My wife, her friend, two kids?

[Matt R.]

My wife, our two kids, and her friend are planning on a lunch/dinner date in Vancouver this weekend. Her friend now lives in Japan, but spent years living in Vancouver.

Can anyone out there give a recommendation on lunch and dinner spots for such a crowd? My wife and her friend are ~30, and our kids are 3.5 and 1.5 and tempered accordingly. ie: my little guy is right now stuffing cd-rom's into the paper shredder (don't worry, it's not plugged in) because he can. Hoping to avoid White Spot. :) My wife is taking our car, but I think someplace in town is preferable. She will be staying at my Uncle's house in Shaughnessy.

Thanks;

-- Matt.

[nwyles]

Send them down early, I have two high chairs and one booster. They can walk around Yaletown after dinner, give her your credit card and send them to Urban Fare to pick up a few essentials

[Chef Metcalf]

When I was an expat, my first stop on the way home from the airport used to be the White Spot for a triple "O" burger.

Times have changed though (take note White Spot) and now that they're not using the same buns and fries and have substituted cheap alternatives (after they got there liquor licence for a bar seating and are trying to become Milestones/Earls/ yada yada instead of a burger joint like they have been for the last 55 years)...I have no interest in going there.

K, I'm done.

Back on topic.....how bout the Red Door?

Kids, chopsticks, lunch...it could work.

Here's the link but you'll have to seach lifestyles/David and Goliath.

cm

[Paul B]

Dim sum is always a good bet. Our little ones practically grew up in the Flamingo on Fraser south of Kingsway.

[Yummy]

Granville Island might be perfect for some girlfriend time providing lots of distraction for kids.

For lunch, they can get some sandwiches in the market, leisurely stroll to the little park on the entrance of granville island, eat, talk, feed the kids, and talk some more while the kids play on the nearby playground or watching the ducks.

Rainy day alternative, I'd suggest Kirin Restaurant on Alberni between Burrard and Thurlow (downtown).

They have superb dim sum items:

- sticky rice (soft, melt in your mouth, and most importantly, loaded with good stuff like eggs and beef, not just rice)

- prawn with chives in clear skin dumpling (very tasty)

- tofu with mushroom

- shark fin dumpling soup (again, very tasty)

and also the best Tan Tan Noodle in town

thin egg noodle (fresh) in meat (ground beef) and light peanut sauce

Great thing about dim sum, you never have to rush or worry about noisy kids.

[Andrew Morrison]

Matt, I think you should probably do a pilgrimage to the HSG and have a wander around Yaletown. Beyond that, maybe Adesso in Kits (just a stone's throw from the beach).

[lauraf]

If you're staying in Shaughnessy, what about the Tomato Cafe on Cambie? Casual, kid friendly, fresh ingredients, lots of variety. Better option that the Milestones/Earls chain-restaurant thing.

[Luciano Loi]

Matt, I think you should probably do a pilgrimage to the HSG and have a wander around Yaletown. Beyond that, maybe Adesso in Kits (just a stone's throw from the beach).

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Funny you should mention that Andrew. We have had a surprising number of young couples with little ones dining in our small private alcove at the front of the restaurant. Because there are no other diners within the vicinity, they feel comfortable and keep coming back.

Cheers

Carol at Adesso

[butter]

Matt, I think you should probably do a pilgrimage to the HSG and have a wander around Yaletown. Beyond that, maybe Adesso in Kits (just a stone's throw from the beach).

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Adesso doesn't strike me as being "kid friendly" so I'm confused about this recommendation unless they do takeout that you can enjoy on the beach. I think there was a discussion about this, anyone have the link?

Sun Sui Wah on Main Street is very friendly...I have enjoyed many innocent faces there.