CC2010

Boys From Fuel To Open “Campagnolo”

by Paul Kamon on August 14, 2008

campagnolo.jpg

Fuel Restaurant’s Tom Doughty, chef Robert Belcham, and general manager Tim Pittman are joining forces again on a new Italian project called Campagnolo.

Construction has been underway at 1022 Main St (the former Adega spot) for over a month now, and as you can see from the photo above it has been completely gutted.

To be honest, I thought the name Campagnolo came from an obscure, wine-producing hamlet I’d never heard of, but I’ve been told it’s an Italian word that roughly translates as “country bumpkin” or “rube”. Doughty explains it thusly: “We figured it might be funny to take a run at ourselves for being 3 guys from Alberta opening an Italian restaurant in Vancouver.” Fair enough.

The food concept will see rustic Italian with a focus on the Piedmont and Emiglia-Romagna regions. Salumi, pizza, pasta and a few main courses will be on the card. “Very simple,” Doughty assures. Wines will be from BC and Italy. Plenty of beer and about three Italian-influenced cocktails will round out the booze options.

There will be 62 seats in total, with a 25 seat wine bar tucked in the back. Reservations will only be allowed for groups of 8 or more.

Opening day is pre-Christmas, probably November.

{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }

Matt R. August 14, 2008 at 12:50 pm

Sounds more like a Bistoria, to me.

I thought Campagnolo was a bike component maker?

Irishgirl August 14, 2008 at 4:40 pm

You are correct Matt. Campagnolo running gear used to be the shit 20 years ago. Maybe still, but I am not currently a bicycle geek.

So, what I want to know, is if this place is instead of the “charcuterie place” that they were planning to open? Or did I dream that?

Manos37 August 14, 2008 at 7:43 pm

No no Campagnolo is the name of our former gov. general. What a tribute to a hard working politician.

Matt R. August 14, 2008 at 7:59 pm

Campy is still the shit. :)

I’m more the 105 budget, though.

KarenDw August 14, 2008 at 10:01 pm

Campagnolo was Lt. Governor of BC. until September of last year. We had tea at her house :-) in March of 05, thanks to my kid.

Matt R. August 14, 2008 at 10:47 pm

So, Campagnolo can mean lots of different things to lots of different people.

Mark August 14, 2008 at 11:54 pm

Campy has always been the shit in road bikes. Campagnolo on a Cinelli frame? Heaven.

Manos37 August 15, 2008 at 7:37 am

Iona Campagnolo riding a Campagnolo bike to Campagnolo for dinner could make Kevin Bacon self combust.

Matt R. August 15, 2008 at 8:22 am

Can we arrange that? Sounds good. Mmm… bacon ..

Arne August 15, 2008 at 9:31 pm

Isn’t that just down from the Ivanhoe? Cool! I can pick up some stolen Home Depot power tools before dinner!

Manos37 August 15, 2008 at 10:04 pm

…and pl;enty of bikes

Weston August 16, 2008 at 9:30 am

and beside the american which is now closed, I watched it get shut down from my Balcony, watching CSIS go in with their un markered cars.

and then walking one day behind that off main there and a guy selling fresh salmon from the back of his truck hah

Tom August 20, 2008 at 10:20 am

Looks like you know the lay of the land Weston. Can you introduce us to your neighbourhood fish supplier!

membermaker September 8, 2008 at 9:12 am

Being N.Italian myself… fun to see some real italian names. Campagnolo is indeed an Italian bicycle parts maker based in Vicenza. Please make sure you’re all pronouncing the name right. ha. Campa-neoh-low.

‘Campagna’ (campa-knee-ah) means anything from “countryside” or “field” to “farmland” so Campagnolo kind of means “a farmtype person” or someong who is “from the farm”. In petty Italian social circles.. being “from the farm” isn’t very chic, but the food is damn good. :)

Kris February 1, 2009 at 10:39 am

Thank you previous post for understanding the simple (and true) meaning of this restaurant’s name. Put down your bike and grab a sense of haha :) Well you’re at it enjoy one of the best new restaurant in Vancouver. It truly is fantastic.

Campagnolo Cyclist January 16, 2010 at 9:42 pm

If I had a bike like that I’d be putting my name down for the Tour de France as well, no matter how much suffering it entails!

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