The History of Italiano Please!

In 1991, Barbara embarked on a journey to Rome as a young diplomat, unaware that her life was about to change forever. Soon after arriving, she met Lucio and magic happened.

Their love story took them to Thailand for Barbara’s second diplomatic mission, but the call of The Eternal City was too strong to resist. In 1995, they returned to Rome, where they married not once but twice. Their happiness grew in 1998 with the birth of their son, Federico.

By the year 2000, the little family moved to Sacrofano, a picturesque ancient town nestled in the rolling hills just outside Rome. Life in Sacrofano was beautiful and serene and in 2002, with the arrival of their daughter Bea, their family was complete.

They were immensely happy, enjoying a fulfilling life in their beloved Italy.

However, a few years later, life presented them with an unexpected challenge. Federico began to struggle to keep up with his friends in school and sports. A long and arduous medical investigation ultimately led to a heartbreaking diagnosis: Federico had a rare degenerative genetic illness called HSP11. This devastating news brought immense challenges and sorrow to the entire family, especially to Federico, who had to give up his dreams of playing soccer and basketball. It was also incredibly difficult for Bea, who had to adjust to the shifting dynamics within their family.

Despite these hardships, opportunities for growth and community-building emerged. Together with other families facing similar challenges, they founded La Fenice Operosa (The Industrious Phoenix), an organization dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities and raising awareness.

In 2016, they took a significant step forward by launching Fenix Eventi, a cooperative that provided catering and event services while employing young people with disabilities in a protected work environment.

La Fenice Operosa

Fenix Eventi

Meanwhile, Bea had ventured across the Atlantic to Calgary, where she lived with her grandmother. She attended Central Memorial High School, where she thrived in her new surroundings.

Then, in 2020, the world changed. The global pandemic hit, Italy went into complete lockdown for months, and the cooperative was forced to close. With Bea stuck in Calgary and Federico’s future in Italy looking increasingly uncertain, the family made a bold decision. They would give Calgary a chance, moving there for a trial year to see if they could build a new life.

And then, more magic happened!

In February 2021, the family arrived in Calgary and by April, Italiano Please! was born. They introduced themselves to the city on June 1st at the Triwood Farmer’s Market, where Calgarians got their first taste of authentic Roman cuisine. The response was overwhelming. By September, they had opened their first brick-and-mortar location in the beautifully renovated Ampersand building downtown, where Lucio’s masterful Roman dishes quickly captured the hearts of food lovers across the city.

In 2023, a new chapter unfolded. Their dear friend Anna, who was completing her culinary journey, entrusted them with her business specializing in Pizza al Taglio—Roman tray pizza, a cornerstone of traditional Roman street food. Business flourished. They also began baking bread reminiscent of Rome’s famous Genzano loaves, earning recognition for their commitment to wholesome, nutritious and artisanal baking.

Although their two locations were small, Italiano Please! was able to make a big impact. They have been recognized as inclusive employers, having provided jobs for more than 12 young people with various disabilities. As a social enterprise, they remain dedicated to supporting individuals at the intersection of the two communities that are closest to their hearts: people with disabilities and those who identify as members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

Since the demand for their authentic Roman cuisine had outgrown their current spaces, they found the perfect larger location for expansion. They moved into the stately Amec Place building in the west end of downtown which is challenging due to construction logistics and post-pandemic fallout so they need support—support that will allow them to bring even more of Rome’s culinary magic to Calgary while providing opportunities for marginalized individuals in their community. Come to visit or make an order online to contribute.

Now, at a crucial crossroads, Italiano Please! faces an exciting yet challenging future.

We are more than just a restaurant. Italiano Please! is a story of love, resilience and inclusion—a testament to the power of food in bringing people together and making a difference in the world. The story is just beginning - together we can make marvellous things happen!