CinCin Ristorante + Bar – Vancouver

Don’t be put off by the fact that this is an upscale restaurant in a tourist district. This is a great spot for local regulars, too. Accessed through a steep stairway, the space opens out into a large area with an expansive balcony overlooking Robson. The menu offers far more than traditional Italian food. The Hamachi Crudo was a spectacular dish of fish, flowers, scrumptious olive oil, and mild olive slices that didn’t overpower the fish. The Parmesan Souffle was flavorful, light, and delightfully crusty. Caesar salad is a good choice for sharing. Wagyu Carpaccio came with a generous topping of freshly shaved truffle. Perhaps my favorite dish was the Dungeness Crab Linguine, served in a cream sauce with just a hint of jalapeno. The broccolini was an excellent side, fire-grilled with a touch of rosemary. Pistachio gelato was the true essence of ground pistachios. There’s a nice assortment of apertivos and amaros. Service is friendly and well-paced.