Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Experience Traditional Italian Cuisine in Trail, BC
Since 1972, The Colander Restaurant has been a cornerstone of Trail's culinary scene, offering authentic Italian cuisine rooted in tradition. Our family-owned establishment prides itself on serving meals prepared with the same recipes developed decades ago, including our secret pasta sauce that has remained unchanged since our inception. We prioritize locally sourced ingredients to ensure quality while maintaining affordability, creating a dining experience that balances history with contemporary expectations.Our spacious venue accommodates both intimate gatherings and large groups, complemented by our dedicated catering facility, The RiverBelle, for special events. With a commitment to community involvement and customer satisfaction, we continue to uphold our reputation as a Trail tradition, recognized by Beautiful BC magazine as one of the province's top 24 dining destinations. Our team remains dedicated to preserving the warmth and hospitality that have defined our service philosophy for over 50 years.
Services
Italian Cuisine
Catering Services
Group Dining
Takeout
Gift Certificates
Lunch Specials
Private Events
Historical Dining
Family Meals
Wine Pairing
Details
- Year established: 1972
Highlights and features
- We've served authentic Italian cuisine since 1972 with unchanged family recipes
- Our secret pasta sauce recipe has remained consistent for over 50 years
- We accommodate groups up to 100+ with dedicated event spaces and catering
- We use locally sourced ingredients while maintaining historical culinary traditions
- We offer both dine-in and takeout options with consistent quality assurance
What people say
Excellent spaghetti & meatballs
Consistently delicious after decades
Huge meatballs very tasty
Best pasta in the world
Perfectly cooked pasta
Services
Italian Cuisine
Our traditional Italian restaurant serves house-made pasta dishes using century-old recipes. We prepare daily fresh sauces and meats following methods established in 1972. The menu features classic combinations like spaghetti with meatballs, lasagna, and baked pastas alongside modern variations. Our kitchen maintains strict quality control while accommodating dietary preferences through gluten-free options and vegetarian sauces. The dining experience combines generous portions with historical ambiance in Trail's longest-operating Italian establishment.
Catering Services
The RiverBelle catering facility provides full-service event solutions for weddings and corporate functions. Our experienced team offers customizable menus featuring signature dishes scaled for large groups. We handle events up to 100+ guests with professional service and venue decoration options. The service includes on-site coordination and equipment provision while maintaining the same culinary standards as our restaurant. Clients receive personalized menu consultations and tasting sessions prior to events.
Group Dining
We accommodate large groups in semi-private and private dining areas with flexible seating arrangements. The family-style service includes buffet options and set menus for organized events. Our staff coordinates special requests for celebrations while maintaining regular dining operations. The Mirror Room offers exclusive space for intimate gatherings with separate climate control and audio systems. Reservations ensure dedicated service teams and guaranteed seating capacity.
Takeout
Our takeout service provides restaurant-quality meals for home consumption with proper temperature maintenance. We offer full menu availability including family-sized portions and catering packs. The service includes advance ordering options and dedicated pickup counters at both locations. Packaging materials ensure food quality preservation during transport while maintaining portion sizes equivalent to dine-in servings. Special orders receive preparation time notifications for efficient pickup.
Gift Certificates
We offer flexible-value gift certificates redeemable across all dining services and locations. The program allows customized denominations and bundled packages for special occasions. Certificates maintain validity across multiple visits with no expiration dates. Recipients access full menu options including catering and event bookings. The service includes both physical and digital certificate options with tracking systems for balance verification.
Questions
What are The Colander Restaurant's operating hours?
We're open Tuesday-Friday 11:30am-8:00pm, Saturday-Sunday 4:30pm-8:00pm, and closed Mondays. Holiday hours may vary.
Do you offer catering services for large events?
Yes, our RiverBelle facility provides full-service catering for weddings, corporate events, and special occasions up to 100+ guests.
Are there gluten-free options available?
We offer gluten-free pasta with sauce options, though our kitchen cannot guarantee celiac safety due to cross-contamination risks.
Can I order takeout meals?
Yes, we provide takeout services at both our downtown location and Colander Express in Waneta Plaza with full menu availability.
What is The Colander Special?
Our signature meal features salad, garlic bread, spaghetti with meatballs or chicken, and jojo potatoes at $23.75 per person.
Do you have gift certificates available?
Yes, we offer flexible-value gift certificates redeemable for dining, takeout, and catering services with no expiration dates.
