Good Italian Restaurant in the SE or South Macloed Trail

[yahoo]

Chianti's on 17th was always good, I am not sure about the Willow Park one though, it looks quite tiny.

[J pold]

Originally Posted by Thunderball

They are definitely a "full of themselves" restaurant. While their food is awesome, its far from a first choice. La Brezza is a lot better, and Marco is a really cool guy.

Bump

What is the price range for La Brezza?

And what type of atmosphere is it, are we talking suit and tie? Or more causal?

[Thunderball]

Originally Posted by J pold

Bump

What is the price range for La Brezza?

And what type of atmosphere is it, are we talking suit and tie? Or more causal?

Its about $15-$40 for an entree, depending on whether you get pasta or a meat entree, lamb being the most expensive.

Its a pretty relaxed atmosphere, didn't get the feeling there was a strict dress code. Probably not ripped shorts and a beer t-shirt, but not a suit and tie by any means.

[J pold]

Originally Posted by Thunderball

Its about $15-$40 for an entree, depending on whether you get pasta or a meat entree, lamb being the most expensive.

Its a pretty relaxed atmosphere, didn't get the feeling there was a strict dress code. Probably not ripped shorts and a beer t-shirt, but not a suit and tie by any means.

Great thanks Thunderball you have been much help to me…anything else I should know?

[Thunderball]

Originally Posted by J pold

Great thanks Thunderball you have been much help to me…anything else I should know?

The lasagna is absolutely outstanding. Its the most traditional Italian one I've ever had at a restaurant and even rivals my grandmothers.

[J pold]

Originally Posted by Thunderball

The lasagna is absolutely outstanding. Its the most traditional Italian one I've ever had at a restaurant and even rivals my grandmothers.

Wonderful I only ask because I am taking my very Italian girlfriend who can be a little snobby about her food, especially when it’s Italian but this seems to be just what I was looking for! Thanks again!

[Thunderball]

Originally Posted by J pold

Wonderful I only ask because I am taking my very Italian girlfriend who can be a little snobby about her food, especially when it’s Italian but this seems to be just what I was looking for! Thanks again!

She'll be happy. My dad and I (him in particular) are very snobby about Italian food in restaurants. We try to tone it down to not be too unbearable to mixed company. There were a few restaurants that had me tossing down my fork and saying "who did I insult to deserve this flat, flavorless bolognese..." but we do love La Brezza.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Originally Posted by J pold

Great thanks Thunderball you have been much help to me…anything else I should know?

If you like seafood, the seafood linguini is amazing. Tons of seafood, tons of pasta, at the low price of $14 (at least the last time I checked).

Funky little digs too.

Definately doesn't have the stuffiness of a Osteria or Capo type of place, so no suit required for sure. Most people are there in dressy casual - nice jeans and a nice button up shirt would do at the bottom range of dress if you don't want to stick out.

[J pold]

Awesome thanks again guys!

[Eric Vail]

Originally Posted by redforever

My family took me to La Dolce Vita for my birthday last year. We had reservations, showed up on time. We were told our table was not ready!!! And we waited 50 minutes!!! Totally unacceptable in my books. They gave us a glass of wine while we waited.

People arrived without reservations, were put on a list and told to have a seat and wait, some of them got in before us.

From that point on, I was not a happy camper. I could care less what the food was like from that point on. In fact, I can't even remember the food at this point in time, I only remember that the service was totally unacceptable.

I think that some restaurants get "full of themselves" and ride on their coattails. They figure their reputation will compensate for those who have a bad experience.

By your description, it sounds like a very athentic Italian restaurant. If you've been to Italy, you must understand that Italians are never on time, and have a somewhat chaotic system of order. It sounds like you want a restaurant managed by Germans with an Italian chef. That place would be on time and would be perfectly organized when it came to seating customers. I can't imagine the staff would get along very well though.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by Eric Vail

By your description, it sounds like a very athentic Italian restaurant. If you've been to Italy, you must understand that Italians are never on time, and have a somewhat chaotic system of order. It sounds like you want a restaurant managed by Germans with an Italian chef. That place would be on time and would be perfectly organized when it came to seating customers. I can't imagine the staff would get along very well though.

I have been to Italy. Never did we have a wait for a table like that in Italy. While service might be different once we were seated, we were seated in prompt manner if we had reservations. And if service in another country is slow, laid back, compared to Canada, whatever, I know to expect different things in different countries. And frankly, I like a more laid back atmosphere when eating, North Americans in general eat far too quickly.

I could care less if the Italian restaurant is managed by Italians, Germans, French, Chinese.........

When I make a reservation, no matter what restaurant, I expect to be seated on time, at least within a few minutes of that time. I do not expect to wait for almost an hour. And I certainly do not expect those arriving after me, WITHOUT reservations, to be seated ahead of me.

I expect service. What we got was a lack of service, no excuse for that.

[Eric Vail]

Originally Posted by redforever

I have been to Italy. Never did we have a wait for a table like that in Italy. While service might be different once we were seated, we were seated in prompt manner if we had reservations. And if service in another country is slow, laid back, compared to Canada, whatever, I know to expect different things in different countries. And frankly, I like a more laid back atmosphere when eating, North Americans in general eat far too quickly.

I could care less if the Italian restaurant is managed by Italians, Germans, French, Chinese.........

When I make a reservation, no matter what restaurant, I expect to be seated on time, at least within a few minutes of that time. I do not expect to wait for almost an hour. And I certainly do not expect those arriving after me, WITHOUT reservations, to be seated ahead of me.

I expect service. What we got was a lack of service, no excuse for that.

I agree that I, too, would have been upset after waiting so long. I have been annoyed many times in Italy when I had to wait, and when someone seemed to have unjustly gotten ahead of me in a line (speaking more broadly than restaurants). I just thought it was kinda funny that in a thread seeking something authentically Italian, that a poster was complaining about them not being on time.

I love Italian food, I really don't like their sense of order.

[joe_mullen]

Il Centro, a couple blocks east of Chinook. A total hole in the wall but by far the best pizza and most authentic Italian food in the city. Reservation suggested.

[tvp2003]

Wasn't La Brezza a pretty big Flames joint back in the day? I vaguely recall seeing and/or hearing about that Marco dude...

[joe_mullen]

Originally Posted by fotze

I've heard it is good, but its just a crappy location, do they have take-out?

Yeah, they've got take-out. I suggest the Stuzzichina or Calabrese pizzas, outstanding!

[Winsor_Pilates]

I liked Il Centro too. Very good pizza.
Some of the people I was with also think they have the best calamari in the world. I thought it was pretty good, but wouldn't go that far.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

I liked Il Centro too. Very good pizza.
Some of the people I was with also think they have the best calamari in the world. I thought it was pretty good, but wouldn't go that far.

Woah - lets not get crazy now - Ho Won has that title sewn up, hands down...