Category: Italian

Bars/Lounges · Italian · Seafood · Special Occasion · Vancouver/Richmond

Water Street Cafe in Vancouver: Dinner and Live Music in Gastown

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My sister, Me Shell, invited Chew Steel and me out to celebrate Kevin’s birthday at Water Street Cafe in Gastown. We sat on the second floor, where the restaurant features live music on Friday and Saturday nights.  Let’s listen to “Hotel California” for this post. 

Water Street Cafe attracts tourists with its prime location across from Gastown’s iconic Steam Clock. Built in 1977 by horologist Raymond Saunders, the clock doubles as a steam vent. Every 15 minutes, it whistles and releases steam with a shrill pwee-pwoo-pwee-pwooo. Having grown up in Vancouver, I know the sound well.

The musician, Sean from the Yukon, had such a good voice that both Kevin and Chew Steel remarked on it. Meanwhile, a table of American tourists in the corner was determined to record the Gastown Steam Clock. They shushed everyone in the restaurant and even asked the musician to stop playing. My gosh, all that fuss for a wheezing whistle that sounded more like a malfunction than a musical performance. By the third pwee-pwoo, I was cringing in my seat.

Me Shell ordered a whole whack of appetizers for the table: Bison Carpaccio ($25), two orders of West Coast Crab Cakes ($27), two orders of Garlic Cheese Toast ($14), two orders of Lemon Pepper Fries ($13), Burrata & Pesto ($21), Burrata Caprese ($26), and a Caesar Salad ($20). For our mains, Chew Steel and I picked the Seafood Gnocchi ($38), Me Shell selected Mushroom Gnocchi ($33), and Kevin ordered the Maple-Bourbon Short Rib ($48). The kids ordered the seafood gnocchi and the Rigatoni Arrabbiata ($36). 

I was really impressed with the appetizers. The bison carpaccio was a rich bite. The meat was paired with Grana Padano and creamy truffle aioli. With the addition of spring greens and crispy capers, each bite was a satisfying contrast of soft and crunchy. 

Chew Steel really enjoyed the garlic cheese toast, which is made with the restaurant’s signature house-made focaccia. The bread was ultra light, crispy on the outside and spongy on the inside. The decadent cheese was a mixture of garlic butter, Parmesan, mozzarella, and chevre; it was hot and gooey. 

I tried both the burrata with pesto and caprese-style. The latter was my favourite of the two; the fresh milky white burrata contrasted with juicy, tart tomatoes and balsamic drizzle. 

Kevin and Chew Steel raved about the West Coast crab cakes. Crisp on the outside, the filling was a soft mixture of blue crab, baby shrimp and saffron aioli. I liked the pop of corn and distinct crab flavour.

The Caesar was very tasty. The house-made dressing was heavy-handed, garlicky, and covered every Romaine heart crevice. Chew Steel isn’t a fan of garlic, but I am. 

The lemon pepper fries were surprisingly good. The fries were puffy and extra crispy, like Costco’s battered version, dusted with a subtle but bright lemon pepper seasoning. The potato filling was soft and fluffy. 

Kevin picked the best-looking entree. The portion of the short rib and whipped potato was generous. He gave a piece to all his kids to try, and offered us a bite. We were so full from the appetizers, we declined. 

The gnocchi was exceptionally soft and almost custardy, collapsing against my teeth rather than offering any chew. My favourite seafood was the jumbo tiger prawns, which had a satisfying snap. The Manila clams were tiny, while the baby scallops tasted fresh. The lemon-dill sauce was velvety and rich.

The 2022 Blue Grouse Ortega from the Cowichan Valley ($58) paired well with our gnocchi. After a bite of the creamy seafood, the Ortega tasted especially crisp and refreshing.

Baby K kept working his way through the rigatoni while Me Shell repeatedly warned him to stop before he made himself sick. His eyes were huge, and each forkful seemed harder to swallow than the last, but he kept shovelling pasta into his mouth as though finishing it were a moral obligation. When I asked why he wouldn’t surrender, Me Shell explained that he couldn’t bear to waste food. Eventually, his big sister staged an intervention and pushed the plate out of reach.

Chew Steel was particularly taken with both the food and the live music. Thank you to Me Shell for treating us to such a lovely evening, and happy birthday to Kevin. Between the talented musician, delicious meal and far too much rigatoni, it was a memorable night.

Italian

Date night spots in Marda Loop: Side Hustle and Annabelle’s Kitchen

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L and I met with Matech and Fit for drinks at Side Hustle in Marda Loop. On its website, Side Hustle is self-described as a watering hole tucked behind an alley, so I was surprised to find this bar anything but a hole in the wall. Let’s listen to “Radio” by Lana Del Rey for this post.

We sat on a comfortably large sofa across from the bar by the front. L admired the lamp fixtures against the wall while I noticed the open window wall. A group of young, clamorous females sat in one corner while every 15 minutes or so, a customer would come in, sit at a nook by the bar, and order a fondue and a glass of wine. 

For most of our visit, only one bartender took the orders, crafted drinks and brought out food, all without a single drop of sweat. L and Matech drank beers while Fit ordered a glass of Lambrusco (Solco, $11). Our server recommended a chai cocktail. Sweet, light and pretty, with aromatic spices, this is a winning cocktail. I relished the flavour combination so much that I told my friend Kournikova we had a new place to try for girls’ night.

Fit was hungry, so we ordered some snacks: Tom’s sausage rolls ($13), Parm fries ($10) and warm olives ($8). The pastry on the sausage roll was flaky. The filling itself was well seasoned. I found the homemade hot sauce a little too fiery. The frites were crispy and tasty. I commented there was aioli for the frites, and Fit disclosed that she doesn’t care for dipping sauce. L noted he liked the olives, which is a big compliment, as he doesn’t like olives outside of Greece.

A novel twist in the conversation unfolded when Matech chatted about his latest project. As he delved into the details, I was puzzled, as it seemed unusual for their workplace to start up on this particular venture. However, Matech quickly clarified the mystery, revealing that he worked with L part-time. His full-time gig was in the tech industry. It was funny that he had a side hustle, much like the bar we were in.

When we finished our second round of drinks, Matech said it was time to go. L picked up the tab, and I went on my phone to click onto an Uber. Matech, a master of spontaneity, clarified that we were all heading to a second locale. I looked at my watch, surprised, as it was already 8:00 p.m. Fit said they Ubered out, so they wanted to get their night’s worth despite having to fly out first thing in the morning. 

We snagged a table at Annabelle’s Kitchen. Matech ordered a bottle of Montepulciano wine as well as the crispy cauliflower ($16), arancini ($15), Nonna’s meatballs ($17), and a pizza (Mind Your Manners, $25). Matech picked this wine because he recently visited the Montepulciano region. I also learned that Fit doesn’t like dry wine because she finds the mouthfeel off-putting.

Speaking of wine, Fit told us about these fun wine parties she attends, hosted by the Wine Wizard. Small world! It turns out she’s friends with the Wine Wizard’s sister. I disclosed how we used to be next-door neighbours with the Wine Wizard, and the first time we met, he came to drop off a bottle of champagne. Fresh out of grad school and working as a research assistant, I drank the cheapest wine I could find at the time: Apothic. So when the Wine Wizard entered our house, I asked him if he wanted a glass of wine. He politely thanked me, and as he swirled and sniffed, I instantly got a bad feeling in my tummy. I never ask people what they do for a living, but a little voice in my head was panicking, so I inquired. He responded, “Oh, I import wine and am a wine connoisseur.” My face burned with embarrassment, and I fought the urge to shout in slow motion, “Noooooo!” and slam that glass out of his hand before he took a sip. Even now, when I reflect back, I wonder how he effortlessly drained that towering glass without even the slightest flinch. He transformed into a champion, a sorcerer of spirits, and for that one cursed evening, he was nothing short of a benevolent deity.

Our food came quickly. We first bit into the arancini, which was crunchy on the outside and hot and cheesy in the middle. Next up was the beef meatballs, which I found soft and mealy. I enjoyed swirling my meatball into the creamy pool of polenta, though Fit mentioned she dislikes cornmeal. The cauliflower had a light batter that melted in your mouth, and the vegetable tasted nutty and caramelized. I would order the fried cauliflower again.

The crust on the pizza was thin and crisp, with a proportional amount of pepperoni, mushrooms and mozzarella. The hot honey and red sauce gave it a needed kick. The food was tasty, but I really appreciated the stellar service at Annabelle’s and Side Hustle. Though it cleared out when we finished eating, our server never rushed us out and kept topping us up with water.

Thanks for the dinner Matech and Fit, and for the fun company. We will have to get together again, either at our place or at one of the Wine Wizard’s dinner events. I’ll even bring a very special bottle of wine we can drink before the event, to toast to the Wine Wizard, and it won’t be Apothic.

Italian · Restaurants · Seafood

Old school Italian Restaurant in Calgary: Rea’s Italian Cucina

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I wanted to take my brother Five Stars (formerly known as Jacuzzi) out for Italian food. I picked Rea’s Italian Cucina, a restaurant I’ve heard from acquaintances who swear the food at Rea’s reminds their nonna’s cooking. Let’s listen to the “Pasta Song” La Famiglia for this post.

When we arrived, I noticed most of the customers appeared to be of Italian heritage, which I considered an excellent indicator of what was to come. L commented he liked the old-school vibe, dark furniture, prominent paintings, and curtained windows. Five Stars said he was surprised every table was filled by 6:35 pm. L informed him that Calgarians prefer to eat early.

Our server, Dante, greeted L as he recognized him. It turns out that Dante is the owners’ son and a Haskayne School of Business student. What a small world.

For drinks, I ordered a glass of Ripassa (9 oz, $19), L picked a glass of Peroni ($8.50), while Five Stars chose an Orangina ($4.50). For food, I ordered the Calamari ($17), Salsiccia Casa Sausage ($17), Linguine Mare ($31), Fusilli Ferraro ($23), and a medium pizza, the Sandro Special ($24).

I recommend ordering appetizers, as the two we tried kicked some serious ass. The sausage had a spicy kick with a generous fat-lean ratio. What stood out for me was the chewy texture and unique seasoning. The tomato basil sauce was just beautiful, robust with a vibrant tomato flavour. All sausages should aspire to be Rea’s sausage. L and Five Stars said this was their favourite appetizer.

Five Stars noticed that I handed my phone to L to take pictures of the food and asked him if he usually took photos. With a long-suffering sigh, L rolled his eyes and confided that he had always taken the pictures but never received any credit. I retorted that L has a better eye for photography than I do, and I also make Five Stars take photos for me. I thought but did not say it was lovely they could bond over a common complaint.

I preferred the calamari wasn’t deep-fried because you could enjoy the satiny texture, and L mentioned it was cooked perfectly. The ringlets were silky smooth, and tender. We both loved the tangy sauce. L pointed out the big difference between the sausage’s tomato sauce and the calamari. I tried the two side-by-side and thought the tomato sauce in the calamari tasted more like olive oil. I would get the calamari again.

After a suitable amount of time, our mains arrived. The pizza dough was homemade and in between a Greek-style and Neapolitan crust. Covered in molten cheese, I could detect a pleasingly strong smoky flavour. The olives, prosciutto and cheese tasted extra good to me.

The fusilli was my favourite because of the pure decadence of the rose sauce. The creamy sauce was so smooth and luscious that I cleaned the plate. Five Stars mentioned he liked the texture of the fusilli. Slick with a slippery sauce, the surface still had a slight chew.

The linguine mare is one of Rea’s signature dishes. There was almost as much sauce as noodles, which I loved because the tomato sauce was so thick, fresh and balanced. L and Five Stars were surprised there was so much seafood. The ratio of clams, mussels, scallops, shrimp and calamari to noodles was even. The flavour of all the shellfish was prominent, though the brightness of the tomato sauce cut through some of it. I dig the cheeses Rea uses in the pasta and pizza – it’s more flavourful and tastes better than the one I use at home.

I would come back. I’d order everything again, but I want to try the veal tortellini for variation, and L said he wants to try the chicken parmesan. We shared everything, so the amount of food we ordered was perfect. We only had half a pizza left over. Five Stars declared this was his favourite meal in Calgary. He asked how we found it. L gestured to me, and I explained I’d heard about this restaurant for over a decade now, as it has a reputation for homestyle Italian food. Hitting the Sauce gives Rea’s two phat thumbs up.

Want more like this? Check out my running list of Calgary’s best restaurants, date nights, and cheap eats.

Bakery · Brunch · Italian · Restaurants

Lina’s Italian Market – New Inglewood eatery

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Before our wine-tasting event at Bricks Wine Co, Sunflower generously treated me to brunch. She initially suggested Deane House, but I remembered Lina’s Italian Market opened a new location in Calgary’s Inglewood neighbourhood, which I wanted to check out. For this post, let’s listen to “We Can’t Stop” by Miley Cyrus.

We wandered over to the kitchen side of the store and learned there is a cafeteria-like area where you can pick what you want to eat and a cafe section. Sunflower commented on the pretty green wallpaper and the cozy and quaint-looking booths. I’d typically order a coffee at an Italian cafe, but I was jonesing to celebrate and opted for a glass of white wine ($13) instead. Sunflower ordered a Bellini ($15). We shared the Deluxe Mushroom Calzone ($16) and the Potato Apple Smoked Caciocavallo Frico ($18).

Our server picked a lovely white wine for me – it wasn’t the rough table wine that some markets serve. I would order the wine again, however, it was Sunflower’s bellini that kicked some serious ass. The flavour was so freaking delicious, floral and refreshing. This drink was so superb; it made Milestone / Cactus Club bellini taste like a 7/11 slushy.

Evenly browned throughout and freshly baked, the calzone’s crust was light and thin. The filling consisted of bocconcini and what looked like Beech mushrooms. The ragu was bold and intensely tomatoey, with a hint of rosemary.

Sunflower’s dish was so good! The potato pancake was lacey and delicate, with a toasty crunch. Sunflower thought the smoked cheese tasted similar to bacon. I loved the onions’ deep flavour and the creaminess of the orange-yellow yolk.

Lina’s has warm vibes. The staff are friendly and happy to chat about their products. Someone stopped by our table to offer us a sample of Italian beer you can only buy at Lina’s. Our server showed us the white peach puree they use and sell in the store.

After we ate, Sunflower and I marvelled at the imported goods and selection of cheeses. She bought some dried mushrooms, and I picked up some bread, fresh basil, dill and mint leaves. We also bought four bottles of the white peach puree to make bellinis at home. Lina’s is a welcome addition to Inglewood and will be a frequent stop for me.

Want more like this? Check out my running list of Calgary’s best restaurants, date nights, and cheap eats.

Bakery · Deli · Dessert · Italian · Pizza · Restaurants

Where to shop in Calgary: Italian Centre Shop

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My father-in-law Bobbino and I are trying to get in as many beer and pizza lunches as possible before my sabbatical ends. We usually head to Richmond Pub or Newcastle Pub, but I was craving something different on Monday. For this post, let’s listen to “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant” by Billy Joel.

I suggested we drop by the Italian Centre Shop for pizza and wine / beer. Unfortunately, we arrived right at the busiest time. A line-up snaked around the corner, and I noticed with mild irritation that each customer (including myself) asked several questions before ordering. However, the employee at the cashier did an admirable job getting all the customers through while still ensuring each order was perfect. For example, when I ordered my pizzas, she instructed the pizza maker to ensure the prosciutto and tomato were on every slice.


I ordered a glass of dry red wine ($6), a Peroni ($6), and two pizzas – the Diavolo ($16) and the Fresco ($16). The eating area consisted mainly of small tables for two, and each table was taken by what looked like regulars. I could tell they were regulars because they didn’t ooh and aah like Bobbino and I when we saw our food. Bobbino exclaimed how good they smelled and looked. The young pizza maker smiled and informed us that he makes each pizza with love.

The flavour of the olive oil, bocconcini and fresh, thinly sliced ripe tomatoes in the Fresca pizza was gentle and soft. Even the saltiness in the prosciutto was subtle. Yes, I could taste the love. The Diavola was the saucier of the two pizzas, with a zing of heat from the spicy soppressata and peppers. The edges of the crust are thin and light, darkened in tiny spots on the crust.


I recommend over ordering even though this style of pizza is best eaten fresh from the oven. It is so satisfying to punctuate the meal with different flavours. Pro-tip, each 12-inch pizza is more than enough food for one person. We had enough leftovers to take home to L and his mother, Mama G.

When I went to get some boxes to pack the leftover pizza, I saw the man who is always featured on the Italian Centre Shop’s Instagram account. I recognized him but didn’t want to be awkward, so I feigned ignorance. There’s nothing worse than being a groupie.


When Bobbino went to find something sweet for Mama G’s dessert, I scoped out the dried kinds of pasta and produce. Mamma Mia! How can I resist you? The selection, quality, and prices are far more palatable than Calgary Coop and Safeway! I’m going to start shopping here for my arugula, garlic, olive oil, Di Cecco pasta, and canned tomatoes. Hitting the Sauce gives the Italian Centre Shop two phat thumbs up.

For more reviews like this, see my picks for best pizza in Calgary.