First time in Vancouver...quiet Japanese?

[blkery]

I'm going to be traveling through Vancouver solo Saturday night (provided I5 in Washington opens), and am thinking it'd be a good opportunity for Japanese. I think I'd prefer sushi but am not adverse to hot options as well. I'm going to be staying downtown. Lunch recommendations would be nice, too. I've been recommended to Japadog :D

I may end up meeting with someone, in which case I assume Hapa or Guu are the places to go?

I'd like to try Vij's on this trip but I don't think I'd be able to get there early or late enough on a Saturday night.

[twinkienic]

How quiet is quiet?
Zest is pretty quiet

[waver]

I agree, Zest is very quiet and elegant (we love it but sometimes it is VERY quiet...) and Octopus' Garden was quiet when I was there and its pretty close to downtown.

[fmed]

For quiet Japanese try Dan: http://danrestaurant.com/home.html or Okada http://www.okadasushi.com/

>>Lunch recommendations would be nice, too. I've been recommended to Japadog :D

I am not certain it is open this month. If you are looking for lunch downtown there are many options. Medina for some Middle-eastern is quite nice.

>> I may end up meeting with someone, in which case I assume Hapa or Guu are the places to go?

Those two are good spots. Kingyo and Zakkushi as well. Or you can do a crawl up and down Robson St to try them all.

[blkery]

Thanks! Do you know of a good bakery/coffee shop for Sunday breakfast, and something Japanese that would be open for Sunday lunch?

[fmed]

The afformentioned Medina has good Liege style waffles and decent coffee. If coffee is the focus, then try Artigiano...they have some nice pastries there too. Try the double-baked almond croissant made by Thomas Haas.

Something Japanese that is open for lunch: if you like ramen, then go to the north east corner of Robson and Denman for three of the best places in town: Benkei, Motomachi Shodoku and Kintaro.

[peter.v]

I'd recommend Wicked Cafe on Hornby and Smithe for Sunday coffee, their pastries aren't bad either. If noodles are your thing, the ramen corner on Denman and Robson is awesome. Motomachi Shokudo is my new favorite.

[lunchslut]

I would 2nd Medina as a fantastic choice for breakfast but should add the warning that it is a very popular sit down cafe with line ups on weekends (You may not want to line up in the rain for 1/2 an hour if all you want is a good quality croissant and coffee.)

Another breakfast choice downtown would be Cafe Brioche on the edge of Gastown. This is a counter service bakery and bistro. Qualtiy of both baked goods and prepared meals here are excellent.