Sad news for a family-run Vancouver Italian restaurant, as owners announced Friday (Feb. 16) via social media that one of its four locations has closed down.
Robba da Matti has ceased operations at its Kitsilano outpost, located at 1898 W 1st Ave. The restaurant was also home to its upstairs "Passaparola Burrata Bar." The concept-within-a-concept - the city's only "burrata bar" - debuted in June 2022.
In a heartfelt message posted to Instagram, Robba da Matti's operators wrote: "Dear Robba da Matti family, it is with a heavy heart that we share some bittersweet news. Due to unforeseen family problems, we’ve made the tough decision to close our beloved Kitsilano location and Passaparola Burrata Bar."
"Family always comes first for us, and this choice wasn’t made lightly," added the restaurant owners.
Robba da Matti in Kitsilano was restaurant's newest Vancouver location
The Kits location of Robba da Matti was the newest of the Vancouver mini-chain, which began renovations on the space in 2021. The address had previously been home to the progressive Latin American restaurant Cacao, which shuttered suddenly in the summer of 2019.
Robba da Matti got its start in Yaletown as Yaletown L'Antipasto before altering its name and then adding its second location on Haro in the West End in 2019.
One year later, Robba da Matti took over the 12 Powell St space in Gastown that had been the longtime previous home of the first Bao Down location in Vancouver.
The Italian restaurant business was listed for sale last fall and happens to be part of the historic Ferguson Block (2-12 Powell St) which sold in September 2023. Building tenants The Diamond and Sitar Indian Restaurant have already closed permanently.
In February 2023, Robba da Matti's West 1st Avenue restaurant suffered extensive damage in a fire but was able to reopen three months later following repairs.
The Kits location of Robba da Matti had also been listed for sale for some time; no information on the new business owners has been made available.
In their closure announcement for Kits, the Robba da Matti owners expressed their "gratitude for the incredible support and memories [they have] shared at these locations" and noted that their Yaletown, Gastown, and West End locations remain open.
"Our commitment to providing an unforgettable Italian culinary experience remains unwavering," added the owners.
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