If you’re looking for a low-key, delicious Italian spot in Metro Vancouver, you should check out Artusi Restaurant in New Westminster (BC Canada).
The Restaurant’s Inspiration
The restaurant is named after Pellegrino Artusi who wrote a Scienza in Cucina e l’Arte di Mangiare Bene (The Science of Cooking and the Art of Eating Well) which has come to be recognized as the most significant Italian cookbook of modern times.
Artusi Menu
They present a homey Italian menu which includes starters (like thinly sliced veal with tuna and caper sauce); salads (like porchetta salad); pastas (like homemade squid ink pasta, clams and lemon); mains (like pan-seared beef tenderloin in olive oil); and desserts (like panna cotta and tiramisu).
What We Tried
We were hosted at Artusi and tried the following:
Nipozzano Chianti
Housemade Focaccia
Bruschetta & Passata
Focaccia crostini, tomato sauce, burrata, heirloom tomatoes, basil pesto
Capesante Al Rosso
Scallops, nduja & saffron sauce
Porchetta Salad
Homemade porchetta, cannellini bean, mix greens, caramelized red onion, shaved pecorino cheese, balsamic reduction
Pici Al Cinghiale
Semolina noodle, Wild Boar in Rose’ sauce, Pecorino Cheese
Orecchiette Alla Norcina
Mushroom, Italian sausage, white wine, cream, saffron
Tiramisu Limone
Ladyfingers, limoncello sauce, lemon mascarpone cream
Affogato Della Casa
Handmade ice cream flavour of the day (pistachio) with espresso coffee
We enjoyed the meal from beginning to end starting with their delicious housemade focaccia bread which was soft and nicely chewy prepared as bruschetta for a classic Italian antipasto.
The scallops appetizer was beautiful presented in a half shell and had a tangy, vibrant sauce.
We enjoyed the homestyle porchetta salad follow by the al dente pici pasta with the hearty meat ragu made with wild boar.
The pasta alla Norcina was a tasty, creamy pasta full of the comforting flavors of Italian sausage and white wine.
Finishing off was a citrusy lemon tiramisu and a shot of espresso poured over pistachio ice cream. These marked the perfect ending to the meal and a sweet beginning to the rest of the evening.
Check out Artusi Restaurant at 412 6th St, New Westminster, BC.