La Luna Rossa Ristorante — Restaurant in Calgary

IMO you won’t get better Italian outside of Italy. The chef and family truly care about every bite you take. The gnocchi is… what food dreams are made of. Each bite is perfectly balanced between silky and salty, the gnocchi melts in your mouth. We started with the calamari and it was lightly battered and paired with a spicy red sauce - again, a symphony of perfectly balanced bites. My husband and I shared the gnocchi and the featured pasta (shrimp and octopus linguine). We all but licked the plate. The dining room seats a modest few tables so quality can be served over quantity. I can’t speak highly enough on the attentive care this little gem of a restaurant takes in each customer and their experience.

Update: Feb. 14, 2025

La Luna Rossa Ristorante on Valentines Day ❤️🤍💚

A set Valentines menu by the amazing Benny and his incredible staff.

We chose this cozy, Italian spot known for its authentic cuisine because the chef truly puts his heart and soul, and family, into every one of his dishes.

We started with the plated appys (ANTIPASTO). The flavours were fresh and started with small bites. They included smoked salmon with red onion, arugula, and capers. Foie Gras and caramelized onions. Butterflied prawns. Egg plant Parmigiana (OMG. Tender, rich homemade tomato sauce, and sharpened cheese to pull all corners of your taste buds). And an antipasto medley (red peppers, artichoke, mushroom, and olives) - we added this throughout the plate to make for some rich, complex bites.

Next, PRIMO. The first course was a lasagna of all lasagnas. How can a bite of lasagna feel like a cloud!? A masterpiece of Italian comfort, this lasagna is a symphony of flavors and textures, layer upon layer of pure indulgence. Delicate sheets of pasta cradle a slow-simmered ragù, rich with tomatoes, a textured mix of bison/ beef/ elk/ pork, garlic, and Italian herbs. Creamy béchamel melts between the folds, while a generous sharpness of cheese tops the plate. Every bite is a journey—savory, cheesy, and deeply satisfying, like a warm embrace. This dish speaks of tradition, love, and the simple joy of a meal made with care. Benny, you’re one of a kind. This dish is one to compare to any you’ll ever have.

SECONDO. The highlight of the meal (you’ll be asking HOW though can you highlight the last!?… well… here…) Tomahawk Steak 💥 cooked medium rare, and seasoned perfectly. This luxurious steak had a perfectly charred crust to caramelize any bite, combined with a tender, melt in your mouth interior. Too good to be true.

DOLCE. I had no idea what we were having during the whole course of this menu and I guessed tiramisu for dessert, because … I have no idea. There is no worthy introduction what we we served… We had served to us cannoli ‘fingers’ accompanied with a soufflé espresso martini (nonalcoholic). Dipping the two was the most decadent bite I’ve tasted in a long time. And I hate desserts. It was bitter. It was creamy. It was light. It was sweet. It was all you want and need. I could’ve licked, drank, and absorbed every morsel. This is what dreams are made of. You haven’t tasted espresso until you’ve tried this - with or with out the cannoli.

And with that my foodie peers, I hope your senses have seen what - luckily - my taste buds...

A Culinary Comet in Calgary: La Luna Rossa's Stellar Soirée

Stepping into La Luna Rossa on a bustling Saturday evening felt like crashing an Italian family gathering where everyone's welcome and the food is the star. My friends and I, a curious sextet on a gastronomic quest, were embraced by the cozy ambiance of this hidden gem with its modest dining hall and an open kitchen that sizzled with activity. The place was like a beehive, with the owner-chef, a maestro of marinara, orchestrating a symphony of flavors.

Our culinary concerto began with a bruschetta topped with burrata that was so divine, I swear the olive oil was squeezed from the heavens themselves. It was a moment of silence for our taste buds as they bowed to the eminence of extra virgin olive oil. Next, the off-menu meat and seafood platter sauntered in, flaunting a fresh octopus salad that refreshed our palates faster than a sea breeze on a scorching day. The calamari was as tender as a love ballad, perfectly harmonizing with the fresh-tasting tomato sauce and chorizo's spicy kick.

As the evening unfolded, the White Provini Veal with Porcini Mushrooms in Light Cream arrived, a masterpiece of moderation, with the veal cooked to a tender tease, flanked by sautéed veggies in a supporting role that deserved an Oscar. The Gnocchi with Gorgonzola was a humble side dish that stole the spotlight, making us dive in with the gusto of treasure hunters.

With the chef's choice prawn pasta, a dish so packed with passion and flavor, it was like a love letter from Italy, sans the cream but full of soul. And oh, the tiramisu finale! Imagine falling in love for the first time, but with a dessert; creamy, dreamy, with mascarpone that whispered sweet nothings with every spoonful.

La Luna Rossa, a family affair bursting with authenticity, proves that passion plated is the secret ingredient to culinary bliss. This Calgary rarity, with its small but mighty menu, showcases cooking as an art form. So, if you're looking to satiate your epicurean cravings with a side of familial warmth, let La Luna Rossa be your guiding star in the culinary cosmos of Calgary. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you for...

Dining at this fine restaurant was an unforgettable experience, not just because of the incredible food, but also because of the warm and lively atmosphere created by the chef and our wonderful server, Adelia.

The chef, an older gentleman with the energy of someone half his age, was truly a joy to meet. His passion for food was contagious, and he didn’t just serve us, he shared his wisdom, giving us valuable cooking tips that we’ll definitely try at home. It’s rare to meet someone so dedicated to their craft and eager to pass on their knowledge, making the evening feel like more than just a meat, it was a culinary orgasm.

We started with the fresh burrata salad, and it was so generous in size that it could have easily served four people, but it was so delicious that the two of us couldn’t resist finishing it ourselves! Every bite was creamy, fresh, and perfectly balanced.

For our main dish, we had the homemade gnocchi al pomodoro, and it was nothing short of amazing. The gnocchi were so soft they practically melted in my mouth, perfectly coated in a rich, flavorful tomato sauce. It was pure comfort in every bite.

Our delightful server, Adelia, made the night even more special. She not only gave us fantastic recommendations but also took the time to teach us a few words in Italian, adding a personal and cultural touch to the experience. Her kindness and enthusiasm made us feel...