BY PAUL REID

3075 Slocan Street, Vancouver, B.C. V5M 3E4
604-430-2195
lapiazzadario@gmail.com

Lunch: 11:30 am – 2:30 pm Monday – Friday
Dinner: 5:00 pm – 10:30 pm Monday – Sunday
Free parking

Linguine ai Gamberoni

Greetings food fans. We travel this time to the heart of RC’s Little Italy—the Italian Cultural Centre—to what is surely the finest Italian restaurant in this community, if not the city, La Piazza Dario Ristorante Italiano.

We’ve talked in the past about how one can travel the culinary world right here in RC, our cosmopolitan community. What’s awesome about La Piazza Dario is that the second you enter the beautifully landscaped courtyard, you are transported back to the old country.

Passing through the gated archway entrance, you realize there is a patio area built into the restaurant. Protected from the elements, yet open to the fresh air, it’s the perfect little oasis. The rest of the dining room is tastefully decorated with the most beautiful paintings, statues, vases, plants and flowers. It is amidst this beauty that La Piazza Dario invites us to slow down, relax, smell the flowers, and get ready to “experience that particular Italian gift of making an art out of life.”

For over three decades, under the knowledgeable eye of head chef Claudio Ranallo, La Piazza Dario has been producing Italian cuisine of the highest standards. Starting with traditional Italian recipes, Chef Ranallo has created a menu that is authentic yet innovative.

“Exceptional cuisine is life-enhancing magic that should be enjoyed around a table with family and friends.” That is precisely what my accomplice and I accomplished there for lunch on this occasion.

For an appetizer, we chose the Prosciutto di Parma (thinly sliced and served with olives, $13). So good! In addition, I tried the Linguine ai Gamberoni (prawns sautéed in a white wine and garlic sauce, $17). The linguine was perfectly cooked. My accomplice went with the Pollo al Gorgonzola (free-range chicken breast in a delicate gorgonzola sauce, $17).

Everything was amazingly delicious, including the complimentary bread that came with a blend of finely chopped olives and olive oil. Service too was excellent.

Also on the lunch and dinner menus are tempting delights from amazing antipasti to scrumptious pastas to satisfying main courses to luscious desserts, including but not limited to antipasto, calamari fritti, prosciutto di parma, stracciatella, linguine di mare, spaghetti alle vongole veraci, gluten-free quinoa pasta, penne ciociara, salmone alla livornese, tagliata di manzo, vitello al limone, tiramisu, zabalione and crème caramel.

The dining room at La Piazza Dario is a key ingredient in making an art out of life.

So I can tell you, we felt the Italian magic! And we were just there for lunch. Guys take note, during the dinner hour, the candle light comes out and the romantic-meter, well … off the charts. And for larger groups, La Piazza Dario can help you celebrate your birthday party, anniversary dinner or wedding reception with a variety of group menus to satisfy all your guests.

So my friends, for a slice of heaven the Italian way, it’s La Piazza Dario. Bon appetite.

Copyright (c) 2015 Renfrew-Collingwood Community News