Whether or not you like conventional Italian trattorias, stylish osterias, or funky fusion spots, Canada’s obtained you lined—we’re residence to a various vary of pasta-focused eateries serving scrumptious pastas of every kind. October 25 is World Pasta Day, and we’re delighted to showcase 9 tasty eating places round Canada to have fun this yummy day. Able to put your self in a scrumptious carb coma? Begin studying!
Di Beppe, Vancouver (BC)
There’s one thing indescribably cozy and funky concerning the ambiance at Di Beppe; assume mushy candlelight, buzzing dialog and marble tables adorned with cute carnations and filled-to-the-brim tumblers of vino.
Begin your night time at this Gastown neighbourhood hang-out with a batch-bottled Aperol Spritz and basic antipasti plates earlier than transferring on to the primary occasion. The compact menu encompasses a tight choice of basic Northern Italian pastas – pomodoro, carbonara, amatriciana, cacio e pepe – served along with your selection of deliciously al-dente rigatoni or spaghetti.
In case you’re feeling actually famished, go for the hearty lasagne al forno – a wealthy baked dish of creamy bechamel and bolognese that’s simply pretty much as good as something popping out of an Italian Nonna’s cucina.
Kissa Tanto, Vancouver (BC)
Out of the peculiar and fully unforgettable, getting into this enchanting second-floor eating room tucked away in Vancouver’s Chinatown appears like being transported into one other time and place.
The fantastically appointed décor at Kissa Tanto resembles a Seventies Tokyo jazz membership and the considerate design particulars complement the bold menu, which spotlights delicate Japanese flavours and substances ready with the hearty heat of conventional Italian cooking.
Playful and impressed pasta dishes change with the seasons and are as sudden as they’re scrumptious. Tantalize your style buds whereas tucking into Charcoal Mafaldine with lamb ragu, chantrelles and toasted nori or Tsukune Agnolotti with roasted hen, Tokyo leeks and shisho.
Franca’s Italian Restaurant, Calgary (AB)
Positioned within the coronary heart of Calgary, Franca’s Italian Restaurant’s homes as much as 60 visitors and serves up hearty and scrumptious genuine Italian dishes. Restaurant founders Franca and Mario began serving their tasty meals within the basement of their Italian residence in Calabria earlier than transferring to Calgary and opening Franca’s.
With over 20 years of expertise, Franca’s work has been featured in varied publications and is a proud small household enterprise. Franca operates on a easy philosophy: Arrive as visitors and go away as household.
Little Grouse on the Prairie, Saskatoon (SK)
A comfy spot with an open kitchen, Saskatoon’s Little Grouse on the Prairie is helmed by former High Chef Canada winner Dale Mackay.
Right here, hearty plates of do-it-yourself pasta vary from basic Roman-style Spaghetti Carbonara to extra artistic fashionable choices like hand-rolled Lamb Strozzapreti with harissa and honey or roughly reduce Mezzaluna pasta filled with juicy beets and crème fraiche. Your greatest guess? Go to with a gaggle and order the 4 or seven-course ‘Alla Famiglia’ menu to be able to pattern the gamut of decadent pasta choices.
Buca, Toronto (ON)
Ten years since first opening in Toronto’s buzzing King West ‘hood, Buca maintains its stronghold as one of many premier pasta spots within the nation. With a number of outposts throughout town, the unique osteria continues to be the favorite within the household.
Housed in an previous boiler room, the cavernous eating room attracts a boisterous, cool crowd. Chef Director Rob Gentile embraces a real nose-to-tail philosophy; his dishes draw inspiration from conventional Outdated-World Italian cooking however are ready with a decidedly modern aptitude.
Ever-changing menus showcase handmade pastas, house-cured meats, large daring flavours and recent seasonal substances. For one thing actually excellent, go for the signature Spaghetti Al Nero di Maiale – a darkish pork blood pasta with bison sausage, preserved ramps and smoked burrata.
PIANO PIANO, Toronto (ON)
A vibrant floral mural and roaring open kitchen welcome visitors at this whimsical pasta bar in Toronto’s Harbord Village. Heat, inviting and unpretentious in its strategy, PIANO PIANO delivers fantastic eating with out the fuss.
Chef Victor Barry has developed a menu that’s concurrently spectacular and approachable with ingenious antipasti plates, wood-fired Roman pizzas and opulent pastas (obtainable in small and huge parts) which might be all designed to be shared congenially with buddies over a bottle of wine.
Stand-out pasta options embrace a basic Rigatoni Carbonara, a luxurious Egg Yolk Raviolo that oozes with parmigiana and a brown butter sauce, and an earthy Mushroom Cavatelli with truffle-scented oyster mushrooms.
Le Serpent, Montreal (QC)
Much less red-sauce Italian and extra European stylish, Le Serpent is a slick spot that draws a modern foodie crowd.
The commercial stylish area housed in Montreal’s famend Darling Foundry constructing options hovering ceilings and a smooth black-and-white décor, whereas polished servers float attentively between tables of well-heeled urbanites.
Whereas the vibe is decidedly cool, the pasta is the last word star of the present. Out there in small and huge sizes, impressed dishes showcase distinctive pasta shapes like fiori verde (inexperienced flowers) and caramelle (stuffed candy-shaped noodles) which might be meticulously plated and bursting with seasonal veggies and complicated flavours.
The Bicycle Thief, Halifax (NS)
With a full of life ambiance, craft cocktails and a really perfect location alongside the boardwalk overlooking the water at Bishop’s Touchdown, it’s no shock this Halifax trattoria has earned a cult following amongst locals and guests alike.
The Bicycle Thief kitchen seems “North American meals with an Italian soul” providing a menu of artistic, modern pasta dishes.
When within the Maritimes, seafood is a should; with that in thoughts, order up the Spaghettini alla Vongole studded with South Shore child clams and crispy pancetta or the Linguine all’Aragosta laced with native Nova Scotia lobster and San Marzano tomatoes swimming in a heavenly vino bianco cream sauce.
Buon appetito,
Suki
Editor’s Be aware: This put up was initially revealed in October 2019 and has been up to date for freshness and/or accuracy.