Read our interview with Sahara Tamarin, the General Manager of Cibo Trattoria.

Q. How was the business in 2008?

A. We opened very quietly in the summer of 2008 which gave us an opportunity to fine tune our operations. After a couple of weeks word started getting around that we were open and we saw quite a few positive reviews from many of our local food writers. We started out very strong and continue to work hard every day to make each guests visit worth talking about.

Q. What was your most frequently ordered dish in 2008?

A. Our menu changes frequently due to seasonality, availability and the chef’s inspiration. All of our pastas are made daily, by hand. They are incredibly fresh and delicious.

Q. Are you planning to take part in the "Dine Out Vancouver 2009" event? If yes, please give us a scoop of your special menu for the event?

A. We offer our Pre-Theatre menu (3-courses for $38) daily until 6:30pm. Guests may have the choice of a starter, a main course and a dessert or a starter, a main course and a side dish (for those who do not have a sweet tooth). To highlight our Pre-Theatre menu we are offering it throughout the evening for all of January 2009. We are not participating in Dine Out Vancouver this year.

Q. Any special plan for 2009?

A. We are planning a series of dinners in which we will explore a different region of Italy each time. The menu will be inspired by the cooking of that region and will be paired with wine from the area.

Q. What is your recommendation?! From your menu, of course!

A. Our fish is always very fresh and is NEVER frozen. In fact, our only freezer is just big enough for a few frozen desserts like granita. Our chef prepares his fish dishes very simply; on tonight’s menu we offered roast local rock cod, sea asparagus with hot olive sauce.