Two old houses connected to make one delightful restaurant – nostalgia and genuinely kind service make Cilantro (338 17th Ave S.W.) everyone’s favourite destination for a first date. To steal a little genius from Mr. Yves Saint Laurent – “trends come and go, but style is eternal.” The same can be said for this 17th avenue industry veteran – relishing their 27th year, Cilantro continues to warm hearts with their signature forno oven-baked pizzas and homemade pasta dishes.
To our great fortune, we wandered down the avenue to Cilantro on a summery afternoon and enjoyed a high-top table on the patio. Their feature menu, which changes every service, highlights endless creativity in the kitchen. (Side note: Chef Ken Canavan has been cooking at Cilantro for 23 years and is as integral to the plates as the ingredients he uses.) Greeted with a glass of Foss Marai sparkling rosé and fresh baked honey bread, we decided to let the kitchen dazzle us with their daily creations.
We indulged in the feature salad ($16) which paired romaine, yellow peppers and blackened chicken in a light, tangy vinaigrette. The feature pasta also called our name, combining scallops, shrimp, chorizo sausage, snap peas and fresh rotini tossed in a light olive oil dressing. 
Dessert at Cilantro is hard to pass up, and the quinoa chocolate cake ($9) served with dulce de leche and light whipped cream had us lingering on the sunny patio just a little while longer.
True to form, Cilantro operates like a home. Warmly welcomed and remembered by name, you will leave feeling full of affection for both the place and the food that this avenue gem has built its reputation on.
Stay up-to-date on all things Cilantro by following them online below:
Facebook: facebook.com/CilantroRestaurant
Twitter: @Cilantro17thAve
