Rustica’s

Rustica’s Ristorante Italiano

Superb!!
Once you try this restaurant it is the place you will be choosing to make reservations for that special event and entertaining your out-of-town company. Located in the heart of downtown at 9339 Main Street, close to Wellington Avenue and great boutique shopping.

Warm classic Italian ambience with a modern touch, we find that the atmosphere makes it the perfect place to grab a table of two, and enjoy some candlelight and Chianti. The service has always been just right, attentive and professional without being intrusive.

Speaking of Chianti, the wine list here is very nice and the staff is quite knowledgeable if you need some wine pairing advice. My only criticism would be that the wine selection by the glass is very limited and not an offering of some of the better wines that they have in the cellar.

This is no simple spaghetti house. While they do serve some lovely pasta dishes with delectable sauces, the menu is far more expansive offering a range of appetizers, salads and entrees from rich and rustic to very sophisticated and delicate. I have also heard from more than one food lover that they serve the best steak anywhere!

Open 11:30 am - 2pm Tuesday thru Friday for lunch, and Tuesday thru Saturday for dinner starting at 5:30 pm. Do yourself a big favour and make a reservation.
604-792-7081

Evangelines

Evangeline’s Barbeque and Contemporary Soul Food” located at the corner of Mill St and Victoria (formerlythe home of the Mill St Café) is one of my top 3 restaurants in Chilliwack.

As you walk in the door you get a warm welcome from restaurant manager Jamaal and his staff . It is a very hip atmosphere, only 50 seats inside and a heated covered patio that seats 25. (Nothing like a mojito on the patio…on a summer eve…)

They have a fresh take on soul food from crab cakes to jambalaya to great pastas, salads,and sandwiches, Evangeline’s prides themselves on using onlythe freshest and most locally produced ingredients.

Some of our favourite must try dishes are: The Cajun Corndogs, disks of sweet & slightly spicy andouille sausage lightly corn battered and served with a sauce that should be patented; the pulled pork either in a sandwich at lunch or as an entrée at dinner served on pecan mashed potatoes to die for…really!  They slow roast the pork on a BBQ forever, and it just melts in your mouth; and whatever seasonal fish that Chef Michelle has chosen served on lovely fresh sautéed greens.

Added fun deal about Evangeline’s is the entertainment that they have on a pretty regular basis. Thursdays they have a jazz trio, and at special events they bring in some terrific talent.  There are very few other chances in Chilliwack to have dinner and live music, especially in such a fun & funky atmosphere.

Open Tuesday to Saturday from 11:30 am. They do occasionally close for private parties so best call ahead for reservations just in case (but we usually just show up when it’s the two of us). You can check out their web site for menu and upcoming special music event information at www.evangelinesbarbeque.ca.

Chilliwack Downtown