We're relatively new to Vancouver and are still exploring the area, looking for all the great food…read morethis city has to offer. Amaro's was one of the first recommendations we received from a gentleman sitting next to me, and tonight we finally had the opportunity to give it a try.
I've walked past Amaro's many times and peeked through the windows. It always looked rather upscale, and as a chef myself, I'll admit I'm not always drawn to food that feels a little too bougie. Sometimes I just want to sit down, relax, and enjoy a great meal without overthinking it.
From the moment we walked through the door, we were greeted with smiles. We were seated at a beautiful table, and immediately felt comfortable. Then came our server, Alyssa, who was an absolute delight! She was attentive without being pushy, had a wonderfully calm and welcoming personality, and made us feel genuinely cared for throughout the evening. As someone who works in hospitality, I appreciate that balance more than I can say.
We started with the salt-and-pepper calamari. This is one of those dishes that can be fantastic at one restaurant and greasy or disappointing at another. Amaro's got it right! Crunchy, delicious, and a wonderful start to dinner.
We also learned that the restaurant features a signature risotto each evening. We ordered the chicken Parmesan with risotto and the steak sandwich on ciabatta. Both were delicious! I ordered the pepper sauce on the side, thinking I might prefer it that way. Next time, I'll definitely have it on the sandwich. It was so good that I even used it as a dipping sauce for the house chips. Trust me, that sauce deserves to be enjoyed!
The general manager, Cora, stopped by several times to check on us. We didn't even realize she was the general manager at first. She was simply another friendly face making sure we were enjoying ourselves. That's what genuine hospitality looks like!
I also happened to notice the fried chicken at the neighboring table. Let me tell you, that portion looked impressive! It's definitely going on our list for the next visit.
By the time dinner was over, we were absolutely stuffed and couldn't finish everything on our plates. Somehow, though, we managed to find room for dessert! We ordered the ricotta donuts with caramel dipping sauce. Dessert isn't normally something I would order, but I'm so glad we did. They were absolutely worth having and the perfect finishing touch to an already wonderful dinner.
Before leaving, Cora stopped by one last time, and we enjoyed a lovely closing conversation.
A special thank-you to Cora, Alyssa, and the entire team for making our evening so enjoyable. Alyssa, if you're lucky enough to sit in her section, you're in for a treat!
And finally, my compliments to the chef and kitchen team. As a chef myself, I know a successful restaurant experience takes more than good food. It takes an entire team working together to make guests feel welcome and eager to return.
We came in to try a restaurant someone recommended, and we left feeling like we had discovered a new favorite.
Great food, genuine hospitality, and a perfect way to end a three-day weekend. Welcome to our growing list of Vancouver favorites, Amaro's! We'll definitely be back!