Editor’s note: Corrects information on days of operation.
Campo d’Aglio, a new restaurant in Grand Forks on Market Avenue, seems to be setting everyone’s taste buds tingling.
Classically Italian with a few modern adaptations, owner Mike Oran noted that there are probably a few items on the menu list that would be unfamiliar in Italy, such as the fettuccine supremo, which is scallops with smoked salmon, curry, garlic and cream.
Oran decided to start a restaurant in Grand Forks because it reminded him of what Osoyoos used to be 20 years ago.
His other restaurant, Campo Marina, is located in Osoyoos and is entering its 19th year.
“I see great potential here,” he said. “I’m travelling back and forward now but there might be a possibility of moving here later on.”
Oran explained that the title Campo d’Aglio means garlic fields.
“When I think of Grand Forks I think of fields of garlic,” he chuckled. “Where as Campo Marino was named after a town in Italy.”
The menu list is relatively the same as Campo Marina, though he pointed out the wine list is smaller and a couple items were removed due to lack of space available in the kitchen.
“Business is amazing here,” he exclaimed. “It took me seven years to get to this level in Osoyoos, just plugging away. When we came here it was immediately a full house. We haven’t had down under a full house everyday.”
Lunch, however, isn’t an option for Oran.
“We’re doing well with just dinner,” he said. “My cooks start at 2 p.m. and I have three cooks preparing stuff for nine hours so I don’t see us being able to also be open for lunch without adequately preparing for dinner.”
It took nine restaurants prior to the launch of Campo Marina before things took off for Oran and it looks like Campo d’Aglio is on its way.
He credits the fact the several residents already knew him from Osoyoos, which helped to get the ball rolling.
“It would be much more difficult if I didn’t have Campo Marina behind me and harder to get started,” he said.
However, he adds that it’s not just the food, “But the whole experience of dining out. I come from old school restaurants. Supper clubs where we had entertainment and going out was a treat.”
Campo d’Aglio is open Tuesday to Saturday, 5 to 8 p.m.
