a Quercia is a modest little restaurant that serves up traditional Italian food. Sounds like nothing new. In fact, I could probably name you about ten off the top of my head right now. So why, then, is this one of the most buzzworthy restaurants in Vancouver?

The answer lies not in the concept or the design, but in the personnel. The chefs and co-proprietors, Adam Pegg and Lucais Syme, have already built up a good reputation and a loyal following despite the fact that this is their first restaurant. I should rephrase that. This is the first restaurant that they own. Before La Quercia, the two were involved in Parkside and La Buca, a pair of restaurants that have already proven themselves with good cooking and a dedicated staff.

And that's the concept of the restaurant. It's not a hard recipe; just take two established chefs, give them a kitchen, and let them do their thing. Don't worry about big extravagant designs or cheap gimmicks, just make sure that the food is good, and people will flock to eat there.

While living in Italy, Pegg learned all the traditional regional cooking and now he's looking to implant that authenticity into Vancouver. Even the tablecloths and cutlery are imported directly from his wife (and manager of the front end), Karin Lazzaris' hotel in Italy. It's is the closest you can get to Italy without purchasing a ticket.

This is not a place to go to be seen. It's all about simplicity. Hardwood floors and a couple of big windows are the focus of the restaurant's design. It's nothing fancy, just a quaint little restaurant. When I say "little," I mean it. The place only seats 30 people. That's in addition to the bar, which looks right into the kitchen but only fits two.