Nero

• Nero is tucked into the historic Molson Brewery Building at 12068 104 Ave NW, in Edmonton’s Brewery District.

• The design and ambience get serious praise: rich decor, chandeliers, marble bar, heritage building turned into upscale Italian dining.

• The restaurant is from the team behind local Italian spots Rosso Pizzeria and Bianco, so there’s already some credibility in the local food scene.

• The menu is Italian‐inspired with high quality: shareable antipasti, house‑made pastas, wood‑fired pizzas, seasonal mains, creative takes on classics.

• Service tends to be well‑reviewed. For example: “From the second we walked in we were floored … our server … was super knowledgeable and helpful.”

⚠️ Things to consider

• The ambience and decor are formal‑elegant, which is great if you’re going for a special night out, but perhaps less suited for a casual, low‑key dinner.

• Portions may skew a bit smaller than expected, and prices lean toward the upscale side. One review notes: “Portions tend to skew on the smaller side, so consider adding a side or two.”

• It’s popular — busy on a Monday night according to one Yelp review, so making a reservation is a good idea.

🍽 Menu highlights

• A standout dessert: the budino — described as “stovetop custard of Bernard Callebaut chocolate and fresh‑ground espresso … topped with tea‑smoked almond and mascarpone Chantilly cream.”

• A pasta example: Rigatoni all’Amatriciana gets a creative tweak here with roasted miso in the tomato sauce for added umami.

• Wood‑fired pizzas and share plates like arancini (fried rice balls) get mention in early reviews.

🎯 Who it’s ideal for

• Romantic dinners or special occasions — the ambience supports that.

• Groups looking to share multiple dishes and enjoy a variety rather than just one main each.

• Food‑lovers who don’t mind spending a bit more for elevated Italian fare.

🧐 Who might want to skip or adjust expectations

• If you’re after very casual or budget dining, this might feel too polished and pricey.

• If you prefer large portions or simpler fare, this might not hit that mark as well.

• For a quick lunch or casual meet‑up, the style might feel a bit formal.

✅ My verdict

Nero delivers an impressive combination of atmosphere, design, and cuisine. If you’re looking for a standout Italian dining experience in downtown Edmonton and are willing to invest a bit more — it’s absolutely worth going. For the casual pizza‑and‑beer crowd, it might be more formal (and priced) than needed.