La Quercia is a quaint Italian restaurant in Kitsilano, on the corner of Alma and W 4th , and you really have to pay attention because it’s easy-to-miss. The atmosphere is elegant and understated, which allows the excellence of the food to permeate the dining experience.
La Quercia’s meals are of the utmost freshness and quality, served with a mama-esqe authenticity and innovative spins. The Alla Famiglia dinner of perfectly tailored portions is a roughly seven-to-ten course meal based on daily prepared items. The ten-course seating is always served with the risotto “cooked to order” in traditional Italian style.
The fresh sheet is a mixture Antipasti (Italian-style appetizers), Primi (first course), Secondi (second course), and Dolce (dessert) of local ingredients and changes based on what’s in season and the quality the chefs are able to source. If you frequent La Quercia routinely, you’ll begin to recognize traditional dishes that, while perhaps not appearing on the menu, are always available as a staple, such as the rich-bodied bolognese.
The service at La Quercia is admirable, and this Vancouver restaurant’s ability to tailor its meal offerings shows the level of dedication for pleasing its guests. It’s osteria-style dining at near perfection, a must-try for any Vancouver young professional. La Quercia, 3689 W 4th Avenue, Vancouver, 604-676-1007.
Image by Antoinnette Bruno from Star-Chefs.com.