By Paula Henriques

The bustling energy of downtown Oakville becomes a whisper as you walk into Café Galleria. The quaint restaurant, nestled in its own cozy quarters on Lakeshore Rd., entices you from the moment you walk through the door, inducing images of a small Italian village. Quiet and intimate, the charming bistro is the perfect place to bring a date, close friends, announce an engagement, or have a drink after a stressful day.

Celebrating its 25 year anniversary, Café Galleria has not changed a bit. It still has that old world charm: dark wood accents, exposed brick, and landscape paintings add to its appeal while jazz music plays quietly in the background so as to not interrupt conversation. Soft lighting gives the room a private ambience.

The only change? New owners, but you wouldn't know it. And that's exactly the way they want it.

Father and son team, Peter and Chris Tekavcic took over the restaurant almost two years ago, but didn't want to change a thing. "It's perfect the way it is," says Peter.

Chris has a personal attachment to Café Galleria. he is the sous chef, and has been at the restaurant for 13 years. He first started as a dishwasher, but as his culinary interests began to emerge, head chef Sal Mercato took him under his wing. When the opportunity came along to continue the tradition of the restaurant, he knew the only answer could be a "yes".

Even the staff have stayed the same. Cooking his most loved Italian creations is head chef Sal Mercato. Sal has worked at prestigious restaurants including Scaramouche in Toronto, The Guild Inn, and the Scarborough Golf and Country Club.

The cuisine is authentically Italian. Every item on the menu is made from scratch, including desserts. Enjoy Italian classics like Stracciatella, lasagna, pasta and seafood delights. Complement every tantalizing meal with wine from their imported wine list.

"People visit us who have been to Italy and tell us it's exactly the type of restaurant that you'd see there," says Chris.

And they cater to diet restrictions. Chris says there are regulars who come in who can't have wheat but love pasta, so they'll bring in their own wheat-free pasta and he and Sal will cook it for you. "And if you don't see it on the menu," says Chris. "Just ask. If it's in our fridge, we'll create anything for you."

Reprinted From The Oakville Beaver

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