tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248466192615498443.post7900132406398225975..comments2024-03-18T06:45:18.174-07:00Comments on This Is Pizza: Impressions: Marcello Pizzeria & RistoranteAdam Lindsleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01012112411668336019noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248466192615498443.post-81148613572699128342011-10-29T12:44:52.115-07:002011-10-29T12:44:52.115-07:00I have eaten at Libretto's and it is the best ...I have eaten at Libretto's and it is the best but the new Vancouver Pizza joints are giving it a run. Nicli, Pizza Farina, Campagnolo, Bibo (haven't tried it but heard decent things about the pie) are all top notch. All doing a variation on classic Neapolitan.JMHnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248466192615498443.post-3546214257960961732011-02-14T17:47:59.179-08:002011-02-14T17:47:59.179-08:00I moved to Vancouver a year ago. My wife and I are...I moved to Vancouver a year ago. My wife and I are dining out on a regular basis. Vancouverites are absolutely convinced that their city has a great food scene, but it does not. Most of the people who are excited about the food scene here have never lived outside of Vancouver or BC and don't know what they are talking about. Of course, Sushi and South-East Asian food is very good. Otherwise there is very little to be found, and both, my wife and I are quite frustrated about that. <br /><br />Indian is okay, but cannot compete with what I am used to from Toronto or New York, both of which have a large Indian community. (Vij's is always highly recommended, but one restaurant does not constitute a "scene") <br /><br />There is no very good restaurant for Western European food (French, Italian, Spanish,...), and the few ones that are acceptable are often over-prized. However, I have to recommend one Italian place that does not offer pizza, but otherwise very good food: La Quercia. For good Canadian food I find Pair Bistro very good, too. Both of these restaurants are in Kitsilano, and most people don't know about them.<br /><br />As for the Pizza, you won't find a good one in Vancouver. Campagnolo is okay, Nook barely passes the test, and the rest is terrible. Nicli Antica is open now, and we will try it out once they will have had their initial run. The only certified Neapolitan Pizza in the whole of Canada is at Libretto's in Toronto, and the Pizza there is absolutely fantastic - on par with the pizza I have eaten in Italy (I am actually from Europe).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248466192615498443.post-83769944245678459482011-02-11T02:00:32.925-08:002011-02-11T02:00:32.925-08:00@lyndsay: Thank you for your lengthy and very info...@lyndsay: Thank you for your lengthy and very informative comment! I'll keep my eye on Pizzeria Barbarella and post something when it opens in March; that photo certainly portends greatness. When I return to Vancouver I'll check back with you for more recommendations (I still crave Vij's). <br /><br />Thanks for checking out the blog!Adam Lindsleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01012112411668336019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248466192615498443.post-46008353624302171732011-02-10T10:34:09.069-08:002011-02-10T10:34:09.069-08:00just found this post...hi!
oh i hate it when peop...just found this post...hi!<br /><br />oh i hate it when people don't enjoy themselves in our great city. you did indeed get a bum rap with marcello, it's the sneakily fancier and ultimately sham exact copycat of lombardo's, which is located in a mini stripmall on commercial drive in a very unassuming location. you have to know about it to find it. the divorced wife owns and runs lombardo's, the staff is warm and friendly and some have been there forever -- you can feel the difference just walking in. sure you're eating in a stripmall but it's the food you're after! <br /><br />many different types of pizza styles on commercial drive alone: greek style pizza at sunrise pizza (thick, tons of greasy cheese, crunch crust, doughy points); the dollar slice variety (which on commercial drive, there's probably 8 shops and growing). a place called pizza garden just re-opened and re-branded with a new "neopolitan" style pizza for $2/slice. they have a semblance of a woodburning oven and they use caputo flour. i've had it a few times now and it's got a char with a chewy crust, but a little inconsistent. pretty good though for $2! <br /><br />if you prefer neopolitan style pizza you won't like campagnolo's pizza. but it's a fresh and modern italian place to visit in a take-a-chance location. <br /><br />i agree with the poster above: tojo's STINKS, it is astonishingly overpriced. toshi's on main and 16th however is very good, fresh, decently priced, japanese owned and operated. <br /><br />phnom penh is the other spot i recommend to all visitors. it's a cambodian chinese place in chinatown on e.georgia. best chicken wings perhaps ever (light batter, salty and slightly sweet served with garlic and lime dipping sauce) and the beef on rice with egg is an extreme favourite. <br /><br />and i just read about THIS opening up, also just off commercial drive: <br /><br />http://scoutmagazine.ca/2011/01/29/pizzeria-barbarella-to-table-hybrid-of-neapolitan-nyc-pizza-to-the-east-side/<br /><br />vancouver is definitely known for asian cuisine! i can't say i've ever had good mexican food here except for made by friends. i'd love to find a good spot though. and you must go for dim sum! and even hit the food courts in any richmond (suburb of vancouver) mall -- you'll feel like you're in hongkong. <br /><br />also do the person who said "avoid east van" ?? that's ridiculous and close-minded.<br /><br />anyhow next time you're headed to vancouver, email me and i can send you lots of recommendations! <br /><br />best,<br /><br />lyndsay ^__^Coco Cake Landhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00623934740303666925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248466192615498443.post-11318709441184472892011-02-06T19:26:46.598-08:002011-02-06T19:26:46.598-08:00Nicli Antica Pizzeria open as of 8 February 2011.Nicli Antica Pizzeria open as of 8 February 2011.bill.mccaighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04655461135122695425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248466192615498443.post-51865750156426776632010-12-27T17:23:18.183-08:002010-12-27T17:23:18.183-08:00@Anonymous: Thanks for the recommendations! I did ...@Anonymous: Thanks for the recommendations! I did end up having some pretty amazing food in Vancouver at Vij's. Wow. So good. I'm not a huge sushi fan, but fusion Japanese tapas sound great. I'll add it to the list for my return trip.<br /><br />Also, for Seattle pizza, you should definitely hit Delancey in Ballard. Best pizza in Washington.<br /><br />Thanks for checking out the blog!Adam Lindsleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01012112411668336019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248466192615498443.post-11397256496505534332010-12-27T12:57:49.338-08:002010-12-27T12:57:49.338-08:001) Vancouverslop isn't something I would recom...1) Vancouverslop isn't something I would recommend to get recommendations from.<br /><br />2) Vancouver has some pretty amazing food. Like one person said we are a very southeast asian/fusion oriented City. Try Kingyo or Guu for fusion Japanese tapas. Or Sushi Hachi which I think beat a meal I had at one of the best restaurants in the Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo. <br />Sushi Hachi does require reservations. Do NOT go to Tojo's. Their sushi is badly cut and extremely overpriced. Do NOT go to Tojo's.<br /><br />3) Marcellos is a regular italian place. It is okay. It is not anything to consider amazing.<br /><br />4) Go to Serious Pie in Seattle or Prima Strada in Victoria for amazing pizza.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248466192615498443.post-72460796873995566912010-09-30T10:57:59.886-07:002010-09-30T10:57:59.886-07:00@Bill: I'm excited for you. I'll be seeing...@Bill: I'm excited for you. I'll be seeing you when I'm Vancouver again.Adam Lindsleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01012112411668336019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248466192615498443.post-51429251600198076022010-09-30T01:51:46.909-07:002010-09-30T01:51:46.909-07:00Two words: Prima Strada. At least for now until we...Two words: Prima Strada. At least for now until we... have Nicli Antica!Vivianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16960179162397077765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248466192615498443.post-11360530225624412272010-09-23T18:25:52.186-07:002010-09-23T18:25:52.186-07:00Here's the sole reason I am opening
Nicli Ant...Here's the sole reason I am opening <br />Nicli Antica Pizzeria: I couldn't find a decent pizza in Vancouver. Antica = Authentic, and I am 100% committed to bringing that to each and every pie. The oven is an Acunto from Naples and I've had people come looking to work at my restaurant just because I've brought it here. The dough mixer is a Pietro Berto from Vicenza which handles the dough so much more gently than a spiral mixer - which provides a much more tender crust. I'm trained in the Napolitan pizza arts, and I am absolutely stoked to bring it to Vancouver. We have awesome food in this city, and the next food group to experience an upgrade is pizza.<br /><br />We are still waiting on our building permit which should be granted in approximately 1 - 2 weeks. Then about another 7 weeks of construction to completion. December 2010 - Authentic Neapolitan Pizza hits Vancouver proper.Bill McCaighttp://www.nicli-antica-pizzeria.canoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248466192615498443.post-40108135694120268012010-09-20T22:24:27.475-07:002010-09-20T22:24:27.475-07:00I don't recommend Campagnolo's pies if you...I don't recommend Campagnolo's pies if you are looking for Neapolitan. Great toppings, but the crust is often hard and leathery. Campagnolo is good for other dishes...just not the pizza.<br /><br />The only good Neapolitan pie anywhere near Vancouver (and is still north of the 49th) is in Victoria at Pizzeria Primastrada.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248466192615498443.post-12422481359967629772010-09-20T10:22:08.714-07:002010-09-20T10:22:08.714-07:00@Debbie: Actually, no, nobody's recommended Ca...@Debbie: Actually, no, nobody's recommended Capagnolo to me, but I checked out the menu, and it looks promising. It's going on the list for my next trip to Vancouver. Thanks for letting me know about it!Adam Lindsleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01012112411668336019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248466192615498443.post-48130275094110611482010-09-20T01:24:20.581-07:002010-09-20T01:24:20.581-07:00Hi there, I don't know if anyone recommended C...Hi there, I don't know if anyone recommended Campagnolo to you or not, but it offers just 5 pizzas and other really authentic and well done Italian dishes. I haven't tried every single pizza yet, but I can tell you the ones I have eaten have all been delicious. http://www.campagnolorestaurant.ca/<br /><br />Marcello and Lombardo's are both passable - I wouldn't necessarily call their pizzas horrible - but I have noticed, the bigger the pizza you get, the sloppier and soggier the middle of the pie gets. They're both definitely fork and knife pizzas.Debbiehttp://www.venivinivici.canoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248466192615498443.post-57789042476581860072010-09-19T21:34:33.532-07:002010-09-19T21:34:33.532-07:00No worries Adam, I just needed to put my 2 cents i...No worries Adam, I just needed to put my 2 cents in on all your asinine comments you wrote about Chowhound & Vancouver. I'm done.ck1234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248466192615498443.post-76955029730802614682010-09-19T19:10:36.696-07:002010-09-19T19:10:36.696-07:00@ck1234: I wouldn't take what I say about Vanc...@ck1234: I wouldn't take what I say about Vancouver too personally. This blog entry was only my perspective during my one visit, not <em>the definitive</em> Vancouver experience for everyone who visits. Regardless of whether or not you or anyone else has personally smelled it, the city really did smell bad during my visit, and was far from clean, with litter everywhere. My traveling companion can back this up. We both had heard wonderful things about Vancouver and its cleanliness, and the fact of the matter is, <em>on this visit</em>, it didn't deliver on those expectations. I'd have to spend a lot more time there to say Vancouver is definitively anything (although I think "pizza wasteland" is probably pretty accurate, according to the other Vancouverites who have responded to the post).<br /><br />Don't let it get to you. It's one guy's opinion, based on my experiencess, and your experiences aren't going to change it.Adam Lindsleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01012112411668336019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248466192615498443.post-89457524654459330752010-09-19T18:48:40.688-07:002010-09-19T18:48:40.688-07:00Honestly, I only checked your blog because I heard...Honestly, I only checked your blog because I heard what you said about Vancouver & our Chowhounds. I don't recall your post (and I read them all)...and it made me really angry, actually because I never saw your post to begin with...I don't like that you're blaming the board for your bad time in Vancouver.<br /><br />I rely on recommendations too, though, I use many boards and then some trial & error, like yourself. I even happen to like YELP because I can see all the photos of a restaurant's food in one place. But, I check ALL sites/blogs and then make my decisions. Sometimes I just don't agree with everyone anyway because food is subjective. I never blame a site or blog for bad recommendations... <br /><br />PS: You said this: "As for the stink... Obviously I didn't walk every block of Vancouver, but I did walk around in a lot of different neighborhoods, including Gastown, downtown, Granville Island, Fairview, Richmond, south Granville, and Commercial Drive, and they all smelled like something different. Weird! (Stanley Park smelled all right, though)".<br /><br />I have lived here all my life and except for working near the fish plants on Venables in the summer, I have never seen or smelled anything dirty in this city like you said. Any visitor I've ever had here (all from USA) has remarked how "clean" our city is.ck1234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248466192615498443.post-9866365270148399942010-09-19T16:25:54.179-07:002010-09-19T16:25:54.179-07:00@ck1234: Thanks for checking out the blog. Can'...@ck1234: Thanks for checking out the blog. Can't explain the disappearance of my CH post. But that thread wasn't the only place from which I read recommendations for Marcello (there are several threads in which it's mentioned). True, I could have and should have read up on these recommendations more on other sites than just CH, but until I actually eat at a place, it doesn't matter how many people pan or praise it (hey, even Pizzeria Bianco, the best pizza I have ever eaten, has negative reviews), it is physically impossible for me to know for sure whether the food's worth my time. So the CH recommendations <em>are</em> the homework, or at least an important part of it. It's the actual eating that reveals whether or not the recommendations were any good.<br /><br />As for the "I disliked the city so much..." comment, that really has to do more with being grumpy about the shitty food recommendations than anything else, thus projecting a sour attitude onto my surroundings, although there were other factors that lead to me making that statement. Mainly unmet expectations. I just didn't find it quite as wonderful as some have deemed it. But that's my opinion; it's meaningless to anyone but me.<br /><br />Anyway, to summarize, when I visit another city, I have to rely solely on recommendations. In this instance I really didn't have much time to gather a large number of them, and I suffered for it (with the exception of Vij's, which I still crave). Usually Chowhounders come through. This time they didn't.Adam Lindsleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01012112411668336019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248466192615498443.post-43550181325813421552010-09-18T00:25:50.794-07:002010-09-18T00:25:50.794-07:00I read all the YVR posts, daily, and I cannot reca...I read all the YVR posts, daily, and I cannot recall your chowhound post, nor anyone recommending Marcello's. I think it's pretty clear that Vancouver does not have good pizza, it's been discussed ad nauseum on the YVR chowhound forum. That you said: "I got a lot of really bad recommendations from people on Chowhound. You'd think those people would have some notion of what good food is and isn't, but no"...AND..."I disliked the city so much that I doubt I'll be back anytime soon", I really would like to see that elusive post you made! However, blaming chowhound for your eating decisions seems lame though... First and foremost, food is subjective, no? Like grayelf said above, do some homework. Cheers.ck1234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248466192615498443.post-59262248971647936162010-09-05T22:49:56.754-07:002010-09-05T22:49:56.754-07:00@grayelf: You're absolutely right. Getting rec...@grayelf: You're absolutely right. Getting recommendations from Chowhound is usually a sound plan, but it's my fault for not doing more research into the recommendations afterward. I can blame it on the trip being pretty last-minute, but the fact of the matter is, I shouldn't have been so lazy. Lesson learned: follow up!Adam Lindsleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01012112411668336019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248466192615498443.post-69491203083531176532010-09-05T22:17:16.893-07:002010-09-05T22:17:16.893-07:00Too bad your Chowhound post got deleted -- I'd...Too bad your Chowhound post got deleted -- I'd love to know who gave you such lame recommendations. NOBODY who posts regularly on Chowhound would recommend Marcello's.<br /><br />But more importantly, it doesn't sound like you did a reasonable amount of homework yourself. Relying on a bunch of people who just like to eat and are volunteering their time to post reccos (even bad ones) is kinda caveat emptor, no?<br /><br />I use Chowhound extensively when I travel but I always read backwards to older posts and cross reference with other local blogs etc that I trust. <br /><br />Vancouver is not a perfect food city by a long shot, but you shouldn't have to eat bad food here if you pay attention, think for yourself and do a bit of realistic research. Next time, travel with someone who is interested in the food this city does well and you'll have a much better trip. Assuming you come back... and if you don't, your loss.grayelfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10580168006188120241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248466192615498443.post-27411785973204339552010-09-03T00:07:23.573-07:002010-09-03T00:07:23.573-07:00@Gabriel - Agree on C (and to add Blue Water Cafe)...@Gabriel - Agree on C (and to add Blue Water Cafe) as Vancouver does high-end seafood better than Portland. Pass on Lumiere - Portland had much better restaurants in that category.<br /><br />One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet is the City of Vancouver's virtual moratorium on the construction of wood-fired pizza ovens. I'm surprised that Nicli Antica is installing one. I hear that that project is delayed due to some City Hall related issues...perhaps the wood-fired oven (required for Neapolitan VPN certification) is at risk.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248466192615498443.post-83258655285883840012010-09-02T15:23:55.551-07:002010-09-02T15:23:55.551-07:00@Gabriel: Me too! Lots more recommendations here t...@Gabriel: Me too! Lots more recommendations here to choose from. Plus pizza in Abbotsford and Victoria.Adam Lindsleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01012112411668336019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248466192615498443.post-15441504009872583022010-09-02T14:47:03.883-07:002010-09-02T14:47:03.883-07:00Gotcha. Hope your next visit is a very pleasant an...Gotcha. Hope your next visit is a very pleasant and tasty one.Gabrielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14199565530341153011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248466192615498443.post-16649725417412714242010-09-02T14:05:40.318-07:002010-09-02T14:05:40.318-07:00@Gabriel: I think you're misunderstanding me. ...@Gabriel: I think you're misunderstanding me. I <em>do</em> believe there's great food to be found in Vancouver other than Vij's, it's just that it was a mistake in this instance to think that I could take the quick recommendations I got on Chowhound and expect them to turn out for the better. I'm anxious to return to Vancouver to try the bevy of restaurants people have recommended to me since this post (the ones you've recommended, too!), primarily the Asian ones. <br /><br />But probably not for pizza!Adam Lindsleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01012112411668336019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248466192615498443.post-7966367977575258232010-09-02T10:47:40.177-07:002010-09-02T10:47:40.177-07:00I thought they might have passable food in other c...<i>I thought they might have passable food in other cuisines than just Asian or Indian, which was also a mistake.<br />...<br />Well, it was a mistake, wasn't it? I asked Vancouverites for recommendations for good food in a variety of cuisines, and they failed me. </i><br /><br />So you thought Vancouver might have good cuisine other than Asian or Indian, but now you think not because you couldn't find good pizza or Mexican and some people on a website gave you bad recommendations. I think that's a bit silly, for the reasons I gave above. It's a matter of knowing what to look for in the city, understanding its population, and researching the strengths and weaknesses of its cuisine beforehand.<br /><br />I'm sorry you had a bum culinary adventure in the city, and I hope it will be much better if and when you return. I can't vouch for Chowhound, as I don't use it. But for stellar restaurants that aren't Asian or Indian, Lumiere and C are always near the top of the list. C specializes in local seafood and is run by the same guy who runs Go Fish, IIRC.Gabrielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14199565530341153011noreply@blogger.com