Well before Vancouver’s popular Savio Volpe first opened its doors in 2016, the character of a savvy and worldly — albeit distinctly Italian — fox . And while the Volpe (meaning “fox”) was inspired by a nearby park’s population of bushy-tailed carnivores, Savio (“wisdom”) lends the graceful red mammal a sophisticated flair. Nearly a decade later, he was ready for a little brother.
Tucked around the corner from busy Cambie Street, Elio Volpe transforms a former garage into a laid-back yet quietly refined culinary destination. And like its older sibling, the restaurant remains part of hospitality group Banda Volpi’s foxy lineage. This time, however, the family incorporates a Hellenic turn; Elio is derived from the Greek word for sun. In turn, the new restaurant embodies a refreshing sense of youthfulness and coastal vitality.
Like its older counterpart, the 400-square-metre space is designed by acclaimed local studio , helmed by . Also a co-owner of Banda Volpi, Stanghetta — who comes from a family of restaurateurs — was deeply immersed in the project’s poetic narrative from the start. “Our namesake was this more carefree, young, travelling fellow,” says Stanghetta, of the whimsical anthropomorphized fox that serves as both muse and mascot, loosely inspired by Italian fables.
Elio Volpe offers a more informal atmosphere, which makes it both a versatile weekday standby and a quietly elevated destination. “We wanted families to come in two or three times a week, bring their newborn, celebrate their aunt or grandparents’ birthday, or come on a date night, allowing guests to interface with different details and experiences throughout the restaurant,” Stanghetta explains.
Within a formerly industrial setting, achieving the ambiance was no mean feat. “The challenge of the project was negotiating the tension between the building’s industrial bones and a lightness inspired by a summer breeze,” says Stanghetta. To create a varied and versatile setting, the building’s expansive industrial shell was deftly carved into a series of experiential zones, fostering a sense of discovery throughout the 115-seat restaurant.
Stepping inside, the eye is immediately drawn to a striking large-format photograph by Copenhagen-based photographer Armin Tehrani, which anchors the restaurant’s back wall. “The idea was never for it to be a feature wall, dripping with expanse, but a collection of beautiful materials, shapes, scales, arrangements,” says Stanghetta.
The central bar functions as the social nucleus of the space, simultaneously serving as a café, cocktail station and charcuterie counter. “The idea was not to sit here till you are ushered to your table, but to come here for the bar vibe,” says Stanghetta. Nearby, round tables feature oversized lamps and hand-painted tiles that were designed and fired in-house. A seat by the Elio Volpe kitchen is an opportunity to watch the chefs in action, adding to the energy, while booths frame the restaurant’s corners, accommodating larger groups.
Dappled white stucco walls curve through the whole of the space, inspired by Villa La Saracena on the Roman coast. These refined architectural elements find a playful counterpoint in patterned, multicoloured drapery and furniture that borrows from the language of Mediterranean beach clubs. With a colour palette pulled from the Kodachrome beachside photographs of Luigi Ghirri, which all feel a bit weather-beaten and lived in, the restaurant’s colours — warm ochres and greens introduce a sun-crackled vibrancy.
Throughout the dining room, the design is distinguished by a sophisticated though unpretentious aesthetic. And while elegant gestures draw the eye, Stanghetta’s surprising details elevate the experience: Piping reminiscent of umbrella fringes at beach clubs, retro leather door handles, and sculptural elements all provide visual interest without overwhelming.
As the designer puts it, the carefully resolved synthesis of refinement and easygoing style: “We like this idea of our place feeling a little bit loose, where every design choice is intentional but also breathes a little bit more laissez-faire — an embodiment of southern Italian culture.”
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