In the late nineteenth century, French novelist Marcel Proust participated in an exercise which could be thought of as the Facebook of its era—he answered a questionnaire about himself in a friend’s Confession Album.
Proust’s answers have been published, in one form or another, for more than a century. Many have used the questionnaire for their own devices, the most notable being Vanity Fair’s Proust Questionnaire featuring celebrities. The Tomato gives it a culinary twist.
Lisa and Rosario Caputo, Cibo Bistro
Lisa is front of house, Rosario is back of the house. He’s Calabrese, she’s Hungarian. Together they make magic at the 48-seat restaurant called Cibo Bistro.
They were dating when Cibo opened in late 2011. “I went for dinner most nights so I could see Rosario,” says Lisa.
She started working there after it became obvious that Lisa had a lot to offer in the front of the house and they were going to be partners full stop.It sounds like the plot synopsis of a romcom. For most of us the couple running the romantic little restaurant is something we see in the movies or on vacation in some picturesque European village. Yet, here we have it in Oliver Square.
The food at Cibo is big-flavoured, generous, tasty, the best kind of rustic. The wine list is thoughtful, not too long but with everything you want. The service is warm, friendly, skilled.
Soon there will be a little Rosa or Rocco running around. That will be the sequel. Life at Cibo 2.
Cibo Bistro, 11244 104 Avenue, 780-757-2426, cibobistro.com
Image by Gerry Rasmussen
Hometown?
Lisa’s is Edmonton, Rosario’s is Jasper.
Years cooking?
Lisa has been in the restaurant business for 17 years, Rosario has been cooking since 2004, so 19 years.
Where would you like to live?
Italy! They both say. Probably Emilia-Romagna.
Your favourite food and drink?
Lisa: pizza and Prosecco.
Rosario: pasta and a Negroni.
What would you be doing if you weren’t cooking?
“It would be something to do with food,” says Rosario. “Maybe private dining.”
“I have always wanted to have my own YouTube cooking channel,” says Lisa, adding, “Yeah, private dining.”
What do you most appreciate in your friends?
“Even though we are always at work and don’t see them very often, it’s like we haven’t missed a beat,” says Rosario.
“Unconditional love,” says Lisa. “No matter what, my friends take me for who I am and the support from my friends is important to me. They are my biggest fan club.”
In a cook?
“Passionate, food driven, willing to put the time in to learn,” says Rosario.
In a dish?
“Simplicity,” says Rosario. “Let the ingredients shine.”
“Thoughtfulness,” says Lisa. “Take the time to prepare it properly.”
In a wine?
“Balance,” says Lisa. “Balanced tannin, acidity and fruit, nothing overpowering.”
Dream dinner table
Chefs Massimo Bottura, Dario Cecchini, Nancy Silverton, Lisa’s great grandfather, Rosie’s grandparents, Michelle Obama.
Who would cook?
“The nonna who made our food in Piemonte, in Serralunga at the Centro Storico,” says Lisa.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Rosario: We aren’t saving lives, we are just feeding people.
Lisa: For sure.
Current culinary obsession or exploration
“The food of Italy. It always showcases the area, and it’s different in every region. So much to see and learn,” says Rosario.
“Pregnancy has opened my eyes to Asian food,” says Lisa. “Noodles, Thai cuisine, anything spicy and super flavourful. And I’m not drinking, so food is my best friend.”
Meaningful/crazy food experience?
“Dinner at Momofuku in New York. The interaction with each course and each chef was like nothing we had ever experienced,” says Rosario.
Best (cooking) thing that ever happened to you?
“My best cooking experience was rolling Hungarian cabbage rolls with Rosario’s mom, Zia and cousin for our annual Boxing Day dinner,” says Lisa. “We focus so much on Italian cuisine it was fun bringing some Hungarian flavours and knowledge to the dinner since my family dines with us that day too.”
Mentors?
“Mike Maione and Nigel Webber, instructors at NAIT, who whipped my butt into shape,” says Rosario. “I have a question? I still contact them.”
“All the women in the wine world,” says Lisa. “The women here who helped me learn and get a start and the women who make wine and own wineries. So inspirational.”
Favourite casual cheap and cheerful/afterwork food?
“Back in the day it was North 53. Now I’d say Bar Clementine,” says Rosario. “Because I like a place where I can get a good glass of wine,” says Lisa.
Philosophy
You get what you give.
What’s next?
Our baby!