There’s a new reason to head to North Burnaby for dinner. Il Cappello Enoteca — the long-awaited full-service restaurant from the team behind The Gelato Mafia and Dolce Amore — officially opens its doors on October 21, 2025. Think traditional Italian dishes reimagined with modern flair, a stellar wine list, and that signature “La Famiglia” warmth we all know and love. More on Restaurants The opening completes La Famiglia Dolce Amore’s Burnaby trifecta — joining TGM Terrazza and Dolce Amore Caffetteria — creating a little slice of Italy right on Hastings Street. Inside, the 2,000-square-foot space welcomes around 100 guests between an intimate dining room and a cozy, enclosed year-round patio. The mood? Refined yet relaxed. Or, as the saying goes, metti giù il cappello, sei a casa — lay down your hat, you’re home.

The Team Behind Il Cappello Enoteca

At the helm are Giancarlo and Daniela Cusano — the husband-and-wife duo who re-imagined their family gelateria into a modern Italian brand. For Il Cappello, they’ve teamed up with Culinary Director Chef Pino Posteraro (of Cioppino’s Mediterranean Grill fame) and Head Chef Daniele Navarria, a Sicilian native who’s cooked in some of London’s finest kitchens, including The Clove Club and Le Gavroche. Together, they’re blending classic technique with contemporary Italian soul.

What’s on the Menu

The menu follows the rhythm of a true Italian meal — antipasti, primi, pizza, secondi, and dolci — with dishes that balance comfort and craft.

• To start: Gamberi alla plancha with cilantro and almond-bread sauce; Burrata Pugliese with Sicilian-style orange salad; and a vibrant endive and radicchio salad with grapefruit and anchovy dressing.
• Primi: Fettuccine “alla Bolognese,” Tonnarelli “Cacio e Pepe,” Cannelloni di ricotta with black kale sauce, and a rich Riso ai funghi with roasted mushrooms.
• From the pizza oven: Neapolitan-style favourites like Margherita Classica, Mortadella (with pistachio and stracciatella), and Parmigiana with eggplant caponata.
• Main courses: Veal Porterhouse, Polpette della Nonna, grilled polenta with mushroom ragout, and the pescato del giorno (catch of the day) with Castelvetrano olives.
• To finish: Daily selections of house-made gelato and re-imagined Italian desserts.

Wine, Hospitality, and That Italian Magic

The front-of-house is led by General Manager and Sommelier Vincent Massiot, previously of Cioppino’s. Expect a wine list that leans heavily Italian — from Chianti and Barolo to Indigenous varietals from lesser-known regions — with a few B.C. bottles rounding out the mix. “Il Cappello is truly the ‘hat’ of Dolce Amore — the finishing touch,” says Giancarlo and Daniela. “We’ve poured our hearts into creating a space that feels like home. Bring your friends, your family, your appetite — we’ll take care of the rest.”

Visit Il Cappello Enoteca

Opening Date: October 21, 2025 (soft openings prior) Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 5 p.m. to late Reservations: Book online or walk in Address: 6011 Hastings Street, Burnaby, BC Website: IlCappello.ca Instagram: @IlCappelloEnoteca For updates on all things La Famiglia Dolce Amore — including The Gelato Mafia and Dolce Amore Caffetteria — follow @DolceAmore.ca on Instagram.

About Dolce Amore

Founded on Vancouver’s Commercial Drive in 2002, Dolce Amore started as a family-run gelateria. In 2017, Daniela and Giancarlo transformed it into The Gelato Mafia, known for its cheeky slogan: “Naturally Made, Criminally Good.” Since then, La Famiglia Dolce Amore has expanded with LoLo Lounge + Affogato Bar in North Vancouver and now a full Burnaby campus with TGM Terrazza, Dolce Amore Bar & Caffetteria, and Il Cappello Enoteca. More info: DolceAmore.ca | Instagram @DolceAmore.ca