Best Casual Italian: La Buca

Andrey Durbach continues from strength to strength. As well as new bijou bistro Pied-à-Terre (see Best Bistro), he helms the Gold-winning La Buca, which one judge praised for showing off Durbach’s cooking “in its simplest, most rustic incarnation—a starch lover’s dream.”

Capital city trattoria Zambri’s nabbed Silver with its authentic, elevated takes on rustic fare wrought from local ingredients. For no-pretence old-school Italian, replete with wall murals and faux grapevines hanging from the ceiling,

Osteria Napoli receives Bronze.

A judge summed up the latest strength for North Van’s Gusto di Quattro (Honourable Mention): “With chef Carol Chow handling the homemade pasta, fish, and grilled meats, the restaurant shines.”

Perennial pizza fave Lombardo’s also receives Honourable Mention.

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