Da Emma serves traditional Roman cuisine characterized by authentic techniques and bold, simple flavor profiles. The menu focuses on artisanal pasta preparations, wood-fired roasting methods, and the integration of fresh, seasonal Mediterranean produce. Diners encounter a rustic atmosphere defined by exposed brick masonry, wooden structural elements, and vaulted ceilings that reflect a historical architectural aesthetic. Culinary offerings highlight hearty regional staples such as salt cod, artichokes prepared in the Jewish style, and robust meat dishes cooked to precise temperatures. Each selection emphasizes the fundamental qualities of high-quality ingredients sourced to maintain genuine flavor integrity. The establishment maintains a consistent focus on the culinary heritage of central Italy by providing substantial portions prepared according to generational practices. This approach ensures a direct connection to the specific food culture found in the heart of Rome.
Da Emma is widely celebrated as an authentic Italian institution in Montreal, known for its historic, atmospheric cellar setting and dishes that capture the true essence of traditional Roman cooking. Many diners praise the exceptional quality of signature items like the suckling pig, roasted lamb, and homemade pasta, often describing the experience as comparable to dining in Italy. While the ambiance and culinary quality earn high recommendations, guest experiences are occasionally polarized by reports of inconsistent service, high price points, and a noisy environment. Although some patrons encounter lapses in attentiveness or concerns regarding billing practices, many loyal customers consider it a reliable, high-end destination for those seeking a memorable and classic meal.
Reputation surfaite! Plats garrochee , presentation mediocre , prix exagere!!! Vin de la SAQ a 4x le prix
Experience decevante pour la Saint Valentin!!
Plat de cochon de lait obliger de se battre avec avec 3 morceaux de patattes, plat de raviolis 4 pates noye dans la sauce!!
Je vais par contre donne une excellente note pour l'ambiance!
What an amazing dinner wow. Excellent service. You're started with some bruschetta & then get bread with olive oil & balsamic. The soup of the day was delicious & I'm still thinking about it a day later. We each got a pasta & then shared a main meat dish but must say the meat dish wasn't needed. The pasta is super filling. Loved the blue cheese ravioli - such a rich yet balanced sauce. Highly recommend for a special dinner out.
The bread was exceptional. Old school loaf with hard crust. The pasta was perfect with delicious simple tomato sauce. I have definitely had better carpaccio. I was not particularly happy with either of the fish dishes. My biggest issue was definitely the service. On a Wednesday night, it was not busy. But everything was slow. It took a very long time to get sparkling water. I began looking for the waiter so we could place an order before he finally came. The food took a long time & was not really hot. By then I had stuffed myself with too much bread. That one is on me. After two bottles of sparkling water I asked to switch to just regular ice water. The waiter agreed & then never brought me any. To pay the bill, I was tempted to take a walk to see if I could find our waiter. I finally flagged him down that I wanted to pay, & it was at least another 10 minutes. The rest of my family had already left the table & I was sitting there tapping my foot until he finally finally finally showed up. The waiter was a disaster. & he was completely unsupported by the other wait staff. They seemed more interested in having a conversation with the table next to us. Maybe they are regulars? On a final note, I am removing this restaurant from my recommendations to friends & other business associates. The food was not quite up to par, but the service took it straight down the drain.
Jun 5, 2025
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We stepped into Da Emma & were warmly welcomed, starting the evening with a Negroni at the bar, expertly crafted & perfectly balanced. The setting, nestled in the stone walled cellar, gave the night an elegant yet cozy charm.
Once at our table, the evening unfolded into a Roman feast. We began with the creamiest burrata atop juicy tomato slices, paired with velvety prosciutto, simple, fresh, & divine. The spaghetti carbonara followed, rich & authentic, with just the right balance of pecorino & guanciale.
For the mains, we shared a medley of dishes: a tender roasted lamb shoulder that fell apart effortlessly, savory roasted piglet, juicy lamb chops kissed with rosemary & lemon, & succulent shrimp bathed in a delicate sauce. Each dish was executed with love & mastery.
We paired it all with a stunning Barolo that elevated every bite. No room left for dessert, but we did close the night with a round of amaros, a perfect finale to a truly exceptional meal.
Da Emma is a timeless spot that honors tradition without losing elegance. A must for anyone who takes Italian cuisine seriously.
Da Emma is a delightful gem that offers truly authentic Italian cuisine. The beauty of their dishes lies in their simplicity, staying true to the essence of Italian cooking.
The smoked salmon appetizer was a delightful starter that showcased the perfect balance of flavors. The combination of the smoked salmon, arugula, & a touch of lemon juice created a refreshing & satisfying appetizer that prepared our taste buds for the main course.
The mushroom pasta was executed with great finesse, striking the right balance between richness & subtlety. The velvety, creamy sauce allowed the earthy flavors of the mushrooms to shine through, resulting in a memorable pasta dish that was deeply satisfying.
We complemented our meal with a glass of red wine, which added another layer of enjoyment to the dining experience. It truly felt like a celebration, as if we were being treated to a special homemade meal by an Italian mother on a joyous occasion.
I had astronomically high expectations following recommendations from friends. Da Emma did meet many of those expectations however the price:quantity ratio left a somewhat bitter aftertaste. Service was good if a tad slow despite it being a relatively quieter weekday evening. We found ourselves having to catch the attention of the waiter in order to get some service (bread basket was empty, etc) so it did lack some attention given that it was a 5* establishment. Food quality was good. The suckling pig was definitely the highlight of our evening. The meat was tender & well marinated & totally impeccable & out of this world. The veal ravioli was also exceptionally tasty with a classic simple but delicious red sauce. The lamb, however, was dry & tough & certainly not the melt in the mouth, pull it apart with a fork experience that we had anticipated. What was terribly disappointing were the appetizers. Dont get me wrong. The smoked salmon & prosciutto were fresh & tasty but I would suggest you think twice before ordering $25-$30 (each) appetizers that had nothing more than 3 slices of prosciutto or salmon or one burrata. Those steep prices would have easily warranted far heartier quantities. In Italy, this would have created a riot in the streets! :p All in all, a good night was shared by all but I certainly wouldn't go all out to dine at Da Emma's since there are other Italian places that offer a far better bang for your buck. Unless seeing & being seen is your utmost priority, both your tummy & wallet could be happier elsewhere.
Excellent meal. The Bistecca Pepe Verde was amazing, the sauce was to die for. Both the Tiramisu & the Tartufo were excellent desserts, I cannot even choose which one was better, they were both delicious. Great service from Jean-Luc.
Franchement le pire rapport qualité/prix du quartier, & de très loin. Très cher pour une assiette très décevante. Cuisine familiale très ordinaire qui n'a absolument rien pour justifier les prix pratiqués. En commandant le veau pour lequel je ne savais pas trop à quoi m'attendre (parce qu'ils jouaient la carte italienne jusqu'au bout sans qu'on ait une traduction du menu en italien, mais bon peut-être que nous aurions pu insister aussi pour avoir une traduction, je vous l'accorde...), je me suis retrouvé avec une tranche de veau similaire à une tranche de jambon, mais plus épaisse. & franchement, les pâtes avec sauce tomate sont ce qu'elles sont : un plat de pâtes qu'une mère italienne vous prépare un soir de semaine. Même les ingrédients ne justifient pas les prix pratiqués. Je suis habitué aux restaurants chers dans le quartier, & beaucoup en valent la peine, mais franchement, ce restaurant, je ne comprends même pas qu'il soit encore ouvert aujourd'hui. C'est se moquer du monde. À éviter absolument! Seuls points positifs : un décor, des belles voûtes, une histoire, un cadre un peu hors norme même s'il ne vaut mieux pas être claustrophobe. & aussi une belle carte des vins, & celui que j'ai essayé était excellent (mais 100$ la bouteille tout de même!). Si vous avez commis l'erreur de venir ici, lâchez-vous avec une bonne bouteille, c'est la seule chose qui vaut son prix dans ce restaurant.
C'est de loin l'expérience la plus décevante que jai eu depuis longtemps... le service manquait royalement de professionnalisme, la nourriture était...corrext dans la.mesure où l'on mange de l'italien donc sans surprise mais ça encore ca va...
Personne de nous 4 avons fini nos assiette car c'était disons..ordinaire. les pâtes au beau sauces a la viande étaient trop cuites, le m'arrête de veau sec au point d'être farineux. Pour un resto soit disant haut de gamme le service ny était pas. Jamais le.serveur nous a offert un dessert, ni ne nous a demandé si c'était a notre goût.
Dommage mais manque de finition
