June 2018

This little restaurant in a nondescript part of North Vancouver is a real find. It’s a mother and son operation, everyone there continental French but the cuisine pretty well entirely Italian. “Why would French people serve Italian food?” I asked and was told, “Somebody had to show them how to do it.” The principals are formerly of La Regalade in West Vancouver, which served a kind of heavy traditional French cuisine that we were never quite as impressed with as others seemed to be.

We’ve been to Orto twice, once for lunch where the carbonara was delicious, and once for dinner where the pasta with fennel sausage and tomatoes was also fantastic. The wine list is simple and adequate, and the physical space reminded me of the now-defunct Sirenella in Charlottetown. The ceilings are not really low but somehow there is a low-ceiling cozy and unpretentious feel to it. There is a lovely garden outside where one can eat in fine weather.

A very informal and cheerful atmosphere, serving great food. Food 8.9, service 9.0, ambience 9.2, value 8.9, peace and quiet 7.8 (outside 9.0).