Dinner with DINR: Daniel Costa
Breaking bread with the award-winning Edmonton chef who has been shaping the city’s food culture for over 15 years.
Chef Daniel Costa
Getting into any of Daniel Costa’s restaurants on a Saturday night is no small feat. Getting into three in one evening? Impossible. Going to three in one night with Daniel Costa as your personal guide? Well, that only happens with DINR.
Anyone familiar with the Edmonton dining scene knows Daniel Costa. Since opening Corso 32 in 2010, his restaurants have continuously pushed the city’s food culture forward. Inspired by the New York bistros he discovered while visiting his wife in medical school, Corso 32 was dark, loud, and unapologetically bold. As Daniel puts it, “When Corso 32 opened, people either loved it or hated it.” Fifteen years later, and now with six restaurants spread across downtown Edmonton, it’s clear that the critics were in the minority. Or maybe Daniel just won them over.
I grew up in Edmonton but left just as Daniel’s career was beginning to take off, so I’ve mostly followed his success from afar. Mutual friends and acquaintances would tell stories of Daniel’s larger-than-life presence in the kitchen and his deep love of Italian cuisine. When the timing finally aligned for us to meet Daniel on a recent trip back home, we jumped at the chance.
We began our evening at Bar Henry, a buzzy cocktail bar connected to Henry Singer, the iconic menswear store founded in 1938 and located just steps from Rogers Place. Arriving before Daniel, we were greeted by Nicole, who ushered us to the bar and ordered a round of Sbagliatos. Between greeting guests and managing a growing line at the door, she mentioned that she has worked with Daniel since the earliest days of Corso 32. It was clear there was a deep sense of respect among the team, the kind that comes from years of working side by side.
Daniel arrived dressed in an all-black outfit, except for the white caps on his Chuck Taylors. Between sips of his cocktail, he explained that they took possession of the Bar Henry space only three months before opening, transforming what was originally meant to be a café into an aperitivo bar with small bites spun out of a kitchen no bigger than a walk-in closet.
We left Bar Henry and stepped into the cool evening air, the city feeling slightly on edge as it awaited news of McDavid’s rumored contract extension (Daniel was confident he would be re-signing). Ten minutes later, we arrived at Bar Bricco. The restaurant occupies the former Corso 32 space but has expanded into the adjoining unit, roughly doubling its size. Despite the added room, it still carries the same energy and intimacy as the original. The space is defined by dark finishes, low lighting, and a high-tempo soundtrack that mirrors the buzz of the crowd.
Here, Daniel took command of the menu, ordering a few of his favourites, including the Fonduta Agnolotti served with a rich Sage butter, and a pile of finely grated Parmigiano. Regulars call it the “dipping pasta,” and Daniel demonstrated why, grabbing an Agnolotti, dunking it into the butter sauce followed by rolling it in the pile of parmigiano, and polishing it off in one satisfying bite.
By this point in the night, Jennifer (CEO of DINR) and Daniel had discovered a shared passion for interior design, more specifically, lighting. They launched into an animated discussion about lumens and fixtures, and the eternal debate between overhead and floor lighting. My attention drifted to the next dish arriving at the table: a tuna crudo arranged in a checkerboard pattern, served with almond milk, salsa Siciliana, and orange.
As their conversation carried on, what struck me most was the meticulous attention to detail Daniel brings to his restaurants. Beyond just the food, every element of design passes through his hands. Even the soundtracks are personally compiled by him.
Our final stop was Rita Trattoria, the newest addition to Daniel’s collection. With its high ceilings, white tablecloths, and jazz playing in the background, it presents a striking contrast to Bar Bricco. Yet, there’s a familiar warmth and sense of hospitality that connects all of Daniel’s restaurants. The spaces may differ, but they feel like natural evolutions of one another rather than competing concepts.
“Developing a restaurant menu is a bit like releasing an album - you never quite know which tracks will become the hits.”
As we made our way to our table, Daniel was greeted with hugs from guests at a neighbouring table. Moments after seating us, he slipped behind the bar to deliver a bottle of wine to another group, a small gesture that captures his hands-on approach.
One of the standout dishes of the evening was the anchovies, served with chili, rosemary, and a rich olive oil. Sourced from Cetara, a small fishing village on the Amalfi Coast, they were plump, meaty, and full of flavour. Daniel commented that the dish’s popularity has been a pleasant surprise, comparing menu development to releasing an album - you never quite know which tracks will become the hits.
When we finally said goodnight, Daniel was still moving through the room, greeting guests and staff alike. After a night spent across his restaurants, it was easy to see why he’s become such a defining figure in Edmonton’s dining scene. Every detail, every gesture, carries his signature. There’s a sense of purpose behind everything he does, not in a showy way, but in the quiet conviction of someone who has built something that truly reflects who he is.
As we stepped back out into the autumn night air, I realized what had changed since I'd left Edmonton over a decade ago. It wasn't just that Daniel had built an empire of Italian restaurants, it was that the city had grown into a place that could sustain one. His work didn't just raise the bar; it convinced people there should be a bar to raise. That's a different kind of legacy.
About DINR
DINR offers same day and exclusive reservations at the best restaurants in Edmonton and across Canada. Since its inception in Montreal, DINR has built a cult following among award-winning chefs, discerning diners, and avid travellers passionate about unparalleled culinary and hospitality experiences.
Olia | Italian | 12016 Jasper Ave, Edmonton, AB | Reserve with DINR