Abruzzo Ristorante, Calgary

Would have loved to have tried the place - too bad they closed up for a couple weeks for staff holidays. Ratings are minimal - can't say a thing about the place other than - why close down? Seriously, WTF?

There are always going to be a few pple that have no pallate and will dis a restaraunt, but this is as real as it gets. Lorenzo and Joe are amazing, not to mention a very beautiful crew of people running the place. I would never reccomend any other italian restaraunt than this one. Im from this region of italy and I have to say BRAVO! Please go, please try the food, yes it is a tad more expensive, but you pay for what you get, which honestly it is reasonably priced. The bruchetta is to die for, and the sauce is so authentic and consistant. Love love the cesar salad and you MUST try the raspberry filled ice cream please! NOW THATS AMORE!!!

This is a consistently excellent restaurant. The prices have gone up modestly over the years making it a moderately priced italian restaurant. However, the food is excellent, so it's worth it. I would recommend the "special". It's always exceptional, based on the chef's market pick of the day- if it's freah & top quality, that's what he's serving. Typically a fish or meat serving with a fabulous sauce, served with crisp (never overdone) seasonal veggies and a side of pasta. Everytime I have the special I must interrupt my conversation to say "Wow, this is amazing!". The pasta's are great, and the Ceasar salad is my husbands all-time favourite anywhere. The owners are very hands on in this restaurant- one is the chef and the other serves- they really care about quality & service. We have found the food over 20+ years in this fabulous restaurnt to be consistently excellent, and we think you will enjoy it too. Lorenzo & Joe you are a class act & you know how to "WOW" your customers, year after year!

i used to go here a few years ago and it was good value and a beautiful place to dine. i was there last night for dinner and i was very disappointed. th eservice was fine and the building still is nice. but the value for the dollar was not good. $35 for 1/2 liter of wine. salad with fake cheese. meal small and expensive. 2 people with a salad 1 apitizer 2 pasta dishes and 1/2 liter of wine was $118.00 plus tip. i know some of that is to pay for the space. but come on. i think the restaurant wants to milk the price for all they can now. it is a shame really. i will not go back here any more as there are others just as good and even nicer for a lesser price. too bad.

Excellent food at an excellent price! Like eating in Abruzzo Italy. Very authentic. Would definitely go back. The pasta dishes are to die for. Don't wait. abruzzi.wordpress.com

To whom it may concern: On behalf of my wonderful evenings and delicious dinners spent at your fine restaurant, I would like to compliment you and your staff for making every family and special occasion the best! A couple of weeks ago my Grandmother and Grandfather and I went to have an important discussion about the up and coming 2008 presidential election. The waiter’s were very pleasant with refilling the water and being patient with my older Grandparents. My grandmother loves returning to your restaurant with her gal pals because of your wide selection of wine at the bar. I hope you in joy this complement letter because your staff deserves it. JK

We went there for our anniversary and had a wonderful time. Wait staff were friendly and helpful. Food was fresh and tasty and the wine was a great price. True luxury at a value price.

We decided on Abruzzo after reading the Yahoo! reviews... and I gotta tell ya, it was less than memorable. While the servers were nice and friendly, and overall the food was palatable, the balance of the evening was marred by a few pesky little details: a) Caesear salad for two. Sounds nice. I anticipated a cart being rolled to the table and the full monty... the wooden bowl, the lemon, the oil, the eggs, the anchovy fillets... all assembled deftly by an older gentleman who looks like he may actually have known Caesar. I was nonplussed when the chilled salads were delivered to our table. No lemon, no anchovy. Dressing suspiciously like Newman's Own. b) when dining at an upmarket Italian restaurant, I expect the butter to be served "melon-balled", not cold in little foil packets. c) the candle on the table is there to add a romantic ambience... couples dining would likely appreciate it being lit. d) the icing on the cake was dessert... a FAKE leaf was stuck in the end of my wife's pear-shaped ice cream, which bore the frosted look indicative of a President's Choice product. Overall, while the food was adequate in portion size, presentation and flavour, Abruzzo will be added to our "been there, done that" list, and not to our "recommend to friends" list.

From the moment we walked into the restaurant, we were greeted and treated like royalty. The restaurant was packed to capacity; however, we felt we had the most personalized service possible. Really fabulous service! The tortellini in brodo, the spaghetti carbonara, and the vitello portafoglio were all perfect. And we had the most delicious bottle of Cantine Lungarotti Rubesco 2000! A fabulous wine at bargain basement prices! The couple at the next table was chatty and fun. We couldn't have enjoyed the evening more. The whole experience was most enjoyable and totally delicious.