It's time we classed it up a bit and went somewhere with beautiful food that makes a (rookie) food photographer's job easy. It's also time we reviewed one of Calgary's Italian gems. Our date night over the weekend was at Cucina on Stephen Avenue.
Sharply decorated in black and white, it's clear Cucina has put some love into their restaurants. They've also put some wine in there - by literally embedding wine cask logos in their tables. With a feel of an upscale Italian cafe, this spot downtown is great for breakfast, lunch, dinner or drinks!
We started our meal with Arancini. These deep fried miracle balls are filled with mushroom risotto, and cooked to perfection. The outside was crispy and flaky, while the inside was rich and creamy. It came with a generous side of a firecracker truffle aioli that we inhaled, some with the arancini and some just with our spoons! There was not a morsel left behind on this plate!
Our second appetizer was the Octopus and Potato salad. It came on a bed of arugula with capers and chili peppers. Isn't it pretty?! We've talked before about how hard it is to cook octopus perfectly. Unfortunately, this one came out a little tougher than we would like. To be honest, we haven't had an octopus dish that compares to The Guild (check our our review). While the meat may not have been the star, what took us pleasantly by surprise was the vinaigrette. Very clearly made of quality ingredients, this olive oil and lemon juice dressing was pure, simple and classic. These two ingredients must have been grown in Nonna's back yard, because they are delizioso!
Now on to our mains. Holy moly are we glad we ordered the Market Risotto that day! This beauty was made with crispy bacon (they had us at crispy bacon), mushrooms and zucchini. On Masterchef Australia (are we the only ones who watch reruns of that show on Gusto?) it's called the Death Dish because of how hard it can be to perfectly execute a risotto. Cucina nailed it! The flavours were rich, yet delicately balanced. The bacon was the star, but it didn't overpower the creamy textures of the rice and cheese. The vegetables were cooked just right - they complimented the dish without being over done. Again, not easy in a dish like risotto. Overall, we were over the moon with this masterpiece creation!
On a side note, Masterchef Australia is totally off the charts! It is the MOST dramatic show we have ever seen. You just can't take it as seriously as it takes itself!
We also ordered the Saute di' Cozze - mussels with chorizo, fennel, tomatoes and white wine. We were so impressed with the size and taste of the mussels. It's one of the best we've had in the city. Again, this points to the quality ingredients Cucina prides itself on. The chorizo was subtly flavoured, in perfect balance with the delicate flavours of wine and fennel. Overall the dish had layers of flavour, all coming together like a refined Italian garden party. Bravo!
No Italian feast is complete without some Tiramisu. It was delicious, and we would expect nothing less of Cucina. Featuring harmonious flavours of coffee, mascarpone cheese and cocoa, it was a symphony for the taste buds. Picture yourself with a sweet treat in a bistro in Milan, watching the fashionable world go by. What are you eating? You're having this Tiramisu!
V's Final Word: We were there for dinner, and were the only table having a full meal. C'mon people - eat downtown after office hours! This place is awesome!
P's Final Word: Cucina has a nice patio, too! The restaurant is located on the quieter side of Stephen Avenue, so it's nice to relax and watch the world go by on a warm summer day.
Price Range: $90 for a two appetizers, two mains, and a dessert to share.
Website: http://eatcucina.com
Address: 515 8 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 3S8