A few nights ago the View The Vibe #YVR team had the opportunity to dine in style at one of the city’s premier spots for quality Italian eats, Cibo Trattoria, for its monthly Campagna Farm Dinner.
Tucked within the busy downtown Theatre District (around the corner from the Orpheum Theatre), Cibo is a welcome culinary escape featuring a cozy yet sexy atmosphere, interesting cocktail list, exquisite wine list, and a sublime menu of offerings courtesy Executive Chef Faizal Kassam.
We arrived to a packed room of eager diners here to sample their way through a multi-course feast featuring locally sourced, seasonal items, and beef from Cibo’s own Abbotsford-based farm, Campagna.
A welcome cocktail was promptly served using a unique drinking vinegar and bitters courtesy rising-star mixologist and bar manager Lauren Mote. The combination of vermouth, sparkling wine, orange and peach-quinine syrup were piqued by the addition of bevivo balsamic vinegar – something that truly got our tastebuds in gear.
Plates of freshly baked focaccia were offered to guests before glasses of 2009 Soave made their way around the room, followed shortly thereafter by the evening’s first course: bone marrow custard served with sunchoke chips, truffles and chives – absolutely amazing (in a melt in your mouth kind of way).
Next, we were treated to a tasting-style plate of Cibo’s housemade pappardelle tossed with braised beef (from their own stock) in a horseradish crème fraiche. To accompany this dish, GM/Master Sommelier Robert Stelmachuk had chosen a beautiful Tuscan wine that worked perfectly to balance out the flavours.
Then we moved on to a sampling of slow roasted prime rib served with crispy smoked marrow, celery root, braised cipollini onion and natural jus. To sip, a hearty Sardinian ‘Shardana’ was offered.
Our grand finale was dessert (which we happily managed to find room for). Blood orange panna cotta arrived topped with wine soaked berries and brown butter crumble. It was simply melt in your mouth goodness… just creamy enough and subtle in flavours, perfectly paired alongside a delicious moscato from the Piedmont region of Italy.
Cibo Trattoria is located at 900 Seymour Street and directly adjacent to the Moda Hotel and UVA Winebar.
Have you checked out Cibo Trattoria? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us @ViewTheVibe.
