A new favourite eatery for the finest in pasta comes complete with its own oceanfront view
Michelle Hopkins
Sun
Silvia and Nicu Dumitrescu of Italian Touch Restaurant in White Rock with a signature dish, Pollo Marsala with Vegetables. Photograph by : Peter Battistoni, Vancouver Sun
Locals in White Rock have been raving about one of the latest additions to the waterfront.
Italian Touch, established less than a year ago by owners Nicu and Silvia Dumitrescu, has filled a gap by giving the area a much-needed, quality Italian restaurant.
Not only does the European couple have one of the best oceanfront views on the strip, but their pasta scores high points with diners.
My White Rock friends have been raving about this decidedly upscale Italian restaurant for months, having made this their new favourite eatery. The walls are painted in warm, neutral hues and adorned with scenes and paintings depicting southern Italy. The lights were low and the tables lit with candles, which gave the room a cosy glow to go along with the spectacular ocean vista.
My dining partner, Dennis, and I requested the intimate little table by the fireplace. Our lovely young waitress, Jennifer, dazzled us with a smile and promptly offered us water and menus. The rich aroma of sauteed garlic and olive oil wafted past us as a patron tucked into some garlic bread.
A glance at the carte du jour revealed the standard Italian fare one expects but with a few little twists. A patron nearby ordered the Gamberetti — jumbo shrimp sauteed with garlic, finished with Sambuca and parsley. I politely asked if they were good and he smiled and replied, “Absolutely delicious.”
I started my meal with the Insalata di Caprese, a medley of sliced bocconcini cheese and tomatoes drizzled with reduction balsamic vinegar and fresh basil. Dennis went for the Calamari Fritti: lightly dusted squid, deepfried and served with tzaziki sauce.
My main course consisted of the Pasta Special — artichokes, sundried tomatoes and chicken in a spicy tomato sauce that was mouthwatering. Dennis was salivating because he went for the Prime Rib, and although it was good, mine was better.
Next time, I’ll have to try the Penne Quattro Formaggio, which comes highly recommended from one of my friends who eats here often.
Other signature dishes include the Veal Lemone and the Spaghetti Marco Polo, explains Silvia, who worked as an executive chef in Europe until emigrating from Romania nearly a decade ago.
“I started training when I was 17 in Romania and before we opened the Italian Touch I was sous chef at La Rustica,” she says.
Nicu, who greets everyone with a warm welcome as they enter the doors, says: “We want people to feel welcomed, to enjoy a good meal and feel like they are amongst friends here.”
– – – ITALIAN TOUCH
15077 Marine Drive, White Rock
Reservations recommended, 604-531-4044
www.italiantouch.ca
$$
Restaurant visits are conducted anonymously and interviews are done by phone.
© The Vancouver Sun 2007
