Tag Archives: Commercial Drive

Marcello Pizzeria and Ristorante

This restaurant is on the corner of Commercial Drive and Kitchener. It’s got character with iron bar gates on the front door facing Commercial (which isn’t used as a door) and high ceiling with chandeliers made from wine bottles. It gives it a bit of hipster-ish feel, but without the run-down feel. It was cozy and had a really nice atmosphere.

We were there for lunch, and I had the Chef Tagliatelle with sauteed mushrooms, black olives and capers in a creamy tomato sauce $14.95. I knew that their signature dishes were the pizza, but I just love pasta that I couldn’t resist. I also had a slice of the Prosciutto pizza with tomato sauce, mozarella and ham $13.95 (for medium) The medium was quite a large portion, and very good price. It had a thin crust that was baked just right. I was pretty impressed and knew I had to bring Sheepie who has become picky with pizza after traveling to Italy this fall. Their pizza is baked in their wood fire pizza oven – and it’s not just an ordinary oven. It’s shaped in a face of a human, where the oven is the opening of the mouth of the person. Very unique! Again, adds character to this restaurant.

Unique fire pizza oven!!

My pasta was very good as well, though it was slightly dry so that all the noodles stuck together. Good portions, and I couldn’t finish it all, so I had the left overs packed up. Service was satisfactory. The music was a bit loud, making it sometimes hard to hear each other clearly, but then again, I complain about this with many places…lol.

Chef Tagliatelle with sauteed mushrooms, black olives and capers in a creamy tomato sauce $14.95 Prosciutto pizza with tomato sauce, mozarella and ham $13.95

We all had coffee at the end, one cappucino, espresso and a latte for myself. I had been disappointed to return from Europe with all the great lattes over there only to return to Vancouver with very expensive but not good coffee drinks. But this latte was pretty good.

I would definitely return again.

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Tatsu Japanese Bistro

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We originally wanted to to Kishimoto, but because of the really long lineup, we went to the nearby Tatsu. I had been here a few years before with a big group. But we had tables reserved, so there wasn’t any wait. Also, it was on an evening of Wednesday, so maybe it wasn’t as packed.

This time though, we had to wait a while. We did take the counter seats as anything was better than just waiting forever. The menu is extensive and some with photos making it easier to (or harder depending how you look at it…lol) decide which one you’d like to order. After we ordered, we switched over to a corner table that opened up. The restaurant wasn’t that big and it felt a little cramped, but still had a good atmosphere. It was however quite loud as if the sounds all bounced back into the centre of the room from the walls.

I ordered the Red Tatsu Roll $8.50 and Pork Gyoza $4.95 while Sheepie ordered the Tuna and Salmon Combo $11.50. The gyoza was crispy, hot and addictive. The presentation of sushi was excellent and though a bit pricey, you are getting special rolls and better quality. The visual aesthetics made the food even more enjoyable.

Service seemed slow and servers were rushing around all the time. Overall, it was ok. I don’t think I’d like to come back during busy peak hours though.

Pork Gyoza $4.95 Tuna and Salmon Combo $11.50 Red Tatsu Roll $8.50

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Caffe Calabria

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A really unique cafe on Commercial Drive. My friend took us there, and was surprised to see the decor of the cafe. It was fully decorated with statues and and paintings – a little over the top.
I’ve gone there twice, and didn’t have the rude experience that other seemed to have – yet. First time, we were with a big group and I didn’t even order anything. No one came to tell me that I needed to order something in order to sit down in the cafe as others have reviewed. Perhaps because we were a group of ten, and they couldn’t keep count on who was ordering what…

The second time, no problem again. We got some drinks and dessert – no problem.
Despite being quite late in the night, it was still lively with customers chatting away.

This is one cafe to check out! mostly because of the crazy interior. I haven’t seen an interior like this for a cafe elsewhere here!