Elio Volpe in Cambie Village went from being the worst-kept secret restaurant project in Vancouver to the hottest dinner reservation.
What began as murmurings of the Savio Volpe team opening a sibling concept in a former mechanic shop on West 17th Avenue - steps from Cambie - were soon confirmed, and what the operators (now known as Banda Volpi) and Ste Marie Studio have done to the space is absolutely jaw-dropping. The restaurant officially opened to the public on March 21.
Drawing inspiration from the light, breezy, vacation vibes of southern Italy, Elio Volpe is a breath of fresh air in Vancouver's restaurant scene. The interior feels at once like you could come in still wet from a day at the lido (beach) with your sandals slapping the floor while experiencing touches of luxury, thanks to pops of marble, beautiful light fixtures, and an elegant atmosphere.
Elio Volpe's menu draws from breezy coastal Italy by way of Vancouver
The menu takes its inspiration from the Italian coast by way of the Pacific Northwest, which is expressed in simple, shareable dishes with a lot of seafood. The tuna crudo comes on a beautiful green glass fish motif dish and is bright with pops of heat from fresh jalapenos. Many of Elio Volpe's pasta dishes can be ordered in half portions; jalapenos once again play a key role in a peppery rigatoni cacio e pepe, where the warming heat comes from a relish-style topping that tempers the richness of the dish.
The Parker House rolls are pillowy and buttery, served with a rich, intense cheese-fortified butter for a decadent spread. Elio Volpe's pizza oven is a focal point of the bright, airy, and open kitchen, positioned right by an exterior window so you can peek right in at the thin, blistered-bottomed, Roman-style pies emerging from the fire. From one section of the dining room, you can watch the Elio Volpe culinary team preparing dish after dish for attentive servers to deliver to tables and the beautiful bar.
Like its sibling, Savio, this fox family "cousin" has set up the menu to present dishes from lightest to heaviest, ranging from easy-going openers as simple as olives, to heartier main courses. For a bright, refreshing break from the bread and cheese, a salad of Honeycrisp apples and watermelon radish fits the bill.
Drinks and desserts on the menu
Sip from an extensive drinks menu that is divided by origin (Italian regions and our own Vancouver), with several Negroni options and spritzes, like one made with Emilia Romana's iconic fizzy red Lambrusco.
For dessert, the tiramisu cheesecake is a must; it is one of the silkiest, smoothest, richest cheesecakes you will find around.
Elio Volpe, located at 540 W 17th Ave, is currently open for dinner daily from 5 p.m. and reservations are strongly suggested. Brunch will debut soon.
Video: Checking out the just-opened Vancouver restaurant Elio Volpe
@forkingawesomevia Sorry about all my popped Ps…I was distracted remembering how incredible the tiramisu cheesecake was. #forkingawesome #vancouverbc ♬ Bossa Nova Easy Listening(1302379) - yousuke
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