After 10 days of rave reviews for their rehearsal dinners, partners Julio Gonzalez Perini and Michael Mameli are ready to welcome hungry and discriminating diners to their thoroughly modern Italian eatery. Located on the cusp of Yaletown and the downtown theatre district, Lupo Retaurant will have its Grand Opening on Dec. 16.
Most recently the creative forces behind the kitchen and the dining room, respectively, at Cin Cin – one of Vancouver’s finest rooms – the duo of Gonzalez Perini and Mameli have decided to make an adventurous departure from high-end dining. Lupo captures current trends by offering creative and modern twists on classic Italian in a casual and contemporary setting. Although the partners have brought their fine-dining sensibilities to this freshly renovated restaurant, don’t expect a resurrection of the former Villa Del Lupo; theirs is a reinvention of Italian classics with a brand-new edge.
“We want people to feel like they can show up anytime, without reservations, and enjoy a great meal in a lively atmosphere. Patrons should feel like guests in our home – only the kitchen at home wasn’t big enough!” With this sentiment in mind, Lupo has created a welcoming, neighborhood vibe that is sure to have guests returning again and again for great food, attentive personal service and good prices.
Lupo will specialize in modern Italian cooking – unique but accessible gourmet food and a wine list that highlights both Italian and local wines – served in a casual, neighborhood bistro environment. This is a restaurant and menu to be enjoyed, a kitchen-away-from-home for the owners where they will dish up pizzetas, Fettuccine with classic Bolognese, Braised Short Ribs with soft mascarpone polenta and a well-rounded selection of Contorni to be shared at the table. For those who want to explore some of their more exotic creations, you can opt for the Winter Caprese Salad with oven dried tomato, pesto and saba; the Ricotta Gnocchi with braised pork cheeks and porcini mushroom “sugo;” or the Housemade Sausage with sauerkraut and cannelini bean ragout. Lupo will also offer a Pre Event Menu, served from 5:00 – 6:15 on event nights, in 2 course or 3 course options for $28 and $37 respectively.
Lupo Restaurant, a modern Italian eatery, is located in the heart of downtown Vancouver. The restaurant offers a casual dining experience and a menu that boasts new twists on Italian classics. A Pre Event menu is available from 5:00-6:15 on event nights. Lupo, located at 869 Hamilton Street in Vancouver, is open nightly at 5:00 pm, with lunch and brunch coming soon. For reservations call 604-569-2535.
