Not for the hungry and impatient…
I fortunately had the patience and determination to finally enjoy a meal at the infamous Trattoria Kitchen on West Fourth Ave. It’s so convenient for me and my girls – we’re all within a walking radius of this fine establishment and if all else failed, there were plenty of other choices in the area (Zakkushi, Pinky’s, Las Margaritas). An hour and a half wait and a pitcher of sangria later, we were led to our table. Now it’s not exactly groundbreaking news that Trattoria is one of the hottest restaurants in town, but what I’m about to share with you IS.
The concept of this neighbourhood eatery is a return to traditional family dining and sharing is highly encouraged. While their pasta platters sound deliciously tempting, our waiter divulged a wonderful tidbit of news. He advised us to order half orders of our favourite pastas (for half the price) and make our own pasta platter! What an ingenious idea!! We were so excited and we loved every single dish we ordered. We stuffed ourselves silly and enjoyed yet another pitcher of sangria. Now, if you are planning on venturing over for the first time (and with the atrocious wait times, I’m not surprised) then be sure to order their white wine sangria, the spaghetti and Kobe meatballs, hand-made gnochhi and Tiramisu for dessert. Some stellar appies if your stomach allows it: bruschetta with a chickpea gazpacho and their lamb chops. And always be sure to give your regards to the chef, because they do a phenomenal job serving this Kits hot spot. This place is bumpin so be prepared to enjoy some drinks in the crowded lounge for about double the estimated wait time given.
Caffeine Cravings
I *heart* coffee moreso since I’ve been travelling and tasted REAL coffee. Prior to, I was perfectly content with my Caramel Macchiatos from Starbucks, but to me it now itastes like they nuked my milk and threw in some bland caffeine. REAL coffee tastes like it smells (rich) and the milk is frothed to creamy perfection. And not many places in Vancouver offer such perfect blends. Caffe Artigiano has been a long-time fave, but it’s also a bit too busy – convenient to take on the go as they have a few locations. If you’re looking for something more unique, I recommend Blondy’s Coffee on 4th Avenue – it’s the perfect escape from Vancouver. The ecelectic blend of furnishings transport you to a whole other world and nothing beats a good coffee inside a great cafe.
