Florentine's Profile
Florida Hound Looking for Dinner for 8 in Downtown Vancouver
Milestones is fine - I've had good experiences in their Yaletown location. Also in Yaletown I'd consider the Hamilton Street Grill or the Flying Pig, although there doesn't seem to be as many vegetarian options.
For Japanese, Sakana Bistro in Yaletown is good: http://www.bistrosakana.com/
In Gastown I'd visit Kitanoya Guu for Japanase izakaya - a quintessential Vancouver experience and vegetarian options: http://guu-izakaya.com/gastown/
Another idea is a dinner at Nuba - delicious Lebanese cuisine with many vegetarian options. I'd opt for their Hastings Street location: http://nuba.ca/new%20hastings.html
Just across the Burrard Street Bridge from downtown in Kitsilano is Maenam - fabulous Thai food. Vegetarian friendly. Excellent service: http://maenam.ca/main.html
Gastown, Yaletown restaurant - Foodie quality, regular portions, 20 ppl
Hamilton Street Grill meets all your criteria.
Chambar is amazing, no doubt, but it's still very much tasting menu portions, no? When I think "big-ish portions" I don't think Chambar... unless you order the mussels.
Cocktails and good eats in Vancouver
Oh! If you can arrange it, make a reservation for Kale & Nori's Bittered Sling Bistro. It'll give you a taste of the Vancouver restaurant/cocktail industry, and it's rather social and fun.
It happens twice a month at the Legacy Liquor Store at the Olympic Village (just south of downtown Vancouver... not too far at all). It's a food + cocktail pairing event where one veteran bartender or one apprentice bartender pairs three courses with three cocktails.
The bartender must use the featured spirit (for the month of March it's Hendrick's Gin, back in November it was Market's Mark Bourbon, and in January it was Flor de Cana Rum, etc.) plus one of Kale & Nori's homemade bitters.
The menu is often themed around the spirit (Japanese cuisine paired with sake cocktails, southern cooking paired with bourbon, etc.). The food remains the same throughout the month - it's the cocktails that differ. At the end of the evening tveryone ranks the bartender based on presentation, pairing, flavour, aroma, etc. The top ranked bartender then wins a prize (including a trip to an affiliated spirit's distillery).
Okay, I'm totally rambling now but for $60 (which includes tax & tip), you both would probably enjoy it and you'd be surrounded by other fine dining/cocktail enthusiasts. Plus it's held at a beautiful liquor store.
http://scoutmagazine.ca/2012/03/06/goods-kale-noris-bittered-sling-bistro-pairs-with-hendricks-for-a-peculiar-affair/
Cocktails and good eats in Vancouver
I am a food photographer in Vancouver and yes, Vancouver has a craft cocktail scene, especially in Gastown around Water & Carrall and Water & Abbott. In fact, last month Tales of the Cocktail (a New Orleans' cocktail event) was here, their second year in a row bringing their event on tour to Vancouver. Vancouver loves its cocktails and bitters and pre-Prohibition-era cocktail culture.
The local mixologists/bartenders you'll want to speak to (just off the top of my head) are:
Jay Jones
Arthur Wynne
Lauren Mote
Dani Taratin
Jacob Sweetapple
Shaun Layton
David Wolowidnyk
Pick their brains if you can. You'll also want to eye ScoutMagazine.com for inspiration - I know Lauren Mote writes for them on occasion.
As previously mentioned Gastown gives you a ton of choice.
L'Abbatoir was already recommended.
Others to consider:
Diamond Bar
Chill Winston
Guilt & Co.
Peckinpah (for bourbon)
Shebeen Whiskey House (for Scotch/whiskey only - it's the secret room at the back of the Irish Heather)
Clough Club
The Revel Room
Pourhouse
In Chinatown:
Keefer Bar
Bao Bei
Union Bar (unique Philippino-inspired cocktails)
In Kits:
Maenam (best Thai restaurant in the city with great cocktails)
South Granville:
West
Main Street/Mount Pleasant:
Cascade Room
Elsewhere in downtown Vancouver:
Hawksworth Restaurant's lounge in the Rosewood Hotel Georgia
The Refinery (upstairs on Granville Street)
Uva Wine Bar (Seymour/Smithe)
Market Bar at the Shangri-La or their Xi Shi Lounge downstairs (different cocktail menus)
The lounge inside the Fairmont Pacific Rim
That should give you a start!
Toddler/Baby friendly restaurant suggestions near these attractions?
I immediately thought of Little Nest which is in East Van on Commercial Drive: http://www.littlenest.ca/
It's not really in the areas you plan to visit, but it's easy enough and close enough to get to, and ticks off both "foodie establishment" and "toddler friendly" to a T! And in reality, it's only one Skytrain stop east of Science World if you do feel like making a detour to Commercial Drive. The only issue is that it closes early, so might be a good brunch option before Science World. On top of that, Commercial Drive is cool neighbourhood in any case - quite different than where you'll be spending your time. A tad more bohemian with some great markets. Actually, San Francisco's Polk Street reminds me of Commercial Drive. Others say it reminds them of the Haight Ashbury of yesteryear. I digress.
Bandidas Taqueria (also on Commercial Drive) would also be a good choice.
http://bandidastaqueria.com/
Weekday breakfast (tomorrow)
Has the Nice Cafe changed hands recently? The last time I went, was, I admit, maybe 3-4 years ago now... the place was packed, I ordered the waffles, and after about an hour's wait I was served a plain Eggo waffle. No joke. I had been before and it had been okay, but after that one experience I'd rather waste my time elsewhere. It's as if people go to the Nice Cafe because of its name. It's certainly not the food!
Red Wagon Cafe, on the other hand - their pulled pork pancakes with bourbon maple syrup is most certainly worth the wait. The pancakes are more like biscuits, the pork is delectable, and the portion's the perfect amount - not too big, not too small. Just perfect.
Steveston March 14/12 - seeking recommendations for seafood lunch - fish & chips, oysters, chowder for elderly guests -
It's been 3 years since I ate at Sockeye City. It's okay. It may suit what you're looking for better than Pajo's or Crab King, only because those two have (potentially) steep docks to walk up/down to access. Plus, they're take-out options, not true indoor restaurants.
Sockeye City as a restaurant has no atmosphere inside, but it does have floor to ceiling windows and a first-rate view of the Steveston waterfront - that's the main appeal of eating there.
As for the food, don't expect anything fancy but will probably satisfy. It is the kind of restaurant where local teenagers get their first job, so that's the style of service you'll often receive - sometimes competent, sometimes oblivious.
Actually, the more I think about it, the more I would suggest the Blue Canoe instead, which is only a few steps further along the waterfront at Steveston Landing. They've put effort into maintaining a maritime west coast atmosphere without being tacky. They have slightly better service (although sometimes it can be hit and miss), plus the food is much much better (and includes Oceanwise seafood).
http://www.bluecanoerestaurant.com/
Whatever you do, do NOT make the mistake of going to the Charthouse, which is upstairs from the Blue Canoe. It is terrible and belongs on Kitchen Nightmares.
Post edit: I just remembered that my parents (in their 60s) recently took my grandfather (late 80s) to the Blue Canoe and were completely ignored. This wasn't the first time they've felt ignored here. They walked out and went to Tapenade Bistro (across the street from Steveston Landing) instead and had a terrific meal with excellent service. Tapenade's not on the water, but it's across the street from the water, has an inviting bistro atmosphere and some of the best food you'll eat in Steveston. That's another alternative.
http://www.tapenade.ca/
Dine out.... Good, bad or indifferent?
I wasn't planning to do Dine Out, but ended up at Maenam and the Poor Italian and was blown away by both. I never once felt rushed, the service was impeccable, and the food was great. It definitely boosted the Dine Out reputation in my mind.
Where to eat near Downtown Vancouver?
Can you elaborate about how picky he is? Can you list 3 dishes he's willing to eat? It'll help us out.
Sea urchin fresh from the uni factory
FWIW - uni/sea urchin can also be purchased fresh off the boats at Steveston's Fisherman's Wharf. Haven't done it personally so don't know how it compares.
Ladner/Delta and Environs
I'm almost embarrassed to admit, but I like Sharkey's in Ladner. It's a maritime-themed seafood restaurant/pub - very casual and rustic. While I don't know if everything on their menu would be Chowhound-worthy, if you order their clams, mussels, or cioppino, you can't go wrong. It's a personal fav after birding at the bird sanctuary - love that place!
http://www.sharkeys.bc.ca/
Dunn's Famous Deli(Montréal smoked meat deli)-Nov 16th 10 AM
I was at that private party last night (a media/industry launch) and was able to taste a smoked meat sandwich (or two!) as well as their sliders, reuben sandwich, poutine, and dessert items.
For anyone who has eaten at Schwartz's or Dunn's in Montreal, the real deal has finally arrived in Vancouver!
Yaletown near Opus?
Agree with other about Gastown being the hub of craft cocktails at places like the Diamond, L'Abbatoir and Pourhouse. I was also impressed at the Revel Room, also in Gastown. Gastown is a 15 minute walk north of the Opus. Yaletown definitely has trendy lounges, bars & restaurants - but it's more about the eye candy than craft cocktail culture. You'll see what I mean when you get there.
Also agree that Jay Jones is one of Vancouver's best bartenders - you can grab one of his cocktails downstairs in their Xi Shi Lounge if you don't feel like dining at Market. Market is more like a 25 minute walk from the Opus, although you can easily hop on the Canada Line and take it one stop north which puts you within 10 minutes of walking from Market.
One destination I will recommend which is about an 8 minute walk from the Opus is the Refinery upstairs on Granville Street (at Granville and Helmcken). Lauren Mote used to be the head mixologist there, but has since passed on the title to Graham Racich - another one of Vancouver's finest. They make all their bitters in house and host Canada's longest-running craft cocktail competition: Cocktail Kitchen (which unfortunately just ended 2 weeks ago). Still worth dropping by for a cocktail.
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The Refinery
1115 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1M1, CA
3 day visit to Vancouver (1st time)
Haven't been to the Summer Night Market in 2 years now, but it's like a midway carnival food fair with Asian street food/fast food. I'd see how you're feeling and play it by ear. It closes next weekend, but it stays open until midnight on Friday/Saturday and until 11pm on Sunday.
Here's a recent blog post going over the pros and the cons:
http://foodosophy.wordpress.com/2011/09/10/the-summer-night-market-richmond-bc/
salads??
The last memorable salad I had was the Cobb Salad at the Hamilton Street Grill.
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Hamilton Street Grill
1009 Hamilton Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 2R9, CA
Bumbershoot Weekend: Brunch, Late Night Eats & Happy Hour Suggestions
Thanks Leper! I'll add them to my list and map them out ahead of time... (it's easy to rely upon old standby's when you're put on the spot!) Looks like some great suggestions. Can't wait for my visit!
Bumbershoot Weekend: Brunch, Late Night Eats & Happy Hour Suggestions
Hello Seattle!
I'm coming to Seattle this weekend from Vancouver BC for my second-ever Bumbershoot. The boyfriend and I will be staying at the Moore from Friday until we leave Monday evening and we'll be seeking some good drinking establishments, brunch options and very likely some late night eats.
We do visit Seattle about 3-4 times a year, often because of a concert, but knowing full well we go because we also love the happy hour culture - something that just doesn't exist in Vancouver. We also find that Seattle does great brunch - much better than Vancouver.
Our drinking preferences: quality cocktails (bourbon based, ideally), wine, and hoppy craft beer.
Our eating preferences: anything goes, although the boyfriend tries to maintain a vegetarian/seafood diet and he loves his huevos rancheros for brunch - so far Cyclops and Linda's wins in this department. I should also mention that we love foodie type destinations, although we don't really have the budget to splurge on any fine dining this time around.
In the past we've been happy with:
Sazerac (our favourite for happy hour)
The W Hotel (happy hour)
The Queen City Grill (for happy hour and late night eats)
Cyclops (for brunch)
Cafe Flora (for brunch)
The Tin Table (for happy hour/cocktails)
Linda's Tavern (for brunch)
B and O (for brunch)
Belltown Pizza (post-concert late night snacking)
Top Pot Donughts (love the atmosphere)
We'll have a car and are pretty familiar with driving around Belltown and Capitol Hill, which is, I suppose pretty obvious based on where we go above.
Just looking to expand our horizons when it comes cocktail bars, places with quality happy hour, and tasty brunch options. Not entirely sure what we have planned for dinner... I think we just incorporate dinner into happy hour, or we'll just eat fair food on site.
Any suggestions are more than welcome. :)
Where should I get my shwarma fix in Vancouver
Babylon on Denman is my go to place for shwarma.
Shwarma in Vancouver can be hit and miss. Saying that, there used to be a place on Granville (between Davie and Nelson on the east side of the street) that used to make a killer chicken shwarma. Forget the name of the place or if it's still as good. Used to eat there in 2003.
Vancouver's best delis - what do you recommend?
Heringer's in Steveston. They're a butcher shop, but their deli items are seriously Chow-worthy.
http://www.yelp.ca/biz/heringers-olde-fashioned-quality-meats-richmond
Ugo & Joe's on Nanaimo and E Hastings is another.
DDD in Van
I was thinking the same thing...
Tomahawk is about the only place I can think of.
What are some classic Canadian dishes??
Try to not to get too caught up on "classic Canadian dishes" as Canadian cuisine is regional... and things like poutine and Nanaimo bars may be unique food items in Canada, but they're not exactly a part of your standard day to day Canadian diet. They're Canadian novelty foods.
If I'm thinking Canadian dishes - things like BBQ steak or roast chicken with dinner rolls, a green salad or a Caesar salad, corn on the cob, and a starch - baked potato, fresh new potatoes served with a bit of butter and fresh dill, rice, etc.. I know this doesn't help a vegetarian, but I'm just thinking along these lines to get you thinking of meals that Canadians would eat day to day (which might differ from the styles of cuisine you'd see day to day in Switzerland).
Vancouver and Toronto cuisine's hugely international - so don't count out dishes that might not have originated in Canada.
Vancouver's "classic Canadian dishes" would revolve around Asian cuisine and local Pacific Northwest ingredients.
If I were making a vegetarian meal for somebody in Vancouver, I'd maybe make a sunomono salad, a chanterelle/morel mushroom dish, maybe some fresh corn on the cob, some tomato/bococini salad with fresh basil - that kind of stuff. Maybe a quinoa salad or a lentil dish.
Greek food is hugely available in Toronto and Vancouver - maybe make a Greek salad, or a Greek orzo salad with some sort of eggplant/vegetarian-moussaka dish. That would probably make a Torontonian ache for home more than things like poutine.
But of course, when all else fails, there's always Macaroni & cheese... ;)
Oooh... perogies might be another idea. Ukrainian food (vegetarian cabbage rolls/perogies) are hugely popular across Canada due to the huge Ukrainian immigrant population over the last century. To an outsider you wouldn't think of it as Canadian cuisine, but the majority of Canadians grow up eating Ukrainian food - it's adopted part of our diet.
For dessert - a blackberry crisp, a blueberry pie, a rhubarb/strawberry pie.
Yaletown family options?
Yaletown lacks a good pizza place and a good bakery that sells croissants.
In fact, Vancouver typically has uninspired croissants. Just come with really low expectations in the croissant department (especially if you're used to croissants that you'd find in Montreal or Paris).
Muffins, on the other hand, seem to be a better bet (if you're just looking for breakfast nibbles at a cafe).
On the same tangent, I can't think of one good bakery in downtown Vancouver - Yaletown, the West End, or anywhere. Come with low expectations. My favourite bakeries are outside of downtown (Fratelli's on Commercial Drive, Diplomat Bakery in Richmond, Notte's Bon Ton Bakery on Broadway in Kitsilano), but as for a traditional bakery in Yaletown or immediately around that area? Nada. Best bet would be to take the water taxi across False Creek to Granville Island to La Baguette Bakery).
Ganache in Yaletown is the exception, except they really only have exotic gourmet cakes - nothing savory, nothing bread-y... just really delicious, mousse-y cakes.
Urban Fare (gourmet overpriced grocery store) actually has an okay bakery if you're seeking fresh bread, and they do have a decent cafe (great for picking up sandwiches). It's really the only traditional bakery in Yaletown.
For cafes, JJ Bean does an alright espresso. The Agro Cafe and Bean Around The World are more preferable in my opinion. Not a fan of Bojangles on the Yaletown waterfront - avoid.
The best burger I've had recently was at the Stackhouse on the 1200 block of Granville Street - just a 5 minute walk away from Yaletown. At lunch on weekdays they have a Stackhouse Burger special for $10 (between 11am-3pm).
Milestones also does a decent burger and it's a nice sit down option, especially for families. The Hamilton Street Grill is another option - apparently their burger's been rated one of the best in Vancouver.
For pizza, I'd recommend Nicli Antica Pizzeria in Gastown. It's not the nicest block of Gastown, but the pizza's arguably some of the best in the city. You're not going to find anything even close to it in Yaletown, so it's worth venturing to Gastown (a half hour walk via the False Creek seawall via Carrall Street) - or just hop in a cab for a 5 minute ride. Well worth the detour for this pizza - it's Neapolitan pizza, by the way. Another pizza shop in Gastown is Incendio, which is more of a traditional Italian wood fire oven pizza/pasta joint.
There is pizza by the inch in Yaletown at Sciue - the Italian cafe at the Roundhouse plaza, but I've only found it to be just okay - in the past I've found that the crust is tough and it's really all that unremarkable, as it just sits around all day and isn't that fresh.
If you're looking for sushi in Yaletown, I am a fan of Bistro Sakana (dinner, only - lunch is way too slow and uninspired), and Kaide on Richards/Pacific (across from George Wainborn) is fantastic, despite that it's a very casual joint. The food I've had there is very fresh and high quality. I often order take-out here - the best sushi in Yaletown (without splurging at Blue Water Cafe), in my opinion.
For cheesecake? Tree's Organic Cafe on Richards/Pacific is good. They do good coffee as well. And who knows - you may find a croissant there on a lucky day. ;)
bachelor party
Good luck!
Yaletown is definitely style over substance and is sort of a trophy wife playground these days. There are some great places there, but the vibe is very much superficial and meat markety.
Gastown verges on the seedy but has quickly gentrified into a neighbourhood of art school nerds, fashionistas, and foodies who enjoy a good pre-Prohibition cocktail.
Vancouver for 3 months ... help!
Is there anywhere in Vancouver that does excellent fries?
Vancouver, unlike almost any city I've been to in the USA, doesn't seem to have a good greasy diner culture. And coming to Vancouver for poutine is sort of like going to LA to seek out NYC bagels & pastrami sandwiches. You may find it, but it's not a part of the city's food culture.
BTW - if you love Chambar, have a cocktail or two at the Diamond on Carrall & Water in Gastown. It's upstairs on the corner with a sandwich board sign outside. I'd also be inclined to recommend a cocktail at the Refinery on Granville - they make their bitters in house and always impress me on the cocktail front. If you like burgers, try the $10 lunch special between 11am and 3pm at the Shackhouse on Granville Street. I think the deal's good until the end of the month - probably only good on weekdays. I was quite impressed when I visited last week.
Food between Tsawassen and the US border
There's really nothing right on Hwy 99 along that route.
Would Ladner be too far for you to venture? There might be a few options there, and you'll be driving right past the village on your way out of Tsawwassen. Sharkey's was decent the last time I visited for simple clam steamers and bouillabaisse.
The only other option I can think of is along Tsawwassen's main road (the road that leads from Hwy 17 to Point Roberts). I honestly can't think of anything there worth going out of your way to visit - there's a White Spot, a Dairy Queen, an English-style fish & chips shop... maybe something better has emerged?
Eating Out in October--Vancouver
November is when the rains start - traditionally.
October should be fine. It's definitely autumn, and not summer, but as long as it's dry, the patios are open for lunch.
Vancouver visit next week - too many decisions - I need help!
Cocktails: The Refinery, Diamond, Pourhouse, L'Abbatoir, Keefer Bar, Revel Room, Market Bar at the Shangri-La
Beer: Alibi Room, Six Acres, St. Augustine's, BierCraft.
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Alibi Room
157 Alexander St, Vancouver, BC V6A1B8, CA
Six Acres
203 Carrall St, Vancouver, BC V6B2J2, CA
Pourhouse Restaurant
162 Water Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 1B2, CA
Restaurant by the airport
It has been years since I've eaten there, but what about Globe @ YVR in the Fairmont Vancouver Airport?
http://www.fairmont.com/vancouverairport/GuestServices/Restaurants/Globeyvr
