Who’s Behind It
Teatro Group Owner Dario Berloni, President Mia Berloni, Chief Operating Officer and Director of Culinary Mathew Batey.
What’s on the Menu
Classic-modern Mediterranean dishes with an emphasis on rich, comforting Italian fare.
Why We Love This Place
When Dario Berloni unveiled his fine-dining restaurant back in 1993, it was a space worth celebrating. More than 30 years later, this has not changed. Housed in the historic Dominion Bank building, the stately room exudes a sense of occasion. A pair of wrought-iron gates purchased from a historic French chateau, soaring picture windows and sky-high pillars combine with formal linens and tableware to set the scene for an exceptional evening.
The food — fine-dining comfort fare with a creative bent — lives up to its surroundings. The signature dish of lasagna with lobster, shrimp and scallops (originally created in 1997 by esteemed local chef and culinary instructor Michael Allemeier) is so good, one hates to sacrifice even one bite. The appetizer of carpaccio is light as a feather, while the duck confit’s skin is delicately crisp. Expect a few subtle changes to the menu with the recent hire of executive chef Camilo Kobek, who has cooked in a lot of great rooms — from Toronto’s Alo Bar to Vancouver’s Pidgin and Calgary’s River Café — and is infusing the menu with hints of his Chilean heritage.
And then there’s the wine: A fixture on the Wine Spectator list since opening, Teatro’s cellar in the former bank’s vault houses approximately 10,000 bottles, representing 26 countries. Beautiful space, attentive service, tome of a wine list and quality food — it’s no wonder that, four decades in, Teatro is still a much-cherished dining-out destination.
200 8 Ave. S.E., 403-290-1012, teatro.ca, @teatrorestaurant