By Amy Van Veen (Contributer) – Email
Paliotti’s Italian Restaurant
33886 Essendence Ave
Abbotsford BC V2S2H4
www.paliotties.ca
Paliotti’s is one of two family owned and operated Italian eateries. With three generations of Italian eating and dining supporting these two locations, one in Abbotsford and one in Maple Ridge, the inspiration of a certain boot-shaped country is clearly evident.
From the first step through those double doors, the family atmosphere is clear with a welcome hello from the hostess and bar staff. To the right is a little lounge area, bedecked with big screens for whatever game happens to be on, and to the left is the seating area. All around the enormous space are touches of Italian architecture and décor. The arched windows that line two of the walls are softly lit with silk greenery weaving through the trellises that separate the tables while the kitchen is topped off with Tuscan tile roofing and adorable little windows. The high ceiling also accommodates the large paintings depicting what can only be assumed to be rustic Italian settings interspersed with individually lit sculptures. Different tones of oranges, reds, and greens are only improved by the soft lighting and candles at each table.
The well-stocked bar provides dozens of wine options, cocktails, and specialty coffees as well as teas, coffee, or other non-alcoholic drinks. The ample amount of appies range from five to eleven dollars. The overwhelming menu options range from soups and salads to meatless pastas, steak and seafood, to chicken and ribs. Entrees are anywhere from $12 to $20, with most of the pastas falling around $15. They also have a kids menu for those who fall under twelve years of age for a handful of options ten dollars or less. Some of the pasta dishes, too, are two bucks cheaper during lunch hours.
Once dinner was ordered, there was a starter of fresh focaccia bread with balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Most of my experiences with focaccia bread have been wildly disappointing from it being too dry to it being too dense. This focaccia made me forget all that and replaced it with light, fluffy, flavourful goodness. The entrée, a Creamy Pesto Borsetti, was a huge portion of feta and spinach stuffed pasta mixed into a deliciously creamy pesto sauce and plenty of tasty veggies. These Italians know quality ingredients, and the satisfied smiles on their customers’ faces prove it. Nearly every person in the restaurant was so pleased and stuffed, a take-away bag was necessary in order to keep the love going into the next day.
The service was extremely friendly, and in a smaller space the décor may be overwhelming, but the location on Essendene gives customers room to breathe, and maybe even room to loosen their belts a notch or two.
