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La Piazza Dario

Authentic Italian Food & Vancouver's Best Kept Secret!

Join us at La Piazza Dario in celebration of the upcoming Family Day long weekend!

At La Piazza Dario, we're all about family. So, as the the official B.C. Family Day holiday approaches, we'd like to warmly welcome you to our table to spend some quality time with your loved ones.

We understand that almost every day provides a long list of things to do, all of which can get in the way of spending quality time with your family. Which is why we would like to invite you to take a break from some of your daily duties this week (such as cooking!) and come celebrate family with us.

Make a reservation by telephone at 604-430-2195 or online via OpenTable!


Holiday Closure Reminder

A reminder that La Piazza Dario will be closed on February 8th in observation of Family Day, however, we look forward to seeing you before and after Monday!

We wish everyone a wonderful upcoming long weekend, filled with moments of laughter and love with your families.

(Images via La Piazza Dario)

There is no better time to enjoy a delicious cup of coffee than in the fall sunshine. There's a crispness in the air and a crackle as people begin to light their fireplaces, ready for a cozy autumn season. Why do we love fall? We love it because get to cozy up to tasty, flavourful meals and sweet desserts and authentic Italian coffees with you!

From specialty coffees with Sambuca and Amaretto to a classic espresso,  our menu has something for every coffee lover.

Take a look at our specialty coffee menu if you're in the mood with something that has an extra kick! Of course, we're also happy to make you the best espresso or latte you've ever had. Come in and try it! ;)
It's the first day of fall and we're celebrating with delicious specialty coffees!

What better way than to embrace the cool weather than with a  hot cup of coffee? But we're not talking just any regular cup of joe. The gorgeous colours of fall and the crisp cool air deserve to be celebrated with a less than ordinary cup of steaming expresso. 

Whatever your pleasure, we have a cup filled with its own unique blend of autumn colours! From amaretto, brandy, kalhua, baileys to grand marnier and frangelico, there's a perfect cup of brewed perfection awaiting you at La Piazza Dario!

Call today to make reservation and toast in the fall weather with a delicious cup of La Piazza Dario caffè!

What makes Italian food so mouthwatering and luxurious? Fresh ingredients and dishes crafted with love!


You simply can't go wrong with fresh Italian formaggio. No matter what time of the day it is, there is a cheese that will make any meal extra satisfying! There are so many delicious Italian cheeses, each with its own unique aroma, flavour and consistency.  

There is a lot that goes into producing a beautiful and truly Italian cheese. Conde Nast Traveller visits a cheese-maker in Tuscany and explores the meticulous care he takes in his art: creating a perfect, delicious batch of Tuscan cheese!

You may not be able to fly to Italy and try his cheese but at La Piazza Dario, we relish in creating truly authentic Italian meals using only the best ingredients! Join us for a delicious meal and transport your tastebuds to Italy!

(Image via Pexels)
Enjoy a delicious meal of Italian comfort food lovingly made by Chef Claudio!


It's the first weekend of cool weather and typical fall skies and nothing goes best with chilly weather than a full plate of hearty, fresh pasta filled with flavours of sunny Italia! Chef Claudio has created a delicious menu of pastas that provide an incredible variety of flavours that will have you appreciating this weekend's cozy weather!

After an authentic Italian meal, enjoy a sweet dessert, a cup of hot, specialty Italian coffee to really warm your stomach and heart as we get ready to enjoy the long weekend!

Celebrate the summer's end with a delicious family dinner that will have everyone sleeping soundly and happily full!

Contact us today to make reservations! We can't wait to see you and share the taste of our homeland!
Check out these posts from the past and discover Chef Claudio's home!


 Welcome to all new readers and of course, welcome back to our wonderful patrons! We've had so many great posts from the past that you may not have seen or simply forgotten that we've decided to take a walk down memory lane and share them again!

 Learn all about Chef Claudio's story and experience the sights and charms of his home in the Abruzzo region of Italy! Enjoy!

So Where in the World is Abruzzo?!

Learn more about one of La Piazza Dario's favourite regions of Italy in Abruzzo: the Wine Region.
 
Come try Chef Claudio's version of bruschetta!

In Spotlight: Abruzzo, you can take a virtual tour of this beautiful Italian region... 
 Abruzzo in Colour features a small town in Abruzzo that tells the region's story through colourful murals!

Get to know the region with the guide we feature in We're All About Abruzzo!

 Spotlight: Ateleta, L'Aquila, Italy. Get to know Chef Claudio's hometown!

 Lastly, but certainly not the least, discover Chef Claudio's personal story and get inspired to take a culinary journey with La Piazza Dario!

(Top image via Pexels)
Reward your busy back to school week with a little taste of Italy!

La Piazza Dario is all about bringing a little taste of Italy to your table and this weekend we want to invite you to our place. We know that September is a busy time of year for all, especially for those of us with families heading back to school. We appreciate that back to school week is usually one with a bit of chaos. So, why not let us take care of dinner this weekend? You've had a busy week after all!

Bring your kids, your entire extended family, or maybe just take some time for you and your significant other to enjoy a date night filled with the romantic food of Italia. 

We look forward to seeing you soon.

(Image via Pexels)
With all the gorgeous cities in Italy, only one can be the birthplace of pizza: Naples.

Now, don't scoff at pizza and think: "junk food!" Nonsense. Truly authentic, Italian pizza is nothing like those deep dish creations or stuff crust carbohydrate plates with every topping under the sun piled on! The real Italian pizza is a simple dish with simple but incredible ingredients. You can find this pizza in Naples.

The pizza of Naples and the Italians is not about filling up till you can't eat anymore. It's about fresh ingredients and savoury, succulent flavours! We'll let Rick Steves explain the charms of Naples and the pizza...
Synonymous with thoughts of Italy are the thoughts of rich, decadent desserts, like panna cotta! Wouldn't you agree?


 Panna cotta, coming from the Italian for "cooked cream", is a deliciously simple and creamy Italian dessert. The beauty of this dessert is that, even though it is so simple, it embodies a richness and decadence that is the perfect finishing touch to the meal.

And we'd like to think that panna cotta is the perfect metaphor of the authentic Italian experience: simple, fresh ingredients that together create that gioia di vivere so natural to Italians!

That perfect blend of cream, sugar, and vanilla flavours, panna cotta is a delicious culinary experience your taste buds are craving to have! ;)

(Image via Pixabay) 
Complete your authentic Italian culinary experience in classic Italian sartorial style...

What do we think of when we think of Italy? Delicious food, excellent wine, loud and loving Italian families, Vespas and Fiats, the Coliseum and fashion, of course! We can serve up the authentic Italian meal but we'll leaving the styling up to you!


But for inspiration, here are some of our favourite, classic Italian looks for this week featured on The Sartorialist!
Visit an Italian gem of Tuscany: Florence, 43°47' N 11°15' E...


Famed for its beautiful Renaissance architecture, Florence is the birth place of the 14th century movement that changed history. It's the time in history that brought Europe out of the Middle Ages and into a new era of design and aesthetics.

Architecture and art history aside, Florence, like the many Italian cities, towns and villages, has much to offer the tourist in us all! From beautiful sights to fabulous shopping to the delicious places to enjoy an authentic Italian meal, Florence should definitely be on your bucket list!

Who better to tell you about the charms of this Tuscan beauty than the locals?! Check out the Florence City Guide featured on Design*Sponge! In the meantime, come to La Piazza Dario for an authentic taste of Italy in the foodie city of Vancouver!

(Image via Pixabay)
Check out our Instagram page for some delectable, truly authentic La Piazza Dario Ristorante Italiano photos!
We know that a picture is worth a thousand words. Imagine what all of our Instagram shots would tell you! We've got beautiful photos of delicately plated desserts, a shining espresso machine, the patio filled with sunlight, inviting cocktails...

You're going to want to visit ;)
What is Piaggio? Why it's the name of the family who created the quintessential Italian mode of personal transportation: the Vespa.

Yes, this little beauty is quite possibly the most well known scooter in the world and a perfect blend of Italian ingenuity, style and charm! 

Founded in 1884 by Rinaldo Piaggo, the company Piaggo began as a ship fittings, plane and sea plane part manufacturer! It was was his son, Enrico, who decided to foray into the world of personal transport. Since the very first Vespa of the 40's, the company has gone on to ship more than 18 million Vespas, produce in 13 countries around the world and market to 114 countries!

Not bad for a little scooter! Want a true Italian experience? Hop onto a Vespa and visit us in Vancouver for a tasty creation by our head chef! For now, we leave you with a great video of Vespa history...
Take a tour of Chef Claudio's homeland!

We've talked quite a bit of the beauty of Abruzzo but talking can't justify it's lush landscape, spectacular views and medieval towns. Sit back and enjoy this small escape into the heart and soul of Italy, Abruzzo.


Come join us for an authentic taste of Abruzzo and Italy!

(Video via Escape Artists)
Buon pomeriggio! Happy Canada Day from all of us at La Piazza Dario!

It is a very happy Canada Day! And what better way to celebrate than to have a delicious family meal with us?! Come and join us and celebrate our beautiful country with a tasty nod to the past with one of our delicious authentic Italian dishes! We have something for every member of the family. 

On a more sentimental note, we are very grateful for the memories we've created in this country with our family, friends and cherished customers. We hope you have a wonderful Canada Day, wherever you celebrate!

(Image via Pexels)
June is Italian Heritage Month! Come celebrate with La Piazza Dario & Il Centro.

As the month of June is wrapping up, we wanted to take a moment to recognize Italian Heritage Month, a month dedicated to celebrating the best of Italian culture! Il Centro Italian Cultural Centre has celebrated Italian Heritage Month all month long by providing activities and events that pay tribute to the Italian culture.

Although June is almost over, there's still fun to be had at Il Centro! Tonight, the Italian Cultural Centre will be hosting Luigi Pirandello Night and tomorrow night will see Italian Theatre Night. View the entire schedule of festivities here.

Located on Slocan Street, the Italian Cultural Centre is La Piazza Dario's neighbour! So, when heading to the Il Centro for some Italian culture, don't forget to stop by La Piazza Dario, before or after (or both!), for an unforgettable Italian meal!

 (Image via Italian Cultural Centre)
It's Friday and what perfect time to watch a beautiful program about Italian life than today?!


What does it really mean to be a gondolier in Venice? How do Sicilians define themselves and separate from the island's mafia labels? How does a young Roman teenager find joy in high speeds races amidst the grand history of her home? Did you know that world's most dangerous horse race occurs in Sienna?

There is so much to learn about Italy and its people. If you find yourself even remotely intrigued and in the mood for some Italian culture, we've got a perfect plan for a relaxing night off:

  1. Come visit La Piazza Dario for an authentic Italian meal. Chef Claudio guarantees your enjoyment of his delectable dishes (you'll probably end up wishing you ordered more to take home!).
  2. Get into your comfy clothes (pajamas maybe?) and put on the Discovery Atlas, Italy Revealed (click to watch) and immerse yourself into the stories of Italian people from all over the country!
Now how's that for a plan?!

(Image via Pexels)
Whether a sophisticated appetizer or the parting glass to a meal, the wine and cheese combination is a classic...

Chardonnay, Merlot or Riesling; malbec, rosé or Chianti and... what?! Why not cheese! But how do you choose from among the infinite number of choices of wines (of which we have many and definitely worth a trip to our lovely and humble restaurant to enjoy!) and the many sticky mild to strong, crumbly dairy delights?

Well we found a little infographic that helps pair cheeses with their perfect wine partners! We recommend a delicious Italian chianti with parmigiana.










































































(Image via Love Letters to Home)
Add a taste of Italy to your reading list!
 

So you want to add a little bit of Italian culture to your day? Well of course, our first suggestion is to come visit La Piazza Dario since we'll really be able to help you add some authentic Italian flavours to your day. However, we've also got a book suggestion!

"How to Order an Italian Coffee in Italy" by Sara Rosso is a fun book that is meant to enlighten all her readers on the ins and outs of ordering coffee like a true Italian in the motherland! It's a wonderful guide to all the unique variations of caffé espresso you can find in Italy, along with detailed pictures, Italian pronunciation guides and several bonus chapters that will open up the world of Italian breakfasts, Italian bar culture and creating your own caffé Italiano at home!

Doesn't that sound delicious?! If you're not sure what to think of Italian coffee, visit us for a cup and begin your exploration into the world of espresso the Italian way...

(Image via When I Have Time)
We want to help you celebrate Dad's special day.

Come celebrate Father's Day with us at La Piazza Dario!

We're always talking about how important family is around here and how much we love enjoying our meals with family. Of course, a special celebration like Father's Day is no different!

Although Italians celebrated Father's Day, or Festa del Papa, back on March 19th on St. Joseph's Feast Day in Italy, we'd love to celebrate your father this weekend with you and your family the Italian way. Bring your family down and let Chef Claudio Ranallo do the cooking!

Check out what's on the menu for Dad's special day here.

Felice giorno del padre!

(Image via Pixabay)