Here’s a recipe for restaurant success: Blend equal parts French Bistro with Italian Trattoria and voila (or presto) – the world’s first ‘bistoria.’
Specifically, we got Mon Bella Bistoria, which just opened in Kitsilano’s Yorkville. And with Tapastree alumni Brad Roark and chef Jay Brault behind the wheel, are we sure to be spending many nights at this tasty spot? Oui (and si).
To start, we nibbled on the toasted baby croque monsieur sandwiches ($9) that oozed with hot Swiss cheese. Tucking into the Parmesan-dusted polpetini meatballs in a spicy tomato sauce (that might put mama’s to shame, $12) was almost as perfect as the perfetto bruschetta ($7). Still peckish, we tried the ahi tuna nicoise ($15) and dipped into the platter of charcuterie and antipasto (at market price). Small plates for sharing make indecision so easy.
Then all we needed to do was sip a French ’69 from the French-Italian-B.C. wine list and gaze at the original black-and-white framed photos taken by Roark’s partner Michelle Vela during her travels to Italy and France.
La dolce vita suits our joie de vivre just fine.
Mon Bella Bistoria
www.monbella.com
1809 West 1st Ave. (at Burrard St.)
604-569-2741
If you thought that was sweet, we think you’ll also enjoy: