108059 Tue Sep 07 15:07:52 -0700 2004 6 57 Western Canada 0 583980 Just got back from Vancouver and here is my impression of five places I tried with a friend. hapa izakaya at 1479 Robson Street is a MUST GO TO restaurant. We were given it by our waitress at Bin 941 which was very good but it has been reviewed extensively on these boards. Hapa is a japanese fusion restaurant and my friend and I loved everything we had. I wasn't prepared for how wonderful it was because I hadn't heard anything about it. YUM YUM YUM YUM YUM! Definitely get the deep fried shrimp. I also adored the bacon asparagus dish. Everything was tasty and interesting, great sauces and condiments. The panna cotta was boring but other than that everything was top notch and very reasonably priced. You should make a reservation unless you show up very early. We got there at 6:30 or so and there was a 20 minute wait, people who arrived after us without a reservation couldn't even get a table without over an hour wait. THIS PLACE IS HOT! The Elbow Room at 560 Davie street is a wonderful place for breakfast, delicious bacon, omelettes and I loved the banana walnut bread french toast. The wait staff is very tart and borders on abuse, they are known for it but the food is worth it. A very solid choice for a hearty breakfast if that's what you are looking for. Joe Fortes was really great for fish. Their secret is the freshest fish simply prepared, we both loved it. Very basic but very good. Delicious. We wanted to go to Vij's but it was closed Sunday afternoon so we tried the cafe next door with the same owner called RANGOLI and it was delightful. Really delicious and much cheaper than Vij's. Just whetted our apetite for Vij's. Definitely try the break dessert with mango custard, which you can share. Delicious. You must go here and enjoy the great food. Finally I must report a very disappointing meal at Rain City Grill. AWFUL and EXPENSIVE. I would never go back there. The wait staff was hit and miss, everyone waits on you so it's very haphazard but the food is even worse. I had overcooked pork loin and nothing had much flavor. My companion had elk which ranged from acceptable to tough in the same serving. And it was very expensive. DON'T GO. Tue Sep 07 15:07:52 -0700 2004 0 David Perkins 1 583983 Thanks for the reviews - and it's nice to hear I'm not the only one who didn't enjoy the Raincity Grill - I've never had a good meal there, although I do give them props for the wine list. Tue Sep 07 15:22:07 -0700 2004 583980 0 viola da gamba 2 584074 I Think Rain City Grill is the Emperor's New Clothes place in Vancouver, everyone is afraid to say IT STINKS after spending a lot of money there. After I ate there I spoke to a local who also said he had had a bad experience there. Tue Sep 14 16:39:19 -0700 2004 583983 0 david perkins 3 3707137 Really? I've never had a bad time at Raincity Grill. And I think that Joe Fortes is totally overblown and mediocre. Ah well, different strokes :) Tue May 20 20:54:16 -0700 2008 584074 69079 starlady 4 3707143 Four year old thread alert! (BTW - I have had a lackluster meal at Raincity Grill) Tue May 20 20:57:11 -0700 2008 3707137 145820 fmed 1 3705122 Joe Fortes (www.joefortes.ca) is the spot! Best oyster shots in the city. Tue May 20 10:22:53 -0700 2008 583980 190926 soccermom74 2 3708331 i always found joe fortes to be terrible, a tourist trap and an old boys club - that's why when i was in vancouver last month i was shocked to find out that goldfish is the same people! Goldfish was delightful, everything fresh and tasty, a nice mixed crowd (not the usual pretentious yaletown group), great service and not overly expenisive, although we did manage to spend a lot of money. i skipped hapa this last visit, went to kingyo instead and i think i like it better - maybe after living around the corner from hapa, i overdid it. Wed May 21 09:38:30 -0700 2008 3705122 74241 pants