Whether or not you like conventional Italian trattorias, stylish osterias, or funky fusion spots, Canada’s obtained you coated—we’re dwelling to a various vary of pasta-focused eateries serving scrumptious pastas of all types. October 25 is World Pasta Day, and we’re delighted to showcase 9 tasty eating places round Canada to have fun this yummy day. Able to put your self in a scrumptious carb coma? Begin studying!
Di Beppe, Vancouver (BC)
There’s one thing indescribably cozy and funky concerning the ambiance at Di Beppe; assume gentle candlelight, buzzing dialog and marble tables adorned with cute carnations and filled-to-the-brim tumblers of vino.
Begin your night time at this Gastown neighbourhood hang-out with a batch-bottled Aperol Spritz and basic antipasti plates earlier than transferring on to the primary occasion. The compact menu encompasses a tight collection of basic Northern Italian pastas – pomodoro, carbonara, amatriciana, cacio e pepe – served together with your alternative of deliciously al-dente rigatoni or spaghetti.
When you’re feeling actually famished, go for the hearty lasagne al forno – a wealthy baked dish of creamy bechamel and bolognese that’s simply pretty much as good as something popping out of an Italian Nonna’s cucina.
Kissa Tanto, Vancouver (BC)
Out of the peculiar and completely unforgettable, moving into this enchanting second-floor eating room tucked away in Vancouver’s Chinatown looks like being transported into one other time and place.
The superbly appointed décor at Kissa Tanto resembles a Nineteen Seventies Tokyo jazz membership and the considerate design particulars complement the bold menu, which spotlights delicate Japanese flavours and substances ready with the hearty heat of conventional Italian cooking.
Playful and impressed pasta dishes change with the seasons and are as sudden as they’re scrumptious. Tantalize your style buds whereas tucking into Charcoal Mafaldine with lamb ragu, chantrelles and toasted nori or Tsukune Agnolotti with roasted rooster, Tokyo leeks and shisho.
Franca’s Italian Restaurant, Calgary (AB)
Situated within the coronary heart of Calgary, Franca’s Italian Restaurant’s homes as much as 60 company and serves up hearty and scrumptious genuine Italian dishes. Restaurant founders Franca and Mario began serving their tasty meals within the basement of their Italian dwelling in Calabria earlier than transferring to Calgary and opening Franca’s.
With over 20 years of expertise, Franca’s work has been featured in varied publications and is a proud small household enterprise. Franca operates on a easy philosophy: Arrive as company and depart as household.
Little Grouse on the Prairie, Saskatoon (SK)
A comfortable spot with an open kitchen, Saskatoon’s Little Grouse on the Prairie is helmed by former High Chef Canada winner Dale Mackay.
Right here, hearty plates of selfmade pasta vary from basic Roman-style Spaghetti Carbonara to extra inventive trendy choices like hand-rolled Lamb Strozzapreti with harissa and honey or roughly lower Mezzaluna pasta filled with juicy beets and crème fraiche. Your finest guess? Go to with a bunch and order the 4 or seven-course ‘Alla Famiglia’ menu in an effort to pattern the gamut of decadent pasta choices.
Buca, Toronto (ON)
Ten years since first opening in Toronto’s buzzing King West ‘hood, Buca maintains its stronghold as one of many premier pasta spots within the nation. With a number of outposts throughout town, the unique osteria remains to be the favorite within the household.
Housed in an previous boiler room, the cavernous eating room attracts a boisterous, cool crowd. Chef Director Rob Gentile embraces a real nose-to-tail philosophy; his dishes draw inspiration from conventional Outdated-World Italian cooking however are ready with a decidedly modern aptitude.
Ever-changing menus showcase handmade pastas, house-cured meats, massive daring flavours and recent seasonal substances. For one thing really excellent, go for the signature Spaghetti Al Nero di Maiale – a darkish pork blood pasta with bison sausage, preserved ramps and smoked burrata.
PIANO PIANO, Toronto (ON)
A vibrant floral mural and roaring open kitchen welcome company at this whimsical pasta bar in Toronto’s Harbord Village. Heat, inviting and unpretentious in its method, PIANO PIANO delivers fantastic eating with out the fuss.
Chef Victor Barry has developed a menu that’s concurrently spectacular and approachable with creative antipasti plates, wood-fired Roman pizzas and splendid pastas (obtainable in small and huge parts) which can be all designed to be shared congenially with buddies over a bottle of wine.
Stand-out pasta options embrace a basic Rigatoni Carbonara, a luxurious Egg Yolk Raviolo that oozes with parmigiana and a brown butter sauce, and an earthy Mushroom Cavatelli with truffle-scented oyster mushrooms.
Le Serpent, Montreal (QC)
Much less red-sauce Italian and extra European stylish, Le Serpent is a slick spot that pulls a trendy foodie crowd.
The commercial stylish house housed in Montreal’s famend Darling Foundry constructing options hovering ceilings and a smooth black-and-white décor, whereas polished servers float attentively between tables of well-heeled urbanites.
Whereas the vibe is decidedly cool, the pasta is the final word star of the present. Obtainable in small and huge sizes, impressed dishes showcase distinctive pasta shapes like fiori verde (inexperienced flowers) and caramelle (stuffed candy-shaped noodles) which can be meticulously plated and bursting with seasonal veggies and complicated flavours.
The Bicycle Thief, Halifax (NS)
With a full of life ambiance, craft cocktails and a perfect location alongside the boardwalk overlooking the water at Bishop’s Touchdown, it’s no shock this Halifax trattoria has earned a cult following amongst locals and guests alike.
The Bicycle Thief kitchen seems “North American meals with an Italian soul” providing a menu of inventive, modern pasta dishes.
When within the Maritimes, seafood is a should; with that in thoughts, order up the Spaghettini alla Vongole studded with South Shore child clams and crispy pancetta or the Linguine all’Aragosta laced with native Nova Scotia lobster and San Marzano tomatoes swimming in a heavenly vino bianco cream sauce.
Buon appetito,
Suki
Editor’s Word: This submit was initially revealed in October 2019 and has been up to date for freshness and/or accuracy.