Last Saturday evening I dined at Café Pacifica inside the Pan Pacific Hotel for their Italian Opera Buffet. I was invited by the Pan Pacific to come and experience their Italian Opera night, it was a discovery of sorts for me as I hadn’t heard about this unique dinner with live opera singers.

Every Saturday night, it is Italian Opera night in this restaurant, ideal for your date night, wedding anniversary, birthday or to treat yourself to a personal indulgence. Accomplished Opera singers accompanied by piano as the entertainment while you dine at this Italian themed buffet.

Began the meal with a selection of salads and antipasti from one of the stations, favourites here were the Tomato Caprese, white asparagus, grilled vegetables, shrimp salad, and olives. Next was a visit to the entrée station where I had Duck leg in Barolo with polenta rounds along with Vegetarian Canelloni both dishes were outstanding; from here I visited the Pasta station and the Chef prepared a dish of wholewheat rigatoni, with shrimp, scallops, vegetables, pine nuts, sun dried tomatoes, garlic and tomato sauce. The last station was the dessert station where I loved the Elize, chocolate hazelnut slice and the plum almond tart. While enjoying dinner and a great conversation, the two opera singers sang Italian opera for our listening pleasure.

Italian Opera Dinner happens every Saturday night from 6pm-9pm and is $49 per person at Cafe Pacifica.

By: Richard Wolak