VA2007 - Cioppino's Mediterranean Grill and Enoteca

Classic Oasis of Wine and Creative and Innovative Cuisine

Photos: Bruce Law
Seen Right: Chef / Owner Pino Posteraro

Tucked away in the cobblestone heart of Yaletown is one of Vancouver's most award honoured restaurants. Since opening in September 1999, Cioppino's Mediterranean Grill and the adjoining Enoteca (wine library) have been named Best Formal Italian restaurant by Vancouver magazine every year. In 2005, Cioppino's became the only restaurant outside Italy to be recognized with an award of excellence from Accademia della Cucina Italiana, a cultural institution devoted to Italian food.

But more importantly, Executive Chef and owner Pino Posteraro has earned a place in the hearts of his customers with exceptional service, culinary excellence and a wine list that is hard to beat.

The most popular dish at Cioppino's is variety. "We have a menu that is one of the largest in town," says Chef Posteraro, "primarily because our regular clientele demand that. On the Enoteca side, the lunch menu is more casual, but equally as varied." The 126-seat Cioppino's, and the 88-seat Enoteca, featuring classic Mediterranean cuisine, offer quiet elegance with Old World charm. "We also have five private rooms: 26 seats at Cioppino's, 20 at Enoteca and our most recent additions are the Antinori seating 12, the Mamma Paola also seating 12 and the Dom Pérignon Room which seats six. We have official recognition plaques from Antinori and Dom Pérignon where the champagne in our library goes back to 1955."

While Chef Posteraro takes great care in designing his menus, he enjoys creating meals on the spur of the moment. "Sometimes I have certain customers who come in and say, 'Cook something special for us,' and I will do a dish that is not on the menu. I prefer dishes that are not overpowering, with just the right wine to complement the taste of the meal," he says. With choices such as Roasted rack of lamb, mint and 10 year old Sherry vinegar gastrique, or Risotto with Alaskan king crab and young sweet peas, who could resist a trip to Yaletown to take in the offerings of this dining jewel

Menu Highlights

Appetizers

Prosciutto di Parma or San Daniele
Served with melon and crostini

British Columbia Smoked Wild Salmon
Traditional condiments

Baby Lettuce and Mixed Herb Salad
Pear, Stilton, honey and lemon dressing

Caprese of Roma Tomatoes and Italian "Mozzarella di Bufala"

Pan-seared Foie Gras
roasted pineapple, Sauternes-vanilla caramel

Seared Diver Scallops
Served with tomato-coriander vinaigrette

Entrées

Pappardelle
With 4-hour-braised veal cheeks and porcini mushrooms

Emmer Fettuccine
With zucchini and ricotta like my sisters make

Lobster Ravioli
With tomatocream-lobster sauce

Cioppino of Medley of Fish and Seafood
Spicy bouillabaisse broth

Veal "Ossobuco" alla Milanese
With saffron risotto

Pork Tenderloin
Marinated with maple syrup and lemon, roasting juices sauce

Roasted Rack of Lamb
Mint and 10 year old Sherry vinegar gastrique

Duck… Duck…
Spit-roasted breast, its leg confit, savory orange sauce

Desserts

Warm "Soft Heart" Chocolate Cake
With vanilla custard and ice cream

Classic Lemon Tart
With Italian meringue

Light Milk Chocolate Mousse
Raspberry cream center, sour cherries, mango coulis

In-House-Made Sherbert
With biscotti

Trio of Vanilla, Chocolate and Pistachio Crème Brûle

Best of the Cellar

Cioppino's has more than 2200 wines currently on the wine list and a large selection of ports, madeiras cognacs and malt whiskies for your after-dining pleasure, including Cioppino's own private label special cuvée "Donna Paola" red wine. The best of the best from every country.

Above: Octopus Carpaccio

Cioppino’s Mediterranean Grill & Enoteca
1129/1133 Hamilton Street, Vancouver, B.C., 604-688-7466
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