Marco Ovies is a staff writer for Dished Vancouver, covering food news in and around the city. He loves cats, overpriced iced coffees, and a good cheeseburger.

<p>The Fraser Valley just got a new Italian restaurant, and it&#8217;s 100% worth the drive from Vancouver.</p>
<p>Amici Italian Wine Bar is the latest restaurant to open in the city, and Dished was able to visit to check out what all the hype is about.</p>
<h2>The Concept</h2>
<p>Stepping into Amici feels like you&#8217;re walking into a family-run restaurant straight out of Italy. There&#8217;s a main dining area, a patio out back, and a downstairs bar (which is where we ended up dining). It featured moody lighting and plenty of natural wood accents. Italian posters and records were hung up on the walls.</p>
<p>This spot feels cozy and is the perfect spot to hang out with friends and enjoy some good eats, which is exactly what Amici is going for.</p>
<div id="attachment_1984234" style="width: 1546px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1984234" class="size-full wp-image-1984234" src="https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2024/06/F48C20E9-6F8E-43D7-8014-ADDEE8C758D7_1_201_a.jpeg" alt="Amici" width="1536" height="1920" srcset="https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2024/06/F48C20E9-6F8E-43D7-8014-ADDEE8C758D7_1_201_a.jpeg 1536w, https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2024/06/F48C20E9-6F8E-43D7-8014-ADDEE8C758D7_1_201_a-400x500.jpeg 400w, https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2024/06/F48C20E9-6F8E-43D7-8014-ADDEE8C758D7_1_201_a-819x1024.jpeg 819w, https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2024/06/F48C20E9-6F8E-43D7-8014-ADDEE8C758D7_1_201_a-1229x1536.jpeg 1229w, https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2024/06/F48C20E9-6F8E-43D7-8014-ADDEE8C758D7_1_201_a-1200x1500.jpeg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px" /><p id="caption-attachment-1984234" class="wp-caption-text">Marco Ovies/Daily Hive</p></div>
<p>&#8220;In Italy, meals are shared, stories are exchange, and bonds are strengthened around the dining table,&#8221; shared the restaurants. &#8220;&#8216;Amici&#8217; (which means &#8216;friends&#8217; in Italian) embodies this spirit of togetherness, and the joy of sharing moments with those we hold dear. It&#8217;s not just about friendship; it&#8217;s about a sense of belonging, a community built around love, laughter, wine, and good food.&#8221;</p>
<p>And don&#8217;t you worry, we promise there will be plenty of good food.</p>
<div id="attachment_1984235" style="width: 1930px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1984235" class="size-full wp-image-1984235" src="https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2024/06/1BF55182-E1AE-4D5F-8DFB-6FD5964EE3FC_1_201_a.jpeg" alt="Amici" width="1920" height="1536" srcset="https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2024/06/1BF55182-E1AE-4D5F-8DFB-6FD5964EE3FC_1_201_a.jpeg 1920w, https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2024/06/1BF55182-E1AE-4D5F-8DFB-6FD5964EE3FC_1_201_a-500x400.jpeg 500w, https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2024/06/1BF55182-E1AE-4D5F-8DFB-6FD5964EE3FC_1_201_a-1024x819.jpeg 1024w, https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2024/06/1BF55182-E1AE-4D5F-8DFB-6FD5964EE3FC_1_201_a-1536x1229.jpeg 1536w, https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2024/06/1BF55182-E1AE-4D5F-8DFB-6FD5964EE3FC_1_201_a-1200x960.jpeg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /><p id="caption-attachment-1984235" class="wp-caption-text">Marco Ovies/Daily Hive</p></div>
<h2>The food</h2>
<p>To start, an entire section of its menu is dedicated to focaccia — five different kinds, to be exact. When we visited, we were recommended the aglio rosmarino, which was focaccia seasoned with rosemary and garlic. If you love garlic bread, then you&#8217;re definitely going to like this. Plus, these pieces or focaccia are <em>long</em>. One order will be plenty to share with two people.</p>
<p>Amici also has different cocktails on the menu. One that we (and at least half of the restaurant) were drinking was the limoncello spritz, which came with limoncello, luxardo maraschino, elderflower liqueur, honey, lemon, prosecco, and soda.</p>
<p>Those looking for a non-alcoholic option will be happy to find different Italian sodas on the menu. We tried the molecola, which is an Italian cola and will delight all Coca-Cola fans.</p>
<p>Now, onto the main course. We tried two pasta dishes at Amici&#8217;s, and we&#8217;d struggle to recommend one over the other.</p>
<div id="attachment_1984237" style="width: 1930px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1984237" class="size-full wp-image-1984237" src="https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2024/06/F2E10156-51AC-4C37-975A-28A3DC5744F3_1_201_a.jpeg" alt="Amici" width="1920" height="1536" srcset="https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2024/06/F2E10156-51AC-4C37-975A-28A3DC5744F3_1_201_a.jpeg 1920w, https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2024/06/F2E10156-51AC-4C37-975A-28A3DC5744F3_1_201_a-500x400.jpeg 500w, https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2024/06/F2E10156-51AC-4C37-975A-28A3DC5744F3_1_201_a-1024x819.jpeg 1024w, https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2024/06/F2E10156-51AC-4C37-975A-28A3DC5744F3_1_201_a-1536x1229.jpeg 1536w, https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2024/06/F2E10156-51AC-4C37-975A-28A3DC5744F3_1_201_a-1200x960.jpeg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /><p id="caption-attachment-1984237" class="wp-caption-text">Marco Ovies/Daily Hive</p></div>
<p>First up was Amici&#8217;s hand-made stuffed pasta. The pasta and filling types change, but on our visit, Amici was featuring a lemon ricotta dish. It was served with pickled shallots and this tasty pesto sauce. It was so light and fresh, making this the perfect summer pasta.</p>
<p>The other dish we tried was the mushroom gnocchi. You haven&#8217;t tried gnocchi until you&#8217;ve had it from Amici. Each little pillow of happiness is made in-house and is so tender. This dish is the perfect comfort food for those colder nights.</p>
<div id="attachment_1984239" style="width: 1930px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1984239" class="size-full wp-image-1984239" src="https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2024/06/0FC704B5-5A52-4B48-A138-107F3C824231_1_201_a.jpeg" alt="Amici" width="1920" height="1536" srcset="https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2024/06/0FC704B5-5A52-4B48-A138-107F3C824231_1_201_a.jpeg 1920w, https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2024/06/0FC704B5-5A52-4B48-A138-107F3C824231_1_201_a-500x400.jpeg 500w, https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2024/06/0FC704B5-5A52-4B48-A138-107F3C824231_1_201_a-1024x819.jpeg 1024w, https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2024/06/0FC704B5-5A52-4B48-A138-107F3C824231_1_201_a-1536x1229.jpeg 1536w, https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2024/06/0FC704B5-5A52-4B48-A138-107F3C824231_1_201_a-1200x960.jpeg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /><p id="caption-attachment-1984239" class="wp-caption-text">Marco Ovies/Daily Hive</p></div>
<p>If you take only one thing away from this, it&#8217;s that you need to try the tiramisu. It&#8217;s decadent and delicious, and you will devour it within minutes. You could share this dessert between two people, but you might have more fun if you get one just for yourself.</p>
<div id="attachment_1984240" style="width: 1930px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1984240" class="size-full wp-image-1984240" src="https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2024/06/A66A5E59-8548-472C-BC78-10FBF48F45A9_1_201_a.jpeg" alt="Amici" width="1920" height="1536" srcset="https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2024/06/A66A5E59-8548-472C-BC78-10FBF48F45A9_1_201_a.jpeg 1920w, https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2024/06/A66A5E59-8548-472C-BC78-10FBF48F45A9_1_201_a-500x400.jpeg 500w, https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2024/06/A66A5E59-8548-472C-BC78-10FBF48F45A9_1_201_a-1024x819.jpeg 1024w, https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2024/06/A66A5E59-8548-472C-BC78-10FBF48F45A9_1_201_a-1536x1229.jpeg 1536w, https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2024/06/A66A5E59-8548-472C-BC78-10FBF48F45A9_1_201_a-1200x960.jpeg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /><p id="caption-attachment-1984240" class="wp-caption-text">Marco Ovies/Daily Hive</p></div>
<p class="p1"><ul class="article-see-also"><strong>You might also like:</strong><li><a href='https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/uncle-abes-dog-patio' target='_blank'>Much-loved pooch-friendly Vancouver patio is now open for the season</a></li><li><a href='https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/bow-stern-brentwood' target='_blank'>A first look at Metro Vancouver's new 5,000 sq ft ocean-inspired restaurant</a></li><li><a href='https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/lavantine-restaurant-skybar-vancouver-open' target='_blank'>Vancouver's new lush garden rooftop restaurant and bar opens tomorrow</a></li></ul></p>
<p>Amici Italian Wine Bar is open Tuesday to Sunday from noon to 11 pm.</p>
<p>Will you be making the trip to Abbotsford to check this spot out? Let us know in the comments.</p>
<h2><a href="https://www.amiciwinebar.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Amici Italian Wine Bar</a></h2>
<p><strong>Address: </strong>33724 Essenene Avenue, Abbotsford</p>
<p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/amici.winebar/">Instagram</a></p>
<p class="p1"><b><i>Still hungry? Discover </i></b><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@dishedvan?lang=en"><b><i>Dished Vancouver on TikTok</i></b></a></p>


New Italian restaurant features handmade pasta and delicious tiramisu

Vancouver

The Fraser Valley just got a new Italian restaurant — Amici Italian Wine Bar — and it's 100% worth the drive from Vancouver.