8811 River Road, Richmond

Tel: 604.247.8573

Web: http://www.riverrock.com/dining/tramonto/

Twitter: @Riverrock

Advice: Private dining room that comfortably seats 16 guests. Park for free in the casino parkade.  Located upstairs inside the RiverRock Hotel & Casino.

Tomato Amuse Buche

I dined here recently with a friend with a table by the window that had a wonderful view of Sea island and the planes landing at the Vancouver International Airport. This elegant room offers extraordinary gourmet dining and is a great escape when heading to a show at the RiverRock or before or after a visit to then casino. We shared a bottle of Mission Hill Family Reserve Chardonnay ($40) along with a very tasty Amuse Buche grilled Tomato dish courtesy of the chef.

Crab & Scallop Appetizer

Fois Grais

Caprese Goat Cheese Salad

Pan Seared Halibut

Wagyu Steak

To begin the meal, I enjoyed the Crab & Scallop Appetizer ($17) and my friend had the Fois Grais ($21). I followed my appetizer with the light Caprese Goat Cheese Salad ($13), for my entrée I had the Pan Seared Halibut ($35) with clams and Tomato Rissotto, while my friend had the Australian Wagyu Steak ($59) in a delicious Barolo reduction served with Truffle spaghetti, morel mushrooms and asparagus which she graciously shared with me it was outstanding.

Dessert sampler: Chocolate Bar, Strawberry Shortcake & Pannacotta

For dessert, we had a sampler of their spectacular Chocolate Bar, the Strawberry Shortcake and some Pannacotta (desserts on their own are $11).

The menu features the freshest local ingredients and authentic Italian delicacies. The wine list is extensive with selections from BC, Italy and around the world by the glass, half or full size bottles.

Review by: Richard Wolak