Tag Archives: pasta

Salvatore’s La Lustica

We were in the neighbourhood, so we thought we’d dine at a restaurant that looked like an authentic Italian restaurant. The entrance was all lite up and was very inviting. Also, their early bird menu that was posted on their window had attractive prices.

The interior has a nice cozy atmosphere, and since we were a bit early for supper, the place was still fairly empty. As soon as we walked in, a friendly gentleman greeted us.

I ordered the Italian Snitzel $11.95 with 4 cheese sauce. It was interesting to see a German dish being called ‘Italian’. It was served with pasta (though you have the option of choosing risoto or potatoes instead) with vegetables.

Sheepie had the Chicken Cacciatore $12.95 with spaghetti mixed with tomatoes, onions, garlic, mushrooms and peppers in wine sauce. On the menu on the table, the price is $11.95, but we were charged a dollar more. I guess their prices haven’t been updated? It was steaming hot!

With both dishes, the portions were huge! Wow. Actually, I ended up liking the flavour of the Cacciatore, so we swapped plates, lol. Even then, there were leftovers, so I had the remainders to go.

At the end, I had a pleasant surprise of receiving a carnation! I’ve seen restaurants giving them to ‘mothers’ on mother’s day, but this was just a normal day, and I wasn’t a ‘mother’. I did see other females receiving the flower, so not sure if this is a regular thing. Either way, it was a nice way to finish the evening.

Service was excellent. I wouldn’t say it was superior pasta, but the portion and price was great. Lovely flowers for all those ladies out there!

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Ciao Bella

Right on the corner of Denman, amongst a selection of world-wide cuisine is an Italian restaurant. It was bustling inside as we entered and a hostess came to greet us. We had reservations for 6pm, but she seemed to push us to the patio. I was reluctant, as it had been an extremely windy and chilly weather during the day, but with the reassurance that there was heating, we followed her outside. The patio had a covered roof with the heater, and the sides were enclosed with a clear plastic cover.

Our server checked with the table with a couple next to us first, as they were already going through the menu. He flipped around to our table and greeted us, and noticed that the course special menu wasn’t included, so he flipped around back to the other table and got one of their sheet for us.

No bread came for a while, but when it finally came, it was dry, so the oil and balsamic vinegar to compensate helped a bit.

I ordered the Vongole $17.95 which for the first time had no shells with the clams. Although easier to eat, the clams seems to be bits and pieces like it came out of a grinder. Although colourful, it seemed like no consideration was put in for the presentation. It was pulled out of the pot and straight onto the plate. Next~. It was quite garlicky, which I liked, but the portion seemed too much. Disappointing for a classier, more pricey Italian restaurant.

When they brought out our pasta dishes, the server made no effort in taking our empty bread basket nor the small plates used for eating the bread. Having a tiny table to start off with, we were crammed with stuff on our table. Thumbs down.

Sheepie ordered the Frafalle Alla Diavlo $21.95. He didn’t seem to like it, nor did he feel too good afterwards.

The heater above us started to really grill us. It wasn’t just ‘warm’. It was literally cooking us. Luckily, this happened near the end of our dinner.

When the server asked if we wanted dessert, we declined as the large portions were quite filling. The bill came out right away.

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Nosh

The trendy and high-end cafe in the TELUS Garden is located in the lobby of the building. With 1,600 square foot of open space and a piano which is played occasionally, it’s a great place to catch up with friends after shopping at Pacific Centre or have business meetings.

The staff was friendly, and I ordered the Turkey Sandwich with a pasta salad $10 combo.

Sheepie had the same, while my brother had a Moroccan Chicken wrap $7.95. Water was self serve.

I got a Chamomile Citrus tea ($2.0 with tax) in a to-go cup. Instead of a sleeve, the cup was wrapped in a beveled sheet, so that the heat wouldn’t transfer to the outside of the cup, making it easier to hold, not only because of the unaffected temperature, but the added texture for grip. Clever design!

Food on the other hand was a big disappointment from a high-end cafe. You’d expect more from such a place. My sandwich was way too burnt. Extremely greasy. The pasta was even more oily. Sheepie didn’t like it at all, so I had most of his. Yes, even if it’s not that great, I was hungry, and I love pasta! I wondered why they had so many food left on a Friday evening.

The place was super cold and with only one bathroom stall. The cafe is all nice and eye-candy, (I do love their branding) but not really thinking about the customer’s taste buds and experience.

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