Juski

4.5/5

A poker playin girl friend once told me about this restaurant when I returned to Vancouver. I'm not a gambler, and would not voluntarily go to the casino. But when that same girl friend's birthday came up and I found myself planning a surprise birthday dinner, I knew exactly the place to go: Tramonto Italian Fine Dining @ River Rock Casino and Resort in Richmond.

The surprise dinner party was planned for 7.30. The ambience was classy but vibrant. Bonus points! Italian restaurants are great for people like me who love to chatter and laugh out louder than usual! Our waiter, Steve, looked like Uncle Joey from Full House. I swear!

To start, my friend Anna and I shared the Antipasto Platter but she's a vegetarian, I'm a pescatarian, so we gave the meat items to our friends:

Jumbo prawns, bay scallops, house smoked salmon, prosciutto, fresh tomatoes with mozzarella, roasted portobello mushrooms, grilled asparagus, eggplant, courgette,
roasted sweet peppers, marinated artichokes, Kalamata and mixed Cerignola olives.
For one $15
For two $26
For four $38

For my main I had the crab risotto.

An amaretto sour during breaking bread time, and a bottle of 2004 Wild Goose Gewurtz shared with two others during dinner.

The best part of the meal was the bread, I thought. The restaurant bakes its own whole wheat loaf with dates and rosemary. We had three baskets! The next time I go there I will ask to buy a couple of loaves.

Points for ambience.
Points for comfort and view.
Points for bread, service, wine selection.
The food was beautifully presented and there is nothing bad to say about it. I took off .5 for the priciness of the food, which I've had for cheaper elsewhere. However, the ambience and coziness factors bring that negative aspect way up. Am I making myself clear here? Sorry, finger-tied.

This link brings you to the website and menu. Note that the menu changes.

Here is a pasta dish a friend ordered. It's strips of beef and vegies tossed with flat noodles. Looks good!


Open daily from 5-11 PM. All major credit cards accepted. Reservations recommended.
8811 River Road Richmond BC V6X 3P8 (On the third floor of the hotel building, tucked in a corner)
604.274.8900