The Cuisine Scene in British Columbia
Welcome to Beautiful British Columbia! For those
of you visiting Vancouver for a few days there is lots of variety. There are many
ethnic influences in our cuisine and some wonderful restaurants that reflect these
influences. This is a "fine food" city and we enjoy eating out immensely.
This list is updated frequently.
The
Night Life
Vancouver's current restaurant scene is vital and
dynamic. Most of the restaurants mentioned are open for lunch as well as dinner.
I've also tried to highlight restaurants in neighborhoods where the walking before
or after dinner is interesting.
Beach
Side Cafe
1362 Marine
West Vancouver
(604) 925-1945
Take
the short trip over the Lions Gate bridge to this popular West Vancouver restaurant
(don't let the "Cafe" fool you). Ask for a seat on the deck for a spectacular
view of the bridge and English Bay that is only rivaled by chef Carol Chow's West
Coast cuisine. Enjoy their excellent wine list as well.
Bishops
2183
West 4th Avenue
Vancouver
(604) 738-2025
John Bishop has created an
oasis of elegant west coast dining in his tiny restaurant on Vancouver's busy
4th Avenue. To quote an admirer "It is simply the keynote restaurant for
those who want impeccability." The menu evolves with the seasons. Each dish
is a symphony of the finest quality, fresh ingredients prepared with care and
attention to detail. The service is intimate and professional without being stuffy
or intrusive.
"C"
a contemporary fish restaurant
1 - 1600 Howe Street
(604)
681-1164
This wonderful waterfront space overlooking the False Creek inlet
and across from Granville Island has gone through a multitude of reincarnations.
The latest has lured Vancouver's brilliant Harry Kambolis of Raincity Grill in
a newly renovated and decorated space. "C" has the perfect setting to
enjoy Bay of Fundy Monkfish Tournedos or Grilled Nova Scotia Lobster.
Cafe
de Paris Bistro Francais
751 Denman Street
Vancouver
(604)687-1418
The Parisian bistro in Vancouver. Their fabulous pommes frites paired with
either the New York steak or half chicken with peppercorn sauce is a little bit
of heaven. The menu includes such classics as: mussels white wine, kidney and
one of the best liver dishes in town. The service is friendly and professional
in a warm and cozy atmosphere.
Cin
Cin Woodgrill & Rotisserie
1154 Robson
Vancouver
(604)
688-7338
The focal point of this Italian restaurant's open kitchen is its
woodburning oven and grill. You can't go wrong with a pizza hot out of the oven.
Look around, this seems to be a mecca for the Hollywood stars in town. It has
a warm and bustling atmosphere.
Diva
at the Met
645 Howe Street
(604) 602-7788
Executive
Chef Michael Noble brings his talent to the Metropolitan Hotel and has created
a restaurant that is visually refreshing and receiving rave reviews. Excellent
service and a great West Coast inspired menu, place this restaurant way above
the norm when it comes to hotel dining.
Circolo
1134 Homer Street
(604) 687-1116
The newest restaurant
by renowned restauranteur and cookbook author, Umberto Menghi. This high end restaurant
features a cosmopolitan selection of fine Italian and French food with a hint
of New York as well as an outstanding wine selection. The restaurant ids located
in Yaletown, a short cab ride from the major downtown hotels.
Five
Sails, Pan Pacific Hotel
300-999 Canada Place
Vancouver
(604)
662-8111
Quiet, very elegant dining with a view of the Harbour and the mountains
that is unrivaled. Chef Robert Sulatycky's menu with its Asian influences presented
by a professional server is excellent. When you feel like splurging, this is the
restaurant.
Ouest
2881 Granville Street
(604) 738-8938
Chef David Hawksworth
brings his magical French techniques to this South Granville location.
Il
Giardino
1382 Hornby Street
Vancouver
(604)669-2422
Umberto
Menghi is a fixture in the Vancouver Restaurant scene, with over 5 restaurants
in his stable. This is his ode to Tuscany. The restaurant projects a warm but
bold Italian atmosphere. This is the place where the movers and shakers dine on
a menu that features game and pasta.
Le Crocodile
100-909 Burrard
Vancouver
(604)
669-4298
Owner Michel Jacob continues to create Vancouver's best Alsatian
onion pie as well as many other Alsace inspired dishes in this elegant restaurant.
Enjoy the city patio on a warm summer night. Dress up a little and revel in impeccable
service and exquisite cuisine.
Lumiere
2551 West Broadway
(604) 739-8185
If you are looking for West Coast
cuisine with a superb menu and service to match try Luminere. Chef Rob Feenie
and co-owner Ken Wai have received numerous awards including Vancouver's Restaurant
of the Year. A spare, modern room sets the stage for delicious combinations of
fresh local ingredients.
Quattro
on 4th
2611 West 4th Avenue
Vancouver
(604)734-4444
Reservations
in advance are a must for this relatively new Italian restaurant. The menu provides
an array of imaginative dishes. There are seven different carpaccio dishes and
innovative pastas. Antonio Corsi brings 35 years of restaurant experience to the
table and has come up with a winner.
Raincity
Grill
1193 Denman
Vancouver
(604) 685-7337
With an
emphasis on local ingredients and BC wines, this casual restaurant on English
Bay is a must, especially in the summer when Denman Street is alive with folks
roaming to and from the beach.Walk, don't take a car as parking in hard to come
by. Try the grilled Caesar salad. It's a dish indicative of the innovative use
and clear understanding of fine quality ingredients.
Sophie's
Cosmic Cafe
2095 West Fourth Avenue
(604)732-6810
The
first thing you'll notice as you enter this small cafe is something from your
past attached to the walls. This is the 50's and 60's basement run amuck. Everything
is familiar on the menu -- burgers, pastas without fancy names, a couple of Mexican
dishes you grew up with and the best chocolate shake in town. Expect a long wait
if you are looking for breakfast as its become an institution for the old fashioned
big breakfast.
Star
Anise
1485 West 12th Avenue
Vancouver
(604)737-1485
Small
but elegant, Star Anise consistently excites its full house with wonderful food.
Using fresh, seasonal ingredients in its west coast inspired menu. Probably the
best crab cakes in town can be found on the menu and you can't miss with the rack
of lamb.
The
Cannery Seafood House
2205 Commissioner
Vancouver
(604)
254-9606
This 20 year old institution on the waterfront offers expansive harbour
views with some of the best fish and seafood cooking on the coast. Nothing fancy
in its nautical atmosphere. A well liked rustic restaurant whose chefs know how
to use a mesquite grill. Ask for specific directions as it is out of the way.
Tojo's
202-777 West Broadway
Vancouver
(604) 872-8050
Hidekazu
Tojo, owner and master sushi chef, is not only a character but a true master of
a very difficult and demanding cuisine. The Japanese cuisine he presents has been
considered the best in the Northwest ever since he opened his elegant restaurant
a few years ago. Be brave, agree on a price and let Tojo decide on the menu. You
will be a very happy and satisfied guest.
Tomato
Fresh Food Cafe
3305 Cambie Street
(604) 874-6020
The
menu contains lots of favorites -- BLTs, Turkey Sandwiches and Chili are re-invented
for the 90's with an emphasis on fresh and healthy ingredients. A busy juice bar
contributes to the noise level. Great stick-to-you- ribs desserts, too. There's
even a Tomato to Go.
Vij's
Restaurant
1480 West 11th Avenue
(604) 736-6664
This
small restaurant serves fabulous Bombay cuisine. The owner, Vikram Vij, paid his
dues in the best dining rooms of Vancouver and it shows, both in the quality of
the food and the friendly but professional service. The curries are fragrant with
spices and the basmati rice is cooked to perfection. The menu may be limited but
everything on it that we have tried has been remarkable.
Villa
del Lupo
869 Hamilton Street
Vancouver
(604)688-7436
A small Victorian house is home to one of Vancouver's most intimate and excellent
Italian restaurants. Indicative of the menu are dishes such as: fresh rabbit loin,
stuffed with mushrooms, black olives and thyme, lamb osso buco and cannelloni
with seafood and shellfish with a hint of dill. Take your appetite with you and
enjoy.
Water
St. Cafe
300 Water Street
Vancouver
(604) 689-2832
A
walk through this historic and a little seedy Gastown neighborhood on a summer's
evening has a little magic with the lanterns and cobblestones. Reserve a table
on the outside of this favorite downtown bistro. An eclectic menu offers lots
of choice at a reasonable price. If you are a fan of crabcakes this would be the
place in town to try them. I've never gone wrong with a pasta dish.
Ice
Cream, Etc.
Here are my favorite places to get something cool
and refreshing in Vancouver. These are also cafes and shops that are worth the
trip for other goodies as well.
Mum's Ice Cream
855 Denman Street
(604) 681-1500
This tiny ice cream
shop makes over 100 flavors of ice cream, sorbet, gelati and skim milk yogurt
on premise and fresh each day. Regulars line up for Mango and Mocha ice creams
on a warm Vancouver evening.
Venezia Ice Cream
5752 Victoria
Drive
(604) 327-8614
Vancouver has a vibrant Italian community and no where
is that more evident than at this manufacturer and retailer of Italy inspired
ice creams, gelatis and sherberts. Summer favorites include Lemon sherbert, Mango
and Hazelnut ice creams.
Mondo
Gelato International
1094 Denman Street
(604) 647-6638
Expect
to feel that you are back in Italy. A great selection of classic as well as unusual
gelato and granita in a very upscale setting.
Tomato
Fresh Food Cafe
3305 Cambie
(604) 874-6020
Old fashioned
milk shakes in a fun and funky diner atmosphere. Enjoy such favors as: mocha,
espresso, vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, mint, hazelnut and banana.
Sophies Cosmic Cafe
2095
West Fourth Avenue
(604) 732-6810
You have to see it to believe all the
treasures on display. Straightforward food with cool treats on the dinner menu.
Enjoy Deluxe Cosmic Sundays in such flavours as fruit & orange liqueur or
cream cafe & chocolate with whipped cream. Then dig in to the Cosmic Banana
Split with liqueur, an adult take on a childhood favorite.
Cows Vancouver
1301 Robson
(604)
682-2622
If you're into things bovine, this is your ice cream shop. Who can
resist: Wowie Cowie which combines Engish toffee, chocolate chips, Heath Bar bits
in a vanilla ice cream base? Or try Moo Crunch which is chocolate ice cream with
peanut butter and Heath Bar bits. Definitely something to moo about.
Chocolate
Chocolate
lovers agree -- Vancouver boasts some of the most innovative and luscious chocolate
activity on the west coast. Here is a sampling of my favorites.
Chocolate
Arts
2057 West Fourth Avenue
(604) 739-0475
Chef/owner
Greg Hook produces works of art that taste wonderful. Greg likes to produce seasonal
and specialty flavours. It gives him a chance to keep the creative juices flowing.
His pumpkin truffle is a 'must have' every fall. If you are a chocolate lover,
don't miss this tiny bit of heaven.
Bonte
by R.C. Purdy
Purdy's at 2196 Fourth Avenue
(604) 730-8669
Purdy's Chocolates has been providing Vancouver with great chocolate for the
whole family since the start of the 20th century. They have a special luxury line
of European style chocolates called Bonte. The shapes are refined and the flavours,
such as: Smooth Dark-roasted Hazelnut PurÈe & Dark Chocolate, Espresso
Anisette Milk Chocolate and Raspberry Puree & White Chocolate will tempt the
most discriminating palate.
House
of Brussels Chocolates
115 - 925 West Georgia
(604) 684-5444
This is the place that celebrates the chocolate Hedgehog. A "hedgehog"
is a milk or dark chocolate that is molded as a whimsical hedgehog and filled
with hazelnut paste. Certainly a little bit of heaven after a hard day.
Le
Chocolat Belge Daniel
1105 Granville Street
(604) 688-9624
Daniel Poncelet brought sophisticated Belgian-style chocolates to Vancouver
about 15 years ago. His chocolates continue to reflex a refined, European look
and taste. Elegant packaging completes the experience.
Over
the Moon Chocolate Company
2868 West Broadway
(604) 737-0880
This young company produces great chocolates and a cornucopia of delightful
chocolate shapes for each of the holidays and the days in between. I use their
milk and dark chocolate buttons for my chocolate chip cookies.
Chinese
Restaurants
A trip to Vancouver wouldn't be complete without
taking advantage of the wonderful cuisine of our burgeoning Chinese population.
These are probably the best restaurants. Expect the decor to be typically low-brow
and the tables to be full. Order whatever you usually order or let the waiter
lead you to special items.
Kirin Seafood Restaurant
20-555 West 12th Avenue
Vancouver
(604) 879-8038
In
a city with the second largest Chinatown on the West Coast, you expect fine Chinese
restaurants and Kirin doesn't disappoint. Cantonese cuisine with an emphasis on
seafood is presented in beautiful surroundings with elegant service.
Sun
Sui Wah Seafood Restaurant
3888 Main Street
(604)872-8822
Grand
King Seafood Restaurant
711 W. Broadway
(604)876-7855
Tin
Chu Chinese Restaurant
1945 Burrard Street
(604)733-6831
Koon Lock Seafood Restaurant
6270
Fraser Street
(604)327-8731
Imperial Garden
Restaurant
987 Granville Street
(604)689-3368
Day Tripping
Granville Island
is always a good place to start. The market opens at 9:00 am and that's when the
locals do their shopping, as it gets to be a "zoo" starting around noon
and parking is a problem. My suggestion is to browse the market with a cappuccino
or latte (yes -- Vancouver has become a coffee-obsessed city like Seattle) while
buying a picnic lunch. If you are not into fussing, try the great gourmet pizzas-to-go
at Pazazz in the Market. Right outside
the Market is the False Creek Ferry dock. These little passenger ferries connect
the north and south shore of False Creek for $1.50. Take your picnic basket and
board a ferry for the 10 - 15 minute trip to Vanier
Park/Maritime Museum's dock. You get a beautiful view of the city
from the ferry ride and you can picnic while watching the boats parade by or the
kite flyers do their thing.
While you are on that side of Vancouver, why not
check out the "other" beverage of choice in Vancouver -- tea. Tearoom
T at 2460 Heather Street (north of Broadway, between Oak &
Cambie) imports, custom-blends, scents, distributes, wholesales and retails over
250 varietals of the finest teas. They count numerous fine dining establishments
(Bishops, Star Anise, Chartwell, CinCin, C Restaurant...), cafes (Benny Bagels...)
and hotels (Four Seasons Vancouver, Four Seasons Seattle, Chateau Whistler, Waterfront
Centre...) as their clients. They hold tea tastings in the evening. Call Lana
Sutherland at 874-8320.
Bowen Island is a day trip that gives you a chance to get out on the ocean for a short ferry ride. Take Highway 1 to Horseshoe Bay. Park in one of the public parking lots and then board the ferry for Bowen Island. The ferry trip takes about 20 minutes and leaves about every hour except for a lunch break between the 12:05 pm sailing and the 2:30 pm sailing. If your timing is off and you have a while to wait, Horseshoe Bay is a resort town with restaurants and shops overlooking the harbour and a great First Nations shop called the Spirit Gallery. When you arrive in Snug Cove on Bowen Island you will notice that the "town" is only about 2 blocks long, don't despair, there are a couple of pubs, the most scenic being Doc Morgans on the boardwalk. Order a pint of Bowen Island Ale, some lunch and sit back on the deck and enjoy. If you are into walking, there are trails out of Snug Cove. If you like to hike or have brought your car, check out Artisan Square - a complex of shops and galleries at the top of the hill above town. Artisan Square is also home to La Mangerie where you can enjoy great views as well as homemade soups, breads, sandwiches, pastries and desserts. If you stay the evening, enjoy a candlelit dinner. For more on Bowen Island - check out their Chamber of Commerce website.
Whistler, BC is only a couple of hours away. I usually try to take first time visitors up there as it is a spectacular drive and destination. Leave Vancouver after 9:00 am to miss the rush hour traffic. Capers at 1675 Robson has ample parking and all you need for a brunch: good and healthy bakery items and the obligatory cappucino. Plan two to three hours for the trip to Whistler Village as you will probably stop along the way to gawk at the scenery. Chateau Whistler Hotel is a great place for a nice lunch. In the Village itself there are lots of restaurants to choose from.
When Snow Covers the Mountains
The
mountains are covered in snow and for British Columbians that means a trip to
Whistler, just two and a half hours from Vancouver. Here is a selection of great
dining places in and around Whistler Village. Reservations are a must especially
on the busy winter weekends.
La Rua
Chamois
Hotel
Whistler
(604) 932-5011
An eclectic menu with Mediterranean ingredients
and recipes in a starring role. Owner Mario Enero and Chef Doug Porter will temp
you to try other non Mediterranean specialties as well. A warm and elegant end
to a day on the slopes.
The Rim Rock Cafe
2101
Whistler Road
Whistler
(604) 932-5565
A Whistler institution with a
comfortable western mountain decor. The food is consistently good and comfortable
as well. No need to change your sporty attire or attitude.
Il
Caminetto di Umberto
4242 Village Stroll
Whistler Village
(604) 932-4442
Umberto Menghi spread his restaurant empire to Whistler
a few years ago to the delight of many devoted fans of his Northern Italian cuisine.
Il Caminetto is an elegant setting for celebrating and showcasing a menu that
has gotten better each year. Dress up and enjoy an evening on the town.
Wildwood
at the Chateau Whistler Resort
4599 Chateau Blvd
Whistler
(604)
938-8000
If you're not up on the slopes for lunch, this is probably the most
elegant and charming lunch spot in Whistler. The fabulous Chateau Whistler Hotel
is the backdrop for great food along with great views up the mountain.
Victoria, BC can be a day trip but a very long one. Try to get the earliest ferry possible as they fill up very fast. Don't even attempt the journey on Friday afternoon or Sunday afternoon as all us locals are on our way out of town as well. In order to travel and leave time to explore Victoria, be ready for an all day adventure. It takes about four hours from the time you leave Vancouver and arrive in Victoria. When I travel on business for just the day, I take the bus. At least then I can work, relax or nap going and coming. I always recommend that the first time visitor to Victoria have tea at the Empress Hotel (604) 389-2727. If for no other reason than telling everyone back home that you did it (they'll all expect you to anyway). No note on a trip to Vancouver Island would be complete without at least mentioning Sooke Harbour House (604) 642-3421. This wonderful inn and restaurant outside of Victoria is a mecca for serious travelers and diners from around the world. If you can handle adding another couple of hours to your trip go for an early dinner (breakfast and lunch are available only for the Inn's guests). They start serving dinner at 5:30. Reservations are a must and should be made well in advance of your trip. The owners, Fredrica and Sinclair Philip, have created a truly unique and beautiful establishment.
Pam Williams is an Internet marketing strategist, entrepreneur and educator specializing in marketing and communications. Her culinary accomplishments include: founder of the specialty chocolatier, au Chocolat; author and publisher of three cookbooks including the Canadian best selling chocolate cookbook, Oh Truffles.
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Note: This information was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the businesses in question before making your plans.