Our Faves

Chocoatl

1127 Mainland Street, Vancouver, BC, V6B 5P2

Rated this place:

posted Jul 4 2008

Cocoa and truffles: One of the first cocoa bars to grace the city, and still my favourite of them all. Intriguing truffle flavours like tequila, tobacco, fennel, and balsamic vinegar keep me coming back to sample them all.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Cocoa and truffles

Boneta

1 West Cordova, Vancouver, BC, V6E 1C6

Rated this place:

posted Aug 2 2008

Note: My favourite bar in the city. Choose from their outstanding lineup of classic cocktails or tell them to surprise you.

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

Salt Tasting Room

45 Blood Alley, Vancouver, V6B 1C7

Rated this place:

posted Aug 2 2008

Wine & cheese: I'd brave its dubious location in Blood Alley to sample its always changing offerings of cheese, charcuterie, and libations. Every bottle in their cellar pairs very well with the food selection. Don't miss the chance to try their Similkameen honeycomb!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• wine & cheese

Alpha Global Sushi & Bar

1099 Richards Street, Vancouver, BC, V6B3E4

Rated this place:

posted Aug 6 2008

Note: Izakayas are meant to be bars first, food stops second, but Vancouver izakayas seem to have lost sight of that. Thankfully, the drinks at Alpha never fail to impress.

Japanese tapas: This izakaya offers more inventive dishes and drinks than the average Japanese tapas bar in downtown Vancouver. Current favourites include the mentaiko udon, miso teriyaki beef, and the tuna garlic pepper. Interesting fresh sheet items such as Pimp My Tofu and I Am On Fire (cassis, brandy, lime martini). More info on Tiny Bites: http://tiny.cc/xqd8b

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Japanese tapas

AGRO Café

1207 Hamilton Street, Vancouver, BC, V6B6K3

Rated this place:

posted Aug 14 2008

Coffee: They've got a Clover, which makes as fresh a cup of coffee as I've ever tasted, and with minimal waste. Ever the green establishment, their takeout cups are compostable, and they donate their used grinds and cups to the UBC farm for their compost. More info on Tiny Bites: http://tiny.cc/oERdL

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

Raincity Grill

1193 Denman Street, Vancouver, V6G 2N1

Rated this place:

posted Aug 19 2008

Note: Hyper-regional wine list hand picked by sommelier Brent Hayman. Go here to sample the best of BC, Washington, Oregon, and the northern tip of California.

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

The Reef

1018 Commerical Drive, Vancouver, BC, V5L3W9

Rated this place:

posted Aug 22 2008

Caribbean restaurant: They make fine mojitos and carry a huge selection of rums and Caribbean cocktails. I swear by their oxtail stew...can never bring myself to try any other entree but that! More photos: http://tinyurl.com/6c95c2

Secret Garden Tea Co

5559 West Blvd, Vancouver, BC, V6M3W6

Rated this place:

posted May 1 2009

Perfect for a tea party: Of the handful of places that offer afternoon (high) tea in the city, this one handles large groups with aplomb. Sittings are every day at noon, 2pm, and 4pm in an atmosphere of mismatched china, silver trays, and tea cosies.

Caffe Artigiano

763 Hornby Street , Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1S2

Rated this place:

posted May 1 2009

Superior roasts and prize baristas: Vancouver is spoiled when it comes to artisanal coffee. Our city's reputation as a coffee destination is thanks in no small part to the efforts of Caffé Artigiano and its exclusive roaster, 49th Parallel. Have your gourmet caffeine fix artifully prepared by baristas that have won accolades around the world.

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.

Bacchus Restaurant & Lounge

845 Hornby St, Vancouver, BC, V6Z1V1

Rated this place:

posted May 1 2009

Boutique high tea: The Wedgwood Hotel, home of Bacchus Restaurant, holds a special place in my heart, being the boutique hotel we honeymooned at three years ago. Sadly, it took three years for me to try Bacchus, as much as it had been a permanent fixture on my wishlist. If you go for afternoon tea there, make it at least a party of 6 so that you can grab a table against the sexy esses of their velvet purple settees.

T Room Bakery & Kitchenware

4445 10th Avenue West, Kitsilano, V6J 5L1

Rated this place:

posted May 5 2009

Modern afternoon tea: This is my favourite place for high tea to date...and I'm on a mission to try them all. With the $16 mini tea, you get a 3-tier tray of dainties that run you $30 at other establishments. (They have a $26 option but I cannot imagine ordering larger quantities than what the mini-tea gives!) T Room may not have the English charm of Secret Garden, but it has its own modern coziness, from the stainless steel teapots to the scroll of tea choices tied with a pretty green bow.

Uva Wine Bar

900 Seymour Street, Vancouver, BC

Rated this place:

posted May 12 2009

Wine, lunch and espresso in Yaletown: Never mind that Uva is literally next door to where I live. That's just a bonus. It's my go-to place for a morning cappucino and my office-away-from-my-office when I need to organize a business lunch. Free wifi care of Moda Hotel. Say hi to Michele at the espresso bar - he'll take good care of you. Not in the area before 2pm? Hang out after 5pm when Uva does its thing as one of the hippest wine bars in town.

Artisan SakeMaker

1339 Railspur Alley, Vancouver, BC, V6H 4G9

Rated this place:

posted May 12 2009

Artisan sake in the heart of Granville Island: I've had the pleasure of meeting the amiable Masa Shiroki, the man behind Artisan SakeMaker and his line of Osake artisan sakes. I fell in love with the Osake nigori (an unfiltered sake) when Masa paired it with Memphis Blues ribs...an unusual but effective combination. I look for the Osake line at every Japanese restaurant I visit.

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