I don't quite understand how a resto like this could have such a mix of reviews. I'm adding mine as a counterpoint to a couple of the negative ones. My wife and I asked at our hotel for a recommendation. A clerk told us that another couple had eaten at Da Emma and had really enjoyed it, though she hadn't eaten there. We decided to take a chance. We arrived just before 9pm and Da Emma was close to full. Interesting mix of clients: young to mature, couples having romantic dinners, bigger groups, a couple children with their parents. Good buzz of conversation and energy, but not too loud. Interesting space: old stone, beams roughly hewn from tree trunks. The philosophy of food is completely Italian: put a few excellent ingredients together and let each speak. There's no "hint of this and soupcon of that" or Nouveau Cuisine embellishments here; if that's your passion you should go elsewhere. The menu follows the four course northern Italian tradition: antipasto, pasta, carne/pesce, dolci. It isn't cheap by Montreal standards, though I've paid far more dining well in other cities. The pacing sensibility is also Italian--dinner is an evening's activity, not something to be squeezed in before the next engagement. My wife and I took over three hours over our dinner, and never felt rushed by the staff. One rarely encounters this attitude in North America. It reminded me of dinners I've had in Tuscany. Service is helpful, not hurried, and not intrusive. The wine list is very deep, and predominantly Italian. (The deepest part would require deeper pockets than I have.) We had an excellent rosso di Montelcino we hadn't previously tried. We started with a simple insalata Romana, which was good. The pasta had an al dente quality that I wish I knew how to duplicate, both in the fettucini fungi porcini and in the tortelloni gorgonzolo. (I think the tortelloni must have been assembled in the kitchen and then immediately whisked out to our table.) I don't think I've ever had pasta dishes as good even in Italy. The lamb (abbacchio al forno) must have been slow cooked the whole day--rich, and melt in your mouth tender. The only less than perfect part of the meal, to my taste, was the tira misu, which was tasty but more liquid than I like. We finished the evening with smiles on our faces and very full stomachs. I guess it isn't for everyone, but it certainly left us happy.