Toscana Italian Grill may already sound like a familiar name to Calgarians, seeing as the restaurant already boasts two locations in the city – one just off Macleod Trail and Heritage and another in the highly sought after neighbourhood of Mahogany. The restaurant is known for classic Italian cuisine with recipes directly inspired by the county’s most prolific regions.
Imagine a sunbaked evening overlooking the rolling vineyards of Chianti while enjoying a delicious meal around family and friends, and you’ll understand exactly what Toscana is aiming for. The recently-opened restaurant off 10th Avenue features an easy-going atmosphere and an open dining room with plenty of seating. Meanwhile, brick walls and wooden panelling evoke the charming rusticity of a quaint Italian restaurant along the countryside.
To spread the word of 10th Avenue’s recent opening, Toscana recently offered a one-of-a-kind experience in which guests were invited to taste four expertly curated dishes, each one paired with a unique Italian wine.
“A Night in Coastal Italy” took place at Toscana’s 10th Avenue location on the evening of March 20th. The event quickly sold out, and any lucky guests who managed to snag a ticket were treated to a four-course menu inspired by the fresh and colourful cuisine of Italy’s coastal regions including Sicily and Abruzzo. Likewise, the menu featured a complementary list of Italian wines ranging from crisp whites to big and heavy reds.
Upon arriving, guests were seated along the north-facing side of the restaurant which is annexed off from the main dining room by wooden panels (event booking, anyone?). After everyone had been seated, one of Toscana’s friendly and knowledgeable staff came around offering the first pour of the evening – ‘Incastro’ Bianco by Torre Zambra. Perfectly light and crisp on its own with notes of pear and stone fruit, this Pecorino served as an excellent palate cleanser before the first course.
The first dish was a fresh Burrata Salad with thick cuts of juicy tomato topped off with an Oil and Vinegar Dressing. The Burrata was creamy and fresh, while its richness served as a perfect balance to the salad’s lighter ingredients. Finally, the bitterness of the greens added a complex bite to the dish.
The wine pairing was another white – a Peri Peri ‘Vicere’ Inzolia. With tasting notes of juicy pineapple and freshly-cut grass, this wine was more rounded and full-bodied compared to its predecessor, which ended up complementing the acidity of the tomato and salad dressing.
Next up was one of the crowd favourites, a Butternut Squash Ravioli in Parmesan Cheese and Basil Pesto Sauce. The pasta was perfectly al dente and tasted as though it had been freshly made, with the sweet squash filling expertly measured out for each raviol.
The first red of the evening was also introduced, a ‘Madia’ DOC also from the Torre Zambra winery. This wine was medium-bodied with a hint of bell pepper and spice, making it a perfect companion to the creamy Basil Pesto Sauce.
Many would assume a ravioli dish would have everyone stuffed for the evening, but even though every plate was cleared, we all were eagerly anticipating the main course. Guests were served a Fire Grilled AAA Beef Tenderloin atop a smooth bed of Mashed Potatoes. As the last of the evening’s savoury fishes, the Beef Tenderloin was a standout penultimate course sure to leave a lasting impression.
The wine paring was another Torre Zambra varietal, a ‘Villamagna’ DOC. As expected, this glass was the heaviest and boldest red of the evening which ended up accentuating the savoury flavours of the Tenderloin and its gravy. The glass featured heavy tannins and strong notes of oak, plum, and cocoa.
The final course was a delectable Chocolate Grenache Tart, cut into a thick square and accompanied by whipped cream and chocolate drizzle. To pair was Pajaru ‘Picuraru’ Primitivo – another medium bodied red with big notes of baking spice and black currant. When drank with the Tart, you might imagine black currant compote slathered on top.
“A Night in Coastal Italy” was an excellent showcase of the everyday cuisine offered at Toscana, and if a similar event occurs in the future it is highly recommended that you grab a ticket. With some of the best Italian cuisine offered in Calgary and a specially curated list of Italian wines, you’re set up for one incredible experience.
