La Quercia & L'Ufficio — Restaurant in Vancouver

Have been trying to get a reservation here for the last 6 months and finally called and left a message. "Luckily" for me they called back to say they had an opening at the exact time I wanted. Handed over my credit card to hold my spot and arrived at the arranged time. My table was ready right behind a wall, with may other spots available throughout. I was going to request a better table, but through the others were full of reservations and I was "Lucky" to get a seat. We ordered the Familia Style food with no special requests other than the Beet Salad, which they accommodated. As far as a wine recommendation - the "Server" a dark haired woman around 40 - 50, was not very knowledgeable on wines from Italy or how they compared to BC type Reds... She didn't really listen to my partner either - so i intervened and asked her to being a bottle rather than the constant discussion over three options for Wine's by the glass. Once she brought the wine - my partner tasted at and scrunched up her face - she asked me to taste it as she had a glass of Prosecco which may have messed up her taste buds. The server then looked at me and explained the tasting was not if we liked it or not, but to see if the wine was off. She further explained how she was not able to see the wine once opened so of course if the wine was off - she could replace the bottle, but this wasn't a taste testing. Our intent was not to return the wine, rather me to taste it as my palate was more clear. I was not impressed at being lectured by someone who doesn't even understand wine on top of the fact, every other restaurant i go to where i spend the amount of money they charge if i don't like the wine - send it back no questions asked. That said, i was not sending it back, but i was totally put off by this woman's attitude. I loved the pasta at this restaurant, and the other dishes were also very good - but the pasta was outstanding as were the Tomatoes. One of the other servers, a young man, served us the rest of the evening and he was utterly fantastic! I spoke with a co-worker who also shared her experience with this woman. I've read through many of the reviews and see this is not an isolated incident. I suspect she must be an owner or a relative of the owner. Had it not been for her - i would have given 5 stars. sadly she ruined a great meal and i probably won't be back, regardless of how good...

Truly the most disappointing meal I’ve ever had in Vancouver. I saved up for months to take my husband for a nice birthday dinner here. I chose it because I thought it was a true Vancouver institution. I was nervous that because it was the last night before their holiday break that it wouldnt be as good as I’d hoped because they might be out of certain items. It was worse. The food was truly AWFUL.

The appetizer courses were a sliced meat and pickle tray, that was whatever, then a cheese souflee that was tasteless.

The two pastas that came were okay. Pretty average compared to Nook, pepinos etc.

At this point I’m not wowed but certainly not complaining.

Then the main course came. I could tell the server was embarrassed to serve it. It was boiled, tasteless, assorted meat in an oily flavorless broth. They basically served us all the leftover meat scraps. The meat could not be cut through it so tough, and it had zero flavor or seasoning. They served this scrap meat in a broth with a side of mustard and horseradish? And ketchup and some sort of fruit jam? Then literally a side of over boiled veg with no seasoning whatsoever that was truly worse than hospital food. Mind you we’d payed $100 per head for this, and it was the main course.

I did something that I have never done, in 20+ years going to restaurants. I sent it back. Even the server admitted, only after we said it was not edible, he thought it was completely unacceptable.

The server tried to make it right with a replacement, but they brought out bland chicken thigh with watery mash, that again was just clearly leftovers they needed to get rid of. they NEVER should have served the dishes that came out. I wish I had had the courage to truly tell them how angry and let down I felt.

I left feeling really, really disappointed to have the meal I’d saved up for months to be this bad.

I’m going to do a proper review soon, but for now just know that you left me feeling truly scammed, cheated, grifted, and extremely disappointed. In the end the bill was almost $500 but the food wasn’t even close to as good as a $35 casual dining spot. I assume this is because you are about to have a two week break, but don’t take that out on your unknowing final service customers by serving them food that I know you all knew was not even close to...

I had been wanting to try this restaurant for over 5 years and now I finally have. Had the maltagliati all' amatriciana with guanciale, onions, pepper, pecorino. Good stuff but I was underwhelmed. My date had the daily baked pasta which I thought was better and more flavorful. Prosciutto cabbage fig parmigiano appy was so disappointing. It tasted like I could have made it myself with No Frills ingredients. Portions were small. I had the beekeeper cocktail which is simple - bourbon, honey, lemon. I noticed all the honey was at the bottom though and wouldn't melt due to the ice cubes. Thought that maybe a simple syrup should have been made with the honey first, to spread it throughout the drink. A quick google search of the cocktail confirms that would have been the ideal way to do it. There was a $1250 bottle of wine on the specials menu.. what?! That same wine, in a two year older vintage, appears to cost $550 less at Legacy Liquor store. Wow. Male server was rather aloof. Female server was very nice and friendly. They took a long time to come take our order. Sitting by the door was chilly and it was very loud - I was yelling at my date as we both leaned in, to converse. I really wish I had come several years ago when they had the set 10 course meal. I heard it was fabulous. To die for. For comparison I tried Kissa Tanto recently and it wins hands down. Bursting with flavor, unique and thoughtful, and something that I couldn't replicate at home. So, overall I'm sad because my expectations were so high for this place. But as a small local business with a historically good reputation I do want them to do well! They were packed with customers so I'm sure they'll have no...