Dine Out Vancouver Festival 2017 – La Terrazza
La Terrazza. Wow. A classic Italian restaurant that is just a 5-minute walk from the Yaletown Canada Line Station will immediately spark your senses as soon as you walk in. I was warmly greeted by Cooper and Brigitta at the door but not before the overall atmosphere took me over. With the slick cut bar front and centre, hand painted floors (hand painted floors guys, hand painted floors), a fireplace for the ages and the infamous “Wall of Wine.” I was starting to feel like this place which has been open for 19 years and has had the same 2 chefs & maître d’ running the place since day 1, was going to be a treat and a half. Boasting the second largest wine list in Canada (2500 to be exact \0/) and playing host to the likes of Future, Danny Glover, Snoop Dogg, Shakira, and the man himself Arnold Schwarzenegger, I was excited to indulge in the Dine Out 2017 menu at Yaletown’s Italian gem of a ristorante.
Wall of Wine
When Cooper asked, “Dining room, lounge or bar?”, and I said you do you; man I’ll tell ya, he did him. With a cozy seat in the lounge by the window I couldn’t help but notice the mix of clientele ranging from a 7-figure-making-regular at the bar to a younger couple out for date night. A place for all with the décor, music, and vibe making a very nice and relaxing setting. After confessing that I’m not really a wine guy but have been interested in the game for a bit, he quickly and confidently poured me the Charles Sparr Riesling and the Marrenon Chardonay. Two good entry level wines in terms of a palate as Cooper put it that gives you a really good insight towards the diverse world of wine. Both first sips made me excited for the next and boy oh boy I think I converted right then and there. Crazy how discrete but at the same time distinct a wine can be.
Time To Dine
After another “you do you moment” Cooper mixed me up a negroni, a classic apéritif, and when done right is immaculate; and immaculate it was. Paired with the insalata d’anatra, a duck confit topped with a heritage mix, dried fig, Tallagio, pistachios, and a champagne verjus, an amazing appetizer that was featured on the Dine Out 2017 menu.
I was just excited about the entrée though; the Strozzapreti Bolognese which is also Chef Gennaro’s Grandmother’s recipe. A home run of a pasta with tomato, a meat ragu, and some parmigiano reggiano -another La Terrazza classic that out of towners are known to have on their must have list whenever they’re in VanCity.
For dessert I had a crispy cheesecake. Yeah that’s right, a crispy cheesecake, and it was amazing. La Creazione as they call it, a white chocolate cheesecake wrapped in phyllo pastry with amarena cherries and strawberry coulis was a very nice end to the 2017 Dine Out Menu at La Terrazza, and was I blown away.
One of a Kind
With their bi-annual menu change it was good to get a good overall look at the menu at such a classic but still unique venue. Classic drinks, that 2500 wine list that’s conveniently on an ipad, amazing food, genuine and kind staff all around. The list goes on for La Terrazza, a ristorante that has definitely gained a new fan. Genuineness goes a long way, and Brigitta and Cooper have hit that right on the nail. An established fine dining place with some definite bragging rights. “Family is family,” Brigitta said and that shined for sure during my experience there. A new restaurant has been put on your to do list to check out. Please do.
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