DOPO — Restaurant in Calgary

After weeks of anticipation, the four of us were excited to finally try DOPO, the newly rebranded Italian joint generating a lot of buzz. Earlier in the day, we called to move our reservation from 8:45 PM to 7:45 PM — the host confirmed the change with an enthusiastic “Absolutely!” So far, so good. However, from the moment we arrived, the experience didn’t meet expectations. Our server’s demeanor was unexpectedly cold — bordering on pretentious. After ordering drinks and expressing interest in starting with a few appetizers, we were told we must order everything at once due to the "small and busy kitchen." This felt unnecessarily rushed. We had been looking forward to a relaxed evening of conversation and shared plates — not rushed decision making. When our bottle of wine arrived, the server poured a tasting sip for my husband, but before he could even respond with approval, she began pouring full glasses for the rest of us. Again, rushed and impersonal. It felt more transactional than hospitable — a tone that unfortunately continued throughout the meal. That said, the food we were able to enjoy was excellent. We ordered a few dishes to share and each one was full of flavour. The reviews weren’t wrong — the food is fabulous. However, we would’ve appreciated more bread, (not having to re order some specialty loaves) especially given how many featured dips and spreads. A small touch, but it would have elevated the experience. Things took an unexpected turn when the restaurant began to flood — not their fault, as the rain and nearby construction clearly contributed. Still, the atmosphere became even more frantic as staff scrambled to manage the situation. We were told kitchen service had to stop but were welcome to stay and finish our drinks from the bar. Moments later, that changed too — we were asked to finish quickly and exit through the back door. Fair enough, given the flooding, but the tone remained curt and rushed. To address the inconvenience, our server mentioned they had "covered the mains" on our bill — a confusing gesture, since we had never received any mains in the first place. Nothing else was adjusted or offered as compensation for our disrupted experience. We had full glasses of wine we didn’t want to gulp down, once again, the manager stood over us, rushing the task of pouring the wine back into the bottle — ridiculous, really, but it was an expensive bottle and we didn’t want to waste — to be finished it at home. As we were leaving, the night manager briefly mentioned someone would follow up with us to offer another experience — a little vague and to be clarified. With so many outstanding dining options in our city that pair great food with genuinely warm service, I’m not sure DOPO will get a second chance from us. I hope they reflect on how they train their staff and how they respond under pressure. The food is worth the praise, but sadly, the overall...

THIS BASEMENT RESTAURANT IS DOWN A FLIGHT OF OUTDOOR STAIRS so you may need to check with the restaurant if anything can be done for those with accessibility requirements. I agree with the recent 3-star review by Local Guide Garth Slaney. While DOPO is one of the hottest tables around, the food falls below the gold standard set by the previous D.O.P. Restaurant (a personal favorite that is now closed). Taking into account the high prices of $180 after tip for two people not drinking, and hassles associated with contacting this restaurant (see below), I believe the correct rating for this restaurant is only slightly higher than 3/5.

First the positives: the service was among the very best in Calgary, and DOPO maintains a staff team spirit that is among the very best in Canada. This restaurant isn’t downtown, which will appeal to some people. The bread remains the best in the city, the fish of the day dish used a dazzling lobster stock in a creamy sauce, and the interior is reminiscent of relaxed restaurants in Europe.

Unfortunately, that interior is affected by the endless North American music from decades long past, without a single Italian tune to be heard. The website is affected by the fact that there is no menu posted and the suggestion to contact via Instagram was useless given that they never answered any messages that were sent. The phone number is affected by the fact that no one seems to pick up and you can’t leave a voicemail. (The only way that got a reply is using the form on the website.)

The food seemed to lack the execution of DOP (including the meatball recipe that was carried over) and failed to make anything on the regular menu crave worthy. The tiramisu with caramel drizzled on top exemplified that several dishes seemed to have too many extra ingredients competing with each other.

Not counting the original DOP, this is still a relatively new restaurant, and a lot of the above criticisms are fixable. I sent all of my friends to the previous DOP, it breaks my heart to write a review like this, and I’m sincerely hoping they will recapture that old...

I’ve got to say, I’m pretty impressed! My wife booked us a reservation a couple of months back, and I wasn’t sure what all the fuss was about—turns out, I was in for a surprise.

From the moment we stepped through the door, it felt like we’d stumbled upon a hidden gem. The cozy little lobby was filled with neat Italian memorabilia that brought back memories of family trip to Italy, and the basement had that mysterious, European-family-restaurant vibe. It was like taking a mini-vacation without leaving Calgary.

The staff greeted us like old friends, and their top-notch service kept the good vibes rolling all night long. Once we passed through the curtains, the restaurant maintained its magical yet homely elegance—just the kind of place that makes you feel right at home.

I’ve always believed in quality over quantity, and their small, focused menu did not disappoint. We started with whipped ricotta and tomatoes paired with warm, grilled bread. One bite of that heavenly combo, and I knew we were in for a treat. The bread was out-of-this-world, and the ricotta was perfectly salty, light, and fresh—I’m practically drooling just thinking about it!

Next up, we shared a hearty plate of ragu bianca lasagna and gnocchi in tomato sauce. The lasagna was a knockout—crispy in some parts, soft and light in others, with a truffle sauce that packed a flavorful punch. I’d even consider cleaning my plate for seconds if I could!

The gnocchi was a masterpiece on its own: crispy on the outside and soft, airy on the inside. I still wonder, “How do they do that?” And the tomato basil sauce? Simple, fresh, and just right.

Now, I’m not usually a dessert fanatic—I’m more of a coffee guy—but you know what they say, happy wife, happy life. So I went with the tiramisu, and wow, it was the perfect grand finale. That unexpected touch of salt was a stroke of genius.

All in all, DOPO reminded me of those warm, family-run restaurants in Italy, and the food here stands right up to those experiences. I haven’t had better service or food anywhere...