La Quercia

La Quercia Restaurant Review:

Diners continue to be drawn to this graceful Westside restaurant. Chef-owner Adam Pegg lived and cooked in northern Italy before returning to Vancouver to handcraft dishes in his restaurant's tiny open kitchen. With an ever-changing menu, ordering à la carte from the daily blackboard menu is tempting, but opting for alla famiglia (family-style) is the real way to go. A steal at $60 per person (for two or more), dinner brings multiple courses: three antipasti plates, two pastas, a main and dessert. (A more extensive version is available for $80.) Highlights include the house-made salumi; a Parmigiano sformato (soufflé) with pea tips; vitello tonnato; agnolotti da Guido; stuffed squab with porcini mushrooms, and whole roasted branzino. For dessert, an array of Italian cheeses with local hazelnuts and honeycomb rounds off the meal. Vegetarian dishes are abundant. Chef Pegg can also adeptly design meals around your chosen wine selected from La Quercia's almost all-Italian wine list (there are a few French Champagnes). Reservations are carefully managed allowing thoughtfully paced and informed service.