Villa Maria

This is our favorite Italian restaurant in the city and have been visiting as often as we can for the past two years of living in Calgary. The owner makes you feel apart of the family in true Italian culture. I don't know any other restaurant owner that that knows the majority of their patrons by name and we are always greeted with a hug. All this and I haven't even mentioned the food yet! My god, the best lobster ravioli you will ever eat! Much of our family has tried other items on the menu and have been equally satisfied but that dish is a must try! I can't say enough good about this place - go there and you will understand.

Villa Maria is hands down the best Italian Restaurant in Calgary!! I've been here a few times and can't say enough good things about the staff and the food. Both are amazing! The prices are bit higher than the Chiantis chain, but the food is so much better here. If you're looking for quality Italian cuisine, this is the place. Highly recommend.

Recommend you make a reservation. Glad we did. Friendly welcome at the front door, shown to our table immediately and looked after for the evening by pleasant, friendly wait staff and were brought a free delicious bruchetta appetizer once we had ordered beverages, which we eat while we comtemplated the menu. The bruchetta was just a teaser for the wonderful meal that followed: For the appetizzer we each ordered a Caesar Salad, which had a very nice light dressing and shared Calamari Alla Napoletana. We picked the red sauce option for the calamari and the sauce was so good we were spooning it up like soup and dipping our bread in it, as we didn't want to leave a single drop. For our main course, my husband ordered the Fettucine Di Mare, which was pasta with shrimp, scampi and garlic in a creamy sauce. I tasted his and will try it next time. I ordered my favourite Italian pasta option, the Penne Puttanesca, which is penne pasta with garlic, capers and black olives in a tomato sauce, also very good; nicely spicey, but not too spicey. The meal came with warm Italian rolls and there was no problem getting extras when we asked. We used up our first set on the calimari sauce! We were offered the dessert menu, but declined as we were deliciously stuffed! Maybe next time. The restaurant is lovely inside with ample free parking in the lot behind. We were there in the evening and the lighting was low and intimate, just right for our date night, but there was a large family group there enjoying the atmosphere as well. Although, it got much quieter in the room after the family group left. Unlike some restaurants, we never had a problem hearing each other across the table nor did we feel that we were being overheard by nearby tables. There were large windows on the north and east sides of the restaurant, which I'm sure make for a well lit atmosphere during the day, perfect for the lunch crowd. Not only was the food delicious, but the price was right. We shared an appetizer, each had salad, and an entree for $85, including tip and GST. I think that is pretty good for fine evening dining in Calgary. We will definitely eat here again.

Quick, easy & convenient while providing an excellent eating experience to be both enriching and stomach filling. I did the pick up order so to eat at home at short notice on a slow Saturday evening. I had the Cannelloni with veal in it which was good and the rose sauce was great. I only prefer that it had a greater ratio of vegetables included to balance out this meal. I also like it if the sauce or the meal itself have some nice olive oil/balsamic drizzle ontop of it so to add in the extra Italian punch. But that's just me.. Tiramisu was great. It tasted juicy and balances richness and sweetness very well and the slice was large so I liked that a lot. Yah, I'll be back for sure..

Went here with my girlfriend on new years eve. I have never had such horrible service in an upscale place. After ordering our drinks and appetizer, our "waitress" who I believe was actually the hostess, came and took our menus. My girlfriend actually had to request if we could order mains. Also we were not given bread on our table until after our appetizer, but our waitress had already taken our knives. I was told she would bring new cutlery, which she didn't. We ended up taking the knives from the table next to us. When our mains arrived, both of our drinks were empty. No one offered us another drink. My "veal" was probably the oldest bull to be slaughtered in the last 20 years. My knife could barely cut it. Finally, when we were done we sat at the table for an extra 25 minutes before anyone came to assist us in getting our bill. We had to flag down a different server to do this. The place also has a very odd Russian feeling. Our waitress was Russian or eastern European. The group of 9 beside us was also Russian. Even the DJ was Russian and playing Russian trance music. Not exactly an ideal romantic setting. Will not be back and will not recommend to anyone. 1/10

Restaurant is a family run establishment that caters to a semi-fine dining crowd. They will opt for a fixed menu on nights where there is an event or big concert at the Saddledome (which is often), but when you can order off the menu, the food is delicious and is prepared quickly. The owners and their staff are pretty friendly too.