Da Guido Ristorante, Calgary

My husband and I went to this restaurant on two anniversaries. The first time we went I really enjoyed it and found that at $100 for the both of us (we don't drink) for a 3 course meal was a great value, and the food was delicious, a bit salty at times and a bit crazy with the olive oil, but still pretty authentic Italian food, in a nice setting and a lovely hostess who was very helpful and pleasant. The second and last time we went there it was not super special, the service was a bit slow considering we went on a Monday night. The host took some time to set us up at a table. The cocktails we ordered were served in 8 oz glasses, smaller than the average for a virgin Caesar, the appetizer of pan fried veggies were soaked in olive oil, we had to repeatedly ask for bread, the waiter did not seem too happy to be there and the main course of lemon chicken that I ordered was surprisingly dismal. Just a few chicken tenders that were actually overcooked in a creamy lemon sauce that was not adequately seasoned. Something I could have easily done at home, surprised that this "upscale" restaurant would put something like that out, without any sides unless they were purchased separately as a side. Pasta is good though, very much like the traditionalists do it other than that a bit underwhelmed this time around.

Cozy atmosphere, incredibly friendly staff, funny and warm. We felt like family by the time we left, hugs all around.Best food I've had in a long time,Scampi melted in your mouth. Guido came out and introduced himself. Stephanie the manager was amazing!(as well as her son)We will be back and reccommend it very very highly!

I wanted to bring my international friends to a nice, high class, upper end restaurant in Calgary in the hopes of showing them around the city. I was recommended by a friend of mine that Da Guido has very good and traditional Italian food and therefore, I gave it a try. I ordered pasta and I find that the food tasted average. For a $25 meal, I've been to other places that can offer the same quality if not better. The problem came with terrible customer service. Service was slow and it took a long time until a server took our orders. I wasn't in any hurry, so I didn't mind it all that much. When the food came, my vegetarian friend found that there is meat in her meal. We quickly alert a server and asked to have it changed. The server was incredibly rude and questioning if we are literate. She stated that the menu has explicitly said that there are sausages in the meal and that she is not responsible for our mistakes. It is true that we may have mistaken the fancy Italian named dishes and we have forgot to mention our dietary concerns, but there is no reason to personal attack our mistakes. In the end, the server refused to exchange it and we had to order another item off the menu for our vegetarian friend. She had to pay for 2 meals when she only ate one. $40 is definitely not worth what she had. I would never come back to this restaurant ever again. Even McDonalds have better service than this place.

I have read all the reviews here and as a regular customer of Da Guido's have to remark that if the wait was too long it may have been because there was no reservation made and the staff may have been trying to accomodate a walk in. So call and make a reservation! I myself have sat at the table that sits infornt of the fire place and have been a regular for years and have to say that it was cozy and warm as a "fireplace" gives off heat and not cold air as another review suggested. The staff are wonderful and the food is extraordinarily fantastic when ordered either off the menu or not. So the saying goes, you can't make everyone happy and Guido should have sent them home with spam in a can instead of a free meal, maybe thier westernized pallette may have enjoyed that better. I suggest the Seafood platter, the Oso Bucco, and the Tiramisu for dessert. I will always go back to Guido's because he takes the time to make sure his guests are happy, he takes the time to sit and become friendly with his clients, a rare thing in this industry, and he has an extensive wine selection that's to die for! Keep up the GREAT work Da Guido's and staff!

Don't order from the menu...say 'Tell Guido to make something special' and be prepared for a culinary experience beyond the beyond!!! The ambiance and service is bar none the best.

Currently live in Sydney, Australia. This is a must visit every time i am in Calgary. Truly great fresh traditional Italian. Noticed that other reviews noted the service to be slow. I have not noticed this, however, i have never been in rush. This is a restaurant where everything takes time, and owner/cook often comes out to great the tables. No request is too difficult, as i rarely order from the menu. If possible they will make what you want. Tylor

We found the seafood linguini a little too salty, as well as the risoto with mushrooms. The dessert was amazing, I had this white chocolate raspberry dish. We look forwad to trying other dishes there as the service was great, and a very cozy atmosphere. And I need more of that dessert!

we sat on a chairs at the entrance, were asked if we would like a drink while we waited, but never saw that waitress again, taken to a table blocking the fire place, a cold draught going up our legs, it was busy long wait for food, got very bored. finaly food arrived veal chop tough as old boots,took it home for dog, complained did not pay for that meal not the only complaint apparently. Food over priced specially fish. would not go there again,staff were very pleasent but this is not fine dining.

The food- five stars! (and well worth the wait!) Things do move a little slowly, but quality takes time. The staff are incredibly welcoming and accomodating, and of many Italian restaurants we've tried, Da Guido is where we go every year for special occasions.

Long waits for everything on 3 or 4 occasions I was there!