ElizR

Yes, I went shortly after it opened and am a big fan, too!! Glad you liked it, as that location seemed to have the kiss of death until India Bistro opened up.

We are going this Saturday. I'll post a review by Sunday evening. We have not been before and chose it primarily for that reason, so have no idea what to expect: heard it's good, though.

I heard about Whole Foods or some kind of market going in somewhere around the fairview slopes but I didn't realize they were going to drop it in that spot. Wow. A Whole Foods at that location would be so wonderful for my taste buds yet so evil for my wallet Did anyone catch the name of the place that is replacing Fog 'n Suds along lougheed highway? I rode past it but didn't quite remember the name. Some kinda grill. ← North Shore residents call it "Whole Paycheck" for a reason!

Last 3 places: CinCin for their early bird menu (I actually like eating early and take advantage of early bird offers fairly often). Excellent in all aspects, as one would expect from CinCin. Had the soup - sorry, can't quite recall what it was - spaghetti carbonara and tiramisu. I am a big fan of CinCin - their service is always top notch, their bread is some of the best I've had in Vancouver and the room is gorgeous. love it! Tony's Fish and Oyster Cafe in Granville Island. Go Fish was closed but we had a hankering for fish and chips. We both had cod and chips, and it was ok but not even close to Go Fish, who are thankfully open again. Cafe Pacifica for the Italian opera buffet. I managed to get a booking for the special $18 deal, and what a deal it was! I have had the opera buffet before and can say that the standard was maintained 100%, and even the featured singers were decent. I had as much as I could possibly eat in a couple of hours which was about 4 full plates of assorted Italian goodies - lots of antipasto, gnocchi, spaghetti, Italian sausages, and a piece of every dessert on offer. The wine was apparently at 1986 prices so we had a bottle of Quail's Gate Gewurztraminer which was acceptable - the wine list was short but there were some good deals. The whiskies and cocktails were also a deal at $5.50 or so each. Service was also good, but the room was not full - maybe there were a lot of no-shows which is a shame as they were apparently fully booked. Then I remembered why I rarely eat at buffets: the obligation to stuff myself always overrides the absolute certainty of the extreme discomfort I will feel shortly afterwards. Somehow I never learn!

There are also loads of copies available at Marquis on Davie.

I managed to get a booking for the opera cafe on Friday: at $18 it's a steal! But they only had openings at 5.30 and 8.30, so we had to go for the earlier time.

Have made bookings for Cru, Aurora (who did have plenty of space yesterday afternoon, and did return my call, so maybe call again annanstee), C, Bistro Pastis and Don Francesco. Am still seriously tempted to make a booking at Nu now that they are taking reservations, but my stomach may not hold out!

The Tomahawk Cafe in North Vancouver - finally. I have intended to try this place for ages, particularly as it is so close to work. Had a quick lunch of the Simon Baker burger (burger with bacon, cheese and mushrooms) with salad. Super tasty, and the quality of the meat was one of the best I have had in a burger. The only gripe would be that they do not do half salad/half fries with the burger. I also chickened out of the Mixed Grill but will have it one of these days. Polish Deli on 500 block of Kingsway. A simple lunch of soup and bread, but one of the most satisfying lunches all year: the soup was cabbage and sausage and has to be one of the best soups I have ever had!! Only $3.50 for a huge bowl, too!! Mistral. I have wanted to go since it opened and was not disappointed. I had the Pissaladiere to start, and the flavours were very well balanced. I also like the fact it came with a salad. Main course was the special - beef tenderloin with carrots, peas and fries. Fabulous!! I like my beef rare and find that it is quite unusual for restaurants to get it right, but this was perfect. Finished with the apple tart which was also very competently executed. Bf had the goat's cheese salad to start and reported it was delicious; the cassoulet for the main- exceeded expectations there, too; and the belle Helene to finish. We swapped deserts half way, and we both agreed that the pear dessert was a bit insubstantial, but maybe that's just the way it's meant to be. We only had a glass of wine each, but did think that the list was a little short. Overall a most pleasant evening, and we will be back.

Of course, Delilahs! Good times are definitely to be had there.

There are so many places in the West End that, despite having written a list yesterday, there were some I forgot that have subsequently been mentioned. Yes, the Dish is great place for a healthy and cheap lunch, and the soups have always been delicious. I've also only visited Zagros once but would go again; the food is relatively cheap but fresh.

I'd second the recommendations made above and add a few: India Bistro on Davie at Thurlow - good, fresh Indian food and welcoming atmosphere - this has been a very unfortunate location and several eating places have opened and closed here over the past few years, but there always seem to be people in whenever ! walk past. Olympia Seafood on Thurlow at Robson - reliably decent fish and chips but closes around 7.30 Cafe Luxy on Davie at Jervis - huge portions if you are looking for a carb overload The Hermitage and Caffe de Medici on Robson at Thurlow - fine dining and always good Le Gavroche on Alberni at Cardero - excellent French food in a heritage house - great place for a romantic dinner. Happy eating

Went there on Valentine's Day this year, and it was excellent. Service was seamless and all the food courses were enjoyable, even though they were slammed. I'd agree that it is kind of an institution and is consistent in its offering.

Yes, I went there last year mainly because it was in the Entertainment Book (and is again this year). No, I don't recommend it: it is mediocre at best and I was not impressed with the food, service, or decor. IMHO you'd be much better off going to the Raincity Grill any evening between 5 and 6 to have their early bird menu (which I have had many, many times and highly recommend). Hope that helps.

In Vancouver I tend to tip 12-15% on the before tax amount, but will give a larger percentage if the bill is very small (say under $20 each person). I have no problem not tipping or leaving a very small tip if the service is very poor as, after all, waitstaff are paid minimum wage and there are a lot of people out there who work just as hard but earn no tips. I am from the UK where tipping is often a cursory $5 or so left on the table top, but I do adhere to the saying "when in Rome..." so do try to respect local norms. My parents when they visit Vancouver have a hard time with this and think that even 10% is excessive!

Count me in too

The tuxedo cake was recommended by a friend a while ago, and it is a pretty decent dessert as far as supermarkets go: the price is also very reasonable. I have been a Sen5es Stilton cheesecake devotee since my first cake around 4 years ago. Thomas Haas also used to do a Hazelnut chocolate dome, my second choice, but haven't seen it there for a couple of years.

My brother loves very salty liquorice candy, and I usually send him some for Christmas. My source, a Dutch deli in Lansdowne Mall, has closed and I cannot find it anywhere. I have tried Capers, Choices, looked briefly in Whole Foods and all the usual supermarkets but cannot find the very salty liqourice (he is fine with either soft or hard). There is a tiny selection at a Russian deli in the west end, but I'd like to send him a decent amount. Any suggestions? Thanks

Hi, I have to confess to being a big doughnut enthusiast, and can add my name to the Honey's fan club. What I particularly like is that they are not over-sweet; kind of an "adult-oriented" doughnut. Will have to check out that place in North Van, too.

Hi, Yes, I tried the West early bird a few months ago, and can highly recommend it. Food is up to the regular West standard and the portions are a decent size; the service is impeccable. Raincity Grill also used to do a $22 3 course early bird between 5 and 6 every evening which was an excellent deal too. Eliz

Hi there, OK, I have been lurking here for about a year, so it's about time I "came out". Last 3 places: The Hermitage: great place IMHO and a real trusty standby for a decent dinner. interestingly, I can't recall reading anything about it on this forum. I like everything about this place: the service is always excellent - professional, attentive and courteous; the food is reliably good; I like the decor of the room- it has a warm and inviting feeling to it; and we never feel rushed even if the place is busy, which it usually is when we have been there. If I can recall correctly we each had the soup (asparagus) - nice and velvety, bf had the venison and he declared it one of the best dishes he has had in a long time, I had the halibut with chanterelle mushrooms - no complaints there either. For dessert, the sorbet and apple tart - both a pleasant end to a relaxing and convivial evening. Oh, and the drinks - I had a Manhattan to start - and we shared a bottle of wine (sorry can't remember what type etc, or even if it was red or white - I am no wine connoisseur). Delilah's: this was my first visit but will not be the last. We had the "cheapo" $28 three course menu and it was pretty decent - terrine to start, chicken for the main course and hazelnut ice cream to finish. Again, a pleasant and warm room with animated service. I don't know what's with marking the items you want on the menu - never seen that before. We just missed the entertainment - drag act - , but will make an effort to go back for that sometime soon. Tim Hortons: Always the same - BLT soup combo with vegetable soup and diet coke. BTW: given another discussion currently on the Vancouver thread I'd like to say that I do not work in the restaurant industry and have no kind of affiliation with any of the above restaurants. Eliz.