Vancouver -- need recommendation for dinner spots near Holiday Inn on W Broadway

[NWPeter]

We need recommendations for two places for dinner for next Thursday (July 10th) and Saturday (July 12th). We're staying at the Holiday Inn on West Broadway (more or less between Oak and Canbie). Thursday we will not have a car, but will have a car on Saturday. Ideally, casual with very good food, but no msg. Thanks in advance!!

[gourmet wife]

There's also Kalamata on West Broadway, two blocks east of Cambie. It's not too bad there. I love their rice, they make it with spinach and carrots.

I haven't been there for awhile but there's the Afghan Horseman again at W Broadway and Cambie. They have this potatoe pattie, kinda like stuff naam which is great and the baked eggplant is delicious too.

If you're into vodka, there is a Russian restaunrat on the same corner called Rasputin. The food is so so but they have a great selection of vodka. Ask for the good stuff that's NOT on the menu. If it's really busy they may not bring it out but once the crowd dies down, the owner will offer some other varieties. I'm not a heavy drink and don't like drinking shots but the supply they carry is very interesting. They also offer live entertainment on the weekend.

After dinner, there's a good tea place further west of your hotel (2-3 blocks). I can't remember the name but it's just before Earls. They probably have about 100 variety of teas from around the world. I've been told that the pies served here are from the Aphrodite Cafe.

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Kalamata Greek Taverna
388W Broadway W, Vancouver, BC V5Y1R2, CA

Afghan Horsemen Restaurant
1833 Anderson St, Vancouver, BC V6H4E5, CA

Rasputin Russian Cuisine Restaurant
457W Broadway W, Vancouver, BC V5Y1R4, CA

[starlady]

Afgan Horsemen moved to the opening of Granville Island several months ago.

[islandgirl]

The tea place is called Steeps and is on the corner of Laurel and Broadway.

[fmed]

Aurora is at Main and Broadway area..not that far by transit at all. It's a bit of a hike, but quite walkable.

[starlady]

on a nice day :) also a short transit ride just in the opposite direction....

Also gotta say Aurora is one of my top faves in the city!!!!!!!

They have a program in the summer called "Your Food, Your Wine" from 5:30 - 7 3 courses, 3 wines, 49 bucks.
Hard to beat. menus change weekly..
Plus they just celebrated 5 years. Was a good party, next morning, not so much.

[grayelf]

You are getting some great reccos here! You could also try Wimaan Thai, just west of Oak on Broadway. Solid curry and squid dishes. And if you are looking for a daytime option, our Chinese neighbours are keen on Rich Ocean Seafood, which is just off 777 Broadway at Willow.

[ck1234]

Speaking of Rich Ocean, we ( a group from work) go there for DimSum often. They go 2 or more times a week. I go with them maybe once a month as I get so full from DimSum I can't even eat dinner! It's $2.75 each for most of them if you go before 11:45 I think.

We just went to Kirin for DimSum for a retirement lunch but I swear Rich Ocean was just as good!

Anyone else go? Just curious what you think, if so?

[islandgirl]

I totally agree with the recommendation for Rich Ocean's dim sum.
The selections are quite good (especially recommend the shrimp-stuffed eggplant and the vegetarian dumplings which are a bit out of the usual. Also the steamed chicken dumplings are a nice change from the BBQ pork dumpling - although if you're not a fan of cilantro then give them a miss). The service can be hit and miss though so be prepared to be "assertive" or otherwise don't be in a hurry to get somewhere afterwards.

[twinkienic]

Does Rich Ocean offer dim sum on weekdays as well as weekends? How quick is their service?

[ck1234]

Yes, Rich Ocean does weekdays & weekends for dim sum. I take my son now when he's not working on w/ends. Service varies, it can be swift & everything comes out quickly, but it can be exactly opposite too! It is a very busy place! As islandgirl said, if you're service is slow, you just need to make a point of getting a waiter and letting him know...usually that will improve things!

When we go at work for lunch, we have an hour & are back in time. We're about a 5 minute walk away.

[grayelf]

Great info on Rich Ocean, all, thanks. One more question: is it carts, or a la carte?

[ck1234]

It's a la carte. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area!

[islandgirl]

They're raised their prices slightly on their "early bird special" but if you go before noon (have to get your order in before noon) a large selection of their regular dim sum menu items are still $2.98 a portion (used to be $2.50).

[grayelf]

Thanks, I will -- mater works across Broadway from it. I see dim sum in our future :-).

[twinkienic]

Thanks for the tip! Will try to go for lunch someday. Just one more question - do they have a reasonable number of vegetarian options?

[ck1234]

All this talk about it, and my son is off work tomorrow, so I told him we'd go tomorrow! There is a menu I found online, and it does show the $2.98 price increase...but there are other selections on the main menu, just more money. Seriously though, my son & I leave stuffed with leftovers for $20! Here's the link if you're interested:

http://www.findmycraving.com/images/m...

[im_hungry]

Cru and Bin 942 are both at Granville/Broadway. Ocean 617 on Stamps Landing (btwn Cambie and Oak, off Moberly Rd) has a nice patio.

[kwailan4]

Saravanna, indian vegetarian. Very casual.

[starlady]

Cru is on W broadway near Granville. It's walkable on a nice day. or a short bus ride

[grayelf]

Or really close you have Kayan (middle Eastern), Peaceful (Mandarin/Chinese) or Banana Leaf (Malaysian) -- these are all casual and AFAIK MSG free.

[fmed]

And...ahem...Tojo's is nearby too.