Tony Migliarese is a big name in Calgary’s food scene. As owner of DOPO, Bar Rocca and Pizzaface, it’s safe to say he knows Italian food well. Since opening in 2024, DOPO has quickly become one of the top spots in the city for a night out, playing off Migliarese’s family recipes to create a menu of down-to-earth dishes with a unique fine-dining spin courtesy of chef David Leeder. Bar Rocca is a wine bar located above DOPO, serving a casual menu of small bites and Italian wines, and Pizzaface is a retro-style pizzeria serving up New York-inspired pizza.
Undoubtedly, Migliarese is well versed in Calgary’s food scene. We caught up with the restaurateur to find out his favourite spots to eat in Calgary.
Azzurri Pizzeria
“It’s just a small, family-owned pizzeria run by Faustino and Allesandro Ricioppo and their mom, Terry. Every time you go in, it’s just the three of them that are working. It’s probably like 20 seats, and they make Neapolitan-style pizza — it’s some of the best pizza I’ve ever had. My favourite is the rapini and sausage pizza,” says Migliarese. His insider tip? Try to convince them to make you the secret sandwich — the ingredients are a secret, so you have to try it yourself to find out what’s inside.
Buon Giorno Ristorante Italiano
“Another one, nostalgia-wise, would be Buon Giorno. It’s been around a long time and they recently moved locations, but they’ve done a really great job keeping the interior very old school. My parents had a restaurant in Ontario for 20 years, so when I go in there the music and the decor really remind me of that. The dish to get there is the capellini with rosé sauce and veal shank. But instead of capellini, I get rigatoni — that’s my go-to every time I’m there.”
Bar Gigi
“This one is an ode to my old co-workers [Alessandro Chinea, Jaden Kanomata and Kayla Blomquist],” says Migliarese, who worked with them at D.O.P. before its closure. “I get a double order of the spaghetti with duck confit and truffle chicken jus every time I go in. Something about it is very complex but still very homey, like a warm cup of chicken noodle soup when you’re sick. It’s fantastic.”
Village Pita
“If I ever happen to be in the area, I always pick up something from Village Pita, which has been there forever. They do these meat pies, which I love, and I always take a couple of those,” says Migliarese. The pita pies come in a few different varieties like za’atar, beef or spinach and feta, and are served with lemon juice and hot sauce. Migliarese says he was put onto the spot by a co-worker.
Ryuko South
“I live down near Willow Park, so my wife and I have recently started going to Ryuko. Their lunch is amazing, there’s always great dry-aged fish that’s available, the omakase is fantastic and I just love the preparation they have. The service is always great, the room is perfect and it’s always top-quality sushi and sashimi.”