402085 Wed May 16 11:18:12 -0700 2007 8 57 Western Canada 0 2574647 We're taking our 22 year old son to Vancouver for 3 nights. He's a chef a the WaterStreet Cafe in Olympia, Wa. His new interest is charcuterie so Salt House is a must! We haven't been to Vancouver in a few years. What other, relatively casual, innovative (not seafood) restaurants would you suggest? TIA Wed May 16 11:18:12 -0700 2007 10708 Oakland Barb 1 2574840 Aurora Bistro on Main Street. Innovative, local ingredients, really good food, nice atmosphere (relatively casual). Wed May 16 12:01:20 -0700 2007 2574647 17714 alex8alot 1 2575260 Crave on Main and 24th is really good. Great food & service at a reasonable price. They don't take reservations so go early. Jules in Gastown is really good as well. Wed May 16 13:37:25 -0700 2007 2574647 92180 gourmet wife 1 2575618 I've said it before, i'll say it again - parkside!! i was in vancouver last weekend and when there was a minimum 2 hour wait at vij's (be warned) we got a last minute reservation at parkside - the drinks, food and service were delightful!! Aurora is good too. Wed May 16 14:58:25 -0700 2007 2574647 74241 pants 1 2578885 Good choices--Salt and Vij's are both great spots. Do get to Vij's early early early, or very late. Raincity and Parkside are both good restaurants in the Downtown area. Raincity is known for "local" food-- last fall they featured a 100-mile menu, with everything grown and produced within that radius. They are both on the 'relatively' end of casual. Aurora bistro on Main is great, too. If you like izakaya, Kingyo is on Denman street right near Raincity and Parkside, easy to stroll and choose. Thu May 17 13:50:13 -0700 2007 2574647 97149 tangaloor 1 2595720 Definately check out the Oyama Sausage Factory at Granville Island (they supply much of the Salt Menu). Wed May 23 12:34:40 -0700 2007 2574647 13666 islandgirl 1 2595802 So.cial Club in Gastown is opening up their own butcher shop too. Not sure when it's opening but I am headed there today for oyster happy "hour". I'll see if I can find out :) Wed May 23 12:51:13 -0700 2007 2574647 69079 starlady 2 2595893 oyster happy hour sounds sooooooooo good! Wed May 23 13:11:48 -0700 2007 2595802 23465 Susanbnyc 1 2597201 I'd highly recommend Aurora Bistro, Imperial for Dim Sum, Octopus Garden for great Japanese food with a west coast twist. Wed May 23 20:22:56 -0700 2007 2574647 99536 foamyfood