Help needed for a Saturday, during Celebration of Light

[susancinsf]

Hi all:

I have one night in Vancouver (I know, I know) which happens to be a Saturday night, I will be with a group, and it is during Celebration of Light. We are staying at the west end, just a few blocks from the fireworks action, so that isn't a problem....but dinner might be, and I've been too busy and really haven't gotten my act together on the restaurant the way I should have...

anyway, Tapastree has space, is only a block or two from our hotel, and seems to get good recs on the board. Is that a good choice? I am assuming that if we eat at seven we will be ok for the fireworks at ten, is that true? (I don't much care where we sit for the fireworks, I am assuming we can just walk along the streets by the Bay and see them: am I wrong not to worry about that? How long do they go on, anyway?)

Chambar has space too, if we go early, and I absolutely loved Chambar on my last visit (two years ago), but it is really too far to walk there and back, and I am worried that getting around via taxi or bus may be problematic with the road closures...

unfortunately, I really had my heart set on Izakaya. Any other ideas? or is there a place (location not as critical, we have all day Sunday in Vancouver) where we could go for Izakaya at lunch Sunday?

And of course, any thoughts about dim sum or breakfast Sunday would be appreciated too.

Thanks for any suggestions, and I promise to report back! (and to stay longer next time)....

[susancinsf]

Here is my report back:

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/543116#

[susancinsf]

ok, have done a little more research, having just a bit of second thoughts about Izakaya and would appreciate more feedback...the most interesting menu is Guu (which seems more expansive to me than Guu with Garlic, based on their website, is that my imagination?), but Guu is probably further downtown that we will want to go. (1.2 miles or so) Hapa has no website yet, unfortunately (well, it has one under construction). Kingyo could work, but seems to have gotten mixed reviews.

My worry is that after a ten days in close quarters on a boat (NOT a cruise ship, a small 100 foot boat with twenty two passengers and crew of about seven) that some of my group, especially hubby, won't be in the mood to eat somewhere that is cramped, crowded, with problematic seating, and loud, especially before braving crowds to see the fireworks (keep in mind that hubby *hates* crowds and noisy restaurants and the rest of the group is mixed on that issue. In that regard, we aren't in Vancouver to see the firewords, it is strictly a coincidence that we decided to take advantage of to see them. Some of us are really looking forward to the evening, hubby will tolerate it :-)...)

But the reports on Tapastree also note that it is loud...though perhaps less cramped?

So, are there any of the Izakayas that won't be crazy? (somehow I doubt that, so I guess the question is, which is set up to be the potentially least crazy). Oh, and just to make matters more complicated, I am not a fan of tatami room setups because of knee problems...

One thought: someone mentions Yoshi as a lunch alternative, but they aren't open for weekend lunch, but are very close to our hotel. That strikes me as a much more serene alternative. If we do go that route, I am wondering: 1.) Is the kaiseki worth it? (I have only done a true kaiseki once, and loved it, and paid a lot more than Yoshi's prices) and 2.) do I have to alter my packing to include something besides jeans and a nice shirt? I realize (duh, pub food) that Isakaya is a dinner time thing, but I wonder if a few robata items at Yoshi would partially ease my craving?

or How would Kirin or Banana Leaf be for dinner?

I really appreciate the feedback and patience with my questions !

[fmed]

The least crazy izakaya is Hapa - it is also a fairly large room. No tatami issues at Hapa - you can sit on regular chairs or barstools.

Kirin and Banana Leaf are just fine for dinner of you choose to go that route.

Kaieseki at Yoshi is "worth it" but it will pale in comparison to ones you may have tried in Japan and elsewhere. You don't need to be dressed up anywhere in this city.

[grayelf]

Does Hapa take resos? I think it would be the best bet for a group larger than six if so (how many are you?). It also is less "shouty" than Guu with Garlic, which does have non-tatami options in the centre of the room and on the patio (not sure of max table size outside but you could call). I am such a fan of this Guu that I would still say go for it if you can.

Here's a link to my recent feed with four others at this resto, in case you haven't seen it: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/526290

[susancinsf]

Hi:

Hapa takes reservations for groups of six or less, but apparently not more than six (? not sure about that). Anyway, since we are six, we made a reservation there...they did tell us we would only have two hours, but that shouldn't be a problem. Will definitely report back!

Am thinking of Peaceful restaurant for noodles the next day....

[grayelf]

Peaceful is fun with six people -- you can try more stuff!

[kwailan4]

You may want to avoid Banana Leaf on Denman. The room is very very small. The outlet on Broadway (nearer to UBC) is a lot more comfortable.

[kwailan4]

Why don't you do the izakaya on the night itself? Denman/Robson is not that far away from the fireworks.

[grayelf]

I agree with kwailan -- go for the izakaya! If you book for 7 pm you should have plenty of time, if not for a crawl at least to do one of the restos. Kingyo is the closest to the beach followed by Zakkushi then Hapa then Guu up Robson. fmed can probably give you best counsel here but one is absolutely doable. It will be crowded for the fireworks for sure but if you don't care too much where you watch them from you should be fine just walking back down Denman after you've eaten.

I believe that izakaya as such is pretty much a dinnertime only thing. For brekky/dimsum on Sunday, it sounds like you're a bit more flexible. Will you be driving?
Looking forward to hearing about whatever you end up doing as I always enjoy your reports and have benefited from your advice on the SF Bay Area board :-).

[twinkienic]

Tapastree is right in the midst of where most of the izakayas are located, so pretty much the same distance to the fireworks.

Depending on how big your group is, it'd probably be safer to pick one izakaya to stick with instead of moving the group from place to place (as it might be hard to get seated). Guu with Garlic and Kingyo both take reservations. Hapa also takes reservations, but I believe you can only book for 6pm and there's a 2 hour limit.

I would recommend heading straight to the beach afterwards (perhaps with gelato in hand) because the fireworks festival gets pretty crowded, especially on Saturdays. People tend to set up their space on the beach from late afternoon but you'll probably be able to find some spots to slide into.

[susancinsf]

Thanks for the feedback....a friend loved Zakkushi but it sounded rather small, and my impression was that they don't take reservations. Do you have a preference between Guu or Kingyo (if one of them has space, will have to call)? I am very relunctant to try and go with a group to anywhere even within walking distance without reservations....

Totally flexible on Sunday, but won't have a car (unless a Vancouver friend decides to join us, which is possible). We do have a 5:30 flight home so something out towards the airport for a late lunch or dim sum would be great...I'd be perfectly happy if all of the meals were Asian of one type or another...and would be happy if all day Sunday were food centered! (well, ok, we might want to sleep in a bit...:-)

Thanks for any other suggestions?

[twinkienic]

Richmond is difficult to navigate without a car, and all the really good Asian places in Richmond aren't really near the airport. I don't know if it would be that convenient, unless you plan to taxi with your luggage to a restaurant, then taxi to the airport.

It might be easier to leave your luggage at the hotel and stay downtown for the day (and for lunch) before heading to the airport. Maybe lunch at one of the ramen noodles places (Benkei, Motomachi, Kintaro), or sushi (Yoshi), or dim sum (Kirin), or Malaysian/Singapore (Prima Taste, Banana Leaf, Tropika)... or head over to Gastown.

[fmed]

Or Rangoli and Granville Island perhaps.

[Sam Salmon]

Given the hordes that will be literally coming out of the woodwork the closer the better.

I haven't eaten @ Tapastree but a friend lives nearby, loves the place and she recommends it unreservedly.