Guest Writer: Di. Ma
Co-owners and long-time friends, Lorenzo Bottazzi and Andrea Bini (can you guess how they came up with the name?) have fused together their eclectic experience with their passion for great food to bring authentic Italian cuisine to the Vancouver dining scene. On March 16th, we had the wonderful opportunity to attend their restaurant premier and sample an assortment of items from their menu. More than just food, the cozy restaurant situated on the trendy West 4th Avenue is an entire dining experience. The highlight of the restaurant is the gorgeous wood oven that is not hidden but showcased to all who want to see their favourite pizza being prepared. Whether you are here for drinks (they boast a large selection of wines and will be selling their private wine produced by the Bottazzi vineyard in Monterosso), a relaxed night in the lounge area or a delightful dining experience, The Bibo will leave you satisfied and wanting more.
Why we like it: Authentic won’t break the bank. The food is not only delicious, but affordable. The owners’ did their research and did not compromise on the ingredients used in their dishes either. They spent months scouring Italy for the highest quality ingredients to ensure not only taste but authenticity. Probably their most prized imports would be their mushrooms used in a variety of their dishes and their pizza maker from Naples, the home of pizza.
The Bibo stays close to its roots and has simple menu of antipasto, pastas and pizzas. The pizza is exactly how you would expect to have it in Italy, thin crust and lots of sauce! For the cheese lover, the “Quattro Fromaggio” is a must try. The pasta is also made in house and one our favourites was the “Bibo Matteo”. A creamy, delectable pasta dish made with those imported porcini mushrooms from Italy. And what’s a meal without dessert? They have a selection of traditional Italian desserts that is sure to satisfy any sugar junkie. The “Panna Cotta” (literally “cooked cream”) was exceptionally silky and had just enough sweetness. The winner, however, would have to be the “Chocolate Pizza”. It’s exactly what it sounds like, pizza dough smothered with chocolate sauce and baked, drizzled with fresh raspberries and raspberry sauce. This ingenious dessert is definitely meant for sharing though (or not). Although we don’t normally rate restaurants, we can definitely say we will be regulars.
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Location: 1835 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver, BC (map)
Price: $10 – $20
More Info? www.thebibo.com
Vancouver Savvy 