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Il Giardino
Category: Restaurants Italian Italian [Edit]
1382 Hornby StVancouver, BC V6Z 1W5
Neighbourhood: Downtown
(604) 669-2422
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11:30 am - 12 am
Sat 5:30 pm - 12 am
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Valet
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Bridget C. said: "I love this place! I stumbled in early on a Sunday when I was in Vancouver for a work trip. The staff were so welcoming and generous, it was really nice. I had french toast & sausage, which were superb. They make their coffee with…" read more »
23 reviews for Il Giardino
Review Highlights
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"Osso bucco with saffron risotto was just tender and..." In 4 reviews -
"To go for great food and a special occasion." In 3 reviews -
"All in all, a great night at a great restaurant." In 3 reviews
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23 reviews in English
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Review from Bill T.
Vancouver, BC
A good Vancouver mainstay of Italian cuisine. I had the braised veal cheeks with lemon risotto and it was good. Not as fantastic as other Italian restaurants that I went to but ambiance is nice and the service is great. Would I recommend it to others, yes I will. But in my own opinion, food is not bad but I had better. Ambiance is nice but a little cramped, however it is great for romantics. Again though, my personal preference is another place. Price point is from $20 - $35 so it can be kind of pricey especially with wine. So although I give it a 4 star, honestly, if you have the money, I suggest either the Italian restaurant along Burrard street in downtown or the Italian restaurant by end of Robson street closest to Stanley Park.
Tip: this restaurant is a good location for catching some of the canucks players when they are in town.
2nd tip: Ask for the Desert Hills Winery wines. They taste great and goes well with the Italian food. No I do not work for the winery. -
Review from Yunn A.
12/1/2011
Good pasta. Interesting rustic decor - not really my style, but enjoyable over the busy lunch hour.
Will come back to write a more detailed review soon. -
Review from Herman E.
11/21/2011
The only restaurant that I've been to where Trevor Linden tossed his wallet in my direction! OK, maybe not, I'm exaggerating, but he pulled it out of his pocket and it landed in front of me. That was a good laugh for the evening!
Beautiful atmosphere and surroundings, however a little bit noisy. It is a relatively large restaurant, and can hold a fair amount of people.
Food is very good, but I hate to say it, I compare everything Italian high end to Cioppinio's. It is not as polished. Still very good to say the least.
Worth a visit or for a special occasion. -
Review from Marcie C.
8/8/2011
OMG! Best Italian food I've had outside of Italy! My fiance and I came here last Saturday for dinner on Canada Day. The atmosphere is super cool and hip with an outdoor patio area and indoor space. They had a regular menu, seasonal menu, plus specials! And everything sounds mouthwatering!
For an appetizer, we split the pasta on special with mushrooms and shaved truffles. It was amazing! I had the lemon and leak risotto with shrimp and scallops and it was soooooo goooood! I literally ate until I thought I was going to burst, forgoing dessert because I simply couldn't eat another bite! My fiance had the osso bucco and said the marrow was so rich and delish!
I couldn't recommend this restaurant more highly! Truly a remarkable experience! -
Review from Michael C.
Vancouver, BC
8/11/2011
Tasty accept the portions.
I ordered a salad and Ravioli. The Ravioli was al dente, and tasty but there was only 5 or 6 of these suckers. Damn lucky I didn't have to pay for it because you know I am going to have to get a second dinner somewhere else. Service was OK and the ambiance was fine but I would not come here again knowing I will leave here hungry in Vancouver. -
Review from Ellie I.
Vancouver, BC
3/1/2012
My favourite restaurant in Vancouver based on the flavour, quality, and consistency of the food and warm ambience. I always enjoy my meals here.
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Review from Mark D.
2/26/2011
Enjoyable Everytime
What's to like?
1. In summer, their courtyard is one my my favorite places in Vancouver to have a meal.
2. The service is always excellent.
3. The food is also always excellent.
4. The entire experience from when you enter the restaurant through dessert is a pleasure.
Some of my favorites are:
Prawns wrapped in potatoes
Tomatoes with Mozzarella and :Basil
Penne Arrabiata
Spaghetti Carbonara
Rack of Lamb with Herb Crust
Oh, and where else do they have Rudolph on the menu.
I do wish they would list on http://Opentable.com though. -
Review from Kai C.
Vancouver, BC
11/5/2011
One of the best patios. Hidden and tucked away feeling. Great place. To go for great food and a special occasion.
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Review from Raymond O.
Vancouver, BC
7/2/2009
Ever wondered or secretly gruntled why some restaurants opt not to advertise prices on the menu? Il Giardino unfortunately brings it a step further by not having their menu posted on their website or even offer it readily available when requested. After calling twice to fax or email me a menu, and no feedback whatsoever from the staff, I gave up and succumbed to the unknown and went to meet two friends who swore by the ambience and food (which they experienced ten years ago! - umm, really helpful.)
Entering the restaurant was an even more disappointing experience, with three hostesses talking about nothingness trying to avoid the fact that there is actually someone in front of them. I surmise because I wasn't wearing a three piece suit or didn't have the Esq. or MD after my name? I sat and met my dinner companions who were chatting about the same kind of reception they received.
We would've left right there and then if not for the great table we scored at the gorgeous patio. You will easily forget you're in downtown Vancouver and feel as if you were instantly transported to a quaint village backyard in Tuscany. Lovely and charming ambience especially on a good clear day.
The menu is well thought out, focusing on simple, fresh ingredients that offer good value. We started with beef carpaccio sliced so thin unlike anything I've had in Vancouver, and a refreshing tower of shrimp and avocado salad, flavor of which was spot on. Main entrees were cooked according to our liking as I typically request my salmon medium rare. It was grilled to perfection. Osso bucco with saffron risotto was just tender and delicious. Praline bar and tiramisu were enjoyable, and Spanish coffee decent for an Italian restaurant.
As mentioned by Christine R, Il Giardino has been around for more than 30 years, remains strong and considered a Vancouver institution. It was in fact buzzing and packed to the gills on a weeknight. The food was by no means poor or below average, yet price/quality ratio could fare way better. This is the kind of restaurant you would love to go to only if someone else is paying.
Meanwhile, it is a little bit comforting to know that maybe ten years from now, and I do decide to return, Il Giardino will still be there, strong and standing. -
Review from Christine R.
New Westminster, BC
10/2/2008
I don't know why I felt so intimidated by Il Giardino when I first walked in. Perhaps it was seeing the all the beautiful people running around in expensive-looking clothes, or just the fact that unless it's a special occasion, we don't go to dress-up restaurants.
Il Giardino is certainly that, being what you might call a Vancouver restaurant institution. It's been around for about 30 years, and judging by the full house last Saturday night, it will be around for awhile. It's a simply beautiful restaurant - a gorgeous lounge, a couple of dining rooms, and a great big patio. I was a little disappointed with our particular table however - it was in the corner of the smaller dining room, and seemed to be on the flight path to the washrooms for all the people in the private party room next to us. (Note to self: request a patio or main dining room seat next time.)
The food was amazing from start to finish. The oyster soup starter was sex on a spoon, the antipasti plate had shavings of proscuitto and Parmesan and a perfect bite of tomato and bocconcini. My osso buco with saffron risotto was tender, braised in a delicious red sauce. I know - veal! But I did always want to try the dish and it's probably not something I would make at home.
Another thing - the portions are big, Italian-sized. They're not pulling the tiny-food-on-big-plates trick here (like some other restaurants in this price range.) We left very, very full. And happy. And pleasantly surprised at the final bill. All in all, a great night at a great restaurant. Amore! -
Review from Megan B.
1/2/2009
Not unhappy, but not ecstatic either.
Made reservations for NYE and had never been there before...we drove up from seattle for the week and when I called to make reservations the staff was SUPER nice. They were really friendly and accomodating, they even faxed a copy of the menu for my picky man to look over. This was greatly appreciated. One small downside was that the girl on the phone told me there wouldn't be a limited menu but it appeared that there was when we got there. No huge deal.
We arrived a little early, we were able to walk from our hotel. We were seated right away, but unfortunately like the previous reviewer (Christine R), we also received a less-than-desirable table. We were in a corner of a room right next to a stairway that was a high-traffic area and awkward.
The staff was quite dressed up but they looked good for NYE. Our waiter was a little on the forgetful side. The antipasto plate is very good, with lots of variety. The chianti I ordered was incredible, from an extensive wine list. The salad and entrees were very good, but I wouldn't say it was food I would really go out of my way for to have again. The moscato I had for dessert was also incredible. Tiremisu was good but not to-die-for.
Waiter seemed oddly absent a good portion of the time, and although I appreciate not being rushed through a nice meal, I found myself wondering where the heck he went a few times. I had to order my drink twice, and when our bill came i had been charged for an entire bottle rather than the glass I drank. He was very nice about fixing it when I brought it to his attention though, so it was no problem.
Beautiful place, good food, a little disappointing experience overall though. -
Review from Katie F.
4/22/2010
Rustic Italian setting at the edge of downtown. It's easy to find parking on the street in this area or you can valet for $7. It caters to a more 'mature' clientele overall and business traffic... LMAO at the guy near me who was surprised at having to pick up the tab himself since "the CFO usually does that!"
Service is average and not as polished as I'd expect.. Great wine selection and I love the old bottles that they kept around for decor.
I wasn't as wow'ed by the food as I expected to be. The antipasto platter had a nice mix of proscuitto, tomatoes, eggplant, etc... The Il Giardino seasonal green salad was tasty - nice and crisp and drizzled with olive oil. The pasta course was one of their strong points - the spaghetti was perfectly done! Taste and texture were perfecto :)
My baked black cod with veggies was a bit of a disappointment. The tiramisu was beautifully presented with berries and gooseberries on the side - great texture and taste.
To be honest, the service and food aren't worth the price point. Of the high end Italian restos (La Terrazza, CinCin, Cioppinos) that I've been to in town, this is my least favorite.
BTW - thanks to Raymond O. for his review so I made sure my first time here was on someone else's tab ;) -
Review from Matthew B.
8/7/2009
We've come to this place every year on the trip to Vancouver... and honestly, it's become more average than it used to be. While the food is good... it's quite expensive for the price. The wait staff is attentive... but they'll only remain attentive if you're spending more than average amounts of money. The atmosphere is good... but to get to the outside nicer seating area, you must request it quite some time in advance on your reservation.
As you can see... this place is full of it's good "but".
I don't know if we'll come back next year. -
Review from Eryne O.
Vancouver, BC
3/28/2010
Went for a small birthday dinner on a Monday night. The bar area was empty but the dining room was pretty full. The service was good, but the food was outstanding. I had the veal chop and caesar salad.
All in all loved it! -
Review from Andrea C.
8/26/2011
Bar none the best patio in town. Feels like you have stepped away to Tuscany. Great food but prices getting a little high for Vancouver. Service can be hit and miss. Not quite as good as it used to be.
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Review from Kal B.
4/26/2010
Located at Hornby and Pacific.. very close to Kettle of Fish.
We sat in the private dining room which had a very nice atmosphere.. tall ceiling and the walls were lined with wine bottles. Great rustic mediterranean/italian feel.
For dinner, it was a typical Italian 4 courser.. little bit of pasta to start (tomato basil spaghetti).. a salad.. and then for the entree i went with a mediterranean style Black Cod which was pretty good. for dessert we had Tiramisu which didn't look that special but when I tasted it, it was a revelation. The white wine was also flowing.. a pinot grigio from Italy which was really smooth. -
Review from John M.
1/16/2010
We used to go in the 90s, back when the chef was a fat Italian man named Gianni who always looked worried. This review pertains to what it used to be like.
Bobby the Maitre d' would greet pretty much every customer by name upon arrival. The guy knew his stuff and even once sent flowers to apologize for a below average meal they served.
The inside has pretty good seating and the outdoor patio is great in the summer time.
The meat dishes are great. I've had the rack of lamb and osso bucco and both were full of flavor and cooked just right.
The crowd is a mix of celebrities and slimy penny stockbrokers. For whatever reason, the celebrities dress silly when they go here. Don Johnson wore a pink baseball hat while dining with some younger women. The best was sitting next to MacGyver and Teri Hatcher. MacGyver had his mullet going on while wearing a suit and his dinner date Teri Hatcher whore a white 50's prom dress with a black leather jacket and had goth makeup on. At least I hope that was makeup.
All in all, it used to be a great place but I don't want to know what the prices are nowadays. -
Review from Shannon R.
4/8/2011
If you're visiting Vancouver, this is a must. It's pricey, but it's well worth it if you want to experience the best things in life. Everything on the menu is a hit. The skill in the kitchen is among the best that I've experienced in the world. It's just that good. Set in an indoor/outdoor garden, the mood is right for romance and pleasure. Don't we all deserve a little of that?
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Review from Cyndi H.
Vancouver, BC
9/27/2010
Beautiful setting-- feels like an Italian villa. Attentive service. Traditional meals. The food didn't change my life but it was solid, and the ambiance was fantastic. The plating of the food was very decorative as well. Good place to come if you're on a date or looking to impress. Not a good place if you're eating on a budget or want to dress casually... or if you have a gluten allergy. Decent though.
Listed in: Your Mom, Food that's safe for your…, Oodles of yummy noodles, Italiano!
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Review from Salil D.
2/22/2010
Good, uncomplicated northern Italian food. Good wine selection. Service was very friendly and knowledgeable, and the menu was extensive, with several off-the menu specials. I had the osso bucco, which was very good, along with the mushroom puree soup, which was also quite nice. The restaurant is fairly crowded and somewhat difficult to navigate. That said, the ambiance was still intimate because the space was divided into several rooms. I would recommend to anyone staying in the Vancouver area.
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Review from Katy N.
3/17/2009
Food, desserts & ambiance was as beautiful as I remembered attending a birthday party. If only I can remember what I ate :(
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Review from Crazy P.
Vancouver, BC
6/1/2010
Food is decent. Pricey. Service is pretty good. Large wine list. Women (cougars) looking to hook up the night we went. The ladies were doing coke in the bathroom. After that experience the restaurant does not feel family friendly.
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Review from Luisa D.
1/29/2010
I've been here several times and never had less than excellent service and delcious food. Last night was no exception. I started with a salad of roasted beets and avocado which isn't a combination I would have thought of. It was delicious - not blow my mind exceptional but very good ($11). I went for the linguine with fresh seafood ($21) as my entree - super delish! I didn't have parmesan added and it didn't need it. It was loaded with seafood and had a touch of lemon that was a perfect complement. We had a bottle of Prosecco to start, a Brocard Grand Cru Chablis to follow (stunning) and a bottle of Evolution to finish (9 white grape varietals from Oregon - very aromatic). I don't even want to know how much the Grand Cru was on the list and luckily I wasn't paying. I was too full for dessert but the espresso had a beautiful thick crema on it. Our waiter was Portugese and extremely professional with the right amount of humour thrown in. Bobby is still there and Ludwig was working the room. No sign of Umberto, maybe he's at his Tuscan Villa or getting ready for the onslaught of the Olympics at his Whistler restaurant. In the summer this place has a lovely intimate patio and they have a great private room for parties. The last time we were in there Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn were at the table beside us and I think our loudness annoyed her. Oops - haha! Yes this is an institution and it's for good reason. If you've got the money and you feel like a traditional evening go for it! And don't worry if you're in jeans - true class transcends those stigmas. They usually participate in Dine-Out Vancouver if you want to test the waters then.
