107832 Mon Jun 07 19:59:51 -0700 2004 9 24 Canada 0 582990 I'm a NYC foodie who's going to be in Vancouver next week for a conference. I'll be on my own and am looking for some great places to go for a bite, preferably where I can eat at the bar and the vibe is good. No food is really off limits, though I'm partial to seafood and asian. Thanks in advance! Mon Jun 07 19:59:51 -0700 2004 0 nygirl 1 582991 Just off the top of my head, Japanese tapas/small plates dining would be a great bet for you. Just belly up to the bar and go to town. Amazing food, relaxed casual atmosphere, ridiculously reasonable prices. Assuming that you'll be staying in the downtown core, there are two Guu restaurants on Robson: the original Guu at Robson and Thurlow, and Guu with Garlic a little further west towards Stanley Park. There's also Hapa Ikazaya, also on Robson, still casual and a little higher on the 'hip' quotient. For great Malaysian food, there's Banana Leaf on Denman Street. It's the sister restaurant to the original outlet on West Broadway (outside the downtown core), and it's right beside the best gelato place in Vancouver: Mondo Gelato. FYI, there's also a second Mondo Gelato outlet on Robson Street. Fabulous ramen? Kintaro, also on Denman Street. That's my first take on the subject. I've suggested restaurants that are more on the casual side, but can certainly recommend establishments that are a little more upscale if that's what you're looking for. If I can think of anything else, I'll post further. Cheers. Tue Jun 08 00:00:54 -0700 2004 582990 0 Mooshmouse 2 582992 I would second that...Guu is a perfect place for solo dining.Great food & a great spot to people watch. Tue Jun 08 02:27:43 -0700 2004 582991 0 Jwh 3 582995 Thanks for the input! The places you recommend sound great. Feel free to pass on more -- and, fyi, including upscale places is fine w/me. Tue Jun 08 10:19:54 -0700 2004 582992 0 nygirl 4 583002 I'm there for a conference next week too. Going to eat at the sushi bar at Tojo's, then possibly dinner at West and C the following days. Tue Jun 08 15:46:59 -0700 2004 582995 0 S. Willig 5 583054 As an frequent solo diner I have always had great experiences at Fiction on West Broadway. French with lots of seafood dishes and a great little wine list. Sean the bartender is always entertaining and has taken me on many a culinary/wine pairing tour. West is also always a favorite. Dining at the bar is the only way to go. Sun Jun 13 05:02:12 -0700 2004 583002 0 Jones 3 583005 While I LOVE Guu, I'm not sure if it would be a good recommendation for solo dining as the dishes are probably better suited for sharing? You would be much more satisfied if you can experience more of the menu if you bring a new found friend/collegue or two. Just my two cents. Tue Jun 08 17:40:04 -0700 2004 582992 0 lurker v.2 1 582997 A few more suggestions: Tojo's: upscale sushi Bin 941 or 942 for non-traditional tapas, hip vibe, loud music. West: upscale, french infuenced food Cru: small plates, bistro-y Tue Jun 08 11:20:13 -0700 2004 582990 0 Anne, Vancouver 2 582999 Beat me to the punch on the 'Bins' and Cru, 3 more restaurants where you can sit at the bar and appreciate great reasonably priced food. Bin 941 is in the downtown core, whereas Bin 942 is on West Broadway at Granville, easily accessible from downtown. Navajo frybread and mussels to die for. Cru is also on the West Broadway corridor, about 2 blocks east of Bin 942. More upscale than the Bins, small plates with fabulous selection of wines by the glass. Website is www.cru.ca. If you like raw oysters or freshly made clam chowder, then Rodney's Oyster House is a good choice. The shuckers behind the bar will keep you well entertained, and I've never had a bad dining experience there. The link I've provided you below is part of a local restaurant review website that I'm sure you'll find extremely helpful. Let us know which part of Vancouver you'll be staying in, and we can tailor our recommendations accordingly. Take two, over and out! Link: http://www.evevancouver.ca/food/hamilton.htm#Rodney's Tue Jun 08 13:02:26 -0700 2004 582997 0 Mooshmouse 1 583133 Thanks all! Vancouver was great! Of the list, I hit Tojo's and West. Ended up with company (rather than solo) as well. The sushi at Tojo's was very good, although not as sensational as some proponents suggest. Also, I didn't eat at the sushi bar, but rather outside on the lovely deck, watching the sun set. The service was impeccable. People who think that the prices are exorbitant should avoid NYC sushi. I thought they were relatively reasonable. West was on par with some of my favorite NY restaurants. The food was creative, but not over the top and the staff was exceedingly solicitous--especially the hostess who did 2 years of fine dining here in NYC, though I cannot remember where. My only complaint was that they opened a 2nd bottle of wine for my table without our knowledge and without our asking, and that the service was rather slow. I'll go back there--solo or otherwise. Wed Jun 23 16:26:38 -0700 2004 582990 0 nygirl