Lupo Restaurant + Vinoteca Awards

Lupo Restaurant + Vinoteca Restaurant Review:

From the team of chef Julio Gonzalez-Perini and sommelier Michael Mameli, Lupo is the culmination of the partners' experiences working at some of Vancouver's best dining rooms. These include Lupo's predecessor, the formal Villa del Lupo, set in an elegant Victorian heritage house, which has morphed into its current incarnation on the edge of Yaletown. It's a cool, more casual Italian spot with modern furnishings and a friendly bar area. There’s the same dedication to flavor from Gonzalez-Perini and a big commitment to wine, both available at more affordable prices. We like the wild mushroom fricassee and the grappa-marinated salmon antipasti to start. Salads are winners; fresh, leafy and lightly dressed, hits have included crisp arugula with orange and balsamico, and a baby romaine “Caesar.” The menu keeps things stylishly simple with veal and spinach cannelloni, duck ragoût tossed with pappardelle, and a smartly Italian fettuccine bolognese. Savor wild salmon with Meyer lemon marmalade or take the house specialty lamb shank osso buco for a spin. Diners can top off their meals with pastry chef Jeff Salzsauler’s compelling olive oil cake. The deep, Italianate wine list is complemented by British Columbia wines from the Okanagan Valley. Service is informative and friendly.