Fun and Great Food at the Italian Kitchen

If you want some fun entertainment while dining on delicious gourmet food,  treat yourself to The Italian Kitchen Restaurant on Alberni Street in downtown Vancouver.  Their motto is to bring a “passionate, playful and refined experience” to dining, and it does exactly that!  I haven’t had so much fun and entertainment while enjoying a first-class gourmet meal as I did this Canada Day at this popular downtown restaurant.

It’s easy to see why the Italian Kitchen was awarded the Best Italian Restaurant in Vancouver, in 2009.  Not only the ambiance, but the attentive, friendly staff paired with a fantastic menu of authentic Italian food prepared by executive Chef Ryan Gauthier and Chef de Cuisine Paul Marshall, make this an unforgettable dining experience.

The restaurant has two distinct dining areas situated on two levels.  The main dining room is on the ground floor and features a 60 ft. white marble bar. Just behind the bar, open to the dining area, you can watch the professional chefs prepare the meals.  There’s a glass-walled wine cellar stacked with Italy’s best vintages and an elegant second floor dining room  with a view of the downtown area.

We sat at the bar so we could watch the energetic, amazingly coordinated activity of the chefs as they prepared the platters and dishes.  It was all so well choreographed that it was truly an artistic culinary experience.

The menu is crafted with all the fresh, savory authentic flavors of Italy,  from fresh pizzas to the generous shared platters heaped with steaks and seafood, pasta and salads.  You will not be disappointed.

To accompany our meal, my friend and I selected glasses of Michel Cherato “Nivoli” Moscato d’ Asti wine($7.50). We decided to share a spinach salad, each ample portion was made with marinaded radicchio, shaved parmesan, crispy onion rings, figs and drizzled with balsamic vinegar.  For my entree I ordered Veal Scaloppini with Bresaola, fontini cheese, and shaved truffles ($24.) while my friend chose the 8 oz. tenderloin ($32)

It was hard to imagine having room for dessert after such a feast, but I couldn’t resist the Dolce menu, and tried a dish of three scoops of vanilla gelato with amarina cherries and a chocolate biscotti ($7)

So why not come by for an after-work refresher with friends or an intimate dinner with your special someone, or invite a party group.  Italian Kitchen is definitely a place foodies won’t want to miss.  Reservations are recommended.

The Italian Kitchen:    1037 Alberni Street (near Burrard Skytrain Station)  (map)

Hours: Sunday – Thursday, 11:30 am – 1 am, Friday and Saturday 11:30  – 2 am.

Photo Credit: W. Ruth Kozak