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Federico's came highly recommended to me by a friend years and years ago, and I FINALLY made it there during DOV. It was supposed to mark the beginning of my dineout craze this year. Though upon reviewing their menus we ended up doing their own set menu for $39.99. It was a 4 course meal meant to be shared between a minimum of 4 people. They were super accomodating. Not only did they do the dinner for four, for just the two of us, they also added a complimentary 5th course, dessert, which was not originally a part of the set menu. So we began with the antipasto platter. Italian cured meats are an absolute favourite for me, can't go wrong with prosciutto. The platter was very generous. Half of the plate consisted of 4 (i think) different kinds of cured meats. There was boccoccini with tomato, artichokes, zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers as well. The platter was definitely enough to fill 4 ppl. I started to feel full after the first plate! The pasta was actually their Bandiera Italiana ("As in the colours of the Italian flag, a platter of linguine al pesto, gnocchi gorgonzola & penne al pomodoro "). SO GOOD. Crazy carbs. The sauces were nice and light, the pasta JUST coated with enough sauce so as not to get heavy and saturated. the linguine al pesto was definitely my favourite. Salad was salad.. nice fresh mixed greens. Lightly tossed in olive oil with salt and pepper. I don't know why, but the salad just tasted extra fresh... i'm not usually a salad fan. i'm thinking it was due to the progression of the dishes... the tastes are well planned out and a light salad after our heavy first dishes was perfect to clear the palate. Main courses were good, though nothing extraordinarily spectacular. we chose chicken and veal and shared between us. the chicken had good flavour, just borderline a little bit dry... but such is chicken breast. I don't really remember the veal, so it couldn't have been that great or that bad. Then again, I think I was just too full by the time the main courses came to enjoy them. And after all that came our desserts... tiramisu and chocolate mousse from the dineout menu. they were good and suprisingly light after such a heavy meal. but nothing out of the ordinary again. Now for the venue... we were seated off to the corner right by the front window, which seemed a little odd at first, but then it paid off as the live band got started... at least we could still hear each other as we were farther from the dance floor. Our server, Pedro, was a friendly sweet older gentleman. He took SUCH great care of us. I'd go back just for him. The place is just super warm and friendly. I disagree about it not being a date place. there is something to be said about intimacy amidst a crowd of crazy happy ppl. Just walking in there makes you smile. The dance floor gets crazy packed... on my washroom breaks, I couldn't get past the crowd. The music is a bit retro though... straight out of the 80's, everything from Phantom of the Opera to YMCA. Still fun... but not the best tunes to be twirled around the dance floor to. Would be neat to see them do salsa or swing nights here. I had a wonderful experience. I'm definitely looking forward to going again. This is a really nice place with great class AND comfort that is worth repeat visits to.

Lumiere is also extending their dineout, till when i'm not sure, but reservations are probably all booked as always. Quattro on Fourth is also extending their dine out till the end of February (though week of Valentine's is excluded). they had a graet dineout menu... i posted the following review on www.tasteof604.com: "I stepped into Quattro once a year or two ago for a friend's birthday. I didn't eat there, just had a quick glass of wine (or maybe it was 2...). Needless to say, I never went back. My girlfriends told me the meal was just average and very expensive. My experience was not memorable so I never went back. On Monday night I ventured back into Quattro with minimal expectations for the Vancouver Dineout menu. My buddy picked the place and I was too tired to protest. To start, we began with the bocconcini wrapped with prosciutto (once again... i'm a huge fan of prosciutto), and crab and rock shrimp cake. Both were quite good, I was a bit disappointed that I couldn't taste much prosciutto on the mozzarella. The crab cakes had a touch of jalapeno peppers in them, which was a nice variation to such a generic dish. Now... we get to the main courses, PHENOMENOL. Between the 4 of us, we ordered the Lamb Shank, the Veal medallions and the pasta. the veal medallions were AMAZING... two beautifully done, lean, rather thick cut tender medallions. The meat was so juicy and texture just cooked to perfection at medium. I couldn't get enough. Definitely not what I expected. Not your usual thin sliced, breaded veal. I've never had veal like this before. I liked it so much that i'm considering going back late february as they're extending their dineout menu till end of february. the lamb shank just fell of the bone, and even the pasta was great too... lightly coated with truffle oil. Not too heavy. For dessert, we all ordered the philo pastry with whipped mascarpone cheese, cream and sour cherries. The philo pastry was fluffy, light and flavourful. And they were also quite creative. It was my girlfriend's birthday and since they couldn't stick a candle in the dessert, they melted the end and had it standing on the plate next to the dessert. That was a nice touch. After all, it's the small things that always get me. Service was stellar. Our server Karen took great care to explain the dishes to us and just be overall nice and friendly. She told us that all the dishes offered on the dineout are their signature dishes, which, if true, is wonderful. Dineout menus are usually cheap renditions or just lower grade menus due to the high volume needed. Not so for Quattro, top quality, great service and everything done fresh. This is a must-try for dineout and even regular dining... i'd pay full price for that quality of food and service. This is the best dineout meal i've had in my 3 year history of vancouver dineout (including this year)"

Thanks so much for the help everyone. I will be sure to put your suggestions in my write up.

having problems accessing the site is it just my connection?

Looking for suggestions. Every week I write a short feature article/guide for the website www.tasteof604.com, just to get conversation started and get other users to make their recommendations based on a particular theme. This week's feature is on places to study outside the comfort of home. So anywhere open late night with good coffee, internet access, accessible electrical outlets... stuff like that. Need some ideas to get started, anyone have any? Help is much appreciated... Thanks in advance.

Grand re-opening is apparently this Saturday! YAY!! check it out!!! http://www.tasteof604.com/DesktopDefault.a...id=22&rid=13211

Al Porto out in Gastown has a bunch of private rooms too: The Wine Room (up to 35 persons); The Terrazzo Room (up to 50 persons); The Loft Room (up to 70 persons); Main Dining (up to 150 persons) Nice classic Italian rustic feel. Check out their website: http://alporto.ca Glowbal out in Yaletown also apparently books out there lounge Afterglow for large parties as well. Though that could get quite costly. Out in Richmond, there is Also Restaurant & Lounge. They have a small private room there as well. Though the food there is not downtown fine dining quality, it is definitely decent and prices are good for groups.

i go with Latin Quarter as well... cozy, live entertainment as well. i think the food is on par with la bodega... but Latin Quarter is darker, more romantic, nicer ambience. If you sit with your back to the window and only see inside the restaurant, you are transported into quite an authentic experience of a Spanish Tapas cafe. and yes... stay away from the chorizo... though i love that stuff usually Latin Quarter tends to "flame it" until it's charred and dry... great for show... not so good for looks. i'm not a big sangria fan, but love spanish red wines though dont' know much about them (if that makes any sense). anyone got any good suggestions?

That is truly strange as I thought I was the only one who would go and buy Stepho's takeout - for example - take it home to watch HNIC while playing boards of canada (although I would favour the white wine with it). ← Nope you're wrong about beign the only stepho's takeout fan... nothing like skipping the crazy line-ups at Stepho's, curling up in the comfort of my home and stuffing my face with stepho's lamb and rice while cursing at the Flames (or any other team that's ever beat the Nucks for that matter!)... though red wine for me too... but if someone else is buying... i'll drink anything and LOVE Boards of Canada... though maybe not when watching hockey... As for spots away from the couch at home... good classic pub style hockey games: 1. Coppertank Bar & Grill on Broadway and MacDonald. Great visibility from anywhere in the bar and they honk this crazy loud horn whenever we score! Gets the room going. As for food... hawaiin chicken burger, thin crust pizzas and DRY RIBS!! (but that's probably because i'm just an overall dry ribs junkie) 2. Flying Beaver out by the South Terminal of YVR airport is a lot of fun... every table draws a 'Nucks # when they sit down, if your player scores... free round of shots for the table. Buffalo Chicken wrap is very yummy... atmosphere and energy is great, BUT the view is not always great cuz it gets crowded. so go early to get seats by the TV.