surfer_dream

Outstanding applause!! Finally something new and well done for Vancouver!

Hey all, I have been away for some time and heading back to Van from New York tomorrow and I can't wait to have dinner at Cioppino's my absolute favorite! Can anybody give me a quick update on what's new and where to eat - I'm out as of Thursday so I want to make the best of it!! Need to take two business clients our for dinner on the Monday and Tuesday - I've already booked Pino's for Wednesday... I have read about Ocean Club/Rare/Lolita's and Aurora Bistro. cheers sd

Just arrived back to this wonderful city - travelling the last 4 months on business and always return to Pino's!! We had a business luncheon this past week - I guess you can say the Marketing Teams got together from all over and had some Festive Cheer - 7 of us in all and the food is always fantastic. I must say that though Pino is in a league of his own - he does it well. An absolutely amazing Wine List where Pino himself makes the recommendations. Ate at Aureole in Las Vegas last week before arriving here and truly one of the best meals I have ever had - kudos to Charlie Palmer!! Only here till the 27th and then off again so I have lots of catching up to do. Anybody recommend some great eats currently in the city? sd

Change is always good and sometimes looonnnggg over due!! Alexeandra Gill has the spite and Andrew Morrison is the class act - it would be great to have them proceed with double reviews for Van Mag. It is all about change isn't it?

Honestly well I should really say where is it - honesty I mean! I'm extremely meticulous to details especially since this is something that is in my field of employ and when it comes to the realization that your info is 100% true, it leaves me little desire to ever take to my palate what certain critiques have to say. I must say that I do enjoy catching up on issues of mags as I travel quite extensively and I just shake my head and put a smile on my face that, well I guess his/her dinner was just paid and complimented with a nice bottle of wine?? There has definitely been more than once when I have attended such gatherings that attendees all have the same thoughts under their breath! Perhaps if you ask around you can already be informed of who is going to be the Best Restaurant, Best New and perhaps who enjoys the most complimentary Heinikens. Same old, same old. I was in for the awards and stayed just to see some past fellow colleagues as it really is the only time a can catch up with all that is new and of course hearing the same old - nothing changes! My question for the the judges and please do not take this as a downright 'bash' for those places ever voted, can they honestly say they know what is happening in the scene or is just a question of accumulative freebies? As per your comment based on editorial driven ad content, this is not the first time I've heard or actually seen this. Purchase 3 local food mags and review the ad content over a couple of years and it is exactly what you are stating - place a 5-10,000 dollar ad and hey you can always be the best - after all you are paying my hefty salary and feeding myself and my family most gratuitously. I therefore cannot complain - Next time replace the foi gras with tripe and see where that gets you - and oh yes of course the numerous imported beer! A good friend of mine was an editor at Where Magazine, and I can confirm that the editorial content is completely ad-driven. You buy an ad, you get a favourable review. My friend was quite skilled at "finding the silver lining" when necessary. I can't imagine that the awards are any different. ←

Neil, Only had a quick few minutes to check out the Launch Party at the Opus, great food from Grace-Simply Thai, dumplings were exquisite! Sean Riley-Coast Restaurant,awesome jog as always, the peanut butter truffles were to die for! Browns and Elixir always commendable. In the media world you guys have shaken things up a bit - PRESS FORWARD! CHALLENGE THE STATUS QUO!

A sin indeed but don't make the amuse smaller...it was SO good! The ToY menu is excellent, Neil, and amazing value. Our guests from Ottawa found it hard to believe that a meal of that quality could be had for that price. ←

Attended the Awards last week and then off to Taste of Yaletown Media Launch. Congrats to Bluewater, food was outstanding! Taste of Yaletown, you guys are off to a great start! Good Luck!

hey all, just arrived back from 6 wks vacation - Italy, Greece, Spain, Morocco and now that I am here I need to settle down and get back to reality! I guess you can say that it is only fair that there is time to play and then there is time that one must get down and work... hard work! this past weekend was my first weekend back and as I venture out I decide to head out to West Broadway for a quick brunch by myself to slowly break out of my cocoon of the last 6 wks. I ask myself where to eat and thought of the same old places but my palate wanted to discover something new, something trendy, something exciting! where does that leave me - nowhere! But I do recall this past Thursday evening while having an over priced martini at Opus and eaves dropping on a next table conversation - I recall he was a floor manager of the new Kits Beach restaurant called - Watermark - it was a great night $15,000.00 in sales on the first night who can complain! Hell, why not - I headed for Kits Beach and after spending nearly 20 minutes to find parking as everything is 'except by permit' my temperature started to match that of the pelting sun on my forehead. Low and behold there is no signage except on the beach side of the restaurant and in driving by you would think that it was the most luxurious washroom on the beach with hand assisted wipes and a spray of D&G - just kidding but appropriate signs would be a major help! As I am nearing the front of this place I get a slight anxiety attack for what I am about to experience - if this place cost $5.3 million to build I am sure this is going to be my new weekend haunt. I walked by a concession stand with a couple of people in it but really did not pay that much attention and found out later that it is all the same operation - I will come back and check this out at a later date. I was greeted on the main door by a timid young lady who just needs some training on how to welcome people as this being the first impression my anxiety started to change into slight disappointment. If you are going to do it then do it right from the very beginning - it is the small details that everyone notices and these are usually neglected! Okay, as I head for the stairs and reach the hostess stand my thoughts are wow, this is beautiful! the hostess comes over and as per the norm I choose to sit outside on this deck overlooking the beach - very comfy and the 'eye candy' is great to keep one entertained. After a few minutes my waiter arrives with a wine list (- reasonable and affordable) and a lunch menu. I am so excited to try something new that as I salvitate for a great eggs benny I am dissappointed as this menu has NO egg dishes! What is this all about? half of the appetizers are not available as the kitchen opened too soon? !#? I don't care, I came here for the experience and to calm my hunger. another dissappointment that sends a bead of sweat down my forehead. I choose my J Lohr Merlot and upon the return of my waiter I mention the egg dishes and he states the brunch menu will not be in effect for one month - my goodness what the hell is this - came here just to rearrange my normal weekend routine and NO EGGS! Okay, once again I sit back and watch a table of 4 get up and leave as they feel the same way I do, I decide that after the hassle of getting here, put up with it as change is good! I decide on two appetizers - tuna tartar, definitely not ahi grade and it was more like ground beef in texture with grey poor quality topped with tempura greens - literally disgusting to eat and black lumpfish caviar - dive in, caviar off to the side and the only thing that is missing with this canned jambon is a crouton of sorts. my other choice was salted tempura tiger prawns - just okay, nothing to soften my attack so I ordered a coffee and chocolate cake for dessert. coffee came with no sugar the lady at the table next to me had to lend me her spoon and in returning the favor I gave her my sugar bowl when her coffee arrived - attentive waiter, what happened to the basics - where is the manager overseeing this operation and who is doing the quality check? oops there goes a table of three - NO EGGS, catch the drift boys before the undertoe grabs you. (forgot to mention that my rollup containing my cutlery - the knife was somewhat soiled, hmm not so good for a first impression) overall, if I had to rate the experience I would give it tops '4' out of 10 as nothing really satisfied my anxiety. I guess all the hoopla about the $15,000 first night had me transfixed that it would be better than experienced. The old saying "don't always believe what you hear until you try it yourself" is just oh so true! take my word for it, after the immense wealth of experience the owner has, I hope the management team can uphold the recognition he deserves! if you can't do it and do it right the first time then find someone who can - beautiful place, just a shame it is not ready from the get go - the foul language from the waitstaff is nothing to be desired

my first choice would be glowbal grill and satay bar followed by Provence or the Quay. love the Yaletown crowd on weekends! staying in a hotel the concierge would be a great help??

revasser, just got back from a long vacation and am quickly skimming through the various threads and yours caught my attention for a mere second! off site catering by restaurants is really rarely done because of the usual high overhead BUT - i was fortunate enough to attend to functions catered by glowbal catering - one in Whistler for a private diamond mine owner - unbelievable - seared foi gras, crab risotto, sushi, oyster-lobster and prawn bar absolutely top marks with excellent execution. personally when you are surrounded by people with money and lots of it you better not fail - they showed everyone how to do it right! I also was asked to attend a private BMW event with all the top CEO's and glowbal once again set the standards high and delivered it well. not sure if they have info on their website but it is worth checking out!

Hey, I agree that Go Fish has got top marks for some of the cities best fish and chips but while you are formulating your list you just might want to check out COAST Restaurant on Hamilton... according to Casey Wilson - food critic, they not only have the best chowder but by her recommendation the cities best fish and chips as well - complete with all the pomp and circumstance with English newspaper liner and the whole nine yards!! Try it as I was there last Friday night and experienced for myself - AWESOME!!

I would have to say that Bluewater is on the list but a bit pricey for what you get. Coast Restaurant is supposedly a hotspot- was there for Mom's Brunch and place was packed - amazing benny with house smoked wild salmon - Mom was glad and all were pleased, what else is there to say!! Anyone receiving FoodService and Hospitality magazine, this restaurant is on the front cover with a great article inside to boot - kudos to them, this place is beautiful. Also mentioned in the latest issue of Bon Apetit Magazine - what a power play!!

What can I say here that would top what Lee says... another self-acclaimed Vancouver food critic AM's with more baggage than she knows what to do with. I admire this forums content but when I here a critic just spouting verbal diahrrea for the sake of making a penny makes me gag and my stomach turn. I have eaten a Lily Kates several times and yes it is definitely expensive. Coffee is way to strong, soups are great, weekend brunch bring a credit card with '0' balance. Eventually they will set their mark but need to make some heedy changes asap before they are truly underwritten...