The Bibo Italian Restaurant Opening

Lorenzo Bottazzi (r), Salvatore (m) and Andrea Bini (r)

On Tuesday night March 15th, I attended the opening party for The Bibo Italian Restaurant in Kitsilano.

Salvatore - the pizza maker

Once inside a wide selection of Antipasti was being served to the invited guests and media, red and white Italian wines poured Montepulciano Dabruzzo Cantina Tollo, Italy, vintage 2006 and Soave Classico San Michele Ca Rugate, Italy, vintage 2008 were served.

Focaccia

Focaccia, Salads, Antipasti

The owners are Lorenzo Bottazzi and Andrea Bini and both are passionate about serving the best Italian Wine and Food to their guests. Lorenzo spoke and welcomed everyone telling the story of why they opened Bibo here in Vancouver. I spoke with Lorenzo who told me they bought the restaurant specifically for the Fire Wood Pizza Oven so that they could make their Napoletana Pizzas.

Gnocchi in Pesto sauce

Margherita Formula One

Crudo

Afterwards, more of their delicious food was served and I ate my way thru the wonderful pastas and pizza. I loved all the three pastas that I tried, including the BiBo Matteo – Spracci, wide pasta paired with flavorful Italian Porcini mushroom sauce;  Gnocchi pasta served with Pesto sauce and Rigatoni Alla Norma a Sicilian recipe, tomato, basil and maccheroni pasta served with grilled eggplant and seasoned salt ricotta cheese (very rare and unique). I tried a selection of their pizzas and absolutely loved the Margherita Formula One – San marzano tomato DOP, buffalo mozzarella from campania DOP, basil which is their house specialty, I also enjoyed the Capricciosa -Tomato, mozzarella, cooked ham, mushrooms, artichokes, black olives, capers; Quattro Formaggi- Mozzarella, provola, gorgonzola, parmesan; and Funghi Porcini – Tomato, mozzarella, porcini mushrooms.

Tiramisu

Bounet

Just when the guests including yours truly were feeling quite full, a spectacular selection of Italian desserts arrived to the table. I love desserts and I was in heaven with their creamy Tiramisu – made of Italian savoiardi biscuits dipped in coffee, layered with a whipped mixture of egg yolks, italian mascarpone and flavored with liquor and cocoa; the delicious Bounet is a traditional Piemontese pudding made with amaretti and cocoa and their Chocolate Pizza – a pizza dough baked and smothered with a rich melted chocolate cream. I also tried the Panna Cotta “cooked cream” was served as a chilled dish. I had some of the Crème Caramel – a custard dessert with a layer of soft caramel on top. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with a stylish bar, large kitchen, a showcase area for live entertainment and an open pizza kitchen and oven. Lorenzo told me that they brought Salvatore their Pizza maker in from Naples, he is one of best pizza makers in the world he sees pizza making as a work of art and the pizza is his masterpiece.

The Bibo Italian Restaurant is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday to Sunday, from 11:30am, located at 1835 West 4th Avenue in Vancouver and online at www.thebibo.com, phone 604-568-6177.

By: Richard Wolak

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