I was on conference in Vancouver, and I’m ashamed to admit that I was too bloody tired to venture far from my hotel (excuse: the weather was perpetually horrid). But on recommendation from the barkeep at the Sutton Place (and lovely hotel, BTW… where I was upgraded to a suite plush enough that I threatened not to come home), I did stray across the street to Don Francesco - and had a fan-tanstic experience.

I was worried this place would be a tourist trap. It’s smack in the middle of hotel-land, and seemed old school in a rather cliche-d way - plus, there were a lot of tourists. But the entire evening was charming, and I can totally recommend… this was a delightful night for a solo diner in Vancity (on a Saturday!). The staff at this resto were gracious and accommodating, and I never felt at all awkward or rather-be-ordering-room-service.

I was seated (quite immediately), at the bar, and they actually made pains to sit me next to another female solo-diner. On another night, I might have found this presumptuous or intrusive (be friends, lonely ladies!), but it was good matchmaking, and we totally hit it off. The bartender recommended a great BC merlot and served up some warm bread. This gave me plenty of time to ponder the menu, but the aforementioned Sutton Place barman had already insisted I order the wild boar - so I did. Wonderful!!! (wonderful, wonderful)! Medium rare game was served with succulent cherry sauce and divine ravioli. Very flavourful and rich. The meat was exquisite and the pasta was light and yet totally capable of complementing the game-y meat. Cherry sauce was divine.

Finished with an expert cappuccuino.

Don Francesco does have an impressive game menu, and I think this is probably the way to go for a really special experience here (you can get pasta and red sauce anywhere). It’s not inexpensive (my entree was pushing $40), but food the is good enough to warrant.

This place is a little old school (the waiters make eyes at all the “ladies,” and I understand there can be singing), but I was enchanted. I felt well taken care of, and entirely satisfied.

Posted on May 6th, 2007 by rabbit
Filed under: Restaurant Reviews