Carino Riserva - Calgary

I had high hopes for this restaurant because I loved Carino's (another restaurant by the same owner) ramen before it closed its doors earlier this year. Weary o... read more I had high hopes for this restaurant because I loved Carino's (another restaurant by the same owner) ramen before it closed its doors earlier this year. Weary of the Japalian fusion this restaurant boasts about, I made a reservation at 6pm for the Mother's Day weekend.The menu is pretentious, with weird names like "Spicy Duck Nanban with Japanese Pasta or Gnocchi" (Japanese Pasta turned out to be udon.) Overall, it looks like Italian dishes with Japanese twists to them. We ordered a rack of lamb (medium rare,) that nanban with gnocchi, and their house special pasta with shrimp, scallop, and calamari. (Am I the only one that expect calamari is deep fried? and if it's not it's called squid?) The service was very slow, it took 25 minutes before we got the deep fried calamari appetizer and 45 minutes before we got our meal. We were one of the first tables to arrive as well. when the food came, they forgot the squid in the pasta, I had to enquire about this before they made it right which took another 10 minutes.the nanban was just basically udon noodle soup with a duck leg. It was nothing special and when paired with gnocchi it was just really weird. This is Japanese food fixed with gnocchi, prime example of fusion gone wrong.The rack of lamb was lacking in its consistency, where the outside 2 pieces are well done and the 2 middle pieces are medium rare. It really shows the chef's lack of skill on handling lamb. Finally, the pasta's portion really is pathetic. Other than the fact they forgot the squid, the portion was like a kids meal size. We asked for Spaghetti noodles, because the waiter proudly said that they can accommodate any type of noodles, only to be told afterwards they don't have Spaghetti.Underwhelmed by the food quality and service, and still hungry, I ordered another dish called "Duck Two Ways," including smoked duck breast and seared foie gras. Seared was a bad sign. Turned out the foie gras was just a piece of disgusting duck fat. It was not foie gras at all. I wonder if the Japanese chefs really knew what foie gras is.Another incident that ruined the experience was the chefs started arguing while we were still waiting for our meal. the argument was loud in Japanese and can be heard throughout the small restaurant from the open kitchen. I think they cracked under pressure while cooking.The chefs' ramen at Carino was fantastic, they really should just stick to what they do best. There are some fundamental issues with the food served at Carino Riserva.

My introduction to this restaurant was a very pleasant one. Had dinner with friends on a Tuesday evening read more My introduction to this restaurant was a very pleasant one. Had dinner with friends on a Tuesday evening

I was extremely pleased with the food, the service, the atmosphere, and the prices! Every single dish our table tried was delicious! It 's hard to find duck dis... read more I was extremely pleased with the food, the service, the atmosphere, and the prices! Every single dish our table tried was delicious! It 's hard to find duck dishes prepared well but the 'Duck! Duck!! ' truly blew me away and I can 't wait to go back and have it again. I 'll let the photos speak for themselves, everything treally tasted as good as it looks.

The place is great overall! We went on a Sat and it was packed, but our servers were very attentive and we didn’t have have to wait long for anything. They do a... read more The place is great overall! We went on a Sat and it was packed, but our servers were very attentive and we didn’t have have to wait long for anything. They do a good job with combining Italian pasta, cheese/ truffle, etc. with Japanese style sauce , meat and other ingredients for delicious and flavorful dishes. I love the 3 ways of Lamb and the mussels. For Duck!Duck! I personally think the meat would be more tasty if it could be more done or seared crispier.

Service was great, the waiter was very knowledgeable on the menu items and tea selection. He provided a backstory of tea which added to the experience. We order... read more Service was great, the waiter was very knowledgeable on the menu items and tea selection. He provided a backstory of tea which added to the experience. We ordered the bucatini with waygu beef sauce, duck duck duck, spicy tuna tartare, and the seasonal parfait. Food was good, but not overly amazing. We found our favourite was the spicy tuna tartare.