Location: Main Street, Vancouver

The Neighbourhood Norm: Delicious Chinese Fare

New on the Block: Campagnolo

My usual haunt in this area is Hons – chalk it up to habit, I guess. It was quite a surprise then, even to myself, that I wound up at a relatively new Italian spot on the scene. I wish I could take credit for discovering Campagnolo, but alas Conde Nast Traveler had already named this gem as one of the world’s ’50 Amazing New Restaurants’ in 2009.

…for a very good reason!  The menu is a mix of classics executed to perfection, and unique bites you can only find in this open and modern, yet warm space. An example of the latter is ‘crispy ceci’: fried chickpeas with mint, chilies, citrus and delicately wilted greens.  Forget bar peanuts, this snack is impossible to put down.

Crispy Chickpeas, Photo by: Alyssa Dawson

The focaccia was the perfect base for the beef carpaccio. Wherever I order this staple antipasti from now on, I will hold it to the remarkably high standard set by Campagnolo.

Beef Carpaccio, Photo by: Alyssa Dawson

And to round out the meal, I let the chef’s creative juices flow by ordering the ‘fiducia’ pizza (“trust the chef”). The crust was crispy, thin and light, topped with a tomato sauce, provolone and artichoke hearts. Two words: deceptively simple. Wait, one more word: wow!

Fiducia Pizza, Photo by: Alyssa Dawson

When you find yourself in this area, even if you’re craving a Chinese staple like chow-mein, opt instead for an Italian noodle dish like Campagnolo’s ‘tofette with
fennel sausage, rapini, garlic, parsley, and breadcrumbs.’

Wishing you dining endeavours with a stamp of culinary royalty! xx