Popular Italian Restaurants in Canada

Well braised ossobuco made by Veal shank, whit...

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There’s nothing like authentic Italian food. Zesty tomato sauce, meatballs, fine cheeses, and perfect al dente pasta come to mind for most people, if not the original pizza recipe. Using a search engine like Canada 411 makes finding fantastic Italian food easy. Here are some of the most popular venues.

Cioppino’s, Vancouver

Not only has Cioppino’s been voted Italian restaurant of the year by Vancouver Magazine, but head chef Pino Posteraro is the author of several award-winning cookbooks on authentic Italian food. Look forward to such delights as braised beef cheek ravioli with red wine truffle sauce, and white wine garlic sauce spaghetti.

Il Terrazzo Ristorante, Victoria

A famous Italian restaurant located in beautiful Victoria, Il Terrazzo Ristorante is often packed, so reservations are recommended. Authentic signature dishes include Linguine Marco Polo, Pizza Gamberi and more. Il Terrazzo Ristorante also offers great wine — it has received numerous awards from Wine Spectator Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine, as well as from the City of Victoria itself.

La Terrazza Restaurant and Lounge, Vancouver

La Terrezza, located in picturesque Yaletown, offers many delicious Italian dishes. In addition to the food, this is a great choice for wine lovers. La Terrazza boasts one of Vancouver’s best wine lists, offering over 1600 different varieties.

L’Artista, Vancouver

Run by an authentic Italian-born chef who trained in Milan, L’Artista has been delighting visitors with delicious and beautiful menu options for nearly a decade. Prawns Vino Bianco, Veal L’Artista and Risotto Alla Marinara are just a few of the many dishes offered.

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Cultural Explorations and Expansions: The Rococo Movement

Picture gallery with views of ancient Rome (17...

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History is defined to change. Eras shift; revolutions are staged; and philosophies are shaped to new expectations. Ideals are forever transformed and the many evolutions of Italy’s cultural movements embody this — specifically the transition to the Rococo stylings.

In 1714 the countries of Europe were dependent on the favor of the Church. All elements of life were offered to religion, with even art forced to the limitations of the Baroque period (which was dominated by realistic lines and solemn shades). Painting was deemed a spiritual medium, not a creative one; and even the Italian masters were condemned to stale imagery.

1715 saw a reformation, however — Rococo was introduced.

Defined simply, Rococo was a movement that emphasized indulgence. Brush strokes were bold; colors were lush; and surrealism was infused with frivolity. The intention was to capture mythology and romance (making it a stark counter to the periods that came before it). Straight angles were abandoned for a sweeping geometry.

The interjection of this within the Italian culture yielded great rewards. Art was able to flourish. Techniques, such as asymmetrical alignment, were explored. And oils and acrylics became more common — with painters utilizing them to great effect. Through this design became reliant on imagination, not iconography.

This ideal did not last, however. In 1760 Europe was on the precipice of change. Modern notions of invention and politics began to sway the public — with Rococo then deemed futile. It was eventually lost in the wave of Neoclassicism.

Its importance is understood today, though, and it’s now recognized as the shifting point of power from the Church to the Italian people.

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Italy: A tour of Italy

Your dream vacation is awaiting you in magnificent Italy. The country has so much to offer with beautiful landscaped surroundings, museums, churches, vineyards, shopping, and delightful cuisine.

Rome

A visit to Italy is not complete without visiting its capital Rome. It is the largest city in Italy with over 2000 years of history, art, and exquisite architecture.

Vatican City

Vatican City is located on the west bank of the Tiber. It is best known for the spectacular St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Palace, the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Museum, and the special guided tours through the Vatican Gardens.

Valle d’Aosta

Valle d’Aosta with its picturesque ruins of castles, fine ski resorts, and popular hiking and climbing destinations within the Gran Paradiso National Park is a place to add to your trip.

Lombardy

Lombardy is an affluent region with temperate climate, fertile soil, and spectacular lakes. The high northern mountains make it an excellent retreat for skiers, hikers, and climbers.

Milan

Milan is Italy’s rival to Paris with international character, astonishing skyscrapers, modern art, and breathtaking fashion.

Cremona

Cremona is a charismatic haven of historic architecture and the birthplace of the Stradivarius violin. No trip is complete without stopping at the Museo Stradivariano to view various Stradivarius musical instruments or the Museo Civico to admire numerous displays of mosaics and relics from the Romaneque period.

The Lakes

For water lovers, the great northern region has a multitude of lakes running down onto the plains from the Alps. Three can’t miss lakes in the most attractive Lake Como, the most elegant Lake Maggiore, and the most wildest and spectacular Lake Garda.

Verona

Verona was the setting for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Thousands of visitors each year visit the Casa di Giuletta (Juliet’s House), a beautiful little Medieval home with a balcony and enchanting courtyard. A can’t miss is also the Roman Arena which was built in 290 AD and during the summer stages an opera festival with night time performances.

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Italy: Tourist Attractions

Italy has so much to offer in popular cities such as Venice, Rome, Florence, and Tuscany. Each city is filled with museums, galleries, picturesque countryside, architecture, restaurants, and shopping.

Tuscany Attractions

Tuscany is one of the most spectacular destinations in the world and is the home to Florence, Lucca, Siena, and Pisa. The Uffizi Gallery in Florence has paintings, sculptures, and other masterpieces from the artists Leonardo, Michelangelo, Rafaello, Rubans, and Rembrandt.

The Tower of Pisa constructed in 1173 is the bell tower of the Cathedral in Pisa. Because of the soft ground, soon after construction began the tower began to lean to one side. In 2001, after more than 12 years of repairs, the tower was re-opened to the public. Guided visits for small groups are permitted and require extreme physical fitness to climb the over 300 winding steps up a narrow staircase.

Rome Attractions

A trip to Italy is not complete without a visit to the Vatican City. Nothing is more spectacular than a tour of the Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, Vatican Gardens, and St. Peter’s Square.

In Rome, the Colosseum built by emperor Vesapasiano in 80 AD for gladiator fights is open to the public permitting guided tours throughout the immense structure.

Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Steps) is a series of steps with Trinita’ dei Monti church residing at the top and Fontana della Barcaccia fountain residing at the bottom. The piazza is a popular summer tourist destination with lots of local vendors.

Don’t miss out on tossing a coin in the Fontana di Trevi built in the 1700s. Legend says that whoever throws a coin in the fountain and makes a wish will return to visit Rome at least one more time.

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Italy: Touring Vineyards

Italy is famous for it spectacular wines and a tour of Italy is not complete without at least one visit to a vineyard. The country produces wine from 20 major growing regions and more than 2000 grape variations, which means a vineyard or two is not hard to find.

Planning a visit to an Italian winery can be easily arranged through a tour company or done on your own. Organized wine tours are good choice for most tourists. Day trip and multi-day tour packages can be planned with numerous tour providers throughout the region, and most offer meals and accomodations along the way.

Countless multi-day excursions feature relaxing slow-paced vineyard exploration with highlights including top notch accomodations in Italian villas, five star meals, and beautiful views to create a truly memorable trip. For a less expensive experience, organized single day trips are a great way to get a taste of Italy’s wine culture and see beautiful local vineyards.

When planning a tour on your own, it is very imporant to arrange in advance and confirm plans as many vineyards offer tours but only for a few hours a day and not many days throughout the year. Many vineyards do not have tasting rooms or permit tours for visitors so plan ahead so you don’t end up doing little more than just viewing the vineyards from afar.

The Movimento Turismo del Vino group was created in 1993 to help tourists connect with wineries that are open to the public and accept visitors. They have a website with information on all wine-producing regions within Italy and provide links with suggested itineraries for visitors to follow. They also sponsor several wine-related events and festivals annually for you which you can plan your Italian trip accordingly.

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