A new Italian restaurant just opened on Edmonton Trail, in the space that spent over 20 years as Franca’s.
The Edmonton Trail space is now Petalo, from owners Jennifer and John Banister, and it’s already shaping up to be one of the openings people are talking about this summer. Worth clarifying up front: Franca’s Pizza isn’t going anywhere, the original family is still slinging pies at their Oakridge location. This is specifically about what happened to the Edmonton Trail space.
The Story
The Banisters bought the location last year and kept it running as Franca’s for a while before deciding to make it fully their own. The name Petalo means petal in Italian, and at the opening, Jennifer described the concept behind the space as juxtaposition, placing contrasting things side by side to highlight what makes each one interesting. It’s a theme that runs through the whole room, vintage touches next to modern design, old space, new identity.
What to Order
Appetizers are the main event here, and it’s worth building a meal around a few of them rather than picking just one.
- Octopus Carpaccio ($23) — olive tapenade, pomegranate seeds
- Arancini de Scampi ($20) — vodka sauce, cured egg yolk
- Tuna Crudo ($22) — smashed cucumber, melon gazpacho
From the pasta menu, the Cappelletti Aragosta ($31) is lobster-stuffed pasta in a coconut corn nage with crispy lardon.
For pizza, the Margherita ($21) keeps it classic, the White Clam ($23) brings garlic cream and charred shishito peppers, and the Carni ($25) is loaded with mortadella, soppressata and fennel sausage.
Save room. The Lobster Tail Profiterole ($14) and pistachio cannoli ($15) close things out well.
We stopped by for the opening and got to sample a few items from the tasting menu.
What to Drink
The Strawberry Negroni and Caramel Corn Old Fashioned ($18 each) lead the cocktail list, alongside classics like the Aperol Spritz, Espresso Martini and Limoncello Fizz ($15 each).
The Details
Petalo is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Friday, and dinner only on Saturday. It’s located at 3811 Edmonton Trail NE, chef Dylan Sexton (Porch, Modern Steak) is running the kitchen, and reservations are available online.
Given how fast Calgary openings fill up, this is one worth getting on the calendar.
Add it to the list, Calgary.