The Godfather of Italian Food in Vancouver

In Yaletown (Vancouver, BC), there’s an Italian restaurant. This restaurant is not your typical classic Italian restaurant; here they use modern techniques, it is rustic and charming, however, what makes the restaurant is the Chef. He is meticulous in his efforts, with choices in produce to the delivery of the food. The restaurant attracts the attention of celebrity as well as everyone else and the Chef gives back to his City and to his community. I am speaking about Cioppino.

After living in Italy, many times, and experiencing Italy first-hand, I understand how Italian food and experience should be. There are very few restaurants in Vancouver that do Italian right. Cioppino was the first Italian restaurant that I visited in Vancouver. I had heard many things about the restaurant, many years ago, and I chose this as somewhere I had to check out. When I ate there it was a very good experience, it wasn’t at all comparable to many places that sold Italian food. There are currently so many restaurants making pasta and Italian food in Vancouver, but still, few can compare.

Culturally, pasta isn’t meant to stuff you as you eat it here in Canada. Here we treat it as the main course whereas in Italy it is before the main course. This would be the food you eat prior to your main course as a flavourful and filling part of your meal so that you truly enjoy your main course and don’t eat just to be full of food. Cioppino has food other than pasta that is incredible as well; the chestnut soup I will never forget and there was a veal 10 years ago that I can still remember with passion, it was veal with porcini.

Over time I visited regularly, and got to know the Chef. Eventually I was able to cook for him at Secret Location, I cooked for him and his wife and we were able to build a relationship. Eventually we did cook together for an event where he gave his time and food as a donation. He came to my restaurant Cacao numerous times to eat and promoted me to others. I am proud to know such an amazing Italian Chef that I consider a friend and a mentor.

The Italian culture in Vancouver has grown recently; you can find a lot more fresh pasta, well made pizza, house cured meats and many more good Italian options. I will talk more later in my blog about other favourite Italian restaurants. The few chefs and restauranteurs that have actually been to Italy and are able to replicate that culture in a positive and culturally accurate way are doing an amazing job. Seek out these places for an amazing Italian experience.

I am aware that Cioppino is getting a facelift as they are currently in renovations, and I have no doubt that the new and improved restaurant will be amazing. Stand alone just their wine list is one of the best in town and I know their food will always be spectacular. I have never received less than excellent service and if you want a perfect Italian experience when you dine, this is the right place to go.

Chef Pino Posteraro is an amazing and experienced Italian Chef and I would continue to eat his amazing food over and over. Those who have been to Italy, learned from experience or even this Chef himself will continue to make great food that I hope to continue to experience. In Vancouver, we have an opportunity to showcase this amazing cultural experience and I hope everyone takes part. Thank you Chef, for the wonderful and flavourful experiences I have had so far.