vancouver dining

Authentic reviews by food lovers. Rated on ambiance, design and food. Identities anonymized.

Italian

Sopra Sotto Pizzeria

1510 Commercial Dr, Vancouver, BC
(“the Drive”, East Vancouver)

Experience Noted – Saturday, May 31, 2025 ⋅ 8:00 pm
Rating 1-10 (5 = fail, 6 = pass)

AMBIANCE / DESIGN

B: 6
A: 8
S: 7

Breakdown
⋅ scent: distinguishable truffle scent
⋅ “cheap” tabletops + table unleveled with farm style chairs
⋅ entryway desk + waiting area + coatrack out of place – too vintage
⋅ nice flooring + tiling at bars, interesting bar wall, nice wall coverings
⋅ tabletops lack décor, candle brought to table quite late in evening, otherwise bare
⋅ enjoyable light fixtures
⋅ open kitchen with wood burning oven + bar are very cohesive, no jarring contrasts
⋅ lovely menu presentation

SERVICE

S: quality fauna *disclosure – strong bias in favour

Breakdown

Hostess
⋅ warm
⋅ offered to accommodate beyond 2 hr limit policy

Server 1
⋅ soft pre intro, no name
⋅ felt inauthentic
⋅ rushed service

Server/staff 2
⋅ drew the blind so as to not blind diner A

Server 3
⋅ came to attend
⋅ more attentive with more care for experience
⋅ knowledgeable about hospitality group history + logo
⋅ brought over olive oil + balsamic bottles to show labels upon inquiries

EATS

Carpaccio (cheese on the side)
A: 5
S: 6

Breakdown
⋅ chewy (not fresh)
⋅ topped with a whole arugula salad (mild arugula flavour, not strong enough)
⋅ nice capers
⋅ some green onion
⋅ touch with few pieces deep fried pizza dough strip

Pizzas

Vegetarian Pizza (cheese on the side)
B: 7.5

Breakdown
⋅ Great crust
⋅ very light
⋅ 00 flour
⋅ mediocre olive oil

Margherita
S: 9

Breakdown
⋅ the pizza is not as good as his hometown’s

Salsiccia Pizza
A: 9.5

Breakdown
⋅ amazing crust
⋅ perfect sausage
⋅ perfect mozzarella
⋅ decent chili oil + chili flakes

NA
B: NA

Breakdown
⋅ kitchen ran out of vanilla ice cream for affogato

Tiramisu
S: 9

Breakdown
⋅ loves his tiramisu

Tiramisu + Espresso
A: 6

Breakdown
⋅ espresso very delayed
⋅ no crema
⋅ shot too long? watery, almost Nespresso type shot
⋅ tiramisu too light on mascarpone
⋅ has chocolate chips??
⋅ too light on lady fingers
⋅ too light on liqueur

PHOTOS

Osteria al Centro

3075 Slocan St, Vancouver, BC
(East Vancouver)

Experience Noted – Friday, May 2, 2025 ⋅ 7:00 pm
Rating 1-10 (5 = fail, 6 = pass)

AMBIANCE / DESIGN

B: 1
A: 2
S: 4

Breakdown
⋅ half done walls and white walls (poster half wall, tiles half wall, art??, 2 plants)
⋅ faux wood burning oven
⋅ visible storage of tables
⋅ mixed fixed lighting, mixed light bulbs – warm + white
⋅ too many concepts thrown together
⋅ very slanted back chair seats for dining
⋅ strange opening to back kitchen – very bright
⋅ candles on some tables
⋅ good napkins

EATS

Calamari
B: 1
A: 2
S: 3

Breakdown
⋅ hardly any octopus
⋅ served with puttanesca
⋅ did not arrive hot – warm at best

Chilli oil
unanimous: 6

Vegetable Pizza (ordered without cheese)
B: 6

Breakdown
⋅ soggy due to pizza baked together with toppings
⋅ veggies were not pre-cooked separately
⋅ mushrooms not cut fresh (canned mushrooms?)

Margherita
S: 6

Breakdown
⋅ 00 flour
⋅ mozzarella is fresh
⋅ basil is burnt

Carbonara
A: 7
S: 5 (*S’s favourite pasta)

Breakdown
⋅ noodles good texture
⋅ guanciale good but sparse
⋅ not enough sauce

Olive oil
unanimous: 8

Macchiato (ordered with honey on the side)
B: 7

Breakdown
⋅ not served with biscottini (*server brings biscotti gratis)

Cannoli
S: 6

Breakdown
⋅ ricotta mixed with other ingredient

Cannoli
A: 4

Breakdown
⋅ crispy shell

PHOTOS