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Featuring the most authentic northern Italian cuisine with a comfort menu inclusive of appetizers, soups, salads, gnocchi, risotto, pasta, veal dishes, steaks, seafood such as fresh lobster, each individually prepared in delicious Italian recipes.
We finally got to try Via Veneto after striking out twice on other occasions. Once it was closed but they had left their sandwich board out teasing us to come in and the other time it was too busy.
The room is nice and warmly appointed. We were were welcomed in with a friendly greeting which was appreciated because the weather outside was so nasty.
We started with an antipasto platter which was tasty and had lots of different meats, cheeses and other items on it. For dinner, I had the braised rabbit which was served with risotto. It was very flavourful and a very healthy portion. We finished off our meal with the tiramisu which was a perfect cap to the evening.
Overall I enjoyed our experience here. The service was great and prices are very reasonable especially when you combine the Entertainment book with a free entree. I will return when I am craving a rustic Italian.
There are a lot of options for Italian in Vancouver, and there are a few options within a couple blocks of Via Veneto (the slightly superior Portobello Risorante comes to mind) but things aren't too bad here. The interior is decently sized, with a posh, fine-dining decor. It's a bit dark but very cozy, helped by candles at each table. The staff seems a bit nervous, but pleasant and attentive.
The food's actually pretty good. They have delicious carpaccio for $12 (which I love) and servicable pasta. I tried the Penne al'arriabaca for a bit over $18, while my date had a fettucini pasta that was a lot better. I haven't tried any of their chicken or veal meals, but I did have the bread. On the plus side, it's very good and they continue bringing it, along with a balsamic vinagrette/white wine concuction, as long as you keep finishing it. On the minus side, they'll charge you an initial price of 3.45 for bread. Wow, paying for bread? Still, it's only an initial charge. Any subsequent loaves come free.
I'm a bit torn about the restaurant. I feel the penne could have been better, but the carpaccio and the fettucini was great. The bread was very tasty too. Overall, I'd advise against the penne and go under the assumption it's a weak dish on a menu of strong dishes. And if you ARE a penne person, it's not THAT bad. But perhaps you'll find it more to your liking!
Former Amarcord owner opened new digs and a recent meal to catch up with some friends brought us here to his new restaurant.
The restaurant itself is quaint and rustic but something about the look seemed out of place, perhaps as it is void of pretentiousness, something that I've come to expect more often than not dining out as of late. Tables are a bit squished together though as the floor staff tip toed between chairs to get to your place setting.
The menu features core Italian dishes including the famous "Veneziana", the whole lobster over a bed of spaghetti carried over from the Yaletown institute. Any high expectations ran out of steam once our orders arrived. The caesar salad starter was bland but my potato and leek soup opened up the meal nicely. Several of us including I ordered the gnocchi with four cheese sauce. While we're not gnocchi connoisseurs all of us disliked the texture, which was akin to repeatedly reheated mash potatoes or severely overcooked pasta. Some pieces completely deteriorated with the first fork puncture and was probably best eaten with a spoon. The rack of lamb was reported as overdone and dry while the primavera and the Alaskan cod served over chickpeas was said to be the best of the lot. Desserts were also hit and miss with the tiramisu being easily the best with a lovely coffee, rum, masala undertone, the chocolate mousse cake being average and the not really cream brulee (but really a flan/creme caramel) was somewhat ruined by the caramel sauce that had too much of a burnt/bitter tinge. The olive oil/balsamic mix at the beginning of the meal accompanied the house bread, unfortunately coming out as it had been sitting in the cooler which was a little appauling.
Service, aptly put is quite slow, from order taking to kitchen speed. Water refills however were surprisingly brisk after waiting over 30 minutes for our initial drinks. We were a little over 3hrs from begining to end with much of the time spent waiting. A nice added touch was the owner Manilo Mocchi being busy on the floor, from bussing tables, to ordering to gabbing with patrons and everything in between.
I really do hope our experience was a one off, after basing our visit on the good reviews. We'll be making a return visit to try their "flagship" dish but hope regulars and first timers get better results.
Went today at Via Veneto for lunch.
The waiter was very nice and attentive to our needs.
They offer some excellent italian bread and an olive oil - balsamic vinegar dip to start. The bread was so good that I asked the owner at the end of our meal where I could get similar bread. He told me that they baked it themselves everyday in their kitchen (and he offered me some to take with me). Sooo good!
They have a lunch menu for $20 which includes a soup or salad, linguine with seafood (or some other main course) and a tiramisu. While it looked good, we decided to go off-menu.
We were two and decided to share an appetizer (some cantaloupe and prosciutto). The waiter prepared two different plates with half of the appetizer in each plate (I have never seen that). I was surprised that each plate was still pretty full. The melon was sweet and tender and the prosciutto very tasty (not too salty).
Then we had (1) linguine with seafood (mussels, clams and calamari in a tasty tomato sauce) and (2) the breaded veal with Parmesan cheese (which was so tender that you could cut it with your fork).
Their list of desserts was really mouth-watering, especially for a picky chocolate lover like me (I remember seeing at least 3 different of chocolate desserts, some including Belgian chocolate) . Among other things, they also offer creme brulee with almonds and raspberries, vanilla ice-cream.
I was feeling satisfied with my meal so I just had a coffee but I will definitely come-back for dinner in the weeks to come.
A great find!
This has been our second visit to the restaurant since owner Manlio relocated from his former Yaletown
Amacord. We were very pleased to see that he has retained the same good food and ambience.
Food: Each time we have gone the meals have been excellent. On our last visit the daily special appetizer of veal liver pate laced with gorgonzola ( as strange a combination as it may sound ) was delicious. The avocado and shrimp salad was also very good. Our mains of pasta with Italian sausage and seafood linguine were equally well prepared. The pasta was al dente.
Service: Manlio and his staff are always very attentive and make special efforts to see that one has a true dining experience. No pretentions as the previous reviewer mentioned which is appreciated. Just very friendly, efficient and professional service.
Value: Good price point for the quality and quantity of food. Very competitive
Ambience: The decor is peaceful and classy, a trademark of Manlio's dining philosophy. It's a pleasure to be able to have a restaurant where the music provides gentle background without being intrusive.
A must try for those who appreciate fine Italian dining.
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