A Taste of Italy

A new restaurant has just opened in Inglewood, and it’s unlike any other Italian spot in town. Located right next to the beloved Lina’s Italian Pizza on 9th Avenue S.E., L’Olivo Cicchetti & Lounge debuts as Lina’s Group’s second restaurant venture. 

L’Olivo draws inspiration from Venice in every aspect, from its sophisticated lounge decor, featuring a faux olive tree as the centrepiece, to its curated cocktail list and, of course, plenty of cicchetti to go around.   

Cicchetti are small, shareable bites to be enjoyed in good company. L’Olivo embodies a traditional Venetian social ritual, where friends and family gather over shared food and good drinks. It’s a social affair, meant to recreate the spirit of Venice here in Calgary. 

Authentic roots

Behind the concept and the tasty plates are true Italian roots. Giuseppe di Gennaro, Lina’s culinary director and award-winning chef, was looking to bring a new way of dining to Calgary: the way he likes to dine, with food that fosters connection and conversation. He brings his boundary-pushing passion for Italian flavours and his impressive culinary experience to L’Olivo — he’s worked in Michelin restaurants around the globe and opened Canada’s second-best restaurant at the time, Capo, in 2006.

“I am a chef, born and raised in Italy,” he says. “Providing our guests with a true, authentic experience is my main target; no gimmicks, no stereotypes, just plain and simple Italian food, creatively done well.”

Di Gennaro brings innovation and creativity to L’Olivo’s cicchetti, allowing the dishes to push the boundaries of Italian cuisine while also staying within the limits of distinct traditional flavours to offer Calgarians a one-of-a-kind experience.

“L’Olivo allows me to express and sharpen my culinary skills and explore new forms of Italian cuisine without losing the rooted essence of traditions,” says di Gennaro. 

Thoughtful Venetian cuisine

Like everything at L’Olivo, the menu selections have been thoughtfully curated. Cicchetti is an art form with delicately balanced pairings and intention behind each one, creating the perfect bite. 

“I select food items and design menus to fulfill peoples’ desires and moods, please their palates and, of course, do business at the same time,” says di Gennaro. “All the dishes selected for the menu have a strong purpose and reason to be there.”

Expect bursting flavour with cicchetti offerings like the Crostini, which pairs smoked chicken with an apple-pecan pesto or In Carrozza, where one bite offers a combined flavour palette of seared mortadella (an Italian cold-cut meat), provolone, white balsamic and pistachio. 

L’Olivo also offers shareable plates of pasta and mains, and no meal is complete without a dolce ending. Savour the sweetness of Italy with dessert options like affogato or a lemon curd cannoli. 

Swing by L’Olivo to cultivate connections and indulge in artful bites inspired by the flavours of Italy. To learn more and make a reservation, visit lolivo.ca or @lolivocalgary.

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