Learn to speak Italian wherever you go!

Although there is no substitute for flying to Italy and immersing yourself in the language and culture, that's not always an option for everyone. So today we've done a little homework for you and listed a few very convenient apps that can get you started on the road to Italian fluency right from your phone!

#1: Duolingo - No matter where you are, as long as you've got 5 minutes a day, you can start learning to speak Italian! Bonus points for being a free app. 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#2: busuu - Here's an app that can also be use on your computer. It's boasts a community of over 35 million native speakers in the various languages available, making it possible for you to practice your conversational skills!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#3: MindSnacks - Play games and learn at the same time! Now that sounds like a lot of fun! 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

(Note: Ratings from iTunes)

Here are two more ways you can learn Italian offline: 

• Don't forget to check out what courses are being hosted at Il Centro
• Come visit us for some real time practice over a good glass of wine and a delicious authentic meal

See you soon and happy learning!

(Image via Pexels)

If you find yourself on the Italian coast, you'll probably find fantastic limoni!

Limone, as you've probably guessed, is the Italian word for lemon and our word of the week! The plural form is limoni. 

These lemons, also called citrons, are truly fantastic and not your typical small, round and even lemons we can find here in our local groceries. These limoni are bigger than oranges and they grow in abundance in stunning terraced groves, adding bright pops of yellow to a bright and colourful Italian environment. They feature in Italian cuisine in delicious and sometimes surprising ways!

These lemons are famous for their delicate flavour, sweetness and low acidity. These lemons are more than just a garnish. Here are some delicious ways Italians enjoy limoni!

• Limoncello
• La Granita di Amalfi 
• Candied Citrons
• Insalata di Cedro (Citron Rind Salad)

Yum!

(Image: Lemons in Sorrento, by Brad Coy, via Flickr; CC BY 2.0; also in Wikimedia Commons)

Italians know how to treat your sweet tooth!

Cannoli is an Italian pastry originally from Sicily. In Italy they are commonly known as cannoli siciliani. However, water and borders don't stop people from enjoying this crispy creamy delight!

They are made of tube-shaped shells of fried pastry dough, filled with a sweet and creamy ricotta filling. Depending on where you are and of course on the baker, you'll find these treats range in size. The cream itself is usually flavoured with vanilla or orange flower water, and can be decorated with crushed pistachios, semi sweet chocolate pieces, candied citrus or even cherries on the open ends. 

Fun Fact: In some regions of Italy, including Abruzzo and Lazio, cannoli are made using pizzelle cookies for the shell. 

Care for a taste? We've got these on our dessert menu and we can't wait for you to try one (or two or three!).

(Image: Cannolo Siciliano, by paPisc via Flickr; CC BY-SA 2.0; also found in Wikimedia Commons)

Let's chat about the delights of il mare!

This week's Italian word is mare. It is the Italian word for the sea. Being a peninsular and island country, the sea holds special and tasty treasures that Italians most certainly make the most of in the kitchen! 

In Vancouver, we're lucky to have tasty and fresh seafood so Chef Claudio and culinary team behind La Piazza Dario can whip up delicious Italian seafood dishes.

Here are a few of those creations that your tastebuds can delight in when you come and join us for meal:

• Avocado e gamberetti: avocado and shrimp topped with our signature dressing on a bed of arugula
• calamari grigliati: lightly grilled squid with baby greens, lemon oil and spices
• gamberoni al pescatore: tiger prawns sautéed with garlic, white wine and lemon, topped with julien vegetables
• cozze alla marinara: mussels sautéed in garlic, white wine and tomato sauce
• calamari fritti: fried squid served with homestyle sauce

Can you believe that these are just some of our appetizers? We've got more delicious treats from il mare. Explore our menu and we hope to see you soon!

(Image via Pixabay)

Let's chat about risotto!

Risotto is a tasty Italian rice dish. Yes, that's right: rice. Although Italians do love a good pasta, sometimes, a little change is a good thing! 

Risotto is a North Italian dish that is cooked in a broth until the rice reaches a creamy consistency. Just like pasta, your culinary imagination is the limit when it comes to the savoury flavours that the rice can hold. It can be cooked in a meat, vegetable or fish broth. Adding to the richness of the dish, you'll also find butter, wine and/or onions added to the base of the flavours. 

Of course, most chefs don't stop with adding flavour to the base, including Chef Claudio. On the menu at La Piazza Dario you will find our special risotto ai funghi misti. It is a delicious dish of pearl rice sautéed with wild mushrooms, garlic and fine herbs, finished with fresh parmesan cheese. 

Join us for dinner and have a taste of an Italian classic! 

(Image via Wikipedia, Public Domain)

Today's word of the week is farfalle!

As you can probably guess, farfalle is a type of noodle.

What better way to practice your Italian than at an Italian book club?

This coming Monday come join us for an early dinner or a post book club meal! Il Centro (just across the piazza) is hosting a book club event where guests can get together to read and discuss Italian short stories in Italian of course! 

Practise your Italian and really immerse yourself into the culture with a tasty and authentic Italian dinner at La Piazza Dario! 

The book club is on Monday, April 11 from 6:45 to 8:45pm.  To learn more about how you can join, call Edda Onesti at 604.430.3337 ext. 239.

We can't wait to see you and of course, if you want to continue practicing your Italian in our dining room, don't by shy! 

(Image via Pexels)

Our neighbours across the piazza are teaching something delicious!

There are times we all just want to sit and enjoy a home cooked meal without the work of whipping it up. That's when you come and visit us at La Piazza Dario! We'll make the home cooked culinary magic happen and you won't have to life a finger (except for when you want to enjoy the authentic flavours of Italy!).

Then there are times we want to get our hands dirty and really create those scrumptious bites from scratch! If you are in the mood for tasty and fresh Italian sausages, Il Centro is hosting a sausage making class!

Community garden supervisor and sausage maker extraordinaire, Luigu Bastone, is sharing his expertise on March 14, from 7 to 8:30pm. You will get to learn and make sausages that you can take home with you!

Come celebrate your new skills with us and an excellent glass of wine! Perhaps you'll be hungry as well. We'll take care of you and your taste buds!

Learn more about the workshop.

(Image via Pixabay)

Curious about what you will find at the La Piazza Dario?

Take a virtual tour of our dining room! Not only do we prepare fresh dishes to delight your tastebuds, but we also pay special attention to our dining space. Everyday we prepare it in order to make your experience the most authentic Italian culinary experience in Vancouver. 

Click play to take a look around! 

For tasty luncheons and dinners, give us a call! We can't wait to cook and create scrumptious Italian treats and serve them with the perfect wine from our extensive collection (you'll see our wine wall in this virtual tour)!

Happy Valentine's Day from all of us at La Piazza Dario!



Need an idea to make the day extra special for your sweetheart? Look no further! Join us for an even of romance, delectable Italian fare and wonderful memories filled with love.

Treat your date to a delicious three course meal with fresh antipasto, perfectly rich pastas and carnes, followed by a sweet dessert. Choose from our wide selection of vino to complement your meal.

Elite Singles has kindly included us in a list of places to celebrate love this weekend and we guarantee we will transform you evening into a beautiful experience for you and your loved one. We hope to see you and your sweetheart!

Contact us today to make your reservation by giving us a call at 604-430-2195, or make an online reservation with Open Table!

(Image via Pexels)

Carnevale is just around the corner! Come and celebrate it with us! 

We shall have a magnificent feast prepared by Chef Claudio!

Begin with delectable appetizers. Try our antipasto "la piazza" for a delicious assortment of cured meats, fish, cheeses and marinated vegetables.

Next enjoy your entree. What would you like? A fresh and perfectly seasoned pasta or a hearty carne? Or perhaps you'd like both! Remember this is a time for feasting and celebrating so don't be shy! Try our fettuccine al pistachio for the richness of Chef Claudio's pistachio pesto cream sauce. What about a cut of grilled AAA tenderloin beef? Order the filetto di bue al pepe verde!

Lastly but certainly not least - for what would Carnevale be without sweets - treat yourself to dessert. Perfect tiramisu and melt in your mouth créme caramel awaits you here at La Piazza Dario.

Join us anytime for your Carnevale feast!

[Image: By Frank Kovalchek from Anchorage, Alaska, USA - Couple in love at the 2010 Carnevale in Venice (IMG_9534a), CC BY 2.0]

Get ready for your trip to Italy with this four week course!

Are you ready eat and speak like an Italian? We've got just the solutions to help you before your trip to Italy!

First we recommend that you get your taste buds and palate ready for the tasty Italian meals. Come join us for dinner. Chef Claudio will whip up a truly authentic Italian meal just as if you were all over  at his home for a cozy dinner.

Then we recommend to take the Let's Go Italy, Italian for Travellers Course at Il Centro! The course begins next week on January 20th and runs for four weeks. You'll learn exactly what you need to help you make the most out of your trip to Italy, even if you've never spoken a word of Italian before now!

Learn more about the course and give us a call to make your dinner reservations!

You won't want to miss this excellent Italian cultural experience!

The Italian Film Festival Vancouver will be held this year between January 8th and 14th.

Coming to Vancity Theatre this Friday is the Italian Film Festival Vancouver! Made possible by a collaboration between Il Centro, the Vancouver International Film Festival, and the Consulate General of Italy in Vancouver, the Italian Film Festival Vancouver will bring memorable Italian films from the past to the big screen, while also offering viewings of contemporary Italian movies. The festival is an annual one-week event that will take place this year between Friday, January 8th and Thursday, January 14th.

We hope that you'll be able to make it out to see a few great Italian films this year! For an entire afternoon or evening of authentic Italian living, may we suggest that you stop by before or after a showing for lunch or dinner - or maybe even both!

For more details on the Italian Film Festival Vancouver, and the complete screening schedule, visit the Italian Film Festival Vancouver's website.

Enjoy!

(Image via Pixabay)

From the entire family at La Piazza Dario to yours...

We wish you happiness and success for this new year and hope to see more of you at our table. Come join us for a warm, hearty Italian meal created by our own Chef Claudio.

Don't be shy! We love sharing a meal with old friends and new! Our new year's resolution: to continue making you the best Italian food in Vancouver and create beautiful memories for you and your families!

We hope to see you soon and, of course, Happy New Year!

(Image: Pixabay)

We are thrilled to share this delicious news!

Thank you to Vancity Buzz for your kind mention and including us in your list of the Best Meatballs in Vancouver!

Come join us for some tasty meatballs over al dente pasta made with tender love and care by Chef Claudio, just for you! We pride ourselves in creating truly authentic Italian dishes for you in the same way that we cook them at home for our families.

Give us a call to make reservations and try Vancouver's best meatballs!

(Image: Mmm... spaghetti n meatballs, by jeffreye via Flickr; CC BY 2.0)

La Piazza Dario wants to help you and your family get into the holiday spirit, Italian style!

The holiday season is now officially upon us and, as always, we want to help you celebrate the best way we know how: the Italian way! As Christmas is a largely celebrated holiday in Italy, we wanted to share a few fun and festive Italian holiday activities that are offered right here in Vancouver. Below are a few of our Italian-themed suggestions for you and your family to partake in this December. Enjoy!

Italian Holiday Activities in Vancouver

• Try your hand at making a few our of favourite Italian Christmas recipes, such as baccalà or panetonne and pandoro. 
• Attend Il Centro's School Christmas Concert, featuring songs and scenes from students of the Italian Cultural Centre's Italian Language School. (Feel free to come by afterwards for lunch!)
• When: December 13th, between 10:00 am and 12:00 pm 
• Where: Grand Ballroom in the Italian Cultural Centre 
• Cost: Free 
• Learn how to speak Christmas Italian!
• Discover what Christmas in Italy is all about! Watch Rick Steves' European Christmas Part 8: Italy video. 
• Visit us at La Piazza Dario and celebrate the holiday season with family, friends and Chef Claudio's authentic Italian cooking. 

We hope you enjoy getting into the holiday spirit and we look forward to welcoming you to our table at La Piazza Dario!

(Image via Pixabay)

This Monday, our neighbours at Il Centro are hosting a book club night!

Keep your Italian alive and practice your reading and conversation skills over delicious dinner and short stories! On Monday, December 7th, Il Centro is hosting an Italian Book Club.

Read and discuss short stories in short stories in Italian with like minds and fellow literature enthusiasts! What would make the evening even better is a tasty meal whipped up by Chef Claudio especially for you! Join us for an early dinner or a post-book club treat. We're just across the plaza!

The book club is from 6:45 pm to 8:45 pm and is free for Il Centro members. Call Edda Onesti at 604-430-3337 ext. 239 for more information. And call 604-430-2195 to make your reservations!

For 38 years, we have lovingly cooked and created truly authentic and delicious Italian meals. 

What we love most is how we are able to share the Italian dolce vita with the people of this city. Although it's no longer Thanksgiving, we never tire of thanking our fantastic patrons. 

Recently we received a letter from a long time customer, more like a friend after all these years of sharing meals together. We are so blessed to have built relationships like this with you.

Thank you Sam! 

Join us for dinner and a lifelong, delicious memories! Give us a call at 604.430.2195 :) 

Coming to our neighbour, Il Centro Italian Cultural Centre, the work of Italian mosaic artist, Lilian Broca!

Heroine of A Thousand Pieces: The Judith Mosaics of Lilian Broca

The recipient of the Lorenzo il Magnifico gold medal at the 2003 Florence Biennale, Lilian Broca will be unveiling her new mosaic series here at the Museo. There will be seven monumental pieces on display featuring the story of Judith, a biblical heroine.

The opening reception takes place on November 12th an 7pm. Come join us for dinner and experience an evening of Italian flavours and art!

Chef Claudio will whip up a tasty and authentic Italian meal for you to enjoy with your friends and family. Discuss beautiful art and the art of living beautifully over a delicious glass of wine!

See you here!

(Image via Lilian Broca home page)

Exceptional cuisine is a life-enhancing magic

Wondering where to eat tonight? Join us of course! We are, after all, one of the best kept secrets of fine Italian cuisine in Vancouver. Creating magical and delicious dishes with only the freshest ingredients, our goal is let you enjoy only the most authentic of Italian flavours. Pair your meal with a vintage Italian wine and you are ready to be gastronomically transported to the wonders of Italy!

Take a bite of Chef Claudio's creation and close your eyes. The food will melt your mouth and invite you share a piece of the Italian la dolce vita!

Press play to learn more and take a mini tour of La Piazza Dario!

For reservations, call 604.430.2195

See you soon!

(Image via Foodies Feed)