After over a decade of serving up authentic Italian fare in a cozy space on West 4th Avenue, Vancouver's BiBo restaurant has closed its doors permanently.
BiBo, which since 2011 had been located at 1835 W 4th Ave, shared the news of its closure on social media late last week.
"We spent the last 11 years together, enjoyed every moment, but it's time for us to say goodbye to Kitsilano," reads the restaurant's parting message.
BiBo was the first Vancouver restaurant venture for Milano native Andrea Bini (the "Bi" in BiBo), who, with business partner Lorenzo Bottazzi (the Bo), opened the casual, inviting eatery with its big map of Italy on the wall and wood-fired oven not long after he arrived in Canada.
Bini expanded BiBo with two ensuing locations; one, in Vancouver's Olympic Village, was shorter-lived (it's now Hon's Wonton House at 25 E 2nd Ave), and the other, at the McArthur Glen Designer Outlet in Richmond, which carries on.
"Thank you for making me feel at home," offers one BiBo Kits fan graciously in response to the closing announcement. Those sentiments are echoed by several others, including many who indicate they encountered BiBo while abroad from their native Italy in Vancouver.
"It was a pleasure [to] be part of BiBo team. It was much more than just a Restaurant, it was a family to us," shared a former employee.
BiBo was known for its menu of Italian regional specialties, including pasta and pizzas, along with salads, appetizers, classic desserts, and plenty of Italian wine. Fans of the restaurant's fare will find a similar and expansive offering at BiBo's remaining location in Richmond.
