Carino Riserva

 

Carino Riserva

2206 4 Street SW,  Calgary, AB

(403) 454-7668
Reservations can be made on OpenTable
www.carinoreserva.ca


So that amazing first date I had at Model Milk turned into something pretty special and we’re now celebrating our seven month anniversary.  With us both being huge foodies, we have done our fair share of dining out, and to mark 7 months of bliss we decided to try Carino Riserva, an Italian and Japanese fusion restaurant in the Mission area.

I’m not going to lie; I had my hesitancies in trying this place for a couple of reasons.  Firstly, this cultural food combo seems so polar opposite in flavours that it’s hard to imagine how it could possibly work well together. Secondly, Carino Riserva is a very small restaurant with tables arranged extremely close together, which you know I have an aversion to, and thirdly the décor is very simple and it didn't grab me the way some restaurants do.  This is  why I went back and forth the past few months as to whether I wanted to take the leap and try this little place out, but boy am I glad I did!

Yes, we were put at a little table with couples on either side of us that might as well have dined with us, and yes I could hear every word of their conversations, but I quickly lost focus as soon as we had our first bite of food.  I would say that the main flavours lean more towards Italian than Japanese, with the Japanese flavours subtly infused throughout.  No, you aren't required to put soya sauce on spaghetti, in case that might have been your fear as well.  

Now this is going to be a strong statement since I dine out all the time, but this had to be the BEST meal I’ve had in Calgary in a very long time.  The food blew everything else out I have recently tried out of the water.  All I can say is take the leap, you won’t be disappointed, I assure you.   

When going through Carino Riserva’s menu, you will be impressed by their offerings.  For Antipasti choices ($8-$15) they have many, including Panko Crusted Brie Cheese with a sweet chili sauce, Spicy Tuna Tartare infused with sesame oil, chili sauce and Tamari soy sauce, and a Steamed Clam & Mussel Hot Pot mixed with Italian Sausage, cooked in a Japanese Dashi broth, the foundation of many of their meals.  If you don’t know what Dashi broth is, it’s made with only three ingredients (water, dried kelp and bonito fish flakes) and it provides a perfect base for the dishes without overpowering them.  One of the salads they offer is their take on a Caprese Salad, which instead of balsamic and olive oil drizzled over it, they use a delicious Yuzu Vinaigrette.  The many pasta and gnocchi dishes ($17-$19) are also made with Dashi broth, but the broth is infused with additional flavours such as tomato sauce, pesto, garlic and truffle oil.  If you’re looking for non-pasta dishes, they also offer an array of meat and seafood dishes such as Beef Tenderloin, Duck Breast, Scallops, Cod and Lamb ($24-$33) gently infused with hints of Japanese flavours such as Soy-Honey, Garlic Teriyaki, Shimeji Mushrooms and Soy Butter Sauce.

We both decided to enjoy a bottle of Pino Grigio ($54) while sharing two mains from the Chef’s Tasting Menu.  We love seafood, so the first dish we had was Panko crusted soft shell crab on top of a creamy risotto with mussels and clams ($24). It was a generous portion, cooked perfectly and it was absolutely delicious.   The next special we tried was the Half Lobster Hot Pot ($28) with Dashi broth infused with tomato sauce, Italian sausage, mussels, clams and octopus.  Again the portion was generous and all the flavours melded together causing a sensory overload for our taste buds. It was amazing! At the end of this meal, we competed for the broth resting at the bottom of the pot, unable to get enough of it.  Lastly we broke down and had their dessert special, which was an almond ice cream, floating in a milk chocolate sauce with chunks of fruit jelly and dark chocolate pieces ($8).  The only word I could use to describe it is heavenly!

Carino Riserva has to be one of the most wonderful little gems tucked away in Mission. The service is excellent, the menu items are familiar yet unique in their preparation, and the flavours really are out of this world.  We will definitely be back again.

Thank you Carino Riserva  - Gochisoosama and Grazie per il pasto!