Tired of that drab old salad?  Give it a whole new lease on life with Nonna Pia's Balsamic Reductions.

Like every great balsamic, the story of Nonna Pia’s vinegar begins in Modena, Italy where it’s cultivated. But once it arrives to Whistler, B.C., it's aged for six years, and then slow-cooked for hours while infused with fruits like figs and strawberries, herbs and all things delectable through the process. And Nonna Pia herself? She is the family’s matriarch and culinary inspiration behind the recipes.

Oh, la dolce vita! —Anya Georgijevic

Order online here; for a list of retailers, click here.

Vancouverites have been waiting a long time for a casual Italian restaurant like this: Five reasons to book at The BiBo.

1. Lively owners Lorenzo and Andrea (a former shipping magnate and actor/lawyer, respectively) who give the dining room lots of personality.

2. Wood-fired pizza with simple ingredients (cooked expertly by a young Neapolitan chef) that arrives hot, chewy and uncut at the table

3. Bottles, not glasses, of red wine being heartily consumed (try the 2006 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, just $38) by multi-generational families.

4. Classic Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni films (La Dolce Vita, 8 1/2) flickering on the flatscreen.

5. Top-quality Italian ingredients that come with the D.O.P. distinction (translation: Protected Destination of Origin), like the melt-in-your mouth Burrata cheese.

Now that's what we call an Italian job. —SB

The BiBo, 1835 W. Fourth Ave., Vancouver, 604-568-617, www.thebibo.com

Delis are to lunch what wine is to dinner: a necessity.

La Ghianda's rustic and quaint space is the perfect spot for Italian comfort food. The fresh and ever-changing deli menu had us indulging in a plate of orecchiette in a light sausage and pea ragu ($10) and a delectable grilled fennel steak served with a side of arugula ($10). Taking a few moments to survey the tasty sweets, we finally decided on a satisfying apple strudel.

Looks like we'll need to take an extra-long lunch—we've got a lot on our plate. —AG

La Ghianda, 2083 Alma St., Vancouver, 604-566-9559, www.laghianda.ca

The first week back at work in the new year is always the most trying, which is why you reward yourself with pasta.

The new Q4 al Centro, downtown sister resto to Q4 Ristorante in Kitsilano, is the place to collect your prize for slipping into professional pumps again. Whine about working with a glass of the same and twirl your fork into the fresh clams, herbs and pepperoncino of Linguine alle Vongole ($18) or a perfect panini ($12-$14). In the cozy, contemporary 70-seat space, an original work by Jason Gogo commands attention and encourages you to use wine in your work (he used Napa Valley grapes in the red paint).

It’s a personally-sanctioned Italian siesta.

Q4 al Centro, 780 Richards St., Vancouver, 604-687-4444, www.q4restaurant.com

If choosing wine to bring to a dinner party takes up half your weekend, try something a little sweeter.

Pick up a batch of authentic Italian cannolis from the gelato shop (your foodie friends will be so jealous you beat them to the pastry punch). Available only on weekends and in limited supply, the cinnamon-tinted shells are filled with a light cream made of ricotta cheese, sugar, chocolate chips and a touch of liquor, and topped with roasted almonds and a light dusting of icing sugar.

Oh and you can tell everyone they are handmade—they don’t need to know not by you.

$14 for 6. Available Friday-Sunday only at La Casa Gelato, 1033 Venables St., Vancouver, 604-251-3211, www.lacasagelato.com

The Fairmont Pacific Rim is only days old and already it's getting major buzz for celebrity guests,  seriously spacious rooms, and stunning views.

But the secret gem for us locals is the 41-seat Italian cafe Giovane. We recommend the Berkshire ham sandwhich on sourdough ($10) for takeout, or dine-in on nine choices of pizzas ($11 each) and charcuterie plates (three selections, $14).

Lunch anyone?

Giovane (open 6 a.m.-8 p.m.), 1038 Canada Place, Vancouver, 604-695-5501, www.giovanecafe.com

Should Madonna and Jesus (as in the pop icon and her male model companion) come into town and want a plush private room to dine in with their disciples, we’ve got just the place.

The Moda Hotel now has a secluded spot for dinner parties and important meetings. With gold high-back chairs, marble flooring and a grand, hand set chandelier from Italy, the sexy round-shaped room is fit for a star, but reservable by you. It seats 12 and serves food and wine from the Cibo Trattoria menu.

Book it soon and you’ll have beat the Material Girl to the table.

Moda Hotel private room books through Cibo, 900 Seymour St., 
Vancouver, 604-602-9570, www.modahotel.ca

It’s a hockey night on Saturday and you’re headed downtown with your ice man to take in the game. Nix the overpriced burgers and beer, and before Luongo get Lupo.

The Italian eatery at Hamilton and Smithe has gotten a new lease on life. There’s a new chef and a new look—light, white walls, warm woods and modern art—which has the 1800s heritage home looking clean, classy and cozy.

And there’s a new menu of modern Italian dishes like prosciutto, caramelized onion and arugula pizzetta ($12) and wild mushroom risotto ($16), which pleased both our palate and pocketbook.

If no one scores on Luongo tomorrow night, you have the Italian to thank, both on the ice and in your belly.

Lupo Restaurant, 869 Hamilton St., Vancouver, 604-569-2535, www.luporestaurant.ca

Goodbye beach barbeques, hello cozy brunch spots.

In time for fall, one of our fave recent additions to Vancouver's restaurant scene, Campagnolo, has started serving up the weekend breakfast-lunch hybrid, Italian style. We suggest starting with a well-made cappuccino ($2.75) paired with a plate of fennel-infused biscotti, mini meringues, buttery shortbread and sweet hazelnut cookies made right in-house ($4). Then it’s on to a Pomodoro frittata of eggplant and parmesan with a side of salty cotechino sausage ($9).

The verdict? Bellissimo.

Campagnolo, 1020 Main St., Vancouver, 604-484-6018, www.campagnolorestaurant.ca

Get thee to Nook!

That is, if fresh, savoury Italian fare and small, stylish dining rooms leave you all shook up.

Dressed in red, white and wood, the 30-seat spot at the north end of Denman keeps its menu simple and gets it right with antipastos like olives ($4) and handmade meatballs ($6), thin crust pizzas topped with the likes of Yukon gold potatoes and rosemary or Italian sausage and sweet pepper ($14), and pastas done puttanesca or bolognese ($14).

Pair your plate with a cold glass of Prosecco and no nook or cranny of your own will be left unquenched.

Nook, 781 Denman St., Vancouver, 604-568-4554.