No fancy tablecloths at family-run Rea’s Italian Cucina

Rea’s Italian Cucina advises diners to make reservations, preferably by phone. Considering it’s early lunch mid-week in industrial northeast Calgary, I don’t bother.

Wrong move. By the time I’ve finished spooning up the vestiges of my rose sauce, the darkened interior is nearly full of loyal patrons.

Family owned and operated since 1996, Rea’s is an unpretentious Italian restaurant, far from the starched tablecloths of swanky downtown joints.

Fresh-made tortellini

The focus here is on fresh-made pasta, milk-fed veal dishes and pizzas. My Tortellini Zia Teresa ($24) is a heaping, piping hot bowl of veal-stuffed pasta, mushrooms and capocollo. Served to me by family member Alfredo.

This is my kind of pasta place.

Rea’s Italian Cucina
431 41 Avenue NE, Calgary
Weekdays 11:30 am-2 pm, Saturday 5 pm-9 pm. Closed Sunday
03-230 7754