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Vancouver's Italian Day on the Drive
Sunday was Vancouver’s Italian Day on the Drive. This cultural festival was held along Commercial Drive, also known as the Little Italy of Vancouver. Although much of the original Italian population along Commercial Drive has dispersed, today, the streets were filled with Vancouver’s Italian community and those who just wanted a taste of Italian culture.
Hundreds lined up for a traditional Italian dessert known as the Cannolo, a hollow tube-shaped pastry filled with cream and sprinkled with a dusting of icing sugar. The less popular but equally delicious Sfogliatelle, a crispy, delicate layered pastry, also made an appearance. With a lucky sunny break, festival goers also enjoyed creamy scoops of gelato from Bella Gelateria and Fiasco Gelato at Famoso.
Delis also the drive also participated by creating delicious sandwiches filled with fresh mozzarella cheese, pesto, tomato and prosciutto. Juicy Italian sausages were also grilled outdoors along with sardines and chicken skewers.
Restaurants including Famoso, the Reef, and Sweet Cherubium were packed and food karts, such as Ragazzi Pizza and Street Meet were busy serving delicious pizzas, wraps and sandwiches.
Non-Italian restaurants along the drive also participated in Italian day by setting out their own tables filled with Tandoori chicken, samosas, donairs, meatball sandwiches and much more.
Apart from food the Italian festival also featured many presentations including a fashion show, dancers, singers, and eating contests.
There were also a variety of activities for kids including face painting, go-kart racing and soccer.
This eclectic little festival gave Vancouverites a taste of Italian culture and showcased many of the fantastic little restaurants and cafes hidden along Commerical Drive.
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