This usually-buzzing room-sister to Italian Kitchen-has won a devoted following by combining a happening ambiance with food that's reasonably priced and sometimes exceeds expectations: linguine carbonara ($16.95), for example, is not the sloppy, overcooked mess you find in some rooms but rather a beautiful balance of ingredients. Veal piccata ($16.95)-often over-sauced-is similarly exacting and... more

The group behind glowbal, Coast, Sanafir, and Italian Kitchen have scored again, this time in Kitsilano. Trattoria is Kits-friendly, meaning it's more casual than their other restaurants, but the standards remain just as high and the prices just as reasonable. You can't make a reservation here, so plan accordingly. The line begins to form at 5:30pm, and by 7pm, you may have to wait an hour or... more

If the patio's too busy weekdays at lunch, consider the casual bar area to enjoy the man candy serving out of the open kitchen. But it's no toga party: Boticelli-inspired art in the dining room and sleek pedestal tables of black and white marble elevate sharing plates of perfectly al dente pasta and unfussy, robust sauces to soaring heights, even as next day leftovers. Instant classics: the... more