Photo via Wentworth Hospitality
Italian-inspired Folietta has officially opened doors at 1480 Nanaimo Street.
We first shared news about the latest concept from Wentworth Hospitality Group (Tableau Bar Bistro, Homer St. Cafe & Bar, and Maxine’s Cafe & Bar) – a “130-seat ristorante and bar set to showcase regional Italian flavours with a modern twist” designed by Ste. Marie Studio – back in November 2024. It’s been a long time coming; here’s a refresher:
“Folietta takes inspiration from the lush greenery of its East Vancouver location, setting it apart from the group’s other city-centre venues. The name, derived from “Foglietta” (meaning “foliage” in Italian), reflects the restaurant’s embracing of Wentworth’s Italian heritage. “We always knew we would do Italian at some point,” explains Beverage Director J-S Dupuis. “Our ownership group is Italian, so it wasn’t a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when.’ This project coming up in such a strong Italian neighbourhood made perfect sense.”
…Situated on the ground floor of The Grant (an Amacon development with both residential and commercial spaces), Folietta will accommodate 130 guests with booth, banquette and table seating, as well as 10 seats alongside their open-concept kitchen, a 22-seat aperitivo bar (14 at the bar proper plus four high-tops), and a semi-enclosed patio, for when the sun returns. In the meantime, the large, west-facing windows will catch the afternoon daylight, filtered gently through the trees lining the boulevard – but not in an overwhelming way that makes you want to shed layers. A private dining room will also be available for bookings but, like at Homer Street Cafe, can be used for regular service during busy times. The aim is to become a neighbourhood gathering space and a Vancouver dining destination – complete with merch, which is already locked in.”
The kitchen team, led by Executive Chef Bobby Milheron and Chef de Cuisine Imtiaaz Patel, will be making the most out of seasonal, local ingredients to create food rooted in Italian flavours and traditions – including the conviviality of sharing (the 32oz Bistecca Fiorentina, a chef favourite, demands it), and leaving no family member excluded from the equation. Far from an afterthought, the ‘Bambini’ (kids) menu includes palate-pleasing dishes such as Rigatoni Alfredo and a linguine with homemade meatballs. All of the pasta will be made daily at the pasta station. What you won’t find at Folietta is pizza (or cliches, according to their latest Press Release), but there will be focaccia that’s worth getting excited about.
Beverage Director JS Dupuis has lined up an extensive amaro selection; with Sommelier / General Manager Miguel Arrais (previously of Anh and Chi) on wine duty. The rumours about on-tap Negronis are true; but our first order of business is seeing the vintage (1950s) Japanese SWAN ice-maker put into action to create one of their shaved ice amaro slushies – something we’ve been anticipating since our visit to the space last winter.
Folietta welcomed its first guests last night (Tuesday, May 27th). As of today, the restaurant will be open for aperitivo hour daily from 3-5:30pm, segueing into dinner service from 5:30-10pm, Sunday through Thursday, and until 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Reservations for aperitivo, dinner, as well as the still-to-come weekend brunch service (beginning June 7th at 10am) are all now open. Lock in your seats here.
For a better idea of what to expect from the space and food (without the crowd), check out the photos of Foliette, courtesy of Wentworth Hospitality, below:
