What’s the vibe?
Cresta may be known for their upscale Italian fare, but this is a far cry from your local pizza joint. Coming in from the Esplanade, you spot their 35-foot wine chandelier through the second-story windows; inside, the dining area is bathed in warm, flattering light. Date spot? You bet. If you’re looking to impress, the meticulous blending of low key and luxe should do the trick. But if you’ve sworn off Tinder, Cresta’s still casual enough for catching up with friends over a salumi board and a few glasses of wine… or bottles, if we’re being realistic.
What to drink?
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Wine’s the thing here, but life’s too short to skip cocktail hour, so do yourself a favour and order an aperitif. St. Germain and plum bitters add some sophistication to the Not Your Mother’s Mojito, but it was the peaty nose on the Islay Holiday that really won us over. With tequila, lime and grapefruit, it’s basically a riff on a Paloma, but the addition of Bowmore 12-year-old scotch and a little smoked salt takes it to new heights. As for vino, the Thomas George Estates pinot blanc goes with just about everything on the menu, and it’s satisfying enough to convert the staunchest red wine drinker - for one evening, at least.
What to eat?
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In a word, carbs. When it comes to their pizza, we’re all about that base: it's thin and crisp, with satisfyingly doughy edges. The Funghi is a foolproof combination of mushrooms and fontina cheese, topped with peppery arugula and a little aromatic truffle oil. If you’re feeling wild, try their house-made chilli oils, ranging from the fresh and feisty (jalapeno), to the lip tingling (bird’s eye), to… well, we were too chicken for the habanero, but we’re told it’s a scorcher. The pastas are excellent, too. For pure decadence, there’s the Canadian Lobster Tail, served on a bed of spaghetti that’s actually infused with lobster cooking water. But the real surprise was the chestnut and ricotta ravioli: served in sage brown butter, and scattered with pancetta and pomegranate seeds, this pasta is worthy of a last meal. Or at least a carb coma…
Dinner and drinks for two: around $165
118 The Esplanade; crestato.ca
