Rigoletto’s Cafe

The food is nothing special, the menu is limited and the service is slow.

Rigoletto’s is an absolute gem. I had a wonderful meal here many years ago, and after returning for dinner on the weekend, I was happy to see that it is still excellent. A paid parking lot is located across the street, and I’m sure there is street parking available if you’re willing to drive around and look. The restaurant is casual, with small tables and paper napkins, but I went prior to a performance at the Winspear and didn’t feel overdressed in a nice outfit. It was quiet for dinner, which was perfect for easy conversation. Our service was prompt and friendly throughout the meal, and the food was so good. The menu offers two pages of pasta dishes, with an assortment of appetizers, entrees and desserts. Prices are very reasonable, and the pasta dishes come in small and large (this is awesome for a smaller eater like myself). I chose an angel hair pasta with roasted red peppers and blackened chicken and it was outstanding, the chicken was so moist and tender. My husband got lasagna and loved it as well, which is saying a lot; he is picky about lasagna and has a high standard against his family’s recipe. I’m so glad we decided to stop here for dinner, Rigoletto’s has found its way onto my list of favorite Italian restaurants.

The restaurant was adequate. My food wasn’t really spectacular but it wasn’t that bad either. I had the artichoke pasta with wine sauce. It was bland, but as I said, not terrible.
The restaurant was pretty empty, so service was fairly prompt. The waitress was very friendly.
Didn’t get dessert because they ran out of tiramisu.

I was in Rigoletto’s tonight with a party of six for a committee meeting. The restaurant was nice, clean, quiet and comfortable for a meeting, albeit a little dark for meetings and note taking, but a perfect atmosphere for a nice night out for dinner with friends or date night.
I thought the menu was great — lots of options for appetizers, entrees, and especially desserts. They also had many specials on for the evening.
My biggest complaint would be the service. The Hubba Hubby and I are choosing to be super budget conscience these days as getting debt free is a huge priority of ours. I would rather spend my money on an evening out with him than for a committee meeting (no offence to the committee and people, I’m just much more aware of where my money goes now and for dining, I would like to experience that primarily with my husband or friends).
So while the other five guests at our table enjoyed food including appetizers, entrees and desserts, I enjoyed a latte as I had eaten earlier. I felt mocked by the waiter regarding my choice throughout the evening and the waiter’s sarcastic comments when it came to paying were not appreciated. Lastly, I only had a $ 50 bill on me and the waiter said that he wouldn’t be able to make change. I agree, it’s not ideal providing change from a $ 50 for a $ 3.25 drink but I was surprised. Thankfully, someone at my table was able to make change. Yes, I could have paid by debit, but I’m really trying to stick to a cash budget and I would have expected that at 8pm, there would be enough change in the till.

I’m surprised that I haven’t reviewed Rigoletto’s yet, given that I order my lunch from here several times a week!
This is a casual Italian café that offers simple, great pasta dishes as well as soups, salads and entrees.
I’ve gotten to know the servers quite well and they’re all quite lovely and chatty when I come in.
The pasta is filling, and always delicious and hot. I tend to order the same thing (baked rigatoni) every time, and it’s an excellent cheesy standby. When I have branched out in the past, the other samples I’ve had are delicious too.
Also recommended is their shrimp and corn chowder, and their green salad with homemade creamy dressing.
Prices are very reasonable, and your lunch generally will run $ 15 or less. Good food, good people and a good menu.
Catering is also offered here, and our office greatly looks forward to it when Rigoletto’s is being served.
See you soon!

Best ribeye in edmonton period.
Its sweet and tangy and cannot be replicated. Juicy and tender that I never had tried anything else. Its soooo good I am never disappointed. I have no urge to order anything but this ribeye.

I recently tried out Rigoletto’s for lunch on a weekday. I had tried to pre-​order in advance (they have a form online) so that I could be back to work on time, but was told that they don’t do pre-​orders for parties of three. It turned out ok — even though there was a very large group there, we all got our food in an appropriate amount of time (I think 15 minutes from ordering) so I was impressed with that.
I like that the lunch menu has several pasta choices with the option to be baked with cheese. I went with the rigatoni with sausage. It was a little expensive (the sausage was +$ 4, bringing the total to about $ 16) but to be fair, it was an extremely large portion — I am pretty sure that I have the same glass pie plate that it was served in. The pasta was cooked perfectly al dente, the marinara sauce was good but not fantastic, and lots of browned cheese just the way I like it. There were lots of sausage chunks that kind of reminded me of a salami — I was expecting more of a Johnsonville-​type sausage but this one was drier — still tasty though.
My friend had the special of the day, a lobster cream pasta, which he declared sub-​par — not nearly as big of a portion as my pasta, and not very many lobster chunks.
Service was pretty good despite it being busy. Would I come back again? Sure, I’d give it another try — that brozed ribeye on their dinner menu sounds really interesting. Oh, they also accept Visa which is great.

Rigoletto’s is so reasonably-​priced that you can dine like a champion without breaking the bank. Their most expensive lunch entrée is $ 14.50, while the dinner entrées and pasta dishes range from $ 9 (for a small) to $ 29 (for a steak).
Their appetizers also meet with critical acclaim and, during this visit, the group of us tried every single one, albeit the mussels (which were out of season). All were delicious, although the side order of pan-​fried gnocchi won best-​in-​show.
Almost everybody at the table ordered the Bronzed Rib Eye — Rigoletto’s signature steak — which is served with a honey jalapeño butter sauce, the gnocchi, and creamed spinach.
To be different, I tried their AAA Tenderloin, served in a mushroom, brandy, and red wine sauce, with the creamed spinach and some angel hair pasta on the side. The tenderloin (and its delightful sauce) was every bit as tasty as the rib eye and was cooked perfectly, each bite a tender explosion of savoury, wine-​infused flavour.
Don’t worry, though — Rigoletto’s is every bit as good at cooking pasta as they are at grilling steaks. My angel hair was some of the best I’ve ever had. You can always see a restaurant’s skill in Italian cuisine when they can take something so simple — angel hair tossed in garlic and olive oil — and make it so delicious.
Each dish was generously apportioned, the service was excellent, and the restaurant had a comfortable, minimalistic ambience appropriate for a family meal, a date night, or a large group of friends. Their house wine is also ridiculously cheap ($ 15/​half litre).
Despite the fact that Rigoletto’s was only half-​full during a Saturday evening dinner rush, it’s clear that the restaurant’s delicious food, homey atmosphere, and friendly service have kept regulars and newcomers alike returning for yet another taste of Italian authenticity.

Rigoletto’s isn’t bad, but I wouldn’t describe it as fantastic either. Average-​to-​good food on balance, it’s a smidgen expensive for what you get. It’s alright.

As we walked past on a hot Sunday afternoon, the Italian feel of seating with the silver patio chairs and tables that run along their long stretch of windows was very inviting. We decided to stop for a small bite and beverage.
We were quite indecisive with our order on this casual hot day, but the server, who looks surprisingly like Carrie Underwood, showed no signs of irritation. Eventually I settled on a glass of their house Pinot Grigio that she recommended, which was a very good price of $ 5.50 for a 6 ounce poor and perfect on this hot day. To eat, we decided to share the steak tartare since hearing good things. It came served with a couple Karkanen pickles, olives, cucumber slices and tomato slices on the side. The steak tartare provided was a good size portion and it was surrounded by slightly toasted slices of baguette. Enough bread to finish the meal I might add. (A pet peeve I have when eating out is not being provided enough of the bread side to finish your dish and then are charged extra for more.) It’s seasoning was mild yet very tasty with a slight bit of spice to it. It’s texture is more of a spread and I generally prefer the steak to be in small bits, but still very good. We would order it again and recommended to others.
Slightly more negative is, the entrance was not obvious to us as the nice big sign for the restaurant is in the back, not above or near the door. Maybe it was just us, but now we know where it is this won’t be a problem again. Also, the washrooms are not in the restaurant, they’re in the attached building. This isn’t that bad as they were clean and simple, but I have grown to expect the washrooms in a restaurant to reflect the ambience of their establishment, not feel like you’re in a hospital. What can I say… as a woman I like the washroom I’m in to be not only clean but, for lack of a better word at this time, pretty.
That said… I would return to Rigoletto’s to sample more if their menu.
Happy dining, Ciao!

I’ve been here many times, and although smiles could be flashed more frequently it does not affect the consistent quality of the food regardless of what category from the menu it is from.
Indulging in veal tortellini with cream sauce today for lunch was a choice I’m very happy with. I added a dash of salt and pepper, both of which can be found on the table (not always so these days).
Coffee was served freshly brewed (impressed!) Water was brought to the table pre-​ordering in a prompt fashion. We were seated by the windows (many windows allow for excellent street watching on the bustling 100 Ave)
Loved it all and recommend this as a great lunch place!

This is the standard Italian restaurant for me and my husband. We have tried several dishes and each is as good as the last. There are some evenings I have trouble deciding what to order! The serving staff is great… quick and efficient and the food is always excellent. It’s flavourful and always hot. Rig’s has a standard menu, which rarely seems to change (an excellent thing… nobody likes to see their favourite dishes taken off a menu), but there is always a separate sheet of special dishes for the evening, from soups and appetizers to pasta creations and main courses. It allows the restaurant to keep their tried and true dishes on the menu, but still introduce new items to those who like to branch out. Fantastic food for a fantastic price. No wonder Rig’s makes an idea spot for a first date, girls’ night out, or a family birthday dinner. This restaurant also takes reservations, regardless of the day or your party size. It helps to ensure you will get a spot, especially during the busy times of the year (it is packed around Christmas).

I’ve always found it rather crude to write a poor review of a restaurant and not even try the food. Why go to a restaurant in the first place?
I live near Los Angeles, CA and even I am not as snobby as John A.
I have been a fan if Rig’s for years, even back at their old location. The Angel Hair Sergio is what made me a fan, I then I tried some other dishes and they have never dissapointed me.
Try it and you will be rewarded.

Unlike John A, I did eat the food. It is good, unpretentious home style Italian. Angel hair Sergio has taste and simplicity, all in one dish. The daily specials change and sometimes come back, but always worth trying, and interesting enough to make me deviate from my favorite pasta 2 out of 3 times.

I’ve been to Rigoletto’s a couple of times. Every time I have gone, I always order the same entrée. Every time I finish eating, I am very glad I continue to order the same: Bronzed Rib-​eye steak.
I have to admit that I did try a bite of pasta from a friend’s dish and it was quite tasty but not enough for a review on.
What I did eat, however, always makes me go back and order the same. The rib-​eye is always cooked the way I order it but the thing that sets Rigoletto’s apart from any other restaurant that offers steaks is the marinade they use on the steak. It must be some sort of honey but the way the steak comes off the grill has a sweet crispy layer on top of the steak which gives it a unique texture. Paired with some veggies and gnocci, I always leave thoroughly impressed and I always list it as one of the more unique restaurants in the city.
I’m sure there are other Italian restaurants which serve more authentic dishes but the reason why I always return is the Bronze rib-​eye.
You MUST try it.
Aside from the food, I always seem to get the same server. He isn’t the type that hovers or banters or bothers you. He’s actually quite funny in a quiet way with small comments here and there. Because of the size of our dinner party, service was average. Nothing to rave or complain about.
The odd thing to note is the location of the washroom which is in the main part of the building which the restaurant is attached to.

I have gone here a couple times and have not had a bad experience. The service is above average. They go out of their way for you and it’s really nice to see that some people like to do a good job still.
If you like pasta they have a bunch of pasta’s that will make you want to keep coming back. They have some great steak too. The food is full of flavor and I love that about this place.
The price is normal for this kind of place and definitely worth it.

I was surprised to see John A.‘s rating of only one star for Rigoletto’s, because I’ve tried it recently and loved it. I don’t know what they did to you, John, but hopefully you’ll have a better experience if you decide to eat there again.
I went with a group of colleagues and found the restaurant very enjoyable. The restaurant is spacious enough and the service is really friendly. It was a cold day, and the waitress even brought a glass of hot water for my colleague so he could keep his hands warm. How nice is that?
I had the Italian meatballs, and oh my gosh, it was so good that it inspired me to make my own spaghetti and meatballs later on that week! The meatballs were perfect, with just enough spice for some zing. The meal comes with meatballs, pasta and sauce, steamed veggies, and garlic bread. A simple but flavorful meal. The presentation wasn’t much, but who cares when it’s a great wholesome meal that’s fairly priced?

This is the 2^nd location for this restaurant, locally owned. We did eat at their previous location many years ago when it was in the Mayfair Hotel but our recollection was faded which is not a good sign. We popped in this past Wednesday night after walking by this place many times over the years — and thought we should stop — after all it is in the neighborhood. The restaurant is located in what was the cafeteria of a former (newer) YWCA that has since become an affordable housing project. The space itself is sterile, relying on the modern brick that the building was constructed as its backdrop, but contains little ambience. Upon arrival you are met with a solid wall, which blocks your view so you must peek around the corner right into the room to catch someone’s attention that you are waiting. A minute or so later a young server came and told us to sit wherever we liked. There were 4 or 5 small-​unoccupied tables. In the middle of the room there was a long strip of tables pushed together running the entire length of the restaurant with what looked like 50 or so guests, all women, a night out. This cut the restaurant visually into thirds and made our visit awkward as we felt we were pushed against one wall or the other. They could have located them at one side or the other and allowed the remaining tables to be spaced better, no matter though. The same server popped by to take our drink orders — but I told her we would need a minute or two to study the menu when she brought it. She did and came back a minute or so later and asked what I would like to drink. At that point I had the feeling I was going to be eating «mall» food so I asked her the same question I ask at any restaurant that purports to think or promote itself as «real» Italian or a great or good Italian restaurant and that is: «which pasta items are hand or machine made here in this restaurant or are made from fresh pasta brought in?» The server replied «none, we only use box pasta here but I am not sure what brand — but we zoop up our sauces». This means canned sauces zooped up.
The menu was brief, uninspiring, and contained nothing more than what you might conjure up at home using some veggies in your fridge and a box of pasta. The menu did feature some pizza choices — but a place like this likely buy the preformed pizza shell as well.
The wine list was equally uninspiring — the few selections offered were mediocre, but surprisingly at a price point 3.5 to 4 X the retail price. Now I might pay that kind of markup in a place that actually has a chef on the premises that «creates» menu items from scratch or at the very least makes or uses fresh pasta or fresh what ever. But this place has nothing more to offer than the pasta that a Boston Pizza or Spaghetti Factory would serve — and both of those places have better atmosphere and a much better price point.
I normally do not write about restaurants in Edmonton as I live here and eat out constantly. However I want to express disappointment in their limited menu, that they use box pasta exclusively and their mediocre but pricy wine list. Perhaps this place is a cash cow for its owner — minimal effort or quality provided. How was the food you ask? Well we eat most of the week — and there are so many other good places downtown — we walked out without ordering. We know what boxed pasta and zooped up sauces taste like — I use Italian pasta of the Divella brand at home. We dined elsewhere.