From the day it opened its doors in November 2013, it was clear that Ask For Luigi was something special. The cozy room, tucked unobtrusively at the edge of Railtown, offered a concise menu of excellent and affordable Italian dishes, served family style. And although the name alluded to a secret just for locals (“Go to the little Italian joint at the corner of Alexander and Gore and ask for Luigi”), the restaurant was an instant hit, with eager diners lining the sidewalk outside daily. In its first turn at the Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards, Ask For Luigi was named Restaurant of the Year, Best Casual, Best Italian Casual, and Best New Restaurant of the Year. In the nine years since opening, the little neighbourhood eatery — operated by acclaimed hospitality group Kitchen Table Restaurants — has gone from strength to strength. It continues to draw fans and followers for its consistently outstanding house-made pasta, buzzy atmosphere and exclusive Italian wine list, and regularly wins spots on “Best of” lists in Vancouver and internationally including a spot on Canada's 100 Best List and MICHELIN® Recommends in the new Vancouver guide.