vegan Chocolate Mousse!!!!! They accommodated people with dietary issues and concerns and the dinner was seamless. In fact they let our party stay until they actually had to close down the building! I lost my keys that night and they tried to accommodate me the best we can. The only down fall to this place. Its not open long enough!!!!! Its a small house, and I have been there in the summer, their patio is amazing! Their summer menu doesnt disappoint. Would need to reserve rather than drop in. Parking is limited and shared, so you may have to park on the street. Its Hidden in the residential area but not hard to get to. Prices are in the high $$$ mark, and the ambience is more than casual-semi formal. They have "set-menus" for parties if you want to go that route. Great place for date night, and groups! Wheelchair accessible!!!!!! They also deliver via DoorDash!!!! read more

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Italian food is my all-time favourite. Like, in a discussion the other day with some yelpers about what our top 5 favourite cuisines are, Italian and Indian were the only two that didn't require serious thought. Immediate reaction = PASTA AND CURRY!!!! So of course, being quite the pastaphile, I selected a high-end Italian restaurant for my birthday dinner with my husband and parents. The "restaurant" is actually a huge ol' mansion converted into a restaurant. Although it's an intimate space, the chairs are a hybrid of regular dining chair and comfy arm chair. Like a comfy armchair with a high back, your table feels very private and you kind of forget about other diners in your room. I went back and forth and back and forth on what to order. That's kind of hilarious to me, because I ended up ordering what I'd already decided on when perusing the menu a week earlier: the fettucine alfredo, of course. Our food arrived relatively quickly considering how busy it was (Saturday night). Bruschetta and crab cakes first, then main courses shortly afterwards. A note here, too, that our server was outstanding. Set our napkins down for us, excused himself for his reach every time he had to lean over to fill dad's wine glass, etc. Very polite and friendly. What they don't tell you when you order the fettucine alrfedo is that it arrives on a tray they set up next to your table, in two separate dishes. Plate of noodles and cheese bowl. They scoop the noodles into the cheese bowl and LIGHT THE WHOLE THING ON FIRE. After you get over the awesomeness of what just happened and dig in, you get to enjoy a large meal (worth the money, I'd say) of saucy, cheesy alfredo-y goodness. I snuck a bite of my husband's veal, too, which was tender and crispy and full of tomato-y flavour. And I think the best part of the night, food-wise, was dessert. The gelato that night was pistachio, my second favourite (next to lemon). I also noticed that my parents gave each other "the look" when they saw a table two over receive a dessert with a sparkler on top for someone's birthday. Shortly after I ordered dessert, my father excused himself to the rest room and returned after only about 25 seconds. So the sparkler on top of my gelato and "Happy Birthday" written in chocolate sauce on the plate weren't exactly a surprise, but a very wonderful addition to a very wonderful meal. All of this, of course, is a long-winded way of saying that I loved Violino and I definitely can't wait to come back for another night of top-notch food and service. Bon appetito! read more

Truly the best customer service out there. You get your own personal waiter. I think about my experience here all the time. If you want the best Italian food in the WORLD, then this is the place to go. read more

In our search for a romantic Valentines dinner, Allan G and I decided to try Violino this year, and had a decent experience. But not quite as perfect as we'd hoped. When we entered, we followed the hostess, and unfortunately, she began heading upstairs. My legs have gotten more and more sluggish with my MS this last year, so I asked could we please sit downstairs instead. She said sure. We all began to head back downstairs. Let me just mention I've recently gotten new progressive lenses so you know what to expect. Yeah....I missed a step, and fell dramatically against the bannister, scaring the bejeezus out of the folks sitting below. This was my cue to look up, find every eye in the restaurant on me, and say "No applause please." No smiles, nothing. Tough crowd. The interior is gorgeous, and we settled in, ordering a bottle of Malbec as I rubbed my bashed-up wrist and we had a laugh over what an incredible klutz I am. Al ordered the boar-bacon wrapped filet, and I had the osso buco. I've never eaten veal in my life because of what I've read about the treatment of the calves, but I have always wanted to try osso buco, and I figured if I was going to try it anywhere (outside of Italy), this would be a good place for it. The wine was going down well, and we were having a great conversation, but we couldn't help but notice the long wait for the food. Now, for a well-done expensive meal, yes, it's understandable that it will take longer, but this was getting pretty excessive. The food arrived, and it was delicious. The meat fell right off the bone-- tender and amazing. It was served with a wine sauce and basil polenta, which were also good. Between courses, the wait was also frustrating. Our server seemed competent, but rushed. I can only assume that the holiday hit them hard, and perhaps they were understaffed. We DID order dessert, although we considered passing. I'm glad we did. The tiramisu was the best I've had since leaving Italy. Allan G had the Frangelico Chocolate Raspberry Torte and also pronounced it good. We were delighted to find that they had comped both desserts. Al remains convinced that this is because of our long wait, but I personally think they were worried about my fall, and didn't want a lawsuit. But that's the American in me talking-- we're sue-happy, and I'm used to everyone thinking that way. I'm relieved if they don't. If you're looking for a romantic Italian evening out, you definitely want to try Violino. read more

After reading some wonderful reviews, I made a mental note to hit up Violino for a meal. I booked in a lunch date with a friend and got to the restaurant and was surprised to see that it was empty! Pity that such a charming little place doesn't get the downtown lunch rush. The lunch menu was a considerable size and there was lots to choose from - all of it very affordable. My dining partner chose the Tortellini Carbonara and I went for a penne with steak strips. Both of our meals were served quickly and oh man, they were good. The pasta was cooked perfectly and seasoned beautifully. The carbonara was absolutely gorgeous - with a poached egg right on top - very pretty on the eyes. My penne was simple but the ultimate comfort food. The service was very good, albeit the restaurant was not at all busy. The bread we were served prior to our meal was warm and fresh and wonderful. I really enjoyed my meal at Violino and am looking forward to visiting in the evening to try out the much more complex dinner menu. Great lunch area - a real hidden gem just west of the downtown core. If you are searching for wonderful pasta, a luxurious dining room experience and nice service, try them out for sure. read more

I've only dined at Violino once so far, but already love it. I took my girlfriend here for a quiet dinner on her birthday; I was a bit nervous, as I wanted to take her someplace nice. Violino delivered. The restaurant itself is a beautifully-converted old house. Our waiter was quiet, quick, and efficient--a true professional. Of course, our food and wine were superb. I look forward to returning, and perhaps making this a regular spot for fine dining. read more

This is a fantastic restaurant! From top to bottom, the service, atmosphere and especially food is superb! It has become a family tradition to have Sunday brunches for birthdays here. Their 5 course set meals for groups are amazing! I have yet to not thoroughly enjoy every single item placed before me. It's definitely not a t-shirt and jeans kind of place, which is another reason why I love it so much. It's a great place for groups, a romantic date or summertime drinks in the beautiful patio. The restaurant was converted from an old mansion like house and it's quant and cozy and yet chic and sophisticated. The servers know what they are doing and you can tell they enjoy it and it really shows in the quality of service. I definitely recommend a visit here, you will not be disappointed! read more

Awesome dining experience. I took my girlfriend here for a romantic evening and was very pleased with the quality of the service and the delicious food. The ambience is also very romantic. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone. read more

Great dining experience! I love how the restaurant is upscale but not pretentious. They use high quality ingredients and everything tasted fresh. The pasta was cooked to perfection! I was also VERY impressed that they offer a wheat-free version of virtually everything on the menu. Beautiful ambiance, with friendly, attentive service. read more

Violino Ristorante - Italian Near Me - Edmonton, Alberta

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