Another summer where I was hoping to travel to Italy and as that didn’t materialize, I had a chance to Summer like an Italian with Kitchen Table Restaurants without leaving Vancouver while we visited 3 out of 12 of their Italian restaurants. Everyone who participates has a chance to win amazing prizes just for dining at any of their 12 Italian restaurants like the ones that we visited which were Giovane Cafe, Pourhouse and Bacaro.
Got caffeinated in a Summer like an Italian morning with Lawrence who joined me on this adventure as we travelled around Italy without leaving Vancouver.
We started the morning at Giovane Café with an Mandorlatte (espresso, orzata, milk) iced for me; and the Espresso Shakerato (espresso shaken on ice) for Lawrence. We tried a selection of their baked goods that included Cornetto filled with marmellata, Lemon bar, Pistachio bar and the Bombolini filled with raspberry.
Next up it was our American Italian dining adventure for lunch at Pourhouse with a couple of zero-proof mocktails, I had the Dark and stormy while Lawrence had the Paloma.
I loved the Buttermilk Fried Chicken appetizer with honey butter, lemon pepper pickles, honey mustard; as well as the Black Garlic Caesar with black kale, romaine, black garlic dressing, grana padano, garlic bread crumbs. We also had the tasty Lobster Cakes with lobster, panko, fresh herbs, lemon herbed salad, spicy aioli, and grilled lemon.
For our mains the Arctic Char in the carrot buerre blanc with butter beans was exceptional; I also loved the Ratatouille with zucchini, roasted red pepper, tomato, eggplant, marinara, arugula, olive oil, chive
For dinner we started our Venetian dining adventure at Bacaro where Executive Chef Chanthy Yen has a wonderful menu with many delicious dishes on offer and this is their house-made Sourdough and cultured butter.
I loved the Heirloom Tomato salad on a bed of ricotta, with sumac dressing and sourdough.
We had some of their Cicchetti including the tasty Mozzarella in carozza / tomato ppl along with the Crab croquettes.
We paired this up with some refreshing mocktails and then learned that their Buratta comes in weekly from Italy and we loved the Buratta on a bed of corn salad.
Both pasta dishes that followed were outstanding, starting off with the Cappelletti with smoked ricotta, corn, marjoram butter; along with the Tagliolini with spot prawn, tomato sugo, saffron butter.
We both loved the Lamb Rack with farro, raisin mostarda, salsa verde.
No Italian meal is ever complete without dessert, we had their house-made Milk Punch (frozen sabayon, stonefruit, toasted meringue) which was my favourite; and the Nanaimo bar (coconut, pistachio ganache, chocolate).
Flight of amari (conchords – cardamaro, vecchin amaro del capo, amaro della sacra) to finish.
Remember to have your passport stamped at each of the places which will enable you to have a chance to win some awesome prizes including a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Italy. This tasty promo ends on September 21, the summer isn’t over yet, with our hot days there is still time to dine at Kitchen Table Restaurants which also includes Ask for Luigi, Carlino Restaurant, Di Beppe, Farina a Legna, Mercato di Luigi, and Pizzeria Farina.
Guests who share their experiences on social media, tagging @kitchentablerestaurants with the hashtag #SummerLikeAnItalian, will have the chance to win weekly prizes. Those who collect a minimum of 6 stamps will also be entered to win one of three grand prizes:
A once-in-a-lifetime trip to Italy, including a five-day tour package and cooking class experience with Chef Alessandro Riccobono.
A luxurious overnight stay at the Shangri-La Vancouver, paired with a $250 gift card to Carlino.
A $500 gift card to Kitchen Table’s family of restaurants.
All you need to do is ask any of the restaurants for a passport to get started.
By: Richard Wolak