Via Veneto Ristorante Italiano

656 West Broadway

Vancouver, BC

(604) 708- 3300

http://www.viavenetovancouver.com/index.html

Monday- Friday 11:30am- 10:30pm

Saturday- Sunday 5pm- 10:30pm

Date of visit: June 20, 2011, 12:15pm

If you haven't tried an authentic Italian restuarant before, Via Veneto Ristorante Italiano is the place to go.  This little restaurant is pretty new, est. in Sept 2010, and it is at a pretty convenient location, just a block or two away from the Canada line (Broadway- City Centre station).  I got a $20 for $40 deal from Social Shopper a few months ago, so my boyfriend and I have decided to try this restaurant out. 

Ambience * * * * *

The restaurant is very modern and elegant, which is great place to impress your date.  The tables were covered with white table clothes and the servers were well-groomed.  The whole restaurant was clean (even the lady's bathroom!) and it had a high class ambience.

Service * * * * *

The servers were very polite and attentive.  When we entered into the restaurant, we were quickly greeted and seated.  The server offered us the menu and asked us if we have any questions about the menu items.  As we have studied the menu before hand (full menu available is on their website), we already knew what to order.  After we placed the order, we were quickly served with free herbed bread and balsamic vinegar.  When our meal arrived, the server put spoonfuls of cheese into our plates until we told him to stop (he really wouldn't stop until you tell him lol!).  During the meal, our water was refilled quickly and we were asked  how was our meal by the server and the owner.  There were only 3 or 4 tables occupied when we were there, which might explain the quick service that we got.  When we were leaving the restaurant, the person behind the counter (I think he's the owner) came to the door to say bye to us, which was a very lovely gesture.  It was definately a first class service! 

Food * * * * *

Herbed bread with balsamic vinegar (free)

The bread was soft and chewy.  It wasn't warm as I had expected, though it was still really yummy :)  The dipping seemed to be made fresh in house and it complemented well with the bread.  We soaked the bread in the dipping with every bite.  So good!

Cozze al vapore e vino bianco ($9.95)

Steamed fresh mussels served with minced tomatoes and onions, and a slice of garlic bread.  The mussels were placed in a delicious broth that enhanced the taste of the mussels.  The portion was generous and mussels tasted really fresh.  Although the mussels itself were small, there were a lot of it to satisfy our taste buds.  Great starter for two people!

Linguine ai Frutti di Mare ($13.95)

Seafood linguine that contains clams, tiger prawns, squid, mussels (Yeah! More mussels! :)), and freshly made tomato sauces.  It was the yummiest pasta I have ever had!  The seafood was really fresh, so as the sauce.  The portion was big; I was really stuffed after the meal!

Cotoletta alla Parmigiana ($14.95)

Breaded veal covered with parmesan in fresh tomato paste, with rigatoni pasta in herbed sauce.  The veal was nice and tender and the breading around the veal gave a nice crunch to the texture. The portion was just right, and my boyfriend was full after the meal.  There were lots of cheese on top of it, so it is great for cheese lovers :) 

Value * * * *

It was one of the best $20 I have ever spent!  The price of the menu items were quite comparable to other fine restaurants.  The lunch menu is quite affordable, though the dinner menu is higher in price.  I am not sure if the portion size are the same for lunch and dinner..  I would recommend going at lunch time, as I was still so full at dinner time that I didn't need to eat much.

Overall * * * * *

I would definately recommend a friend to go there.  I loved the food, the service, and the atmosphere!  Bravo!