Dinner at Vaticano

Following the TIFF screening of Patrik 1,5 at the Varsity cinemas Saturday night, Gary & I enjoyed a late dinner at Vaticano Trattoria (on Belair in Yorkville).

Overall we were both very favourably impressed with the restaurant.

We arrived in the driving rain just past 11 Pm (we are disciplining ourselves to eat later in the evening, in anticipation of our upcoming trip to Spain, where dining well after sunset is the norm) and we we were immediately seated (by a hostess awaiting us at a podium) at a beautiful table for two situated on a riser in the middle of the floor. On one side of or table we could see up out thru the patio and up the stone steps into the rain splashed street, while on the other we could see down thru a railing upon which were set three large vases holding huge gladiola stems and various other bric-a-bat (including an miniature of Michelangelo's David (the genuine article, which we are looking forward to seeing on our visit to Florence early next month.))

We first ordered a bottle of San Benedetto sparking water (or "water with gas", as they say in Europe) and enjoyed it with an Italian bread basket (served with olive oil and vinegar). For starters, we eat ordered a salad. Gary went with the traditional Ceasar while I ordered a Della salad, (which is tossed greens with sliced pears, walnuts and shaved parmesan cheese). We also ordered a half litre decanter of the House Chiraz from the wine list to accompany our main courses of veal. Gary ordered a Vitello Marsala (veal scallopini in a marsala sauce) while I had the daily special-- a thick cut veal chop served in a red wine reduction with cranberries. Following the entrees, we ordered two cafe Americanos. For sweets we ordered one tiramisu and a chocolate torte, which we divided and shared.

The total tab including gratuity was $197.

Over all we were delighted with the food quality and flavour and were impressed with the service and the atmosphere.

This ranks as highly as the more famous Sotto Sotto as a Yorkville Italian dining alternative.

Highly recommended.