Along a lively strip of Yaletown full of it-restaurants and be-seen bars, this traditional Italian eatery and enoteca consistently manages to lure fancy foodies and visiting celebrities. An open-air kitchen sizzles and steams with the occasional outburst from chefs and assistants. The dining room sits under an exposed ceiling of painted ductwork and pendant lighting hurriedly served by professional waiters with lingering Italian accents. Traditional tile floors typical of eateries of Tuscan and Piedmont eateries are adorned in simple four-top tables with wooden chairs upholstered in floral-print cushions.
The Food
Cioppino’s Mediterranean Grill and neighboring Enoteca is consistently ranked at the very top of Vancouver’s food scene. Chef/owner Giuseppe “Pino” Posteraro utilizes health-conscious cooking techniques for sauces and stocks that eliminates as many saturated fats and unnecessary cholesterols from long-time Italian recipes. He does this by minimizing animal fats and creams in favor of more-healthy olive oils and reduced-fat cream. The dinner menu includes appetizers like hand cut prosciutto with olives, Alberta beef carpaccio with mustard dressing, and a warm octopus inspired by the eateries of the Amalfi. Pasta course is nothing short of sublime including homemade fettuccine with beef ragout, parpadelle wth 4-hour braised beef cheeks and garganelli with wild boar sausage and preserved truffles. Main course is a medley of Italian-style dover sole served tableside, beef tenderloin with peppercorn sauce and Atlantic lobster with scallop cream drizzle.
Last Word
Pino Posteraro continues to dazzle Yaletown with traditional Italian cuisine prepared with foodie gusto.
