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Lunch on a Saturday?


Badiane

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Friends from Seattle are coming next weekend and staying at the Wedgewood. Can someone please recommend a lunch spot in the vicinity? Is Diner open for lunch on Saturdays? Anything will do, just please help me because they want to go to the Naam :sad: and I will do just about anything to avoid that.

Thanks :smile:

Don't try to win over the haters. You're not the jackass whisperer."

Scott Stratten

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Friends from Seattle are coming next weekend and staying at the Wedgewood.  Can someone please recommend a lunch spot in the vicinity?  Is Diner open for lunch on Saturdays?  Anything will do, just please help me because they want to go to the Naam  :sad:  and I will do just about anything to avoid that.

Thanks  :smile:

Is vegetarian a requirement; what are the types of cuisine/surroundings you are looking for? Transportation means? :smile:

"If cookin' with tabasco makes me white trash, I don't wanna be recycled."

courtesy of jsolomon

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A quick $5 cab ride away would be Steamworks or SuBeez both open for brunch at 11:00/11:30am. If you just feel like a good latte and some nibbles try Senses.

Cheers,

Stephen

"who needs a wine list when you can get pissed on dessert" Gordon Ramsey Kitchen Nightmares 2005

MY BLOG

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Just a short walk from the hotel is Cafe Artigiano where you can get one of the better Espresso/Lattes in the city along with a nice panini, just cross Robson and it is right across from the Art Gallery.

Speaking of the Art Gallery the cafe upstairs is very pleasant if it's a sunny day. You can sit on the outdoor patio with an elevated view of Robson and the Law Courts. The food is not stupendous but the proximity is great for a simple lunch.

For a brunch type menu you have the new Earl's Paramount just to the right of the hotel on the corner, it's a very smart room and for brunch/lunch you could do a lot worse.

The risk with Diner as has been mentioned previously is the uneven service. As well they just won a Van Mag award so beware the crowds.

There are lots of choices on Robson such as Cin Cin, Joe Fortes etc.

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How about Watermark? Or The Dockside on Granville Island? That way you combine lunch with showing off our beautiful city.

The belly rules the mind.
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Just a short walk from the hotel is Cafe Artigiano where you can get one of the better Espresso/Lattes in the city along with a nice panini, just cross Robson and it is right across from the Art Gallery.

I have to disagree with this one and can someone explain why this place is so popular. My sister and I went into this cafe to have one of these supposed great coffees after some very intensive shopping. While I was STANDING IN THE LINEUP I noticed the noise level to be very high which was still bearable, but then the hissing and slamming of the barista sent us and all of our shopping bags out onto the street in a flurry. It would be very difficult to have a conversation in that place unless you were used to screaming at each other.

I would head a few doors down from the Wedgewood, going West, to a small cafe (can't remember the name) that serves paninis, pastas, etc. It seems to be frequented by the courthouse employees. Have only been there once, but it was a nice retreat from the street.

"One chocolate truffle is more satisfying than a dozen artificially flavored dessert cakes." Darra Goldstein, Gastronomica Journal, Spring 2005 Edition

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Just a short walk from the hotel is Cafe Artigiano where you can get one of the better Espresso/Lattes in the city along with a nice panini, just cross Robson and it is right across from the Art Gallery.

I have to disagree with this one and can someone explain why this place is so popular. My sister and I went into this cafe to have one of these supposed great coffees after some very intensive shopping. While I was STANDING IN THE LINEUP I noticed the noise level to be very high which was still bearable, but then the hissing and slamming of the barista sent us and all of our shopping bags out onto the street in a flurry. It would be very difficult to have a conversation in that place unless you were used to screaming at each other.

I have to agree with Butter on the noise level at Caffe Artigiano. The one on Hastings is even worse I think. The coffee is good though.

Looks like you want a casual, inexpensive spot. For downtown, I suggest the Art Gallery Cafe or Scuie down on Howe and Pender. I don't spend much time on 4th, but there is a little deli place called Saffron around 4th and MacDonald that might work, I haven't been there myself.

Edited by barolo (log)

Cheers,

Anne

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I agree on the noise at Artigiano as well (and the clunky decor) but if you can snag a terrace table it is quite pleasant watching the world go by.

The little panini place a few doors down from the Wedgewood is called Presto Panini but it lacks the atmosphere to be a choice for out of town visitors.

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Did they think of the Naam because of the casual, bohemian feel? (I wouldn't want to go there either - I don't like the food, and don't understand why it's so popular). If it's the atmosphere, then maybe Slickety Jim's Chat 'n Chew (on Main St. near Broadway) would be similarly comfortable. They have breakfast dishes mostly, but salads and sandwiches too, I think for lunch type food. I think of them mostly because they're known for not rushing you out. But it will probably be very busy. More kitcshy than the Naam, but it's got that same run-down-house-that-university-students-live in feel. Closer to downtown than the Naam. For that sort of old building feel, there aren't as many options downtown. Maybe The Templeton on Granville St. They also seem to have a similar style of food to the Naam (veggie-friendly, whole grains), but better (plus there is meat on the menu). The neighbourhood is sketchy/has character though - it's flanked by a couple of porn shops.

I agree that Steamworks is a nice choice for lunch - especially if you get a window seat. Caffe Artigianno's got good coffee, but I agree with the comments above - I would rather have full service, in a quieter place, if going for a nice lunch with out of towners. If you're looking for something fancier, Teahouse in Stanley Park?

Ethnic? Banana Leaf on Denman. (close to English Bay)

Nancy

Edited by Dumpling Girl (log)
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