106831 Mon Jun 17 16:31:28 -0700 2002 10 24 Canada 0 578553 Dear Canada Chowhounds--As our trip to Vancouver approaches, there seem to be so many great eating opportunities that I'm getting a little obsessed with choosing well. Based on your wonderful suggestions, I've made reservations at both Lumiere and C. The problem is that my husband in particular feels like we should spend most of our time trying more chowish places, like all the little Asian places you've recommended. This would mean only one night for a luxurious/expensive dinner. C sounds very inventive and maybe unique to Vancouver, but not consistent (or at least controversial). Lumiere sounds more straight-ahead French (similar to something I might find in NY or Chicago), but consistent. Is this right? Also, is there a great little casual place (could be Asian, but not necessarily) that's open late and walking distance of the Wedgewood hotel for our first night in town? Thank you! Mon Jun 17 16:31:28 -0700 2002 0 susanb 1 578554 Understand that the kind of Chinese food that is available in Vancouver is appreciated by an almost exclusively Asian audience. It is the finest of its kind in North America. It may also be DIFFERENT from what you expect if you are from elsewhere in North America. It has more in common with Asian tastes than traditional Vancouver tastes. If this is what you seek on most every night of your visit then you will be quite happy. But Vancouver is more about ice wine from Kelowna and fresh salmon. Remember that Washington State wine is just across the border as is the diverse cuisine which Seattle is known for. Don't forget about the magnificent vistas and wonderful fresh seafood prepared in a North American style in Vancouver restauant's. Don't dismiss this and go for an experience that you would expect in Hong Kong. (Is your perspective of Vancouver strictly an Asian one? If so this is very wrong. Vancouver may be the most beautiful city on earth. It is a Canadian city not an Asian one.) Lumiere is arguably the best restaurant in Western Canada, ranked higher by Zagat and other surveys than C which many locals have ambivalent feelings about. The model for Lumiere is the French Laundry and you would be foolish to dismiss this as one of your visits. Also, don't dismiss the Cannery which along with the Salmon House on the Hill are two of the most atmospheric restaurants in the city. Both also have very good food, especially the Cannery for its Salmon Wellington and incredible wine list. Or La Terraza which has, by any standards, excellent Italian food. Explore all of Vancouver; it is a treasure. Mon Jun 17 19:29:09 -0700 2002 578553 0 Joe H. 2 578556 Joe--thank you--that's very helpful, both as to C vs Lumiere and in general! I didn't mean to give the impression that I thought the food scene in Vancouver was mostly Asian. My list of places to try is very long, and includes Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Malaysian, but also seafood, French, Italian, picnic food, beautiful views, and much else. We plan to have as many different eating experiences as we can stuff into four days and two people. Tue Jun 18 00:03:01 -0700 2002 578554 0 susanb 3 578563 Dear Susan -- I agree with Joe. Vancouver is my favorite city in North America and although I live 2000 miles away, I go there as often as I can. Are you going to experience Vancouver or compare it's restaurants with New York and Chicago? To experience Vancouver, you should start with West Coast food, primarily Salmon. I prefer the Salmon House on the Hill because the salmon is cooked over alderwood fires as the West Coast Indians prepared it rather than the French Salmon Wellington that Joe mentions at the Cannery. The diversity of ethnic foods in Vancouver is second to none in North America. As Joe mentions, the Asian food is more authentic than in most places due to the high proportion of Asian peoples in the population. By all means, try Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Indian, and Vietnamese. There's a "Mongolian Barbeque" in Richmond which is something seldom found in the U.S. When I was in Taiwan, the night when it was served was the only night that I needed reservations at a private club to which I had a guest membership. I haven't been to Lumiere but I suspect that it is comparable to the high class French restaurants that you find near your home. If you're interested in comparing it with your local restaurants, you should certainly go there. However, to experience Vancouver, I prefer the things that are different from those available near my home. Lee G. p.s. For the best view in Vancouver and good although expensive food at lunch time, try the restaurant in Queen Elizabeth Park. Tue Jun 18 13:48:40 -0700 2002 578556 0 Lee G. 4 578567 Lee--Thanks for your suggestions. I should note that I posted a message about a month ago and received many fine suggestions then as well (including Salmon House on the Hill, which sounds wonderful). These will be a welcome addition. You all have been so generous with your suggestions, and I will certainly send a full report when we return. My intention is to try to experience as much of Vancouver's bounty, and soak up as much of its unique flavor, as possible in four days, and your suggestions will make it infinitely easier to do. Tue Jun 18 15:47:42 -0700 2002 578563 0 susanb 5 578574 Susan, I don't know where you are staying but, arguably, the Westin Bayshore is an incredible location on the edge of Stanley Park (which you should walk by the way-the view is extraordinary!). My wife and I prefer this to the Four Seasons, Canada Place, etc. I have been to Vancouver every year for the last twelve, spending an average of five to six days each time. (One of the companies I represent is a Vancouver company.) The drive from Vancouver to Whistler is one of the most beautiful in the world. I proposed marriage on the Capilano Suspension Bridge and she formally accepted at the top of the ski lift further up the hill. (Yes, we are still married!) Our favorite restaurant in Vancouver (which has not been mentioned but we go back every year) is the Beach Side Cafe in West Vancouver. Zagat gives this a 25 for food and it is one of the more intimate and romantic in all of the city. Their wine list is exceptional and, I swear, the owner will remember your name if you return for the first time ten years later. The food is outstanding, better than Chartwell the Zagat rated 28 at the Four Seasons. We both prefer the Cannery to the Salmon House on the Hill although you should go to one of these two. Depending on time you might also consider visiting Victoria which is where many of the Vancouverites go on vacation. Don't discount Whistler either which many consider to be the finest ski resort in the world. To put Vancouver in perspective let me say this: I have flown directly from Vancouver to Paris and felt that for natural beauty Paris was a big step DOWN. Lumiere, by the way, is not just good for Vancouver but good by any standard. It is also not an inexpensive meal with prix fixe ranging to C $129 so your expectations should be high. Tue Jun 18 22:07:59 -0700 2002 578567 0 Joe H. 6 578575 Thanks, Joe! I really can't wait to get there. I'm happy to know about Beach Side Cafe, which wasn't on my list. Also good to know the prices at Lumiere--we'll definitely only be able to have one dinner in that price range. So many hard choices.... And we are going to Victoria, but only for a day. We don't want to spend the time for a leisurely tea. The recs I've gleaned from reading Chowhound are Cafe Brio, Zambric's and Camille's. Do you have any other suggestions? Wed Jun 19 11:13:57 -0700 2002 578574 0 susanb 7 578581 If the weather is nice try to reserve an outdoor table at The Beach house at Dundarave Pier. It is located right on the water and has great views of the city and the seawall. A few years back we had dinner on the patio and a storm rolled in. They just put out the umbrellas and continued serving. No one got wet and since it was July it was still warm out. Eating outdoors in the rain and watching the lightning made for a wonderful night out. Wed Jun 19 15:00:28 -0700 2002 578575 0 steve 1 578562 Oh my, the Wedgewood... we stayed there for six nights and can't wait to return. It's a wonderful hotel! No ice machines, by the way - room service delivers ice to your room. For nearby non-pricey food, I liked Nikko (1008 Robson, upstairs, Japanese) and loved Olympia Seafood (on Thurlow, 1/2 block south of Robson, fish & chips). The latter is not open very late, though. You can just stroll down Robson and keep sniffing until something strikes your fancy. Tue Jun 18 13:41:12 -0700 2002 578553 0 coastcat 2 578568 Thanks! And I'm glad to hear I made a good hotel choice. It sounds divine. Tue Jun 18 15:48:37 -0700 2002 578562 0 susanb 1 578577 I'm surprised no one has mentioned Ouest as an alternative to Lumiere. It has a five course tasting menu for $65, which I found very good. Don't get me wrong, I think Lumiere is very good, but so is Ouest. Wed Jun 19 13:44:30 -0700 2002 578553 0 Annie