CinCin

CinCin Restaurant Review:

Escape the bustle of Robson Street's busy shopping mecca and ascend a winding stone staircase to reach one of the loveliest dining rooms in Vancouver. Terracotta tiles and tones, Italian statuary, original artworks, and large format wine bottles add ambience. A long marble bar serves Italianate cocktails and boasts the city's largest array of grappa while leading to a serene patio. The contemporary menu focuses on simply prepared, seasonal West Coast ingredients. An open kitchen offers views of a massive wood-burning “Infierno” grill and rotisserie producing pizzas, steaks, chicken, chops and more. Must-try dishes include wood-grilled wild prawns cooked on a rosemary branch with taggiasche olives, Meyer lemon and watercress; ricotta gnocchi with black Perigord truffle, rosemary and vegetable chips; Alberta lamb rack grilled over wood embers with lentils, salsify, carrots and pistachios; and a selection of premium Alberta beef steaks. Pastas are made in-house. For dessert, don't miss the tiramisu and the roasted almond semifreddo with passion fruit and olive oil curd and chocolate almond crunch. CinCin's almost all-Italian wine list (there are a few California and Pacific Northwest labels) shows depth and breadth. Service is welcoming and professional.