Have you tried Chef Claudio's yet?

Spaghetti all'Amatriciana is a pasta dish originally from the Italian village of Amatrice (unfortunately very well known now thanks to the recent earthquake tragedy that occurred). For the whole month of September we have a special promotion: 

For every plate of Spaghetti all'Amatriciana sold, $5 will be donated to the Red Cross to help the people of Amatrice rebuild their lives.

The spaghetti is dressed with a traditional Italian sauce based on guanciale (cured pork cheek), pecorino cheese and tomato. It is one of the best known Italian pasta sauces, even if it's not often known by its official name.

Come join us for a delicious plate of Spaghetti all'Amatriciana and help us raise funds for a very good cause!

Give us a call at 604.430.2195 to reserver your table, or book online directly through our website!

(Image via Pexels)

A special thank you to our recent guests!

We absolutely love seeing familiar and new faces at La Piazza Dario. We're happy to be a part of your lives and share a little bit of our love of Italy with you here in Vancouver. But my goodness do we ever get thrilled when we see photos of your visit! We just absolutely love it!

Special thank you's to Angela Waterman and Meighan for sharing your pictures with us! We absolutely loved having you at our table

Here are some of their tasty shots:

Photo by Meighan

Photo by Meighan

 

Photo by Angela Waterman

Photo by Angela Waterman

Summer isn't quite over. Bring on the cold treats!

We're willing to bet that you've had the pleasure of feasting on a scoop (or two or three) of gelato. That delicious, sweet, dense frozen treat that is rich with flavour and melts in your mouth. How about granita? 

Granita and gelato are both Italian frozen desserts that are perfect for the hot Italian summers and satisfying the sweet tooth. So what's the difference between them?

Granita is a semi-frozen dessert made from sugar, water and various flavourings like fresh fruits and/or fruit juices. It's an icy treat with a courser texture in comparison to gelato. It originally comes from Sicily but it can be found throughout Italy.

Gelato is more like ice cream. It is made of milk, cream and sugar. Like granita, it is also flavoured with fruit but also with nut purees and other flavourings. It is creamier in comparison to granita but is not quite the same texture as ice cream. Why? Gelato has less air making it denser than ice cream. It also contains less fat and more flavouring.

Either way, granita and gelato are delicious all year round!

(Image via Pixabay)

Dear friends and family of La Piazza Dario...

We have a new promotion for September and we want to really spread the word. You would have already heard by now about the devastating earthquake that occurred last week in Italy.

For the month of September we have a very special pasta dish, spaghetti all'amatriciana. This dish originated from Amatrice, the town hardest hit by the earthquake. No amounts of money can make up for the loss of life, but it can help survivors rebuild their lives and their town.

For every plate of spaghetti all'amatriciana ordered in September, we will donate five dollars of to the Red Cross earthquake relief efforts. 

Please join us in our efforts to help the Italian community recover from the tragic events of last week.

See you soon!


(Image via Pixabay)

In the mood for some bubbly?

Sometimes we need some bubbles when we are celebrating. Other times we're just in the mood for bubbles. Why not have a glass of prosecco if your tastebuds are craving for it? 

Champagne and sparkling wines each have their own history and complexity of flavours. Today's feature infographic is all about the history, the grapes, the process and the fun facts about champagne. 

And if you are ever in the mood for some tasty prosecco, give us a call! 

From Visually.

(Image via Pexels)

If you're going to Venice, visit Murano!

Murano is a colourful gem just a short boat ride away from Venice. It is a frazione of the comune of Venice and is best known for it's skilled glassmakers. Murano is composed of seven islands linked by bridges. If you are looking for an interesting and unique souvenir, a beautiful piece of glass art is the perfect way to go! 

Fun Facts! 

Murano earned its reputation as a centre for expert glassmaking all the way back in 1291 when the the glassmakers were ordered to relocate their foundries in order to remove the risk of fire and destruction of Venice's wooden structures. Glassmakers become some of most prominent citizens through ages. 

Here's a fun video with even more fun facts about the history of Murano glassmaking!

(Image via Pixabay)

Let's hang out!

We're getting social offline and online! Join us online on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and right here on our blog. We're sharing Chef Claudio's dishes, tasty travel bites and snapshots of the Italian life.

So let's connect and hangout online!

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram 

What we love most, however, is getting social offline. Come join us for lunch or dinner or dessert or even just a drink - although we highly recommend you enjoy one of Chef Claudio's creations! 

Call 604.430.2195 to book your table or make your reservation online through our website! See you soon!

(Image via Pexels)

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)

Happy Canada Day from all of us at La Piazza Dario!

It's a country-wide birthday party! So put on your red and white and celebrate! We live in a beautiful place and we're proud to call it home. 

We hope you and your families have a wonderful long weekend!

(Image via Pixabay)

This week we've got the travel bug and we're shining the spotlight on a beautiful hike in Positano!

Take a look at beautiful pictures of Positano and you'll see a colourful and vertical town stacked and hugging the land. This makes for a perfect and scenic location for hiking! 

Perhaps walking through the town streets is not a traditional rugged hiking activity, however, thanks to the vertical arrangement of this Amalfi gem, exploring Positano on foot may feel like quite a hike! Make sure to pack some comfortable shoes to help you explore this town!

Does a 1750 step climb sound rewarding? Well imagine climbing those steps from Positano to Nocelle! The views will take your breath away! Of course you could walk down from Nocelle to Positano as well. Either direction you choose, you'll experience of zig zag stairs, olive trees and prickly pears that line the path, and rest areas. 

In other parts of the journey, you'll pass beautiful hillside villas and homes with colourful gardens and most likely run into a feline friend or two.

Don't forget to bring water! 

(Image via Pixabay)

P.S. There's a bus in case you want to hike only one of the directions ;)

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)

La Piazza Dario is Winner of Editor's Choice!

We couldn't be more thrilled and honoured to receive the distinction of Editor's Choice at this year's 2016 Where to Dine Awards! This year marks the 20th anniversary of Where's Vancouver culinary awards and we couldn't be more grateful.

Vancouver is very much a "foodie" town and after nearly forty years, we feel incredibly blessed to be a part of the culinary scene.

A near-40-year stalwart, Dario’s is a timeless classic, subtly updated so as not to disturb its comforting white-linen fine-dining feel. A dash of Italian retro, wrapped in Florentine decor, underscores a wide-ranging menu of mainstays: antipasti, minestrone, cannelloni, linguine di mare, and scaloppine al marsala, with irresistible tiramisu or seductively smooth zabaglione to finish. 

- Tim Pawsey, Where.ca

Thank you again to Where, Canada's Travel Planner!

Come join us and taste for yourself the delicious creations of Chef Claudio Ranallo (pictured above with Lidia Ranallo)!

(Image: Special thanks to Where Vancouver for snapping this photo. See more photos from the event here.)

Hai voglia di fare una passeggiata? Do you feel like going for a stroll?

Perhaps in Italy, everything evolves into an art. Even taking an early evening stroll has earned a romantic, Italian name: passeggiata. It's a magical time where folk come out to stroll, sit and people watch, enjoy conversation with neighbours, friends and family. It's a ritual that Italians of all ages take joy in. 

As the sun goes down, the people come out. It's most certainly not bedtime when the light is dim in the sky. Whether you are in Rome or a small seaside village on the Amalfi coast, life continues simply and fabulously with the tradition of the passeggiata.

Fun Fact: Did you know that Una passeggiata is also an expression for ‘piece of cake.’ 

Stroll down to La Piazza Dario to complete an evening Italian tradition (we are very close to the skytrain) with a tasty meal created by Chef Claudio!

We'll have a table ready for you and your loved ones...

(Image via Pixabay)

Discover the art of wine-making in today's feature video!

Making wine is no trivial process. In Italy, wine is a natural part of a sacred Italian tradition: il pasto, the meal. Feasting and food are just simply, a way of life in Italy. Tasty, rich and decadent Italian flavours need a partner to make the experience absolute perfection.

Making wine is an art. Tasting wine is a delight. Feasting with the perfect wine to match your meal is pure luxury. It is a luxury that anyone can enjoy. Come join us for dinner tonight and we'll create the perfect Italian feast for you! Our extensive wine list awaits for you to peruse and find the glass that will bring out the flavours of your meal.

Today's feature video is all about the art of making wine! Sit back and relax while we start planning the perfect meal for your Friday evening!



(Image via Pixabay)

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)

La Piazza Dario ama i funghi! We love mushrooms!

While we love absolutely every item on our menu, there is a special place in our hearts reserved for our dishes that include mushrooms. We are of the opinion that a good meal that incorporates gourmet or wild mushrooms can become a great one. Versatile and subtle, mushrooms have the ability to be the vessel of flavour, while also adding texture to the main event.

At La Piazza Dario we have four wonderful mushroom dishes that we heartily recommend you try. If you love mushrooms, you certainly won't regret tasting these delizioso menu items! All four meals are available on our dinner menu. See below for details and pricing.

La Piazza Dario Mushroom Dishes

• Our first recommendation is the tagliatelle delizie del bosco pasta; broad noodles are served with sautéed gourmet mushrooms and herbs, and finished in truffle oil. | $18
• Next up, we have our risotto ai funghi misti, a pearl rice dish that is sautéed with wild mushrooms, garlic and fine herbs, all served with parmesan cheese. | $18
• For those more inclined to choose a tomato based pasta, we have our penne ciociara. This mouthwatering penne pasta is served with pancetta, peas and mushrooms, all of which is sautéed in a garlic and tomato sauce. | $18
• If you're not in the mood for pasta, may we suggest Chef Claudio's vitello al portobello; veal medallions are cooked to perfection and sautéed with a portobello mushroom sauce. | $24

Not a fan of mushrooms? Peruse the rest of our menu!