I took my husband here for his birthday yesterday and it was our first time at the restaurant. The space is decorated beautifully, it is loud but as is the nature of the large room, especially when it's full of customers. We ordered the warm cauliflower and calamari to start. The cauliflower was delicious, but the calamari was unenjoyably thick and quite chewy although the included vegetables were good. We ordered Negronis to start, which were awesome followed by a bottle of wine. My biggest complaint was that it took upwards of 50+ minutes to receive the ravioli and our server either didn't care or assumed we wouldn't notice, averting eye contact with us for almost the entire time we waited. (PS - the ravioli was incredible and the pizza crust was good but the sauce and flavor wasn't anything to write home about). When we did finally manage to get her attention and mention it to her, she quietly said to my husband (who I think she assumed was paying) that there was a large party upstairs and that was why the food was delayed. She was very nonchalant and continued to be unconcerned despite our questions. That being said, both tables seated next to us (and seated after we ordered) received their pizzas long before we did and their servers were doing table touches mentioning when their food will come out, etc. I used to work in restaurants, I get that stuff happens in the kitchen, food gets burnt, gets sent to the wrong table - whatever! Just be honest and let us know, but for our server to not even mention the wait let alone apologize for it was quite annoying. I'll be honest, I probably wouldn't come back or recommend due to the excessive wait and the lack of care. I'm sure other people have had great experiences but I will say this server ruined this one for me.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Ravioli
Iyushka Jugessur (Iyu)
Everything about Barbarella is chef kiss. The aesthetic the ambiance the drinks the staff 10/10.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Krista Fields
Such a beautiful restaurant with great service and amazing food. Our table seating for our reservation was behind so we were able to order our appies and drinks in the lounge and were given a complementary beverage while we waited. The ravioli is a must have and if you like thin crust brick oven pizza then you’ll love the pizza here. One of my favourite spots in Calgary!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lindsay in the mountains
Pleasant, easygoing space for a work or business event, just off Stephen Ave. They know the audience and make it easy. For example, the bill automatically separated out our drinks by person for ease of payment with a corporate credit card.Dietary restrictions: The gluten-free pasta was among the best I've had.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Reann Elhage
Great food and very decent pricing for what it is!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Jora Nijjar
Really nice place. The Cavatelli was excellent. The tiramisu was also very good. They had great cocktails. The service was meh. Staff that we dealt with did were not experienced.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Cavatelli Bolognese
Krystle Wittevrongel
Went to lunch with a colleague and it was great: service was fantastic, food was out quickly, and everything was delicious. Will be eating there again and would recommend
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ashley M
I wish I could give 8 stars! It was beyond expectations, our waiter was so attentive and checked in and had lovely conversations. The calamari, endive and citrus salad was super fresh and delicious. Then the sausage pizza was also so flavourful and had a kick of spice as well. We tried the banana fritters for dessert and those were perfectly done. The atmosphere was really neat with high ceilings. I can’t wait to tell my friends and family about this place!!Wheelchair accessibility: Elevator to bathrooms downstairs
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Calamari
Chuck Horne
Not to be confused with the 1968 Cult Classic “Barbarella : Queen of the Galaxy”. This is an excellent Italian restaurant. Definitely worth coming in.
Chicken Parm was fried beyond repair so dry and bland. Lunch guest had rigatoni I believe with chicken added. The pasta was salty he didn't eat 3/4 of it and the chicken was so overcooked and dry. We then asked for Espresso Macchiato's and No one had a clue how to make it, crazy. Server did not ask my guest why 3/4 of his pasta was on the plate. Bad!!! One of the most overrated spots in Calgary.
HaileyS
Clunky service experience, we were sat during a rush before a flames game and had to flag someone down to send our server over as we were ignored for 10+ minutes. I know it's not a common experience for this restaurant. A manager came over to assist us with our orders but a young staff member also kept coming to check in moments after just seeing the manager, didn't feel like they were communicating well. In any case, food and drinks were great. Hopefully they can get that service issue sorted!
CandiC
Beautiful & delicious dinner & wine pairing at YYC EXP Pasta Room. What a treat! Did not disappoint from start to finish - beetroot crispelle, trout crudo, agnolotti & Icelandic cod were my faves.
EttoreD
We had a great diner and Vlada was amazing . Great service . She knew we were having a date night and she was so efficient and respectful. Please let her know how much we appreciated her and we wish her the best with the upcoming great news she shared with us ! I had never experienced the food and I was so impressed with the taste and the pairings with the wine . I am Italian and I will recommend Barbarella to anyone I know . We will be back !
KashiaA
Our server Vlada was very knowledgeable and attentive. We had a YYC EXP dinner. My favourite was tomato hazelnut dip which was so much more than a dip, flavourful and super tasty. Hope it's on the permanent menu bc I'd have it again. The short ribs were actual a nice peace of lean beef, tender and cooked to perfection (medium/medium rare). All together 5 star experience. I find Barbarella a bit too loud but not so that you can't talk, I think that's part of its charm.
I took my husband here for his birthday yesterday and it was our first time at the restaurant. The space is decorated beautifully, it is loud but as is the nature of the large room, especially when it's full of customers. We ordered the warm cauliflower and calamari to start. The cauliflower was delicious, but the calamari was unenjoyably thick and quite chewy although the included vegetables were good. We ordered Negronis to start, which were awesome followed by a bottle of wine. My biggest complaint was that it took upwards of 50+ minutes to receive the ravioli and our server either didn't care or assumed we wouldn't notice, averting eye contact with us for almost the entire time we waited. (PS - the ravioli was incredible and the pizza crust was good but the sauce and flavor wasn't anything to write home about). When we did finally manage to get her attention and mention it to her, she quietly said to my husband (who I think she assumed was paying) that there was a large party upstairs and that was why the food was delayed. She was very nonchalant and continued to be unconcerned despite our questions. That being said, both tables seated next to us (and seated after we ordered) received their pizzas long before we did and their servers were doing table touches mentioning when their food will come out, etc. I used to work in restaurants, I get that stuff happens in the kitchen, food gets burnt, gets sent to the wrong table - whatever! Just be honest and let us know, but for our server to not even mention the wait let alone apologize for it was quite annoying. I'll be honest, I probably wouldn't come back or recommend due to the excessive wait and the lack of care. I'm sure other people have had great experiences but I will say this server ruined this one for me.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Ravioli
Everything about Barbarella is chef kiss. The aesthetic the ambiance the drinks the staff 10/10.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Such a beautiful restaurant with great service and amazing food. Our table seating for our reservation was behind so we were able to order our appies and drinks in the lounge and were given a complementary beverage while we waited. The ravioli is a must have and if you like thin crust brick oven pizza then you’ll love the pizza here. One of my favourite spots in Calgary!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Pleasant, easygoing space for a work or business event, just off Stephen Ave. They know the audience and make it easy. For example, the bill automatically separated out our drinks by person for ease of payment with a corporate credit card.Dietary restrictions: The gluten-free pasta was among the best I've had.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Great food and very decent pricing for what it is!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Really nice place. The Cavatelli was excellent. The tiramisu was also very good. They had great cocktails. The service was meh. Staff that we dealt with did were not experienced.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Cavatelli Bolognese
Went to lunch with a colleague and it was great: service was fantastic, food was out quickly, and everything was delicious. Will be eating there again and would recommend
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I wish I could give 8 stars! It was beyond expectations, our waiter was so attentive and checked in and had lovely conversations. The calamari, endive and citrus salad was super fresh and delicious. Then the sausage pizza was also so flavourful and had a kick of spice as well. We tried the banana fritters for dessert and those were perfectly done. The atmosphere was really neat with high ceilings. I can’t wait to tell my friends and family about this place!!Wheelchair accessibility: Elevator to bathrooms downstairs
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Calamari
Not to be confused with the 1968 Cult Classic “Barbarella : Queen of the Galaxy”. This is an excellent Italian restaurant. Definitely worth coming in.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Spaghetti Limone
nice vibe, great servers, don't order the ravioli
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Chicken Parm was fried beyond repair so dry and bland. Lunch guest had rigatoni I believe with chicken added. The pasta was salty he didn't eat 3/4 of it and the chicken was so overcooked and dry. We then asked for Espresso Macchiato's and No one had a clue how to make it, crazy. Server did not ask my guest why 3/4 of his pasta was on the plate. Bad!!! One of the most overrated spots in Calgary.
Clunky service experience, we were sat during a rush before a flames game and had to flag someone down to send our server over as we were ignored for 10+ minutes. I know it's not a common experience for this restaurant. A manager came over to assist us with our orders but a young staff member also kept coming to check in moments after just seeing the manager, didn't feel like they were communicating well. In any case, food and drinks were great. Hopefully they can get that service issue sorted!
Beautiful & delicious dinner & wine pairing at YYC EXP Pasta Room. What a treat! Did not disappoint from start to finish - beetroot crispelle, trout crudo, agnolotti & Icelandic cod were my faves.
We had a great diner and Vlada was amazing . Great service . She knew we were having a date night and she was so efficient and respectful. Please let her know how much we appreciated her and we wish her the best with the upcoming great news she shared with us ! I had never experienced the food and I was so impressed with the taste and the pairings with the wine . I am Italian and I will recommend Barbarella to anyone I know . We will be back !
Our server Vlada was very knowledgeable and attentive. We had a YYC EXP dinner. My favourite was tomato hazelnut dip which was so much more than a dip, flavourful and super tasty. Hope it's on the permanent menu bc I'd have it again. The short ribs were actual a nice peace of lean beef, tender and cooked to perfection (medium/medium rare). All together 5 star experience. I find Barbarella a bit too loud but not so that you can't talk, I think that's part of its charm.