Tag Archives: Italian

Al Porto Ristorante

A hidden gem in the historic, charming part of downtown – Gastown. The restaurant was quite large and spacious. Most tables were full with active servers swooshing by.

The complimentary sliced bread were not warm. I am not sure if this is the custom of Italian restaurants, but I was hoping to be warm. They served it with olive oil and balsmic vinegar to dip into.

For our appetizer to share, we had the Calamari $9.95. I was expecting a small portion, but we were both surprised with the huge amount – perhaps the largest one I’ve ever seen. Great price, love the ample green herbs mixed in, very fresh and crisp! The Chef’s tartar sauce went really well. The diced tomatoes were refreshing. 5/5

I ordered the Linguine Vongol $15.95 with clams, white, brodo and butter. There were generous number of clams. The pasta was al dente, something I can’t quite get used to…lol. I remember the first time I went to Italy, I was outraged that a decent restaurant was serving half cooked pasta…ha ha. The flavour was good. 4/5

Sheepie ordered the Veal Saltimbocca $22.95 with prosciuttio, sage and red wined demi sauce. Sheepie wasn’t too happy with the dish. He said the veal was salty and rubbery.

Service was satisfactory. The atmosphere bright, open and lively. Would return again.

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Marcello Pizzeria and Ristorante

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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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Olive Garden

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On our way home from Seattle’s Premium Outlet, we stopped by at Olive Garden for dinner. The exterior of the restaurant seemed warm and inviting. The interior had a nice Italian look, and Sheepie even mentioned some parts looking very European. It’s super comfy, and the menu is extensive (not to mention nicely designed I much prefer Olive Garden now over White Spot (though can I even compare the two? LOL) Denny’s would sit at the bottom of that list…

Our server was bubbly and joyful. I’m not sure if it was because it was America or if Olive Garden staff are always this cheerful.

Anyways, the portion of the food is always big in the US!

Chicken and Gnocchi soup that came with my main Pappardelle Pescatore $18.79 USD Grilled Chicken Flatbread $10.29 USD

I ordered Pappardelle Pescatore $18.79 USD ($21.79 at locations in Canada) It was huge and delicious with sautéed shrimp, bay scallops and clams mixed with pappardelle pasta, asparagus and tomatoes in a creamy, red pepper seafood sauce. Excellent!

It came with a soup, and I got the Chicken and Gnocchi. It was really good, though a bit on the salty side. The server asked I wanted seconds. I’m not sure if that’s complimentary, but I declined knowing I had the big main dish coming. The bread sticks that came for the both of us were also too salty. It had a good garlic flavour though. The server asked if we wanted more bread, but we also declined on that as well.

Sheepie ordered the Grilled Chicken Flatbread $10.29 USD. I didn’t have any, so can’t comment, but looked really good.

I would highly recommend Olive Garden. I love the place now! I myself would love to go back again, but unfortunately, there are no Olive Gardens in Vancouver. Closest one is in Langley…

Very good food, the size is awesome for the price (though perhaps not good for the waistline ) and great, friendly servers.

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