18 - Friday, October 30, 1987 - North Shore News *CARMELO RISTORANTE ITALIANO, 1428 MARINE, WEST VANCOUYER, 922- 4719 CARMELO HAS remained true to its original ambitions of providing good, vibrant Italian food in a warm and intimate environment. Though the restaurant’s namesake and owner, Carmelo Sortino, has moved further from Carmelo's kitchen and managerial helm to pursue his painting career, his restaurant’s food retains the elegance and bold flavors that have kept it one of the North Shore’s most popular Italian restaurants. New Carmelo manager and chef Samuel Bentroudi has trimmed the restaurant’s original menu selec- tion, but sacrificed none of its vitality. While there remains ‘eight an- tipasto dishes ranging in price from $4.25 to $6.95, two soups and four salads ($2.75 and $4.95), the pasta section has been reduced from an original 14 to a current nine dishes. But pastaphiles will be able to satisfy most basic cravings from standard Fettucine Alfredo ($8.50) through to festive Pasta Expo °86 ($8.50) to spicy Penne AllArrabbiata ($7.95). NEWS photo 6! Lucente THAT'S ITALIAN! Samuel Bentroudi, manager and chef at Carmelo Ristorante in West Vancouver, displays some of his fine authentic Italian cuisine. His glass of Barbaresco complements his Veal with Wild Porcini Sauce, Tomato Salad with Capers and Olive Oil, and Radicchio. For diners with more carnivo- rous family-sized appetites, Carmelo’s main-course selection offers a good cross-section of veal, ‘chicken, lamb and prawn dishes ($12.95 to $14.95). The restaurant also has nightly dinner specials. A recent Carmelo mangero began with Proscuitto crudo in Bellavista ($5.75). The appetizer included a half dozen strips of the elegant Italian ham with a simple vegetable garnish. Accompanying bread, which remains Sortino’s Special contribution to the restau- rant’s culinary well-being, was fresh and full of the confident ‘flourishes mastered during Sor- tino’s 30-year career in the bakery Restaurant at Granville Square Celebrating? and pastry trade. My main dish was a rack of lamb in a savory Marsala wine and garlic sauce ($14.95) that included an interesting backdrop of tomato, green olives and capers. The meat itself, roasted to precise medium-rare specifications, was beautifully prepared and pres- ented. Cherry tomatoes and zuc- chini added color to the dish. - Service was a touch too effi- cient. Our waiter scooped dishes that still demanded mopping with Sortino’s bread and refilled wine glasses each time they dared to drop below the halfway point. A See Warmth Page 19 B 1344 4 Lonsdale Ave, NV. Magnificent Waterfront View 2nd Floor at Lonsdale Quay Market 987-3322 We Proudly Introduce Our New BRUNCH MENU Served Saturday, Sunday & Holidays from 10 am - 3 pm Serving Dinner Daily An Exotic eri inte the heart of Fine Kast African badian Cuisine TASTE THE DIFFERENCE! Savour a variety of exotic dishes: Lunch Buffet - Monday to Friday Dinner Buffet - Sunday to Thursday « BOOK NOW FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS PARTY e ‘ Reservations 984-2775 & RETURN T0 THE STRANGE LAND A Canadian Premiere” Choreogaphy’ Jur Kylan ° LOVESONGS- OLO RECORDS - SIDE ONE ‘The Ballet Gala’ tit is back! Choreography Wiliam Forsythe, NOVEMBER 6 & 7, 1987 QUEEN ELIZABETH THEATRE, 8:00 PM. TICKETS ON SALE OCTOBER 16, 1987-.$22./$18./312. S10. (Students/Seniars — $20./$16./$10./$8.) At VIC/CBO outlets, Eaton's and Woodward's Call 280-3311 or 280-4444 GET TICKETS NOW! JOIN US FOR A.. GHOULISH GOO! 7 Ee. AT THE TOP OF a0 ee GROUSE MOUNTAIN Saturday, October 31, 1987 7pm — lam $20.00 per Phantom includes Dance the demons away to “BRIAN & THE LIARS” PRIZES, SPOT DANCES, WITCH'S BREW & HOW