Call 604.430.2195 to book your table!

La Piazza Dario

Authentic Italian Food & Vancouver's Best Kept Secret!

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]
An Italian culinary experience awaits you at La Piazza Dario with Chef Claudio's delicious fettuccine dishes!

 Fettuccine, which means "small ribbons" in Italian, is a well known type of pasta that is enjoyed by pasta lovers all over the world. Cut flatter and wider than, say, spaghetti pasta, it is an absolute joy to eat. This is especially true when it is made fresh and cooked al dente, which is, of course, how Chef Claudio prepares it at La Piazza Dario. In fact, we have not one, but two incredible fettuccine dishes that you simply must try!


Chef Claudio has created both of his mouthwatering fettuccine dishes to satisfy your palette. Whether you're in the mood for pasta accompanied by a cream sauce or a tomato based one, Chef Claudio has got you covered! If you're craving cream, may we suggest the fettuccine al pistacchio, an absolutely delicious plate of fettuccine pasta made with a pistachio pesto cream sauce. It is magnificent. However, should you be more in the mood for a dish laden with tomatoes, we highly recommend the fettuccine “affumicato” alla claudio. This delightful pasta dish comes with sautéed sundried tomatoes, smoked ricotta chesse and arugola. You will not be disappointed!

Come to our table tonight and try Chef Claudio's handcrafted fettuccine! In the mood for something else? Peruse the rest of our dinner menu.

Make your reservation by calling ahead at 604-430-2195, or online via OpenTable. We look forward to seeing you and your friends and family!

(Image via Pixabay)
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 :) 
October 25th is World Pasta Day! Come celebrate with us at La Piazza Dario.

The month of October brings about many wonderful festivities and celebrations. Which means, having just celebrated the first official holiday of the fall season last weekend for Thanksgiving, there are still plenty of events to look forward to this month!



Among these events is the internationally recognized World Pasta Day. Celebrated every year on October 25th, World Pasta Day is held in honour of pasta, helping to spread the word on its nutritional values. In Milan, World Pasta Day will be held in conjunction with Expo Milano 2015, and will be followed by World Pasta Congress on October 26th and 27th, which occurs every five years. Both World Pasta Day and Congress will take inspiration from the theme of this year's Expo: "Feeding the planet, energy for life."

Learn more about Milan's World Pasta Day and Congress.

In honour of World Pasta Day, we warmly welcome you to our table to celebrate this delicious Italian specialty. La Piazza Dario is proud to offer an incredible selection of different pasta dishes, all handmade by Chef Claudio Ranallo!

Discover the many La Piazza Dario pasta dishes on our menu!
Come celebrate the weekend with Chef Claudios's chocolate mousse!

The weekend is almost upon us and it's time to reward yourself for working hard all week long with a treat (or two). With that in mind, we can almost guarantee that there is no better treat out there than Chef Claudio's torta di cioccolata, or chocolate mousse in English. Sweet and, oh so chocolatey, torta di cioccolata is one of those desserts you will dream of.



Come join us for dinner tomorrow night and kick off the weekend right. Enjoy some authentic Italian cooking, a glass or two of Italy's finest wine, and top it all off with some sinfully delicious chocolate cake! It will leave you feeling terribly happy, we promise.

Even if chocolate is not your thing, we feel pretty confident that you will love Chef Claudio's torta di cioccolata. That said, we'd never want to limit your options! Peruse the rest of the La Piazza Dario dessert menu. Listed, you will find Italian classics, such as cannoli, zabaglione and tiramisù, and other delectable treats, including St. Honore cake.

Make your reservation today online through OpenTable or by calling us at 604-430-2195.

(Image via Pixabay)
Come celebrate the changing seasons with La Piazza Dario.

Can you believe that September is already here?! It doesn't seem all that long ago that the summer season was only just beginning. However, with the Labour Day Long Weekend coming up in just a couple of days, the beginning of the fall season will officially be upon us. As always, we would like to welcome you to our table to help you celebrate the changing seasons!

Come join us for a warm bowl of stracciatella or tortellini in brodo. Or indulge in some first class, authentic Italian comfort food to help get you into the fall spirit. For example, nothing will warm you up and leave you feeling full and satisfied quite like La Piazza Dario's Spaghetti alla “Claudio”!

Peruse the rest of the La Piazza Dario lunch and dinner menus.



We look forward to seeing you over the weekend and throughout the fall! Just a reminder, however, that we will be closed this upcoming September 7th for the holiday Monday.

Happy Labour Day Long Weekend!
Treat yourself and indulge in Chef Claudio's delectable créme caramel!

Créme caramel may not be a traditional Italian treat, but trust us when we say that La Piazza Dario serves the best créme caramel around. Handmade by our very own Head Chef, Claudio Ranallo, this dessert is the perfect way to finish off a meal when dining with us at La Piazza Dario.

For those of you who have never experienced this one of kind dessert, créme caramel is made of custard and topped with a delectable layer of soft caramel. As seen below, the La Piazza Dario version of créme caramel is beautifully presented with a little extra caramel, a gooseberry and a wafer cookie! Served chilled, this is the perfect dessert to enjoy on a hot summer evening. And with all of that delicious caramel, it will definitely satisfy your sweet tooth!

Come try Chef Claudio's delectable créme caramel! We invite you to join us for lunch, dinner or even just dessert! Make your reservation online via OpenTable or give us a call at 604-430-2195.

See what else is on the La Piazza Dario dessert menu.
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)
Discover the Italian way of life and the art of the feast!

Italy has many wonderful splendours and treasure to offer the world. Past or present, Italy is full of beautiful things and promoting a beautiful life. It is a country that offers much in the way of art, architecture, nature, history, music, and of course, food.

Italian cuisine is, simply put, exquisite in its flavours, freshness, and its ability to bring people together. It seems that, big or small, Italians have discovered the art of the feast!

Join our table and experience an Italian feast created by Chef Claudio! You will not be disappointed, we guarantee. Chef Claudio uses delicious fresh ingredients and recipes that he has brought with him from his own kitchen back in Italy many years ago. La Piazza Dario is his way of bringing authentic Italian fare to the table and opens the doors to this Italian feast and la dolce vita so many are craving!

To inspire you, here is a great video featuring Italy and the Art of the Feast from BBC...

Enjoy and see you very soon! We'll have your dinner ready and waiting for you to savour and fill your hearts (and tummies) with delicious delights!




(Image via Pixabay)

We've got the perfect date night plan for you!

Tonight is Italian movie night in the park! The sun is shining and the air is warm and balmy. What better way to spend your Friday evening than enjoying a delicious meal, a good glass of wine, and an open air film?!

Join us for a delicious dinner of authentic Italian cuisine created by Chef Claudio. He creates each and every dish using family recipes he enjoyed as a child in Italy. Round off your meal with a sweet treat and liqueur!

Then grab your blankets and walk over to the North East corner of Beaconsfield Park (just behind La Piazza Dario and Il Centro off of Slocan Street) to enjoy the warm night air with a movie! Showing tonight is the Italian charmer, Pane e Tulipani, or in English, Bread and Tulips.

For more details on tonight's feature film in the park, visit Il Centro and to book your table give us a call at: 604-430-2195

Hope to see you for a delicious Italian evening!
Less than 12 hours left to take advantage of this tasty deal with SocialShopper!
Save up to 52% off now with SocialShopper's lunch and/or dinner deals from La Piazza Dario!

Spend only $12 and receive $25 worth of Chef Claudio's authentic Italian cuisine, as listed on our lunch menu. This deal is available Monday through Friday between 11:30 am and 2:30 pm. Or, if you're in the mood for a delicious, classic Italian dinner, spend $25 and receive $50 worth of food, available Sunday through Friday between 5:00 pm and 10:30 pm.

Watch the below video or visit SocialShopper for full details.



Browse Our Menus Below:
After you've purchased your deal, be sure to make your reservation with us! Reserve your table online via OpenTable, or give us a call at 604-430-2195.
Come join us for a tasty dish of Chef Claudio's spaghetti alle vongole veraci!


What are your plans? No plans? Well let us make some for you! Come to La Piazza Dario's for a delicious home cooked meal of spaghetti all vongole. It's a delicious and fresh plate of pasta with a light white wine, garlic and clam sauce, lightly bathing in spaghetti. 

The clams are delightful, perfectly cooked and full of flavour. Fresh basil adds a pop of colour and flavour contrast to the clams and white wine. It's the perfect way to enjoy a full dish of pasta without it weighing you down. This is a dish that, if you can't finish it, you will definitely want to bring the leftovers home! 

Enjoy it with a glass of white wine and follow this savoury delight with a sweet dessert and/ or espresso and you will be one happy Vancouverite!

Call us to make reservations at 604-430-2195.
Il Mercato Italian Market is coming back to Il Centro!

This Friday, May 15th, between 3:00pm and 7:00pm, be sure to stop by the Italian Cultural Centre and explore Vancouver's only Italian market!

Back due to its wonderful success last year, tomorrow's market will be the first of many for the 2015 season. In fact, Il Mercato will be hosted by Il Centro every third Friday of the month until November. See below for a full list of dates!

Il Mercato Italian Market Dates
  • May 15th
  • June 19th
  • July 17th
  • August 21st
  • September 18th
  • October 16th
  • November 20th
While we won't be selling at the Market itself, La Piazza Dario is located right beside Il Centro and, as always, Chef Claudio's delizioso tomato sauce and authentic bread dip will be for sale! We will also be open for dinner and welcome you to bring your appetite once you have finished exploring Il Mercato.


For more information on the Italian Market visit MERCATO Italian Market.
It's Mother's Day this weekend! 
How will you be celebrating? We've got a great idea that she will enjoy and that you can easily achieve! Come celebrate Mother's Day with us! 

From our kitchen, Chef Claudio will be whipping up a culinary storm for the whole family but most especially for the moms who do so much for us all! Give your mom the gift of a night off from the kitchen and book a table with us. We'll have the pastas and the carnes ready for you all to enjoy with a delicious glass of wine.

Following your meal, we shall prepare a decadent dessert for your mom and the whole family. Enjoy the confectionary delights that Chef Claudio has waiting with an after dinner espresso or digestif liqueur!

We hope to see you and your mom this weekend! For more ideas on how to celebrate your beloved mother this weekend, explore our post from the past: 5 Ways to Celebrate Mother's Day!

Ciao!

(Image via Pixabay)
Planning your trip to Italy? You might want to add Monterosso al Mare to your list of places to see!


Today's travel bite and feature spotlight is on Monterosso al Mare, a jewel of the Italian Riviera. It is one of five villages in the Cinque Terre and is part of the Cinque Terre National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

As a seaside town, the seafood is plentiful and is a feature in many of its delicious Italian dishes! The anchovies are a well known speciality and boast a Protected Designation of Origin Status from the European Union!

Here is a short video highlighting the delicious Italian cuisine, village charm and hospitality this hillside town has in store of all of its visitors and residents!

Until you go there however, join us for a delicious authentic taste of Italy right here in Vancouver!




(Image: Cinque Terre -Liguria, ISF Florence, via Flickr, CC BY-ND 2.0)
Join us and experience the most delicious kind of before and after experience!

We guarantee that when you come to La Piazza Dario you are going to enjoy this exact "before and after" experience:

You are delightfully full of fresh, home cooked pasta or carne (or both?) and then it's time to peruse the dessert menu. We have a good idea that this beauty will catch your eye! This is our decadent St. Honore Cake! Layers of sponge cake and fresh cream and a chocolate drizzles are topped by a profiterole! You dessert stomach has given you no choice: it must be ordered!

Before:


After:



Come and join us this weekend to enjoy this delightful dessert after a truly authentic Italian main course, specially cooked for you by Chef Claudio!
Take advantage of this yummy deal, limited time only, from Groupon!

We're always excited to share our tasty deals with you, and this great one from Groupon is no exception. With savings available up to 52% off, this is one deal you're not going to want to miss out on!

Spend only $25 and indulge in $50 worth of Chef Claudio's incredible Italian dinner dishes, Sunday through Friday, anytime between 5:00 pm and 10:30 pm. Or, if you're in the mood for a delectable lunch to help you get through your work day, receive $25 to spend on lunch items, Monday through Friday, between 11:30 am and 2:30 pm, for only $12!

Take advantage of this great deal now on Groupon! And don't wait too long - the offer has only a limited time remaining, with over 460 '$25 for $50' deals bought and over 80 '$12 for $25' deals purchased.

We look forward to seeing you!

And remember to stay tuned to our blog for future announcements and tips on great savings and deals to be had at La Piazza Dario.
Five ways to get into the holiday spirit, the Italian way!

With the start of December right around the corner and less than a month to go until Christmas, it's time to start getting into the holiday spirit! While we're positive that you and your family have traditions of your own, we hope that we can provide some ideas on how you can have even more festive fun this holiday season.



As you may know, Christmas is a largely celebrated holiday in Italy. And with that in mind, we warmly welcome you to join us in beginning to celebrate the holidays, the Italian way! Below are five festive things to do in Vancouver that are bound to get you into the Christmas spirit, all of which are a little Italian in one way or another. Enjoy!

Five Festive Things to do in Vancouver This Year
  1. Attend the Community Choir Christmas Concert at Il Centro!
    When: December 8 at 7:00 pm
    Where: Ballroom of the Italian Cultural Centre
    Cost: Free
  2. Try a few Italian Christmas recipes. Some of our favourites include Italian Christmas desserts, such as panetonne and pandoro.
  3. Visit the Vancouver Christmas Market! Christmas markets are a European tradition and the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit.
    When: Novebmer 22 to December 24, daily between 11:00 am and 9:00 pm
    Where: Downtown Vancouver on the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza
    Cost: $0 to $7, depending on age (Buy Tickets)
  4. Discover what celebrating Christmas in Italy entails. Watch Rick Steves' European Christmas Part 8: Italy video and learn all about Italian Christmas traditions.
  5. Last but definitely not least: Feast like an Italian! Join us at La Piazza Dario for an authentic Italian meal and celebrate the upcoming holidays with family and friends. Enjoy a night away from your kitchen and treat yourself to Chef Claudio's delicious cooking.
We hope you enjoy getting into the spirit and we look forward to seeing you at La Piazza Dario!

(Image via Pixabay)