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Rigoletto's Cafe
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11 am - 2 pm
Mon-Sun 5 pm - 10 pm
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
7 reviews for Rigoletto's Cafe
7 reviews in English
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Review from ifor m.
12/13/2011
I've always found it rather crude to write a poor review of a restaurant and not even try the food. Why go to a restaurant in the first place?
I live near Los Angeles, CA and even I am not as snobby as John A.
I have been a fan if Rig's for years, even back at their old location. The Angel Hair Sergio is what made me a fan, I then I tried some other dishes and they have never dissapointed me.
Try it and you will be rewarded. -
Review from Erika H.
Edmonton, AB
5/4/2012
This is the standard Italian restaurant for me and my husband. We have tried several dishes and each is as good as the last. There are some evenings I have trouble deciding what to order! The serving staff is great...quick and efficient and the food is always excellent. It's flavourful and always hot. Rig's has a standard menu, which rarely seems to change (an excellent thing...nobody likes to see their favourite dishes taken off a menu), but there is always a separate sheet of special dishes for the evening, from soups and appetizers to pasta creations and main courses. It allows the restaurant to keep their tried and true dishes on the menu, but still introduce new items to those who like to branch out. Fantastic food for a fantastic price. No wonder Rig's makes an idea spot for a first date, girls' night out, or a family birthday dinner. This restaurant also takes reservations, regardless of the day or your party size. It helps to ensure you will get a spot, especially during the busy times of the year (it is packed around Christmas).
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Review from Andrew H.
12/20/2010
I've been to Rigoletto's a couple of times. Every time I have gone, I always order the same entree. Every time I finish eating, I am very glad I continue to order the same: Bronzed Rib-eye steak.
I have to admit that I did try a bite of pasta from a friend's dish and it was quite tasty but not enough for a review on.
What I did eat, however, always makes me go back and order the same. The rib-eye is always cooked the way I order it but the thing that sets Rigoletto's apart from any other restaurant that offers steaks is the marinade they use on the steak. It must be some sort of honey but the way the steak comes off the grill has a sweet crispy layer on top of the steak which gives it a unique texture. Paired with some veggies and gnocci, I always leave thoroughly impressed and I always list it as one of the more unique restaurants in the city.
I'm sure there are other Italian restaurants which serve more authentic dishes but the reason why I always return is the Bronze rib-eye.
You MUST try it.
Aside from the food, I always seem to get the same server. He isn't the type that hovers or banters or bothers you. He's actually quite funny in a quiet way with small comments here and there. Because of the size of our dinner party, service was average. Nothing to rave or complain about.
The odd thing to note is the location of the washroom which is in the main part of the building which the restaurant is attached to. -
Review from Lauren N.
12/5/2009
I was surprised to see John A.'s rating of only one star for Rigoletto's, because I've tried it recently and loved it. I don't know what they did to you, John, but hopefully you'll have a better experience if you decide to eat there again.
I went with a group of colleagues and found the restaurant very enjoyable. The restaurant is spacious enough and the service is really friendly. It was a cold day, and the waitress even brought a glass of hot water for my colleague so he could keep his hands warm. How nice is that?
I had the Italian meatballs, and oh my gosh, it was so good that it inspired me to make my own spaghetti and meatballs later on that week! The meatballs were perfect, with just enough spice for some zing. The meal comes with meatballs, pasta and sauce, steamed veggies, and garlic bread. A simple but flavorful meal. The presentation wasn't much, but who cares when it's a great wholesome meal that's fairly priced?Listed in: Downtown Lunching Grounds
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Review from Jack G.
Edmonton, AB
12/9/2009
I have gone here a couple times and have not had a bad experience. The service is above average. They go out of their way for you and it's really nice to see that some people like to do a good job still.
If you like pasta they have a bunch of pasta's that will make you want to keep coming back. They have some great steak too. The food is full of flavor and I love that about this place.
The price is normal for this kind of place and definitely worth it. -
Review from H A.
Edmonton, AB
8/6/2011
Unlike John A, I did eat the food. It is good, unpretentious home style Italian. Angel hair Sergio has taste and simplicity, all in one dish. The daily specials change and sometimes come back, but always worth trying, and interesting enough to make me deviate from my favorite pasta 2 out of 3 times.
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Review from John A.
Edmonton, AB
5/28/2009
This is the 2nd location for this restaurant, locally owned. We did eat at their previous location many years ago when it was in the Mayfair Hotel but our recollection was faded which is not a good sign. We popped in this past Wednesday night after walking by this place many times over the years - and thought we should stop - after all it is in the neighborhood. The restaurant is located in what was the cafeteria of a former (newer) YWCA that has since become an affordable housing project. The space itself is sterile, relying on the modern brick that the building was constructed as its backdrop, but contains little ambience. Upon arrival you are met with a solid wall, which blocks your view so you must peek around the corner right into the room to catch someone's attention that you are waiting. A minute or so later a young server came and told us to sit wherever we liked. There were 4 or 5 small-unoccupied tables. In the middle of the room there was a long strip of tables pushed together running the entire length of the restaurant with what looked like 50 or so guests, all women, a night out. This cut the restaurant visually into thirds and made our visit awkward as we felt we were pushed against one wall or the other. They could have located them at one side or the other and allowed the remaining tables to be spaced better, no matter though. The same server popped by to take our drink orders - but I told her we would need a minute or two to study the menu when she brought it. She did and came back a minute or so later and asked what I would like to drink. At that point I had the feeling I was going to be eating "mall" food so I asked her the same question I ask at any restaurant that purports to think or promote itself as "real" Italian or a great or good Italian restaurant and that is: "which pasta items are hand or machine made here in this restaurant or are made from fresh pasta brought in?" The server replied "none, we only use box pasta here but I am not sure what brand - but we zoop up our sauces". This means canned sauces zooped up.
The menu was brief, uninspiring, and contained nothing more than what you might conjure up at home using some veggies in your fridge and a box of pasta. The menu did feature some pizza choices - but a place like this likely buy the preformed pizza shell as well.
The wine list was equally uninspiring - the few selections offered were mediocre, but surprisingly at a price point 3.5 to 4 X the retail price. Now I might pay that kind of markup in a place that actually has a chef on the premises that "creates" menu items from scratch or at the very least makes or uses fresh pasta or fresh what ever. But this place has nothing more to offer than the pasta that a Boston Pizza or Spaghetti Factory would serve - and both of those places have better atmosphere and a much better price point.
I normally do not write about restaurants in Edmonton as I live here and eat out constantly. However I want to express disappointment in their limited menu, that they use box pasta exclusively and their mediocre but pricy wine list. Perhaps this place is a cash cow for its owner - minimal effort or quality provided. How was the food you ask? Well we eat most of the week - and there are so many other good places downtown - we walked out without ordering. We know what boxed pasta and zooped up sauces taste like - I use Italian pasta of the Divella brand at home. We dined elsewhere.
