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Da Capo Caffe
Categories: Restaurants Pizza Food Coffee & Tea Pizza, Coffee & Tea
109 Street NWUnit 8738
Edmonton, AB T6G 1E9
(780) 433-5382
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 7:30 am - 11 pm
Fri-Sat 7:30 am - 12 am
Sun 9 am - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Dessert, Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Trendy, Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Cherie K. said: "I finally made it into Transcend after hearing all the buzz. Now that I work downtown, it's a quick walk away. The ambiance is so comfortable, clean and inviting. I've always loved this space (it's had many restaurants). There's a loft…" read more »
29 reviews for Da Capo Caffe
Review Highlights
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"I have tried the tiramisu and cinnamon gelato so far." In 13 reviews -
"Their cinnamon ice cream definitely tops my list." In 4 reviews -
"...also a good selection of Italian thin-crust pizzas here." In 3 reviews
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29 reviews in English
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Review from Kristina V.
Edmonton, AB
2/4/2012
I had always passed Da Capo before, usually on my way from downtown to other cafes and restaurants south of the river, but never had a reason or opportunity to go in. I was thrilled to finally have a chance to visit this morning!
Da Capo Caffe is a moderately sized cafe. The decor is neutral toned, and the space is well utilized as the tables are spaced together closely enough. The tables are also of varying height, so you can feel like you're sitting down at a kitchen table (short table for four) or at a bar/bistro (long table that seats 8-10). A variety of liquers line the bar, and later in the morning I salivated as I watched patrons order and eat delicious looking paninis. The baristas are model gorgeous. They're also very informative, as I wasn't sure what I wanted to order, or the differences between the coffee varieties, and the baristas helped me make an informed decision.
At any other coffee shop you would spend close to $5 on a specialty coffee which has a certain taste that you would expect. I was a bit worried about ordering a decaf cappuccino in a demitasse cup that would cost me just over $4. But after being served my coffee at my table and taking my first sip, I realized that every penny was worth this cuppa.
I would definitely recommend this place as an early morning stop for coffee, taking time to either read the paper, catch up on some work, or visit with friends and family, or come here as an after dinner outing for a cup of tea or coffee. -
Review from Alex P.
Updated - 1/18/2012
Eeeek. I don't think I've ever dropped the rating of a place by two stars before, but after my last visit I'm not even sure if I'll be back.
I still think their hot chocolate is good, as well as their tiramisu and gelato. But the last pizza I had here tasted like cardboard. It was difficult to finish. All of the toppings were fine but the bread itself was definitely not enjoyable. The quantity of toppings was unfortunately lacking, too, in my opinion ... it was mostly a "bread" taste / texture. I also don't recall being asked how my meal was ... maybe I was too wrapped up in fighting my leathery beast of a pizza to notice.Listed in: Dining Near Campus
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/5/2011
My boyfriend and I go here frequently because it's just so darned good! I've never been to Italy,… Read more »
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Review from Joyce I.
Edmonton, AB
5/3/2012
A nice restaurant though a little confusing on your first time as there is no "table service" for placing your order or paying your bill.
Food was great and we enjoyed our lunch and wine. parking can be a bit of a challenge but that can be said for all restaurants in the area. Would return again. -
Review from Michael J.
Edmonton, AB
Updated - 3/28/2012 13 Check-ins Here
I'm a huge fan (as per my prior review) and one happy change is that they now offer free bottles of bubbly water to go along with your fine espresso beverage. I love carbonated water and this is just another small change that helps make the experience even more enjoyable...
Listed in: For the love of the Latté
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/4/2011 ROTD 5/23/2011
Affogato: espresso poured over homemade delicious gelato.
Need I say anything more?
This italian cafe… Read more »
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Review from Tim K.
Edmonton, AB
4/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
Love the small sandwiches, though I miss the garbanzo salad that used to accompany them. Great Canadese to accompany!
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Review from Liv V.
Edmonton, AB
Updated - 2/13/2012
"Honey Pepper Spice" biscotti sounded so good in words. What a nasty surprise to discover that they contained whole black peppercorns. I'm not talking one or two. I'm talking dozens upon dozens. There were so many that the biscotti was basically inedible. I picked out over 30 of them. A few shakes of freshly ground pepper would have been delicious, but come on - whole peppercorns? How can you even taste anything other than fire? Not only that, but the tiramisu tasted of nothing. No espresso or liqueur. I did enjoy my espresso, but I left feeling very dissatisfied.
Listed in: How and Where to be Italian
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/10/2011
Da Capo is another place that seems to inspire love or hate, depending on who you ask. I'm not a… Read more »
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Review from Rachel F.
11/17/2011
When my Italian friend mentioned DaCapo as one of his favourite pizza places in Edmonton, I knew I had to try it. However, the first few times I went there, I met friends for coffee or dessert and didn't get to try the pizza. But finally, I made it there for dinner.
My partner and I met a friend there last night. We started off with soups and salad. I enjoyed the tomato and clam soup (deliciously spicy), while my partner delighted in the tomato bread soup. Our friend had the truffle salad. The bite I had was quite tasty, but I wonder if the "truffle" in the name wasn't a misnomer. The oil tasted like olive oil to me.
For pizzas, we had the Alla Norma (with zucchini instead of eggplant since they were out of the latter) and the Di Bernardo. We were a little disappointed that the Alla Norma pizza did not have ricotta as stated in the menu, especially since the other pizza did have ricotta. However, it was a delicious pizza with a wonderful compliment of flavours. I thought the zucchini was an excellent topping, though I am interested to try it with the eggplant. I much preferred the Alla Norma over the Di Bernardo, which I found a little bland.
We finished the evening with gelato, and the gelato at Da Capo has to be the best gelato in the city. I am in love with the coconut.
When I have been here previously, I have really enjoyed the hot chocolate (outstanding) and the coffee (quite good). Also, the homemade biscotti is pretty remarkable.
I will definitely come back to Da Capo, especially when I am craving a decent pizza when near the University or when wanting a nice scoop of gelato anywhere.Listed in: When the moon hits your eye…
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Review from Lasha T.
Da Capo reminds me of the cute little cafes I visited in Italy, very authentic! Plus I love the Garneau area. I have only gone in so far for gelato, which I am going to claim is the best in Edmonton, but I really want to try their pizzas! They look delicious!
I have tried the tiramisu and cinnamon gelato so far. Both were SO good. They have a large selection though and rotate the menu as well. I only wish they had a few more fruit flavors.
The service here is always really friendly and they don't complain when you ask to try a million flavors before you make up your mind. They tend to keep a lot of the Italian names so tasting is a must to figure out the flavors! -
Review from Peggy L.
10/22/2011 3 Check-ins Here
I definitely want to try the coffee of Da Capo, but when I went recently it was just for lunch. My boyfriend and I split two pizzas. We both prefered the Di Roberto, a white pizza with potato and soppresatta, to the Di Matteo, with tomato sauce and prosciutto cotto. They both seemed pretty authentic, but I'm no expert.
Be careful of the steps up to the booths, I tripped going up and down...but then again, I'm a huge klutz.Listed in: Favourites!
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Review from Maria F.
12/15/2011 ROTD 4/30/2012
This place serves the most unusual and decadent hot chocolate in town.It is not hot chocolate per se, but rather a chocolate mousse with the most divine texture and taste. It's bitter but not overly so; airy yet packed with rich chocolate flavor. It is also gooey and utterly satisfying. $5 a cup. I'll absolutely be back for more.
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Review from santo c.
Edmonton, AB
Updated - 1/10/2012
I like this place alot. Excellent strong coffees. Excellent fresh Italian foods, salads, gelati. The owner is often around and the pride shines through the establishment. This place has good high stool window seats that i like, or nice tables for larger groups or couples. If you gotto drive, free parking in front (sign in).
4 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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6/28/2011
I saw that Drako guy from rocky 3 working there again. i simply have gotto stop going here until i… Read more »
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Review from Nathalie L.
Edmonton, AB
6/29/2011
Been to Italy couple times in my life and I have to say, this is a very authentic Italian place. Read about some people having bad service but I never encountered that. Maybe I was just lucky not to have seen or spoken to the bad server(s).
Overall, I love this place. I tried so many food places in Edmonton, some highly rated in Yelp, Urbanspoon, etc, and always came out very disappointed. This one does not disappoint. And to think I stumbled upon in because I couldn't find parking to buy coffee in Transcend. They happen to have a spot so I parked and realized I had to buy something. I tried their panini first and for about $5, it was so delicious that I came back for the pizza, gelato, etc. They were all excellent! -
Review from Jason L.
Edmonton, AB
3/7/2011 6 Check-ins Here
This is one heck of a tough neighbourhood to be in the espressed coffee and gelato business in. You can hardly swing a dead cat by its tail on the corner of 109 and 87 with out knocking over a barista.
I want to be upfront and say that there is nothing wrong with Da Capo, it's coffee or the sandwiches, pastries and desserts it serves. It's popular with people I know, so I drop in every once in a while.
I know, it's sheer personal preference, but I just don't feel comfortable in Da Capo. Coffee's fine. Food's good. Service is friendly. I just can't get comfortable in it's uber-modern stylized interior. I'd much rather sit in the mis-matched wooden chairs at the Sugarbowl, the bright modern kitchen nook of Transcend, the exotic ethnic atmosphere of Remedy or even the curvy optimistic Jetson's future at Leva. All of these places have perfectly wonderful espressed coffee and, in the case of Leva, velvety delicious gelato.
It's irrational, but I can't get as comfortable with Da Capo's interior, décor or seating. It's just too urban sleek, too sterile in a homey and organic neighbourhood. Given the number of choices in spitting distance, I just don't end up there much. -
Review from Aditya R.
3/29/2011 9 Check-ins Here
I'm a fan! Yes, I am! Da Capo makes some really, really good Italian style pizzas. I haven't been to Italy, but wait - there are many Europeans who work at my department and they'd all give their nod for Da Capo.
A fairly good variety of pizzas they have. I like that they've tried to stick to the basics, in that they haven't gone for pizzas that have like a zillion toppings. In fact, this one time I went there, I told them that I wanted something really light (should have gone with the salad but I'm a pizzaholic) so they made me an olive oil, oregano and parmesan cheese pizza. It was quite delicious, trust me!
Try the pizzas with soppressata in it. Nice, spicy, Italian sausage. They have the tomato and white sauce based pizzas. Both are quite decent, though I'd prefer a tomato style pizza. Their pomodoro salad is quite good, but I have to say that I was a tad disappointed that they didn't go with the small boccocinno cheese balls (they tend to look cuter with cherry tomatoes).
An incredibly finite selection of beers and wines (maybe 5 each) just for the casual dinner and not really for those who are trying to get the best wine in town.
Some drawbacks - their menu ... it's so hard to get a hold of a menu. You've got to go up to the counter to order, which I'm generally fine with. But you can't read what's written on their menu from far, so most peopel tend to crowd up around the cashier because they have no clue what they'd like to have until they actually reach the cashier and can read the menu in front of them.
Their espresso based drinks are also quite amateurish, if you ask me. But generally, it fits well with the Italian theme and my Italian friend thinks their espressos are good (with an expression in his face that suggests, "okay!?"). Nice gelatos ... i'm not a fan of the hazelnut one though - it tastes like frozen nutella .. haha!Listed in: Garnishing Garneau
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Review from Jude P.
Edmonton, AB
8/28/2011
Da Capo Caffe has been around for about 4 years. This fine Italian caffe definitely had its growing pains but it seems Da Capo has finally hit its stride. It certainly helps any restaurant establishment when it finds reliable, dedicated staff. Owner Antonio has found some loyal and hard-working staff in the front and back of the house, and it's made a big difference in terms of service and consistent food quality.
Unlike the past, Da Capo now has take-out available to its customers. It also accepts debit and credit cards (hooray)! They also have pitchers of water at the main counter; sometimes I ask for a glass, but usually I walk up and pour a glass myself.
The pizzas are delicious here; I've tried most of them and like them all. The authentic Italian-style thin crust is light but filling. One hungry person could easily eat one alone (yes, I've done it).I also love the tomato bread soup. It 's garlicky and full of tomato comfort. In the morning, try their breakfast plate, cornetti croissant with nutella or a banana chocolate-chip muffin. My son likes their freshly squeezed orange juice.
Their coffee is smooth,mild and delicious. I prefer my lattes stronger, so I ask for a double expresso in my latte. My husband always gets a cappuccino or a doppio. The coffee is usually good, but it depends on who is the barista. Honestly, some baristas pull better espresso than others, but the quality is very good overall. If I ever get a bitter one, I always send it back. Hey, at $4 a serving, you should get what you pay for,right?
Did I mention that they have the city's best gelato? Definitely check it out their gelato case. My favorites are pistachio and the Mexican hot chocolate.
If you can grab a spacious, comfortable booth, go for it. They're the best seats in the house. There are also tall tables with high stools, and regular tables with chairs (but these chairs aren't super comfy). The patio is hot ( no umbrellas) and a very popular option for people-watching.
One of the reviewers referred to one of the staff at "Drako from Rocky 3". I suspect he's talking about Ilia, who is a genuinely great guy and my favorite person at Da Capo. Ilia actually IS Russian, born there and Russian is his first language. So at least that reviewer was accurate about Ilia's ethnic background.
Parking can be a challenge; Da Capo has designated parking but if you don't mind walking 2 or 3 blocks, there is plenty of metered street parking available. Also plenty of street parking across the street.
A full meal of salad, pizza, gelato and coffee costs around $50, before gratuity. -
Review from Brennan W.
Edmonton, AB
Updated - 11/9/2011 27 Check-ins Here
Superb, absolutely superb, I like Gelato!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/12/2011
The Gelato is amazing and the sparing use of ingredients for all food and beverage items is as close… Read more »
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Review from Brittany K.
Edmonton, AB
Da Capo is a cute, upscale little cafe located in the Garneau area. It's a great place for a date, a pizza with friends, or a summer gelato.
Speaking of which -- pistachio gelato? Be still, my heart! I think I found a new favourite food in Edmonton!
The gelato choices here are pretty oustanding (with a large selection and rotating menu), but ever since I discovered the pistachio flavour, I can't go back to anything else.
The pizzas at Da Capo are also a must-try! Yummy toppings for carnivores and vegetarians alike. The fact that a bottle of red sits on each table is also handy.
An added bonus at Da Capo? The cafe sponsors a bike team, who can often be found having a snack there post-ride, still clad in spandexy bike shorts. Almost at yummy as the gelato!Listed in: Four-Stars, Date Night, Cups of Coffee, Devouring Desserts, Vitamin D
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Review from Roman K.
Edmonton, AB
5/19/2011
When I returned from Europe several years ago, I read about a place that aspired to emulate the authentic Italian cafe experience. I checked out Da Capo and immediately fell in love. The thin crust pizzas, the fresh gelato made on site, the impeccably crafted espresso-based drinks: all as I remembered from my time abroad. If Remedy is for food and an eastern atmosphere, if Sugarbowl is the grad student mecca, and if Transcend is the place for suburbanites on a Saturday, Da Capo is without apologies an upscale European urban experience. In the years it has played with its menu, lost a chef, hosted wonderful wine tastings, and built up its interior, but it has never lost the pursuit of authentic quality. It is a hip and upscale bistro that remains unequaled in the city of Edmonton.
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Review from Vince T.
Edmonton, AB
10/7/2011
Went there to try their margherita pizza. It was horrible. My wife didn't even eat after one bite, I unfortunately didn't want to throw $11 dollars away so ate the rest with no enjoyment. Crust was very hard, toppings looked as if it was left under a heat lamp. Won't return. I asked another friend of mine that frequents there if he had the same experience with their pizza. He said yes, their pizza is to stay away from. I know authentic Napoletana pizza, that was more like something frozen from Costco.
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Review from Paula K.
4/11/2010
I have been meaning to try Da Capo forever, but have trouble getting away from the lure of Remedy (which is across the street and where most of my cohorts hangout). However, I wanted something different, and I got it.
This is a very upscale cafe and you can tell the staff think very highly of the place. I looked around at the clientele and realized I perhaps did not fit in as well as at Remedy, but grabbed a table nonetheless. It would be helpful if the menu was at the front of the cafe, rather than making one walk all the way around to the till to make a decision from the huge selection of flat-crust pizzas, salads, and soups while the server waits anxiously by the cash register.
That being said, the coffee here is fantastic. I had an Iced Caffe Canadese ($4) which is like an Americano but dripped through without water added. It was strong and rich. I was tempted by the homemade granola and organic yogurt ($5) as well as the tiramisu ($7).
Known for their pizzas, the selection gave me a mental overload and included a lot of vegetarian selections. I definitely want to come back to try one. Prices range from around $10 to $15.
Da Capo is also know for its gelato - another must-try when I return. -
Review from Alan D.
6/21/2011
Great coffee, awesome food options, some good beers, and the best gelato in Edmonton by a mile. I like the atmosphere too, and the staff are always friendly. Breakfast is a new addition and they have everything from eggs to Italian croissant. Potato and Leek soup, the Marguerite pizzas and the mozzarella fresca are particularly good, although with a menu of fresh tasty food like this it is quite hard to go wrong.
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Review from Jack G.
Edmonton, AB
4/13/2010
Da Capo Caffe is a great cafe that has a spacious, upscale design. You will find many young, business types inside. There is a certain timelessness in the appearance, which is very refreshing.
They offer food, drinks and dessert. The menu is Italian inspired and I found it to be better than your average cafe food. They offer pizza, paninis and more, if you are looking for a meal. They offer great gelato, among many other items for dessert. Their espresso isn't bad, but if you are looking to be refreshed go for their lemonade. They also offer beers, wine and other Italian beverages if you are in the mood.
I've quickly become a fan of this place. -
Review from Pete G.
Edmonton, AB
5/30/2011
Da Capo has decent products and a nice decor. The problem with this cafe is everything else. To the faux caring service (you can tell they don't really want to be there). The exclusivist air of the place. The bad layout - they hide the menu near the back, don't have prices for beer (you have to ask for the price of every bottle you point too) and practically beg if you want wine - for them to dig out the wine menu. There are better places to go.
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Review from Gord L.
2/16/2011
I've been to Da Capo once, and the experience was so horrible I'll never return. Keep in mind this experience was about 3 years ago, and things may have changed since then.
We had returned from a road trip to BC and decided to give Da Capo a shot, as we had heard good things about their pizza. We walked into the restaurant, and after a minute we realized we should seat ourselves. We waited quite awhile before I walked up to the counter and was told that we ordered there - no one came to the table (which would have been nice to know before we sat there waiting for someone to come). I asked to see the pizza menu, and was directed to a chalk board with a bunch of names on it. I'm a picky eater, and I had no idea what the toppings were based on the names of the pizzas, so the lady behind the counter rattled off the toppings. Of course it was impossible to remember what was on each pizza by the end, so I ended up ordering once of the last pizzas that sounded good. I also asked for a water, but was told I'd have to buy an overpriced bottle, as they wouldn't serve me tap water. I was a bit miffed by this, as I'd never been told a restaurant can't serve me tap water.
So then it came time to pay - as I mentioned before we were coming back from a road trip; I had no cash. They didn't take debit! As I was unable to pay for the meal I had ordered, I simply walked out of the place, never to return.
Judging by the other reviews on Yelp, I'd have to say a lot has changed since I was there, but I'll never go back. The waitress was arrogant, and the policies in place at the time were ridiculous. It was no surprise the place was empty as we walked out. -
Review from Robin S.
Edmonton, AB
10/16/2008
After months of hearing about the city's best cappuccino and the city's best croissant, reported to be always gone before mid-morning, I finally checked out Da Cappo Cafe to see if it lived up to all the hype.
It was surprising to see such a sleek, clean, modern interior in a city like Edmonton; Da Cappo would easily be at home on College Street in Toronto.
No croissants (it was 11 a.m.) but my orange-cranberry biscotti was fresh enough to eat even without a coffee. And the cappuccino, topped with smooth, creamy foam, was as divine as I'd imagined. Apparently, they operate in true European style with a delightful disdain for the Starbucks-style world of choice: you order a latte, a cappuccino, an espresso. That's it. There's only one kind, and none of this no-fat, no-foam garbage; they only use whole milk.
A croissant is still on my hit list, and I'll also be going back to try the lunchtime menu of clean, simple Italian salads and soups. -
Review from Yasmin S.
Edmonton, AB
9/5/2010
I typically go here on the weekends with my boyfriend, and am yet to be disappointed. The food is delicious and the service has never been anything but fantastic. We generally get a latte each, a sparkling Italian water to share, a pizza, and usually the tuna salad with a scoop of one of their great gelatos to finish and the bill is usually around $50. Their espresso beans are extremely smooth and make their lattes one of my favorites in the city. I highly recommend this place for anyone of any age whether you are in your 20's working on your homework or in your 60's reading a paper.
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Review from Matt J.
Edmonton, AB
8/8/2010
I love the cappuccino here. The food is fantastic and very European/bistro style. The environment is clean and cool, staff is friendly too. I sometimes stop here for a coffee and to do some work quickly with the free wifi. They have ice cream but haven't tried it yet.
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Review from Dan T.
Calgary, AB
This modern-looking & cool cafe has some of the best ice cream I've ever tried. Their cinnamon ice cream definitely tops my list. Friendly service and great ambiance make this a wonderful place to hang out and have coffee and dessert.
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Review from Jennifer P.
Edmonton, AB
10/8/2008 1 photo
This artisan gelato shop is more than an Italian ice cream parlour. It has fabulous lattes served in tall glasses, European style. The down side is, it's cash only here, and that has peeved more than a few people off. You also can't get tap water, only bottled water, which is ludicrous, if you ask me. However, I like the buzz in this place. It's got one side that looks like a lounge and the other side that looks more like a casual restaurant. They also have a narrow patio outside - the perfect place to eat gelato on a warm summer's evening or have a glass of wine. There's also a good selection of Italian thin-crust pizzas here. Portions are substantial and the smells are delectable. I haven't ordered a pizza here yet, but I'll be back for sure. I love the neighbourhood. Close to the Sugarbowl, Remedy and High Level diner, you're out and about people without the overcrowding and rowdiness of Whyte Ave. or the spread-out nature of Jasper Ave.'s bar stretch.
