Glowbal Group has an empire of restaurants and is responsible for filling the bellies of many both night and day, week after week all around Vancouver.  In Kitsilano they’ve gone Italian with Trattoria , a great place to grab a quick lunch, or linger and enjoy a few bottles of wine at dinner.  Perfect date spot as it’s hopping and therefore provides content for conversations and there’s also a few cuddly corners romantics can snuggle into.

Pasta nights are Tuesday where everything is $11, but if you want in get there early.  I’m a huge fan of their carpaccio served atop their polenta, their succulent roast chicken and their signature kobe beef meatballs.  Lamb sausage or Margherita pizza are both crowd pleasers and there’s a full range of pasta, everything from fussili to gnocchi with a wide variety of toppings.  Always order a side of brussel sprouts even if you hate brussel sprouts; their’s will change your mind.

Recently I stopped in for brunch and can highly recommend the Polenta di Nona consisting of polenta, deep-fried eggs, smoked pancetta, tomato, spinach and burrata and the Tagine with tomato poached eggs, chicken sausage, eggplant and sun-dried tomatoes.  They also whip up some tasty fruit smoothies and offer salads pizza and pasta for those who prefer non-breakfasty items.

And do take the opportunity to delve into some Burrata,  a fresh mozzarella cheese made with cream.

Antipasto Misto plate – another great way to share some signature items.

At the Khatsahlano Art and Music Festival they’ll be hosting a meatball eating contest.  Oh my.