Tag: Pizza

Bakery · Deli · Dessert · Italian · Pizza · Restaurants

Where to shop in Calgary: Italian Centre Shop

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My father-in-law Bobbino and I are trying to get in as many beer and pizza lunches as possible before my sabbatical ends. We usually head to Richmond Pub or Newcastle Pub, but I was craving something different on Monday. For this post, let’s listen to “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant” by Billy Joel.

I suggested we drop by the Italian Centre Shop for pizza and wine / beer. Unfortunately, we arrived right at the busiest time. A line-up snaked around the corner, and I noticed with mild irritation that each customer (including myself) asked several questions before ordering. However, the employee at the cashier did an admirable job getting all the customers through while still ensuring each order was perfect. For example, when I ordered my pizzas, she instructed the pizza maker to ensure the prosciutto and tomato were on every slice.


I ordered a glass of dry red wine ($6), a Peroni ($6), and two pizzas – the Diavolo ($16) and the Fresco ($16). The eating area consisted mainly of small tables for two, and each table was taken by what looked like regulars. I could tell they were regulars because they didn’t ooh and aah like Bobbino and I when we saw our food. Bobbino exclaimed how good they smelled and looked. The young pizza maker smiled and informed us that he makes each pizza with love.

The flavour of the olive oil, bocconcini and fresh, thinly sliced ripe tomatoes in the Fresca pizza was gentle and soft. Even the saltiness in the prosciutto was subtle. Yes, I could taste the love. The Diavola was the saucier of the two pizzas, with a zing of heat from the spicy soppressata and peppers. The edges of the crust are thin and light, darkened in tiny spots on the crust.


I recommend over ordering even though this style of pizza is best eaten fresh from the oven. It is so satisfying to punctuate the meal with different flavours. Pro-tip, each 12-inch pizza is more than enough food for one person. We had enough leftovers to take home to L and his mother, Mama G.

When I went to get some boxes to pack the leftover pizza, I saw the man who is always featured on the Italian Centre Shop’s Instagram account. I recognized him but didn’t want to be awkward, so I feigned ignorance. There’s nothing worse than being a groupie.


When Bobbino went to find something sweet for Mama G’s dessert, I scoped out the dried kinds of pasta and produce. Mamma Mia! How can I resist you? The selection, quality, and prices are far more palatable than Calgary Coop and Safeway! I’m going to start shopping here for my arugula, garlic, olive oil, Di Cecco pasta, and canned tomatoes. Hitting the Sauce gives the Italian Centre Shop two phat thumbs up.

For more reviews like this, see my picks for best pizza in Calgary.

Italian · Pizza · Restaurants

Noble Pie Pizza Calgary Review: What to Order + Is It Worth the Wait

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My beloved Jaime is in town! I haven’t seen my vegetarian friend since COVID. I suggested Noble Pie Pizza for our dinner date, as I know she appreciates a good pizza. For this post, let’s listen to “Comfortably Numb” by Pink Floyd.

We ordered the Marinated Olives ($8) and a glass of the Venturini Baldini Lambrusco rosé ($13) to start. The green olive was our favourite of the bunch because the flesh was buttery and juicy. I loved the flavours of the fennel, citrus and rosemary in the marinade. 

We ordered three pizzas in the new dine-in 13″ size – the Sweet Cheesus ($19), Brooklyn White ($19), and the Magic Pie ($19). We purposely ordered too much food, as we wanted to try everything. So much food was left over that we took an entire pie home. 

The Sweet Cheesus was the simplest of the trio. Jaime thought this was more of a dessert than a savoury main because of the honey. The pizza was saucy and cheesy; the two prominent flavours were honey and Sicilian oregano. I can see this pizza being popular with kids. I learned this at my last family reunion, as my nephews and nieces would only eat cheese pizza. 

Jaime’s favourite was the Brooklyn White. Man, this is one tasty pizza! The rich, heady flavours of the caramelized onions and sesame seeds were prominent. The ricotta was creamy and paired well with garlic, parsley, and cheeses. I would get this again. 

I would also order the Magic Pie again. Miss Foodie recommended this secret menu item. She never steers me wrong. The fennel sausage was fatty (in a good way) and spicy, with a hint of licorice. The cream, basil, and fresh mozzarella made this gloriously decadent. 

Jaime mentioned that New Yorkers eat their pizza slices folded in half. I tried this method and found one benefit – the crust enveloped all the saucy goodness. However, I’m not 100% sold on “To Fold or Not to Fold,” but I’m willing to try this methodology again.

I can’t wait to see more of Jaime in the future, now with COVID restrictions on the decrease. Perhaps our next visit can be to Italy, her favourite travel destination. 

For more reviews like this, see my picks for best pizza in Calgary.

Pizza

Neighbourhood gem: Actually Pretty Good Pizza

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Update (2026): The Monday deal at Pretty Good Pizza has changed. The Bankview and Crescent Heights locations now offer 20% off all menu pizzas, plus $7 wine by the glass.

On Monday, L had a long day. I didn’t want to cook when I came home, so I told him I was taking him out for dinner. We wanted some place close, so I suggested Actually Pretty Good in Bankview. For this post, let’s listen to “Manic Monday” by The Bangles.

On the day we visited, all pizzas were on special for $15. The restaurant was packed, so we purchased tall cans of Cabin Brewing Company Supersaturation NEPA ($7), Eighty-Eight Brewing Co. Tiffany Rosé Saison ($7) and chilled out on the bench outside. We landed a patio seat in about ten minutes. Personally, I think restaurants with a queue should encourage drinking around their vicinity, as it takes the bite out of waiting.

Outside the restaurant, the music was more of a whisper. Even though we were in the parking lot, the makeshift patio worked. I noticed the hanging flower baskets emitted a sweet fragrance. L pointed out the lights strung up in the trees. The owners created a nice space.


We ordered two pizzas, the Full Nelson ($25, Monday $15) and the Capricciosa ($24, Monday $15). The first pizza to come out was the Full Nelson. The dough was light and crisp, with a clean taste. The crust was puffy with crispy air pockets. The pizza was creamy from the four kinds of cheeses and white sauce and salty from the minced-up prosciutto. The honey added a pleasing touch of sweetness.

The Capricciosa was the heavier of the two pies. This pizza was loaded with fior di latte and juicy from the artichokes, green olives, and cubed chili smoked ham. The sundried tomatoes added a tart brightness to the whole flavour profile.

There’s a lot to like about Actually Pretty Good. The beers are reasonably priced, the staff are friendly and hardworking, and the pizza is a wicked deal on Mondays. We had four pieces left over, and when reheated in our air fryer two days later, it was just as good as when we ate it fresh out of the oven. Hitting the Sauce gives Actually Pretty Good two phat thumbs up.

For more reviews like this, see my picks for best pizza in Calgary.

Italian · Pizza · Restaurants

Noble Pie Pizza: Worth the hype

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The Executive has the best after-work life. In the last month, she’s been to Vintage, Donna Mac, Pat and Betty, Wise and Wright and PD3 by Blake. I love hearing her recaps so much that it inspired me to try a new restaurant. Let’s listen to “Smooth Criminal” by Micheal Jackson. 

Based on what I’ve read, Noble Pie Pizza has an excellent reputation with its customers. I’ve always wanted to go, but the no reservation policy deterred me. On Thursday night, I told L we had to go. He agreed and said if there were a wait, he would be okay with it. Lucky for us, there were still spots at the bar. 

You access Nobel Pizza through the back alley by Metrovino Wines and the Cookbook Shop. When we walked in, I noticed four chefs lined up side-by-side, each intensely focused on their work. I could tell right away we were in good hands. The restaurant is small but spacious, as the tables aren’t crammed together like most popular spots. The room is dimly lit, with a funky vibe. I mentioned to L that the music wasn’t generic. He nodded and said, more importantly, it was at an appropriate volume. Noble Pizza seems popular with families, as parents and their kids occupy most of the booths. 

When I saw the wine list, I knew I had to bring my friends here for girls’ night. I ordered a glass of the Venturini Baldini Lambrusco rosé ($13). Our server gave me an extra big pour because he was near the end of the bottle. His unexpected generosity gave me a burst of giddiness. The sparkling rosé was fresh and light. 

We shared the Noble Caesar Salad ($15). This salad is pure joy. I was shocked to see the mountain of parmigiano reggiano piled on top of the lettuce. I asked our server if we could get extra cheese. She looked alarmed and then smiled when she realized I was joking. The romaine lettuce was crisp and cool. I prefer Noble’s Caesar to Una’s, because the former has a softer, fluffier texture, and the proportion of garlicky anchovy sauce to lettuce was spot on, so each piece of lettuce was glossy from the dressing. The toasted panko added a subtle crunch.

We ordered an 18-inch Half Roni / Half Extra Fancy ($37) pizza. Holy Cheesus, what a beauty! The crust was glorious – the edges billowed out, creating beautiful air pockets. The dough was crisp and light. The last time I had a pizza of this calibre was at Savino Pizzeria and Rocket Pie. 

The pepperoni in the roni was rich, salty, and still sizzling. I thought the oregano and pop of garlic in the tomato sauce were pleasantly pungent. The tissue of the bread was chewy. What was music to my ears was the blistering sound of the crunch and crackle of the crust as we chomped throughout our meal.

I enjoyed the fancy pizza the most because of the meaty pieces of roasted mushrooms and the crunch of the red onions. If you don’t like spicy food, ask to omit the jalapeños. I bragged to L that the jalapeños weren’t spicy, and then I bit into one with some seeds.  

To quell my tingling tongue, I asked for a glass of red wine that was full-bodied and not heavy with tannins. Our server recommended Monte Bernardi Italia ti Adoro ($13). The wine was so damn smooth that it should be criminal. 

The slices were massive. I could only eat two while L ate three. We had leftovers, enough for L’s breakfast and lunch. We are planning our second visit, where L wants to try the Sweet Cheezus pie. This place has it all! Fantastic wine, excellent service and some mind-blowing quality pizza. Hitting the Sauce gives Noble Pie Pizza two phat thumbs up.

Cheap Eats · Pizza · Restaurants

Red Swan Pizza in Bowness

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L was too busy this weekend to indulge my banh mi fantasies. Instead, we picked up a pizza from Red Swan in Calgary’s Bowness neighbourhood. For this post, let’s listen to “Crimson and Clover” by Joan Jett and The Blackhearts.

Veggie Girl and Uncle B raved about the pizza at Red Swan, specifically the Three Cheese Pizza (Large $19.95, thin crust option). L wanted a meat pizza but I insisted we try the pizza Veggie Girl recommended. He eventually agreed, which surprised me. Whenever I try to get him to eat something meatless, he looks at me like I’m trying to poison him.

Pro tip – if you don’t eat the pizza immediately, reheat it in the oven. Some pizzas tasted as good or even better when cold. This is not one of them.

One of the best things about this pizza is the crust. I love the light and crunchy texture of the bread. The toasted sesame seeds on the crust added a buttery nuttiness.

The tomato sauce was tangy, and it tasted like there was coriander or some other fragrant spice or herb. The toppings aren’t heavy-handed like a Spiros or Hanni’s pizza. The amount of tomato sauce, feta, cheddar and mozzarella to crust was about 1:1. Personally, I enjoyed the simplicity of the three-cheese pizza. This was a nice change from the Greek-style pizza I normally eat.

We each ate three slices and we were full. The next day, L microwaved the last two slices of pizza and mentioned it reheated well. If I lived in the neighbourhood, I would definitely order again.

Pro tip – Red Swan offers free local delivery (some conditions apply), pick up specials and combo deals. They even make vegan, cauliflower and gluten-friendly pizzas. Give them a try – for the price, you can’t go wrong.

Want more like this? Check out my running list of Calgary’s best restaurants, date nights, and cheap eats.