Our Faves

Boneta

1 West Cordova, Vancouver, BC, V6E 1C6

Rated this place:

posted Aug 2 2008

Note: I've had the ling cod, arctic char, and sablefish at Boneta and every one was tender and moist on the inside and crisped on the outside. Lip smackers, all.

Gnocchi: It resists the attack of your fork yet melts with impossible softness the moment it meets your mouth. I oohed and aahed until my plate was scraped clean. More on Boneta: http://tiny.cc/zdjyD

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Gnocchi

Mr. Pickwick's Fish & Chips

8620 Granville Street, Vancouver, V6P 5A1

Rated this place:

posted Aug 17 2008

Deep-fried mars bar, Fish and chips: Presentation is simple but gorgeous; taste is lighter than air. Not bad for a little food kiosk where everything is dunked in oil. More on Tiny Bites: http://tinyurl.com/6fk7kz

A bounty of seafood is available at Mr. Pickwick's, including clams, squid, and oysters. Batter is crispy and impossibly light for something that's been deep-fried. Thumbs up for joining Green Table and for switching to compostable take-away containers! More on Tiny Bites: http://tinyurl.com/6fk7kz

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• deep-fried mars bar

Raincity Grill

1193 Denman Street, Vancouver, V6G 2N1

Rated this place:

posted Aug 19 2008

Trout: The trout dish I had at Raincity Grill in summer 2006 propelled the establishment into the #1 spot of my Vancouver Restaurant Top 5. One of the few restaurants that I trust to cook my fish to perfection.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• trout

Rodney's Oyster House

1228 Hamilton St #405, Vancouver, BC, V6B6L2

Rated this place:

posted Apr 29 2009

Racy times on the halfshell: Rodney's is my favourite stop for oysters in the city. If you're looking to be entertained, sit at the bar and chat with the gregarious staff, garbed in suggestive tees (and more) that can be purchased for out-of-restaurant adventures.

Tomato Fresh Food Cafe

2486 Bayswater Street, VANCOUVER, BC, V6K2G6

Rated this place:

posted May 1 2009

Note: Beautiful sablefish last time I was there. Scallops were a little on the done side but that could have been because I had been letting it sit for 10 minutes while I took photo after photo.

Notable pastry list: Tomato Cafe had a devout following at its original Cambie corridor location before Olympic cityworks prompted a store move to the Kitsilano district. You can still find die-hards frequenting the place for organic, seasonal, and mostly seafood dishes. As for me...I'm a fan of their pastry chef!

Chambar

562 Beatty Street, Vancouver, BC, V6B2L3

Rated this place:

posted May 1 2009

Go for the mussels: When one thinks of good eats in Crosstown, Chambar is usually the first thing that comes to mind. Friends swear by this Belgian bistro, citing heavenly meals and drinks to match. In my personal experience, the mussels alone are worth the trip. Chill at the bar or lounge with your mussels and martini before heading to Gastown for more nightlife.

West Restaurant + Bar

2881 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC

Rated this place:

posted May 5 2009

Note: It's already tough to criticize West for cooking anything improperly, but I haven't had a seafood dish there to date that hasn't knocked my socks off.

A must for gourmands: West is easily one of the premiere restaurants in Vancouver. My husband and I were recently invited to a winemaker's dinner with Road 13 for the International Wine Fest. My husband leaned over after the 4th course and whispered, "This is the best meal I've ever had!" before going back to clearing his plate. It's got a high price point, but if you can afford the dollars, you will get the quality that that kind of spend warrants.