Your Quintessential Vancouver Eatery

Posted by Colleen
Filed in Food
February 27, 2007

2272007Robson.VanFood.jpg I've been scouring my brain for days now. I have a good friend and business partner coming into town from the US Midwest for the first time ever, on Thursday. We are planning to go for dinner Thursday night to discuss the presentation he's coming into town for and I can not decide where to take him.

I'm trying to find a restaurant that epitomizes Vancouver, a place that's not only yummy, but is very... well, Vancouver.

Because we've also got to discuss business, as well as every "ooh shiny!" moment we come across, (it happens a lot with us), we need a place that's not too noisy, not a chain, really damn good, and nothing he could find anywhere else. Oh, and they have to be ok with us staying for a long time (that ooh shiny thing again).

I had considered Fortes; with their fish, chops, oysters and steak options, they can satisfy even the hungriest American. It's also one of the restaurants that I think of when I think 'Vancouver'. I also considered Wild Rice - it's a gem among Vancouver restaurants and they have Township 7 on their wine list! That's enough of a reason to go for me.

But now, I'm wondering if I'm missing out on something amazing... something that I can't even think of anymore because I've now decided to go out for dinner. So, thoughts? Where would you go? What are your favourite Vancouver restaurants?

Image originally uploaded by KK and used under a creative commons license.

Reader Reviews and Comments

Submit a Review or Comment

How 'bout Salmon House in West Van? Quintessential west coast, and a fantastic view of the city.

Posted by: Warwick at February 27, 2007 8:56 PM | Quote Comment

Take 'em out BrokeAssStudentEastVan style! Breakfast at Bon's, Pho or ghetto slice at Fatih's for lunch, liquor store at Kingsgate Mall with Orange Julius for snack, Foundation or Budgie's for dinner. Split an 8 of Pils or hit the Brickhouse (if you have money left over) for a nightcap.

Oh yeah, this is over the course of the week. If your friend's flying in, maybe it's on the company's dime, so hit up Lumiere or some izakaya then...

Posted by: c. at February 27, 2007 9:09 PM | Quote Comment

Face it. You can't avoid it. It's Earls.

Posted by: Derek K. Miller at February 27, 2007 9:28 PM | Quote Comment

AHH! no! not earls! (altho that was suggested to me.) gah.

I could handle Saltlik, but Earl's?? nooooo.

Posted by: colleen at February 27, 2007 9:34 PM | Quote Comment

How about the Rain City Grill? Very tasty, good service, lovely view of English Bay Sunset, and I'd say it's quite Vancouver-ish.

Posted by: David at February 27, 2007 10:42 PM | Quote Comment

Here are a few suggestions:

Bishop's
West
Raincity Grill
Lumiere
"C" Restaurant
Rare One
Aurora Bistro

All are emblematic of where Vancouver is as a food city. Some more than others, perhaps, but this is a good list from which to narrow things down.

PS. These restaurants are also relatively quiet, but never sedate. Expect plenty of shiny, too.

Posted by: Andrew Morrison at February 27, 2007 11:11 PM | Quote Comment

The Naam?

Posted by: anonymous at February 27, 2007 11:33 PM | Quote Comment

I would add "Gastropod" on W. 4th as well as "Lift" in Coal Harbour to Andrew's fine list.

Posted by: RainCity at February 28, 2007 1:54 AM | Quote Comment

this thread is making me hungry.... ;)

Posted by: degan at February 28, 2007 9:16 AM | Quote Comment

RAIN CITY GRILL all the way. 100 mile menus. Awesome vermicelli. Thursday is not too busy. I'm the dishwasher there.

Posted by: jericho Carlos at February 28, 2007 3:38 PM | Quote Comment

i used to wash dishes at Rain City too, and can attest to the food there actually being the best food i've ever eaten in my life.

Posted by: statusq at February 28, 2007 10:44 PM | Quote Comment

wow, apparently your mates have money to burn. not all quintessentially vancouver restaurants cost a month's rent to eat at. however, there is one pricey, beautifully vancouver eatery that hasn't been mentioned ... vij's! just as vancouver as rob feenie or john bishop if you ask me. which you did.

cheaper and also very tasty are
the naam (said already, but i'll reiterate. totally van man),
chambar,
and monsoon before it's gone ...

Posted by: gi at March 1, 2007 1:05 AM | Quote Comment

I would add Parkside to the restos already mentionnned.

Posted by: Chris at March 1, 2007 2:57 PM | Quote Comment

Where did you end up going? I hope you'll write a review!

Posted by: degan at March 5, 2007 2:16 PM | Quote Comment

in the end, we ended up at Fortes. I couldn't decide, and so I sent him all the menus of the places I was trying to decide from, and he chose fortes. It was as good as I remember, and I had a lovely, buttery black cod that made my mouth water as soon as I smelt it.

I am, however, planning on going to the RainCity Grill for their 100 Mile menu in the next few weeks. Definitely something i'm drooling over.

Posted by: colleen at March 17, 2007 4:27 PM | Quote Comment

Szechuan Chong King.....

Commercial and 12'th!!!!!!

Posted by: anonymous at March 21, 2007 7:45 PM | Quote Comment