The Golden Boot Caffé, located at the corner of Ridgeway and Nelson in Coquitlam, has been in existence since August 1997. From the very beginning, owner-chef David Azzi has emphasized that he was not in competition with fast-food outlets, nor with restaurants that placed more importance on quantity than quality. For that reason the food served at the Golden Boot Caffé, whether it be the pasta, the sauces, or the desserts, is homemade.

David Azzi acquired his penchant for Italian cooking from his three Italian aunts, Tina Brunoro, Nia Galassini, and Lea Bortoluzzi. All three are exceptional cooks and, through example, provided David with the desire to emulate them. Another aunt, Anna Azzi, was a professional chef at a resort hotel in Tuscany, Italy. David's mother, Gloria Azzi, also has a keen interest in cooking. As a child, David would watch, and later assist, his mother in making pasta and various sauces. Also as a child, David spent many summer holidays in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy where he became exposed to, arguably, the finest Italian cuisine!

As a young man, David spent a year in Modena, Italy where he befriended a chef by the name of Bollo. When Bollo opened his first restaurant, David spent endless hours training under his direction and learning how to apply home cooking to a restaurant setting.

Later, David and his cousin Roano Azzi opened the A-Wear Caffé in downtown Vancouver. The owner of A-Wear, Alberto Leone, provided this opportunity. Here David was able to use the skills that he had accumulated over the years. With this experience he decided to open his own restaurant in his hometown of Coquitlam.

Thus the Golden Boot Caffé was formed. The shape of Italy provided the name, and although some early confusion created some problems (people kept coming in wanting to buy shoes!), true pasta lovers now easily recognize the name. David has always believed that there would be a market for traditional and high-quality Northern Italian cuisine. For example, at the Golden Boot Caffé, you will not find pineapples on your pizza, nor will there be any feta cheese in your salads!

Dedication To My Wife Angela:
I met my wife, Angela shortly before I started this project. We were
married while I was in my fourth month of business. Throughout the tension
that often accompanies a project of this nature, she maintained a positive
attitude, accepting the presence of a third person - The Golden Boot - in
our home. The restaurant's dedication is only a small measure of my debt
to her.