Welcome to Carino 'Japanese Italian Kitchen'
Carino 'Japanese Italian Kitchen' is a captivating fusion restaurant located in Calgary, blending the rich flavors of Japanese and Italian cuisines. With dishes like Tonkotsu Miso Char Siu Ramen and the unique Tonkatsu Carbonara, it presents a culinary adventure that surprises and delights. Customers rave about the vibrant flavors and freshness, particularly the Spicy Tuna Tartare and the savory Chicken Karaage. The ambience is enhanced by friendly service that includes insightful tea pairings. The subtle fusion highlights the best of both worlds, making Carino a must-visit destination for food lovers seeking an innovative dining experience.
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2210 4 St SW, Calgary, AB T2S 1W9, Canada2210 4 St SW, Calgary, AB T2S 1W9, Canada Hotline: +1 403-454-7668
Welcome to Carino 'Japanese Italian Kitchen', a culinary gem nestled in the heart of Calgary at 2210 4 St SW. This innovative restaurant uniquely combines the rich, exquisite flavors of Japanese cuisine with the comforting heartiness of Italian dishes. As a food reviewer deeply passionate about exploring diverse culinary landscapes, I couldn't wait to delve into this intriguing fusion.
From the moment I stepped inside, the vibrant atmosphere and welcoming staff set the stage for an exciting dining experience. Carino prides itself on its adventurous menu offerings that promise to tantalize your taste buds. The star of the show, no doubt, is the Tonkatsu Carbonara Curry, a special that has captured the hearts of many patrons. The balance of flavors and textures—with the crispy tonkatsu harmonizing beautifully with the creamy carbonara and aromatic curry—creates a memorable dish that exemplifies the artistry of fusion cuisine.
Another highlight is the Wagyu Beef Bucatini, which has earned rave reviews for its exceptional tenderness and rich flavor profile. It's a dish that deftly marries Italian pastoral roots with the finesse of Japanese culinary techniques, showcasing the best of both worlds. Vegetarian options, such as the Veggie Momos and Sauteed Vegetables, do not fall short either, providing satisfying alternatives that respect the integrity of both cuisines.
The dining experience is further enhanced by meticulously curated beverages like iced hojicha tea and Calpico, which offer refreshing pairings to complement your meal. It's a joy to see how the drink selections, inspired by Japanese traditions, harmonize seamlessly with the Italian-inspired dishes.
Customer feedback echoes the sentiments I share, highlighting the attentive service provided by knowledgeable staff, especially about food pairings. Many guests, like Yuna and Megan, have left Carino dreaming of their next visit, eager to explore the rest of the enchanting menu. This speaks volumes about how Carino 'Japanese Italian Kitchen' strives not just for good food, but for a holistic dining experience that celebrates culture and community.
If you're searching for a meal that transcends ordinary dining or simply wish to indulge in a culinary exploration of flavors, Carino should be at the top of your list. The blend of Japanese and Italian cuisines here is not merely an experiment; it's a nod to the beauty of culinary diversity, promising a delightful experience in every bite.
The concept of Japanese Italian fusion intrigued me as I’m a huge lover of both kinds of food so I was so happy to see this place pop up. We ordered: - chicken 8/10 and veggie momos 10/10 - wagyu beef bucatini 10/10 - donkatsu curry carbonara 8/10 - sakura parfait 10/10 - iced hojicha tea 10/10 Everything was really good and flavourful. Our faves were the bucatini, the veggie momos, the sakura parfait, and the iced hojicha tea. We thought the katsu curry carbonara was great but would’ve loved the meat to be a bit more tender. Regardless, the experience was awesome! I would 100% come back to try their other dishes.
Chicken Karaage Juicy, hot, and crispy. They also have this sort of mayo dip which complements the Karaage well. Overall, it reminds me very much of the Karaage I’d get in Japan from the street vendors. It’s not the best but pretty damn good. The portion size is a bit on the smaller side. 4/5 Tonkatsu Carbonara Curry (not on the menu btw, it’s one of their specials ) The dish that everyone raves about, and for good reason. The tonkatsu by itself is a bit on the drier side but the carbonara with the egg on top was pretty good. And combined with a bit of the curry sauce it really is an impressive combination. If you separate it into tonkatsu carbonara they’re both pretty good, not amazing, but when combined together, they really make for a delicious pairing. 4.5/5 just bc of the tonkatsu, it wasn’t bone dry but not juicy like the ones I’ve experienced in tonkatsu specialty restaurants in Japan. Price is 30. 4.5/5 Desert Tasting There’s the yuzu gelee, a black chiffon cake, and a tiramisu. My barometer for if a dessert is good is if it tastes better than a McCain’s Deep N Delicious. Unfortunately, only the tiramisu was better. I’ve never had the yuzu thing before so maybe it’s just unfamiliar to me, but the chiffon cake was a bit dry. The tiramisu was pretty good. Though next time, I wouldn’t get the desert tasting. 2.5/5 Service Friendly servers. No complaints. 5/5 I recommend you go to Carino’s at least once and try out the tonkatsu carbonara. I will definitely be revisiting to try out their other dishes.
We were absolutely blown away by our experience here. I want to start by giving a shoutout to our server, Josh, who was absolutely amazing and made our whole night. Josh is tea expert who provided us with a fantastic education on tea and provided us with tea pairing recommendations for our meal. Josh's demeanor was upbeat and really made us feel comfortable. The food here is amazing and unique. The food had depth with vibrant flavors that we both enjoyed. This is a must try.
We had a wonderful meal here on a trip to visit our son in Calgary. The fusions were nicely done and kept the best parts of each cuisine. We weren't overwhelmed with strong flavors and were impressed with the subtle touches. We loved that the default eating arrangement was to shares plates. All the dishes were delicious and it would have been a shame to not try them all. We will be back to try the rest of the menu!
The service was just the best!! And the food tasted amazing as well. Everyone working was very knowledgeable about the menu and our water glasses never went empty. The older gentleman with long hair was such a fun guy. Would totally come again.
Our main server, Nim, was an absolute gem, she was super patient with our large group and attentive but not overbearing. The food was delicious, you can’t really go wrong with any of their specials or regular items. I would recommend a reso as they can get quite busy and give yourself extra time or find parking especially if you are going during a prime time.
Came here to celebrate my husband's birthday and this restaurant did not disappoint. Decor and ambiance were very fun and trendy, and the dining area was super lively. The servers are incredibly knowledgeable and were highly attentive to our dietary restrictions (allergies). We had the momos (chicken and veg), gyozagna, and tonkatsu with curry and carbonara. Each dish was excellent and we loved the creative twists on classic dishes. My only regret is not having enough room for dessert! We will definitely be back in the near future.
First time visiting Carino and undeniably worth the wait! I wasn't sure about going because of my egg allergy; Italian & Japanese food usually equals eggs but we thought we'd investigate. The entire menu will make your mouth water just reading it, plus they have specials!! I'm not sure & I forgot to ask how often the specials change, but my partner had the Carbonera (he can eat eggs) and would definitely recommend it. We also ordered the adorably delicious Momo's that were an appetizer special, and I truly could have just had a dish of that for myself!! They are out of this world, major flavour bombs!! I've never eaten something so slowly, because I didn't want it to be over! I ordered the Bucatini with Wagyu Meat Sauce, Parmesan Cheese & Truffle Oil for my main course and if that is all I could eat for the rest of time, it would be the best news!! Truffle & Wagyu, what more can I say?!?! So savoury, delightful, and comforting; I took some to-go, just so I could have it again the next day!! Josh was our server and he was so kind & attentive plus the care he took to ensure I was ok the eat items wrt to my allergy was amazing. I truly appreciate the time he took going to ask the kitchen, multiple times. Josh also happens to be a tea sommelier and we were treated to his wealth of knowledge and subsequently an incredible pot of tea! A wonderful end to our amazing evening, even if it meant we were the last ones in the restaurant! Toshi Karino & Head Chef, Resham Giri have a gem of a restaurant in Mission, Italian Japanese Thank you!