Vancouver Good

Looking for some proper Italian food? It’s at Lupo Restaurant, located on the edge of Yaletown. I dined here with a group of people a few weeks ago and loved the food, service, and restaurant ambience. The entire menu reads of deliciousness, and deciding on your courses will be tough.

Highlights:

• Lightly cooked asparagus with a runny poached egg, garlic, anchovy, and light olive oil. Fresh and rich without being too heavy
• Spinach and ricotta raviolo with a hazelnut butter sauce. Perfectly cooked pasta and so good with the nutty butter sauce.
• Fettuccine Bolognese – if this is on the menu of an Italian restaurant, I order it. It’s one of my “test” dishes, so to speak – I went through a 1-month period where I made about 10 different bolognese recipes at home. Lupo’s version is great. Meaty, rich & flavourful, clinging to fresh pasta.  The way it should be. I’m bringing my husband back to try this one.
• Sablefish with spinach, grappa, and orange marmalade. I didn’t try this dish, but a few people around the table raved about it
• The dessert list is seasonal but traditional, featuring gelato, tiramisu, panna cotta, and tarts. My tiramisu was excellent – creamy with a nice edge of liquor and coffee.

Located in a beautiful heritage house (formerly Villa Del Lupo – read the back story here), I love the setting. The inside is quite modern with clean lines and colours. The upstairs provides a nice space for a private party or group event. Just watch out for the washrooms – unlocking the doors are tricky!

Around my table of 8 people, everyone loved the meal. A few people felt the portions were a bit on the small side, so plan to order 2-3 courses for dinner…as they do in Italy!

The food brought me back to my trip to Italy last year. Great flavour, but simple and seasonal. My kind of food.

Lupo Restaurant
869 Hamilton Street (b/w Smithe & Robson)
Vancouver
604.569.2535