Where Vancouver January February 2017 | Page 61

BY Tim PawseY Man on a Mission Chef Curtis Luk doggedly abides by his sustainable mantra. At Mission (page 74), in the heart of Kitsilano, Luk’s forte is four- and six-course tasting menus, offered with a vegetarian option, as well as well-matched wine pairings. The à la carte menu shifts weekly but typical highlights are duck croquettes, roasted cauliflower with pumpkin-seed dressing, Humboldt squid risotto, and braised beef cheek. At Mission, Curtis Luk (below L) creates dishes such as elk tartare with beetroot and roasting juices (below) Photos (both Pages) by KK Law Enjoy Italian dishes such as ravioli aperti (R) and roast chicken (L) at Cibo Trattoria Downtown Delight Tucked away in the Moda Hotel, Cibo Trattoria (page 72) is a gem of a bistro in a sensitively restored heritage setting. The classic Italian dishes have a bit of a modern twist and use organic ingredients. House favourites include chitarra con vongole of saffron pasta with Salt Spring Island clams, an excellent charcuterie and salumi platter, short ribs braised with tomatoes and red wine, and pan-seared Mediterranean sea bass. The cellar yields a wealth of serious Italian drops, as well as regional and global offerings. January-February 2017 where.ca 61