Battista's Calzone — Restaurant in Avenue District

Truly special.

Our family came for a quick bite, and we are all very happy.

Service: Warm and friendly staff. Employees seemed at-ease and relaxed around the owner, which is a very good sign. Owner was very gracious, and took time to explain his product.

Crust: the calzone crust is perfect blend of crusty, chewy, and is well-seasoned. It's baked with attention and love.

Fillings: I tried the Aloha and Spicy Italian, and both hit the right notes: smokey BBQ sauce and fresh ham paired with pineapple. It's a comforting but elevated take on a classic. The sausage used in the Spicy Italian is billed as local, and the proof was in the tasting: fresh and savoury. I liked the spice blend in it too, and the ratio of peppers.

The owner very kindly made us a dessert Calzone, with Nutella filling and a dessert-ish dough (almost like a crepe!) for my family to share. It was a splendid gesture, and rest assured, we are all coming back!

Minor criticism: No pop. It seems like pure profit for the owner to have a few boxes of popular pops on-hand, and sell them for $2/can to a thirsty public. But it's not a deal-breaker, and certainly not enough to make this a 4/5 -- this place is way too close to perfect for that.

Support 118 ave. The best eats...

A local gem. So good. Hidden on 118 ave is a local good news story. Battista has opened up his own namesake restaurant,and although you may have to wait a few minutes because they are busy, busy is a good thing, as it indicates a great experience. My wife and I ordered and Battista himself came over to say Hi and shake our hands. We ordered our calzones to go, but staying would have been fun adventure too, as the restaurant is in an old converted mechanic shop complete with overhead glass roller door. It's a quaint place and there is lots of interesting character both in the restaurant and in the nearby community. I ate the Spicy Italian calzone and added sautéed mushrooms for no extra charge. Incredible. My wife had the Veggie which she also loved. If you're looking for a great spot to try, you will NOT be disappointed. Battista is also expanding by taking over the space next door and will open some kind of Mollinaris (San Francisco) style deli. Definitely a must try place both for locals and Edmonton...

Ok, this is not an authentic Italian restaurant. This isn't fancy or even funky. It's edgy with big roots showing. In other words, this calzone joint specializes in food of the people, for the people. Pizza and pizza like foods are very much part of the culture of the international diet, and this place is a full on, deep rooted, establishment for food of the every-person. The ingredients are good quality and the process finishes in food that is fresh and on point. Pair your 'zone with beer, wine, or a chilled soda, buy the frozen or buy it freshly made, these two young ladies directing this restaurant in a sketchy part of town know what they are doing, do it well, and with confidence not seen in many young people these days. The kitchen is out in the open, it is hot, and yet all the surfaces are clean and organized. The two ladies are nice and have very good manners with big welcoming smiles... even during a hot and humid day with very poor air quality.

We will...