Looking for vacation inspiration?

Just the thought of Italy causes our mouths to water and stirs the desire to travel. You probably don't need more inspiration to travel to Europe, especially Italy (can you tell we are biased?!). However, perhaps you might need inspiration on which cities to pick for your next vacation. In Italy alone there are so many fantastic locales to visit. That's why we're sharing this video of one global citizen's journey through Venice and Florence.

Of course, if you need a taste of Italy before you go, we're much closer than a plane ride!

See you soon and enjoy!

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)

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)!

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. So what about a video?!

Although we are enjoying a fantastic sunny summer here, an Italian vacation is always a good idea! However, it's not always possible. Work and other restrictions sometimes have to keep us at home for a "staycation." That said, this doesn't mean you can't enjoy the Italian views or some delicious Italian food!

La Piazza Dario is a little piece of Italy that is just around the corner. Join us for lunch or dinner for that authentic taste of Italy. Chef Claudio will whip up some of his best dishes just for you and you will be able to send your taste buds on a little Italian vacation.

Until we can all share in a delicious meal together, we've found this visual feast of the Italian sights! Enjoy this hyper lapse video of Italy and zoom through the views.

Call us today at 604-430-2195 to make your reservations! We can wait to share our love to Italy and the Italian dolce vita with you!




(Image via Pixabay)

Today's spotlight features the charms and flavours of Montepulciano!

Italy is filled with wonders beyond its incredible cuisine. Today we're taking a mini tour of the gorgeous little Tuscan hill town of Montepulciano!

This gem of Italy is one of many charming places to visit. It is a medieval and Renaissance town located in the province of Siena in Southern Tuscany that is renowned for culinary delights as well as its Vino Nobile. In fact, connoisseurs consider its Vino Nobile among Italy's best! Although labelled as a medieval and Renaissance town, recent findings are uncovering roots that date it back to the 4th and 3r centuries BC!

Enjoy this video and discover the history, flavours and wonders of Montepulciano! Then come visit us for a taste of some exquisite Italian wines! ;)



(Image: Montepulciano, Toscana, Italy; by Alex Pears, via Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 2.0)

Explore the Renaissance and the flavours of Italy at La Piazza Dario!

In a previous post, we've shared our admiration for the delights of the Italian Renaissance. As an homage to this cultural past, we've decorated our entrance walkway with sculptures inspired by the Renaissance.

But of course, there is much more to the Renaissance than sculpture and much more to La Piazza Dario than our entrance.

Come and join us at our table and explore the flavours of Italy. We've got something for every discerning palate: succulent seafood, juicy and tender carne (meat), perfectly al dente pastas, and decadent desserts!

So we invite you to enjoy a delicious Italian meal and explore the wonders of the Italian Renaissance with this comedic, yet educational video overview!

Christmas is fast approaching...
Learn all about Italian Christmas traditions!

Italy has a wealth of culture. It comes as no surprise then that the Christmas season is filled with unique traditions and practices that one can experience for more than just the 25th of December! Here in North America as we approach Christmas Day, our minds are full of Christmas shopping and gift lists.

*PAUSE: Come visit us for a delicious and traditional Italian food that will leave your taste buds and tummies oh so satisfied! In fact, treat your friends and family to the La Piazza Dario experience for a tasty Christmas gift! UNPAUSE*

But in Italy, people have much more that just shopping and one special day to prepare for! The Christmas season includes many important feast days and different characters. Watch this video from Rick Steves to learn just a little bit about Italy during Christmas time!

Enjoy and of course Buon Natale!

Discover an Italian tradition: the passegiata!

Coming from the Italian word, passeggiare, to stroll, la passeggiata is the the Italian ritual of the evening stroll. Before dinner, it's a healthy habit that gets you moving and relaxed after a day of work and routine. It's a social affair where people go to see and be seen, often dressed to impress. If you find yourself out and about in almost any Italian city, town or village for la passeggiata, you'll be able to observe entire families with children on proud display, young women fluttering eyelashes, acquaintances tipping hats, stories of the day being exchanged... It's a cultural performance that is a quintessential part of the Italian way of life.

It's a tradition enjoyed by all generations and one of the best times to people watch. As the sun goes down, the people come out and the passeggiata commences. Watch...



Come by La Piazza Dario to fuel your love of Italy and inspire the Italian lifestyle!
Learn more about the passeggiata from Fodor's Travel and discover the most Italian time of day. Ciao! :)

Yet another Tuscan gem that sparkles with the architecture, history & culture of Italy!

Never heard of it? Well we are sure you've heard of a famous composer that called Lucca home: Giacomo Puccini.

But there's more to this beautiful town than the operatic wonders of Puccini. Watch this charming video snap shot of Lucca from Rick Steves and we're sure you'll be inspired to wander it's winding streets.

Join us this weekend for a delicious, authentic Italian meal as you dream of the Italian life in Lucca...