Italian Archives - West Coast Food

Langley January 29, 2024

For the Love of Focaccia, A Langley Chef Shares His Baking Journey

Robert Giardino sticks to one(ish) product and it works. His focaccia, made with a mix of “00” or “0” flour, Durum Wheat flour, and potatoes, likely rivals every at-home COVID-inspired recipe you’ve tried. You’ll just have to stop by his Fort Langley shop and see. There’s no fuss at La Focacceria. Giardino’s store is strictly retail, offering fresh focaccia options, Italian sweets (cannolis are the biggest hit) and a freezer full of frozen flatbreads with flavours of olive, garlic, roasted bell pepper, and onion. Often in the freezer rotation are pizza doughs, parbaked baguettes, and dinner rolls. And thanks to the exclusive use of Italian flour, Giardino’s products are safe for most gluten-intolerant people. It’s a small but mighty operation. Nearly everything produced at the shop is made by hand, by Giardino. Somehow keeping up with a growing demand, Giardino puts the top quality of his products over social media…

Holiday December 11, 2023

Holiday Dining Guide: South Granville

If you’re lacking Christmas spirit, Vancouver’s South Granville neighbourhood is the prescription. Over the last few years, the South Granville BIA has turned their strip into a picture-perfect snow globe with a public Christmas tree, Santa-themed pop-ups, live music, and pops of holiday-inspired street decor. Aside from the cheerful adornments, South Granville is truly the perfect spot for holiday shopping and entertainment. You can tackle your shopping list in one visit, enjoy a wonderful meal or two, and catch some live theatre by the Arts Club at the iconic Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage (Elf: The Musical is on until December 31, don’t miss it!). To help you make the most of your visit, we’ve compiled a few of our favourite South Granville spots and eats to help fuel your holiday cheer. For a pick-me-up, South Granville has no shortage of cafe options. Besides the bustling Starbucks in the Indigo building,…

Cheese & Meat June 1, 2023

5 Spots for Local Cheese in Metro Vancouver

June 4 celebrates #NationalCheeseDay: so go get your fill! From European classics to artisan goat cheeses, a dairy good time is to be had visiting these five cheese-tastic business in Metro Vancouver. No need to *curd* your enthusiasm here, just get your appetite ready! By Avneet Takhar Mercato Di Luigi Mercato di Luigi is Kitchen Table’s (Ask For Luigi, Di Beppe) newest location. It’s a quaint Italian grocer and cafe that carries a range of Italian products, pantry staples, dried and fresh pasta, and homemade sauces. If you are a fan of Ask For Luigi, then you’ll love their daily pasta lunches served from 11:30 am – 2:30 pm, and their selection of house-made grocery items to take home. There’s sliced caprino (perfect for muffulettas!), as well as mozzarella balls, grated parmigiano and pecorino that would make for a great pasta night in. Eat in or take out, this is…

Where to Eat February 6, 2023

A Valentine’s Night Out in Metro Vancouver

If there is one thing I am good at, it is picking the perfect restaurant. Skip the planning anxiety this year and let us plan your Valentine’s Day date night for you. Pro tip: Valentine’s is a busy time, so be sure to book a reservation where possible to guarantee your table. By Brittany Tiplady Pepino’s Spaghetti and meatballs, mozzarella sticks, lasagna, cheesecake…. oh my. Pepino’s—a Commercial Drive Italian joint that is part of the Osteria Savio Volpe family—pays homage to the legacy of Nick’s Spaghetti House. Here you’ll find a selection of generous plates, lovely wines and classic cocktails. Be warned however, you may leave with your waistband feeling a little…tight. Pro tip: Come to your reservation a little early, and grab a glass of beautiful Italian wine next door at Pepino’s spot, La Tana. 635 Commercial Dr, Vancouver Sopra Sotto Sopra Sotto’s Burnaby Heights location (the flagship Sopra Sotto is…

Chef Stories January 26, 2022

Chinatown’s Fiorino: Diary of an Opening, Chapter 3, The Menu

By Wade Kinley One can’t cover the opening of a restaurant without discussing the food that is imagined, tried, tested, tweaked and finally served with ever-loving care. Fiorino started as a dream to bring authentic Italian sandwiches to Vancouver but has since blossomed into a pretty happening spot for dinner as well. We spoke with Chef Mario Ruiz about some of the inspiration and endeavour that has gone into some of his favourite menu items. Coccoli and Prosciutto “You’ll find this particular dish on the menu at every trattoria or osteria in Florence. So it was a no-brainer when we were putting together a menu for Fiorino. In fact, it was probably the first thing to go on it. But, it wasn’t actually there for the first few weeks we were open because we import the stracchino cheese direct from Italy and it proved to be more difficult than…

Burnaby September 17, 2019

Spend the Afternoon Dining in Burnaby Heights

Images by Ryan Wagner / Good Side Photo Words by Alexis Baran Referred to by locals as “The Heights”, this neighborhood in Burnaby prides itself on being full of friendly local businesses and shops in a walkable little enclave. Nearby is Montrose Park where you can access the Trans Canada Trail, with a view of Vancouver’s North Shore mountains. After a bit of a wander, here’s what to eat. Green & Oak Malaysian Restaurant 3760 Hastings Street With a hot cup of tea and a deep breath of fresh spices, this modern eatery is welcoming and friendly. Their style suits couples tucking into warm bowls of soup as well as large family dinners with lots of sharables. Sopra Sotto 4022 Hastings Street Just up the street from Malaysian cuisine is modern Italian meals made with local ingredients. Classic pizzas slide from a stone pizza oven out front, and in the…

Chef Stories July 18, 2019

CinCin Chef Andrea Alridge Serves Up Inspired Italian Creations in Vancouver

By Jenni Sheppard Andrea Alridge’s lifelong passion for food and cooking may have had simple beginnings during her childhood in Jamaica, but these days she’s cooking up a storm at CinCin. Alongside Executive Chef Andrew Richardson, the Chef de Cuisine and her talented team serve up award winning modern Italian fare in downtown Vancouver every night. The seasonal dishes on the menu are myriad, including fried zucchini blossoms with montasio, stinging nettle and ricotta tortelli, and whole branzino with lemon and cavolo nero. To find out more about the heart behind the heat, we spoke to Alridge about her remarkable rise from irrepressible childhood foodie to inspirational chef extraordinaire. How did you first get interested in cooking? I became interested in cooking when I was eight years old. I was in Jamaica with my family and my dad and uncle had taught me about the art of butchery. My grandmother…

Chef Stories January 8, 2019

Paul Grunberg’s Italian Restaurants offer Immersive Atmosphere and Culinary Tradition in Vancouver

By Brittany Tiplady When I call Paul Grunberg for our interview it’s obvious that he’s in the throws of a lunch rush. “I’m so sorry, can I call you back in 45 minutes? 30 minutes?” he asks, raising his voice amongst the fray of voices, and dishes clanging. Less than half an hour later, we resume. I’ve been doing this job for a while, and I’ve gotten used to the usual shtick when interviewing a very busy person; it can be frustrating at worst, and tricky at best to capture the attention of your subject when their entrepreneur brain is focused elsewhere. I expected to have to fight for Grunberg’s attention over the phone, but to my surprise he was warm and pleasant and delightfully attentive. Much like his restaurants. If you’ve ever been to one of Grunberg’s establishments, you’ll agree that it’s fair to say the man is kind…

European June 25, 2018

An Italian-Style Hidden Gem of Local Cuisine in Langley: OSSO Lunchroom

By Brittany Tiplady If you’re looking for seasonal, colourful, Italian cuisine in the Fraser Valley, the heart of Langley has a true hidden gem: The OSSO Lunchroom is a rustic, Italian break to your day, serving up fabulous lunch and dinner plates. Helmed by the acclaimed executive chef and owner Sean Bone, the chalkboard menu is always budding with options suitable for various palates and preferences. It’s nearly impossible to decide one item: the options for soups, salads, sandwiches, pastas, pizzas and desserts seem to be endless. The space is warm and inviting; the decor is somewhat reminiscent of a rustic kitchen or dining area that could be found in a Tuscan villa. “Our vision for the restaurant was to have a modest beginning, based on Italian cuisine. Providing food made from scratch using as much local product as we could, from the ground to your plate,” says Chef Bone.…

European November 6, 2017

What Makes Traditionally-Made Pasta Better? Ingrain Pastificio in North Vancouver Boils it Down

By Kathy Mak Dried pasta is one of the most popular staples in home pantries around the world. While it may seem like a basic food – made with flour and water – there’s far more to dried pasta than you think. Specifically, artisan-style dried pasta crafted from traditional methods is higher in quality, flavour and is better for you, as I learned from North Vancouver’s Ingrain Pastificio. What it boils down to is that their artisan pasta offers a better textured, more flavourful, highly digestible pasta with greater nutritional values. Behind an understated storefront in Parkgate Village, near Deep Cove, you’ll find the welcoming contemporary pasta-centric eatery, Ingrain, where stellar dishes are abundant and pastas are all house-made on premise by Head Chef Erick Kauko and his team. Ingrain is considered the only manufacturer of slow dried, traditional pasta in the Lower Mainland and one of a few on…

European October 19, 2016

You’re One of the Family in Rocco’s Italian Deli in Coquitlam

By Nikki Hillman You’ll know Rocco’s is passionate about supporting local as soon as you enter the store. The seating area is dominated by two, long wooden tables, built by a company directly across the street, who salvaged fallen trees from within the area. These tables foster traditional Italian family dining and, if you’ve visited Italy, you will be familiar with this concept – and Rocco’s is definitely about family. The store is managed by Andy and Jana Mollica (a retired Air Canada employee) and their trusted employee, general manager and chef, Pat Toynbee. Stop by on a weekday afternoon and you could be entertained by their adorable children as they munch on pepperoni sticks from behind the deli glass. Rocco’s opened in August of 2015 and has quickly become the go-to place for coffee, meats, cheeses and treats. Most of the pastries are made in store; try a café…

Shops & Markets September 7, 2016

Gorge Your Global Palate at New Westminster’s River Market

By Kristi Alexandra The River Market is thriving with multicultural cuisines, and really is a bon marché of sorts. From Hainanese poultry to European sweet treats, the River Market is a hot bed of gastronomic discovery, so you can live the life of a travelling gourmand without the pricey plane ticket. Bon appetite… or should we say bon voyage? Italian Aa a country built on its reputation for personal pleasure, it’s no secret Italians pride themselves on their indulgences. Those “indulgences” include fine cheeses, cured meats and, of course, gelato. Grab a made-to-order Italian sandwich at the La Grotta Del Formaggio’s deli counter inside Donald’s Market, along with some plum olives, and enjoy it as a picnic at the adjacent Pier Park. A scoop of Tre Galli Gelato’s homemade lemon gelato in a waffle cone will transport your tastebuds to Florence. Thai Fitting that traditional Thai coastal cuisine should be…

European May 26, 2016

Deli-ciously Diverse European Delights in Coquitlam

By Sheliza Mitha & The City of Coquitlam The temperate climate of BC’s Lower Mainland makes it especially easy to enjoy impromptu (and planned) barbecues and picnics – particularly in the warmer months of spring, summer and early fall. So, why not take it easy on yourself and enjoy the weather… and let someone else (preferably an expert!) do all the prep work? Enter Coquitlam’s array of specialty and multicultural delis, where you’ll find everything from authentic Italian salami and street food to Eastern European delights and even some flavourful Persian treats and meat. Here are just a few Coquitlam delis (in alphabetical order) where you can pop in and grab what you need for a quick and delicious meal: Euro Food Tri-City Deli & Catering 1-555 North Road Tucked away in Coquitlam’s North Road, this eclectic deli features most anything one could imagine from Central, Eastern and Northern Europe.…

European January 11, 2016

Buon Appetito! (Via Austin Heights)

By Sheliza Mitha For those who love coffee, there is nothing quite as satisfying and soul replenishing as an authentically-Italian cup of joe (whether it’s an Americano, cappuccino, latte, etc.). In Coquitlam’s Austin Heights, a veritable foodie hub, you’ll find the GianCarlo Deli – the perfect place to get your Italian caffeine fix, and then some. A few short blocks away are more tempting Italian old-world traditions and flavours at the acclaimed Golden Boot Caffe and Jimoco Café and Pasta. I ventured to Austin Heights in search of traditional Italian fare – and that’s just what I got, in many different forms. My self-guided tour of Italy kicked off with a smooth latte at GianCarlo’s, where I perused the neatly stacked shelves of pasta, sauces, imported biscuits, crackers, juices and more. The morning I was there, the owner was busily making homemade lasagne noodles in the kitchen at the back…

Burnaby September 10, 2015

The Height(s) of Good Taste

By Tim Pawsey Foodies have long known that the stretch of Hastings Street which runs east from Boundary Road (known as Burnaby Heights) is home to a wealth of myriad flavours. A reviewer once cheekily suggested that The Pear Tree was one of downtown Vancouver’s best dining destinations. (It’s not downtown and never has been, but just sports a certain sophistication that makes it feel that way.) Over the years, Pear Tree owners Stephanie and Scott Jaeger have won accolades for being very polished, cutting edge, and serving with casual flair in contemporary but comfortable surroundings. Scott’s regionally driven plates features the likes of pan roasted Lois Lake Steelhead salmon, served with pomme Dauphine and butternut squash, or twice cooked ‘Berkshire’ pork belly with white bean Cassoulet. Also firmly locally focused, Cotto Enoteca Pizzeria features VPN certified Neapolitan pizza (by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana ) and down to earth, truly…