Scopa Neighbourhood Italian

I haven’t been to many Italian spots in Calgary but for my sis’s birthday, she needed a spot big enough to fit about 20 people. Scopa Neighbourhood Italian was big enough to accommodate her party so we were there on a Saturday evening.

They have a Thursday family feast ($35.00).

Happy hour is weekdays from 3:00pm to 5:00pm.

Another chalkboard with vitelllo scallopini special.

The inside is very cozy and Italian with red and white striped booths and wooden tables. The place was very busy so I’d suggest making a reservation if you don’t want to wait.

Open style kitchen. The decor of pots and pans over top is pretty neat.

The regular menu is one massive page: bruschetta, antipasta, insalata, piatto (sandwiches), pizza and pasta.

Their drink menu was the same: beer, wine and bubbly.

Gahan blueberry ale ($9.50)

Blueberry beer sounded promising. It wasn’t bad but not much blueberry tones to it.

Minestrone ($7.00)
Vegetables, white bean, chickpea, tomato and grana padano. O was hungry before our group meal so he ordered this to whet his appetite.

Olive marinate
House marinated picholine olives, smoked pepper and preserved citrus. Good start to our meal.

Pomodoro and funghi bruschetta
Fresh tomato, goat cheese and basil on the pomodoro; roasted mushroom, white truffle oil, grana padano and vincotto atop the funghi bruschetta. Tasty sharing bites.

Arancini
Fried risotto cakes, puffed farro, wild mushroom, truffle aioli and micro greens.

Calamari
Chickpea puree, goat cheese, pickled cucumber, red onion, chilies and lemon. Crispy and well battered.

Verde
Mixed greens, kalamata olive, picked onion, beets, balsamic vinaigrette, ricotta salata.

Risotto
Bay scallops, prawns, asparagus, saffron and pecorino romano. Risotto was creamy yet still had a bite to it.

Spaghetti alla carbonara
Wild boar bacon, fresh egg, chilies, wine and grana padano. Al dente and satisfying.

Asparagus

Filetto di maiale
Pork tenderloin, pickled fennel slaw, peas, pearl onions, potato gnocchi, cream sauce and micro greens. The gnocchi was a bit too doughy but everything else on this plate was good. Fennel slaw was light and refreshing.

Chocolate torte and panna cotta
Vanilla bean, cranberry compote, candied walnuts and spiced sponge toffee. Save the best for last right? We polished both desserts off at mock speed.

Closeup of the chocolate torte. Rich, creamy and decadent. The candied hazelnuts was icing on the cake!

Closeup of the panna cotta. Interesting flavours of orange blossom, honey and pistachio shortbread sprinkled on top.

For $50.00/person, this was a great group meal. You won’t go hungry. Will have to come back to try their Thursday family feast and to try their pizza’s.

Scopa Neighbourhood Italian
http://scopacalgary.com/
2220 Centre Street NE
Calgary, AB
(403) 276-2030