Our highly subjective ranking of the best places to eat and drink right
now:
Best
Business Lunch: Hawksworth
When someone important comes to
town, this is where you take them. Sit under the Damien Hirst in the bar
for a glass of Henriot, then head into the elegant-yet-cool dining room.
Order the apple and beet salad (a masterpiece of execution) and
whichever fish or pasta is offered that day and youll have sealed your
deal. Hawksworth, 801 W. Georgia St., Vancouver, 604-673-7000, www.hawksworthrestaurant.com
Best Yoga Brunch: Che
Baba Cantina
Something about this new restaurant reminds me
of my parents Volkswagen van (The batik? The starburst cushions? The
three shades of brown?) Still, the haute hippie vibe (its below a yoga
studio on a gentrified strip of East Van) feels right now, as does the
grilled polenta topped with poached eggs and pulled pork with a side of
gently tossed arugula. Bliss. Che Baba Cantina, 603 Kingsway,
604-558-1519, www.chebaba.ca
Best
Lobby Bar: Fairmont Pacific Rim Lobby Lounge and Terrace
The
scent of jasmine floats overhead in this lofty and bright space warmed
with couches and a floating fireplace. Theres the requisite white grand
piano for traditionalists, yet the vibe feels pan-Asian at this
indoor/outdoor space where sashimi and oysters, rather than tea
sandwiches, are the order of the day. Fairmont Pacific Rim, 1038 Canada
Pl., Vancouver, 604-695-5300, www.fairmont.com
Best Dim
Sum: Kirin
Views of the mountains and City Hall, white
tablecloths, attentive table service: this is where chefs eat on Sunday,
in rounds of 12. Crispy, spicy squid, scallop and pea shoot dumplings,
plus all the dim sum favourites you know and love. Kirin, 555 W. 12
Ave., Third Floor, Vancouver, 604-879-8038, www.kirinrestaurants.com
Best Street
Meat: Meat & Bread
Ok, so technically there are seats,
though they are probably all full. Luckily theres a swift turn of foodie
hipsters who know their porchetta from their brisket at this
smartly-conceived concept that would be right at home in Williamsburg or
Londons East End. Meat & Bread, 370 Cambie St., Vancouver, 604-566-9003, www.meatandbread.ca
Best Bar Snacks: Boneta
Sure
the new restaurant is a fishbowl (quite literally with walls of glass)
but the back bar off Blood Alley is a lovely place to spend an intimate
hour before a show, bonding over excellent microgreens, house-made
octopus chips, warm bread and wines paired by the inimitable sommelier
Neil Ingram. Boneta, 12 Water St., Vancouver, 604-684-1844, www.boneta.ca
Best
Out-of-Vancouver Experience: Medina
Breakfast and lunch via
the Ivory Coast, France and Spain (think merguez tagines and Paella), or
Belgian waffles, both savoury and sweet, make this Crosstown destination
a cosmopolitan hotspot. Medina, 556 Beatty St., Vancouver, 604-879-3114, www.medinacafe.com
Best Restaurant
that isnt Vijs: Rangoli
Yes, you can wait in line for two
hours to get into Vijs. Or leave the mutton to the sheep and head to its
sister restaurant next door where dishes are swiftly served by excellent
staff in a modern Indian room. Black chickpea fritters and a glass of
Gewürz: what else could you want? Rangoli, 1488 W. 11th Ave., Vancouver,
604-736-5711, www.vijsrangoli.com
Best Threesome: ReFuel,
Campagnolo,
and Campagnolo
Roma
Some of the best dinners weve had in the past year have
been from the team behind this culinary trifecta. We especially like
Campagnolo for its central location and Tuesday night $19 prix-fixe,
which may be as simple as fennel sausages, peppers and polenta, but
perfectly so. Campagnolo, 1020 Main St., Vancouver, 604-484-6018, www.campagnolorestaurant.ca,
ReFuel, 1944 W. 4th Ave., Vancouver, 604 288-7905, www.refuelrestaurant.com,
Campagnolo Roma, 2297 Hastings St., Vancouver, 604-569-0456, www.campagnoloroma.com
Best
Patisserie: Thierry
New, yet already evolved enough to be an
international brand. Yes, you can order a glass of red wine at 9 p.m.
with your Hazelnut choux: Thats progress. A Pear Charlotte purchased
here will be the hit of your next dinner party (along with your pithy
repartee). Thierry, 1059 Alberni St., 604-609-6870, www.thierrychocolates.com
Sarah Bancroft
share:
Be the first to comment