La Viena
2139 Kensington Rd. N.W.
(403) 283-3063

Hours
Tuesday to Friday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Saturday: 4:30-10 p.m.
Sunday: 4-9 p.m.

Rating:***
Price range: $2.28-$19.98
Reservations: Yes
Low: $2.28 Cheese toast
High: $19.98 seafood with pasta special
Licensed: Yes

If you’re hankering for pasta and a great deal, head straight to La Viena. The slightly dated decor and modest location (next to a gas station convenience store) give it a certain charisma.

Warm buns and butter were a nice welcome, as was the affable and attentive server.

From the long list of pasta options, I picked the tortellini arrabbiato which fulfilled the parentheses promise of spicy. Anchovies, capers and a white wine meat sauce mingled with veal-filled pasta.

My dining partner’s ravioli ricotta was deliciously heavy on cheese and basil cream sauce. Both portions filled large dinner plates.

On weekdays, all dine-in lunch pastas — averaging $13.68 — are $9.68. Bigger appetites can check out $19.98 combos like chicken parmigiana, lasagne and ravioli pesto together on one plate. If you don’t find what you want on the huge menu, the kitchen offers to make custom orders.

La Viena is by no means the most authentic Italian fare around, but it is diner- and wallet-friendly.