Dining Adventures: Giovane Bacaro

My love for Italy runs deep.

So it comes as no surprise that I gave a resounding YES to sampling the newest offerings at the redesigned and relaunched Giovane Bacaro (formerly Giovane Café) on the ground floor of the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel. It’s the latest project for the BC-based hospitality group, Kitchen Table Restaurants (see also Ask for Luigi, Pourhouse, Pizzeria Farina, Caffè di Beppe).

The menu is mainly northern Italian fare, served in (relatively) small plates that you’d find in the bacaros in Venice. Think of bacaros as the wine bars that locals often go to after work, a place for what we in North America term ‘Happy Hour’ where you can grab a glass of wine and some nibbles.

Giovane Bacaro’s got a lot going for them - the flavours are there, a small but tasty cocktail list and an expansive selection of wines by the glass.

Giovane Bacaro’s bar area at the back.

Nothing is more Italian than a Negroni aperitivo.

Harry’s Martini. Delightfully frosty - how all good martinis should be.

En Carrozza el Classico. Essentially a classic grilled cheese sandwich that’s deep fried. Decadence on a plate.

Beef carpaccio à la Harry’s. Delicious and delicate slices of Wagyu.

Sgroppino - a type of Italian cocktail containing lemon sorbet, gin and Prosecco. Perfect palette cleanser.

Insalata di Cicoria - endive, hazelnut-sourdough bread crumb, tomato aioli, reggiano

Risotto with Peas. Off-menu but Lyndi ordered it as she’s vegetarian.

Linguini di Mare - snow crab, spot prawn bisque, semi-fried tomato, basil. Tasty and they loaded it with generous amounts of crab.

Left: Tiramisu; Right: Bellini Sorbetto (w/prosecco)

I’ve been a fan of Giovane Cafe for many years as it’s a great spot to meet for a cup of coffee or dessert. They still serve coffee at the front but now with the seating area and kitchen transformed into the bacaro space, it’s a welcomed casual, yet elevated option for those wanting a hangout spot aside from The Lobby Lounge at the Pac Rim. It’s not Cactus Club across the street, nor as high brow as Botanist - but it fills in that much-needed gap in the Golden Triangle of very few casual, intimate spots for good food and a decent drink.

Disclosure: This unsponsored review came after a media tasting that I was invited to by the Kitchen Table Group. All opinions are mine alone.

Photos (except the one of me, of course) are all taken by me (Cindy Yu @thevancouveriteblog). The photo of me was taken by Lyndi Barrett.