Vancouver - Cru or Chambar?

[sylviag]

I'm trying to decide between these two restaurants for one of our evenings in Vancouver. Can anyone help?

Other suggestions are welcome. We have reservations at West for their prix-fixe early dinner. We eat everything, but are not interested in Chinese or Indian for this trip.

Thanks in advance.

[alex8alot]

I hope you enjoy Cru. I spent new Year's eve there a couple of years ago and the food was excellent. It was a set menu but they did their best to accommodate my nut allergies at the last second.

[sylviag]

I just cancelled our reservation for Chambar and made one for Cru.
You gave me the kind of information that one rarely gets from reading reviews. Thank you very much.

Sylvia

[susancinsf]

I just have to pipe in to say: while I haven't eaten at Cru, I wouldn't pass up Chambar based on the descriptions here of the ambiance. Yes, I imagine that it can be pulsing in the back room, but we sat in front, and the only off-putting vibe was from the loud USers at the next table (but that could happen anywhere!). It wasn't loud, it wasn't scene-y...it was also the coolest part of the restaurant (we were there in a heat wave, and very few places in Vancouver are air conditioned, meaning that if it is warm you want to be either near the door or on a patio)...and at my age I am definitely *not* into loud and scene-y. The food, otoh, was some of the best I ate in Vancouver. The salmon was wonderful...

Just my two cents, it may not convince you, but I hope it doesn't keep others away!

Hubby and I walked there and back from the Hyatt, it was easy to find.

[xandohead]

Sylvia -- I just noticed your other Vancouver thread. If you're not into loud, scene-y places, than Chambar is not the place for you. It's an excellent establishment, just likely not what you're looking for. It sounds as though Cru would suit much better. Have fun!

[sylviag]

Thank you. Since it seems they both have very good food - and we eat everything - your description of the atmosphere helps us to make a decision. You solved our problem!

Sylvia

[xandohead]

Atmosphere is very different at both places.

Chambar -- loud, large-ish space. Beautiful room, very upbeat, it "pulses" if you know what I mean. It's downtown but -- I walk there no problem but someone not familiar w/Vancouver's street scene at night, might want to cab it.

Cru -- small, more quiet space. Beautiful room, intimate. It is a cab ride away from downtown, in a strip of small shops, restaurants, etc. along Broadway.

I can talk more about food, too, but thought I'd start with atmosphere.