521029 Tue May 20 10:48:02 -0700 2008 32 57 Western Canada 0 3705235 I'm looking for restaurants and take-outs that are not too expensive for well-made, healthy lunch and dinner options. Salads, fish, veggies, etc. Also wouldn't mind a few addresses for wine stores selling good Oregon and Washington state products. Thanks! Tue May 20 10:48:04 -0700 2008 59561 swissfoodie 1 3705289 You are right downtown so the choices abound. Cafe Artigiano comes to mind for healthy sandwiches and the like. There are quite a few decent sushi spots all around there. Head down to Robson St just around the corner. Marquis Wine and Liberty have OK selections of Oregon and Washington wines. Edit: I just noticed I posted the wrong location for Liberty...I can't edit to correct. Tue May 20 10:58:20 -0700 2008 3705235 145820 fmed 2 3705311 Phone number for Liberty's Robson St location: 604-633-1922 Tue May 20 11:04:44 -0700 2008 3705289 145820 fmed 1 3706858 NEXT to the Italian Kitchen in the office building next door is ITALIAN KITCHEN TO GO...the Best sandwiches, everything for lunch. Italian Kitchen www.theitaliankitchen.ca 1037 Alberni Street Read about ITALIAN KITCHEN TO GO< HERE: http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/westcoastlife/story.html?id=154254fe-5411-414d-86c7-b95d84308870 Vancouver, BC V6E 1A1 (604) 687-2858 Tue May 20 18:54:33 -0700 2008 3705235 69941 jewels_vancouver 1 3707114 Why Oregon nad Washington Wine?? You're in Vancouver try some BC wine.... Sutton Place Wine Merchants has a decent selection, they don't have a working website up yet... Tue May 20 20:42:16 -0700 2008 3705235 69079 starlady 2 3708056 I can get BC wine out here in Quebec, but the Oregon and Washington stuff is harded to procure. Any recommendations where they have a really great BC wine list for a nice dinner? Might have a night out with some other wine aficionados Wed May 21 08:25:21 -0700 2008 3707114 59561 swissfoodie 3 3708934 Aurora Bistro on Main St has an EXCLUSIVELY BC WIne list and the food is awesome :) Wed May 21 12:16:59 -0700 2008 3708056 69079 starlady 1 3708158 We went to the Sutton Place Wine Merchant and was perfect for all that you are looking for.. tons of places on Robson and the Fairmount is central to everything and right next door to my fav, caffe artigiano for the best latte in the world.. We loved going to Gerard's bar at the Sutton Place Hotel every night with the mahogany paneled bar with the overstuffed chairs and fireplaces..great food and drink..huge celebrity hangout. Wed May 21 08:57:24 -0700 2008 3705235 97452 Beach Chick 1 3708973 I think Okada sushi is an easy walk. Delicious, and not too expensive. Second Caffe Artigiano for coffee, etc, though I wasn't big on their breakfast wraps. Wed May 21 12:28:55 -0700 2008 3705235 78370 littlegreenpea 2 3710734 Re Artiggiano, we've had really good luck with their sandwiches and soups. Maybe a bit more expensive than your average panini, but worth it IMO. And of course the coffee is well yummy. Wed May 21 23:06:39 -0700 2008 3708973 169233 grayelf 1 3719297 What about Rangoli's? Or should I splurge for Vij's? And is Rangoli's just for lunch? Sun May 25 10:09:20 -0700 2008 3705235 59561 swissfoodie 2 3719710 I think Rangoli's is great value, for dining in or take out. Have a look: http://www.vijsrangoli.ca/diner/index.html Vij's is on many out-of-town gastro-tourists' lists of "musts". I have been a number of times, and am probably jaded - but if you are at all curious to see what all the fuss is about, the Vij's should probably be a "must." Sun May 25 14:21:30 -0700 2008 3719297 145820 fmed 3 3719976 Any other great value for dinner options to suggest? Sun May 25 17:00:58 -0700 2008 3719710 59561 swissfoodie 4 3720183 Note that Rangoli is not close to the Fairmont. It's about a $10 cab ride away. This is a rec from others on this board: Saravanaa Bhavan on Oak St - once again not close. Peaceful Restaurant on Broadway near Cambie is a board favourite. What type of cuisine are you speciically interested in? Sun May 25 18:46:03 -0700 2008 3719976 145820 fmed 5 3720605 My general rule is "good food", but I tend to prefer lighter vegetable and fish based dishes. I'm not a huge Asian fan, unless it's Japanese and not surrounded with rice. Otherwise, I'm open to any suggestions. Mon May 26 02:41:33 -0700 2008 3720183 59561 swissfoodie 6 3720657 Then have a look at Aurora, Fuel and Boneta for both lunch and dinner. None of them are that close to your hotel. Boneta is in Gastown, a brisk walk away. Aurora and Fuel are about a $10-$15 cab ride away. They are all excellent, use locally sourced ingredients and have great vegetable and fish dishes. Mon May 26 04:49:14 -0700 2008 3720605 145820 fmed 7 3720675 Can I walk there? I don't mind, I would just have to plan ahead in terms of timing Mon May 26 05:10:15 -0700 2008 3720657 59561 swissfoodie 8 3720882 Boneta is very walkable. Aurora - you can skytrain to Main St station then walk up Main. Fuel - it is actually a scenic walk over the Burrard St bridge to 4th Ave. The views from the bridge are stunning. Mon May 26 07:22:55 -0700 2008 3720675 145820 fmed 9 3721194 Funny that Boneta has so many connections with Montreal. Mon May 26 09:55:05 -0700 2008 3720882 59561 swissfoodie 10 3721209 Yes - Richard Bastien of le Mitoyen is Jeremie Bastien's dad. Mon May 26 09:59:01 -0700 2008 3721194 145820 fmed 11 3721278 And Neil worked with Daren Bergeron at Lumiere and Feenie's. Daren came back to Montreal to open Decca77 - a personal favourite Mon May 26 10:34:16 -0700 2008 3721209 59561 swissfoodie 12 3721324 Sounds like you will be going to Boneta ;) Mon May 26 10:59:28 -0700 2008 3721278 145820 fmed 11 3724141 FYI, Richard Bastien is better known for Lemeac - the quintessential French bistro in Outremont - the posh French area of town. Tue May 27 11:33:16 -0700 2008 3721209 59561 swissfoodie 12 3724514 Ah yes, thanks swissfoodie. I only mentioned le Mitoyen because Jeremie worked there. If you do decide to check out Boneta (and Jeremie's cooking) please report back! Tue May 27 13:01:08 -0700 2008 3724141 145820 fmed 13 3730137 What about on Thurlow, apparently there are some good Indian spots there? And other than Okada, any places for takeout sushi or seafood that is a must around the Fairmount? BTW, I have developed a mild addiction to Artigiano's coffee and fruit/nut scone Thu May 29 05:56:29 -0700 2008 3724514 59561 swissfoodie 14 3731269 Robson and Thurlow area have some Indian spots...none of them I consider great. >>And other than Okada, any places for takeout sushi or seafood that is a must around the Fairmount? There are so many "lunch-grade" sushi restaurants in that area that serve very serviceable sushi. I hesitate to recommend just one...they all seem to be pretty "OK". >>BTW, I have developed a mild addiction to Artigiano's coffee and fruit/nut scone Ha! That'll happen. Try 49th Parallel then - good coffee (IMO, better execution than Artigiano), great pastries mostly from Thomas Haas, and great beans. You probably already know that 49th is the source of Artigiano's beans and is owned and operated by Artigiano's former owner Vince Picollo - perhaps this town's best ever barista. Thu May 29 11:19:43 -0700 2008 3730137 145820 fmed 15 3731304 Any specific names of Indian and Sushi for dinner takeout tonight or alternative options in the area? Will look up 49th although we get the coffee out in Montreal - I've been lucky to get a bag. Is there a capers nearby? Thu May 29 11:27:51 -0700 2008 3731269 59561 swissfoodie 16 3731395 There's a Capers at Robson and Denman area. If you are headed there then there's a great little sushi place closeby called Miko. For serviceable Indian - the closest to you is India Gate on Robson and Seymour...not great - just OK. Then, there's a cluster of Indian at Robson and Jervis. I have had tandoori lunch there at one of them...nothing memorable enough to recommend. Thu May 29 11:47:25 -0700 2008 3731304 145820 fmed 1 3731730 Hi there... There's an Indian restaurant on Denman street (about a 15-20 minute walk from your hotel) called Desi Downtown. It's upstairs...and just opened last year. The original location is called Desi Junction and is located in Surrey - ask any cab driver or East Indian from Surrey and they'll all tell you that Desi Junction is their favorite place to eat. I was thrilled when they opened up a location downtown. (Warning: do NOT use them for delivery or takeout - they're still working on this!). And I 100%, wholeheartedly, passionately, without question recommend Boneta. It's AMAZING. And with a team like that, how could it not be? The food is incredible, ingredients unmatchable, service impeccable, and cocktail list exceptional. They usually only have about 4 or 5 red and white wines by the glass, but some of the options are awesome. Don't you hate it when you want to have some white with an appetizer and a red with dinner, but don't want to get two whole bottles?? Boneta solves this common foodie dilemma (although some of the glasses are upwards of $20...but how else are you going to try a wine like that without getting the whole bottle?) The bison carpaccio is life-changing. And if Jeremy is doing ANYTHING with duck - order it!! Their desserts are so inventive - I'm not a chocolate person (probably the only woman on the planet!) but they do some really neat things with tapioca, pineapple cake....yum. I'm going to make a reservation myself! Thu May 29 13:15:01 -0700 2008 3705235 161882 smartini 2 3733313 I have put Desi on the hit list. Thanks! Fri May 30 00:38:19 -0700 2008 3731730 145820 fmed 1 3741524 I just wanted to thank all of you who made suggestions and guided me through your beautiful city. Over the next few weeks, I will be posting reviews of my experiences, in addition to the ones I already have. I am in total Artigiano withdrawal and still hankering for mussels at Chambar. Boneta was wonderful and Okada enlightening. I had many more experiences and can't wait to divulge them all. Hopefully, I can enable such an exprience one day in Montreal. Cheers! Mon Jun 02 09:57:36 -0700 2008 3705235 59561 swissfoodie 2 3741572 Looking forward to your report. swissfoodie. I'm certainly game to go to Montreal sometime next year. In my crosshairs is Au Pied de Cochon and, of course, Schwartz's. Mon Jun 02 10:10:28 -0700 2008 3741524 145820 fmed 3 3743097 My reports are trickling in, they just won't be on this board... check my profile Mon Jun 02 17:13:10 -0700 2008 3741572 59561 swissfoodie 4 3743420 Nice blog, swissfoodie -- I especially enjoyed the post on Boneta. Keep 'em coming. Mon Jun 02 19:05:51 -0700 2008 3743097 169233 grayelf