romantic candlelit dinner in Vancouver
Hello all,
I know this topic has already been discussed few times here.
However every case is different.
I'd like to celebrate a 6 month anniversary.
We are both students in our mid-20s (so a bill under $100 would be nice).
We don't have a car (so anything from downtown to marpole and from ubc to main or commercial drive would be nice).
And I'd like to have dinner a friday, saturday or sunday evening, not too early or too late (anything starting between 6pm and 9pm).
I already had a look online, and here is a list on which you can comment or add ideas. The places are just alphabetically ordered, and some may be already too expensive or too far for my listed criteria.
Please feel free to recommend, comment or add any nice restaurant.
Abigail's Party (1685 Yew St)
Brix Restaurants & Wine Bar (1138 Homer Street)
Cioppino's
East Is East (3243 Broadway W)
Hell's Kitchen (2041 W 4th Ave)
Jules
Le Crocodile
Le Gavroche
Les Faux Bourgeois (663 E 15th Ave)
Lupo
Lupo Restaurant and Vinoteca (869 Hamilton St.)
Nuba Restaurant (207 Hastings St W)
Pied a Terre (Cambie)
Revel Room (238 Abbott St)
Salt Tasting Room (45 Blood Alley)
Sandbar (1535 Johnston St)
The Bottom Line (562 Beatty St)
The Corner Suite Bistro de Luxe
The Refinery (1115 Granville St)
Water St Cafe (300 Water St)
Thank you,
Christophe.
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Nuba Cafe
322 Hastings St W, Vancouver, BC V6B1K6, CA
The Nuba Cafe
1206 Seymour St, Vancouver, BC V6B3N9, CA
Le Gavroche Restaurant
1616 Alberni St, Vancouver, BC V6G1A6, CA
Hell's Kitchen
2041 West 4th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6J 1N3, CA
Le Crocodile Restaurant
909 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC V6Z2N2, CA
Brix Restaurant
, Vancouver, BC V5Y, CA
Water St Cafe
300 Water St, Vancouver, BC V6B1B6, CA
Water St Cafe
, Vancouver, BC V5Y, CA
East Is East
3243W Broadway W, Vancouver, BC V6K2H5, CA
Le Crocodile Restaurant
909 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC V6Z2N2, CA
Nuba Restaurant
207 Hastings St W, Vancouver, BC V6B1H7, CA
By christophe
on Jan 20, 2011 11:00 AM
View »
Not (too loud/not suitable from personal experience)
Nuba Seymour
Abigail's
Hell's Kitchen
Salt
East is East
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The Nuba Cafe
1206 Seymour St, Vancouver, BC V6B3N9, CA
Hell's Kitchen
2041 West 4th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6J 1N3, CA
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For a bill under $100 and suitable atmosphere:
Sandbar, not the tastiest of some of the higher end options you have on your list but the food is fair and the atmosphere is there (you can go for a walk around Granville Island after/before).
Jules, very quaint and romantic but I have only been once and it was over 18 months ago. It was good then but things can always change in that amount of time.
Most of the others are either unsuitable or will def be over $100. BUT, I have never been to Pied a terre, Les Faux Bourgeois or The Refinery so maybe one of the other posters can chime in and weigh on those....
You may want to consider some other options if you decide against Jules and Sandbar:
Maybe the Nuba restaurant in gastown as it has a full menu and is a proper restaurant whereas the Seymour one is more of a takeout place.
Juno Bistro: Nice intimate and cozy spot for sushi
BTW I don't even recall if any of the places I listed are for sure candlelit. Look them up on their web sites or call if that is a make or break.
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The Nuba Cafe
1206 Seymour St, Vancouver, BC V6B3N9, CA
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My thoughts:
Abigail's Party (1685 Yew St) haven't tried
Brix Restaurants & Wine Bar (1138 Homer Street) too expensive
Cioppino's too expensive
East Is East (3243 Broadway W) too casual
Hell's Kitchen (2041 W 4th Ave) too casual
Jules haven't tried
Le Crocodile too expensive
Le Gavroche too expensive
Les Faux Bourgeois (663 E 15th Ave) too casual
Lupo - good choice - can definately be within budget and nice atmosphere without being too formal
Nuba Restaurant (207 Hastings St W) haven't tried
Pied a Terre (Cambie) could be done within your budget but I didn't find the atmosphere very romantic (tables quite close together)
Revel Room (238 Abbott St) haven't tried
Salt Tasting Room (45 Blood Alley) too casual (not romantic, more communal seating)
Sandbar (1535 Johnston St) kind of casual, not intimate, nice location though
The Bottom Line (562 Beatty St) haven't tried
The Corner Suite Bistro de Luxe haven't tried
The Refinery (1115 Granville St) - too casual
Water St Cafe (300 Water St) - haven't been in a long time but would definately be in the right price range.
When we were in your position we had nice experiences at the Fish House in Stanley Park and at Seasons in Queen Elizabeth park.
From your list I would definately recommend Lupo.
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Nuba Cafe
322 Hastings St W, Vancouver, BC V6B1K6, CA
Le Gavroche Restaurant
1616 Alberni St, Vancouver, BC V6G1A6, CA
Hell's Kitchen
2041 West 4th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6J 1N3, CA
Le Crocodile Restaurant
909 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC V6Z2N2, CA
Brix Restaurant
, Vancouver, BC V5Y, CA
Water St Cafe
300 Water St, Vancouver, BC V6B1B6, CA
East Is East
3243W Broadway W, Vancouver, BC V6K2H5, CA
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A couple more considerations:
Cru
Pair Bistro
La Brasserie
db Bistro Moderne
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La Brasserie
1091 Davie St, Vancouver, BC V6E1M5, CA
db Bistro Moderne
2551 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6K 2E9, CA
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For < $100 total I think Cafe Salade de Fruits works well:
http://www.saladedefruits.com/
Esp. if you get their table d'hote:
http://www.saladedefruits.com/table-d...
Or Les Faux Bourgeois would be quite romantic.
Or Judas Goat. Intimate (read: small) for sure.
Or The Alibi Room.
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re : Cafe Salade de Fruits-somehow I can't see the lobby of that building being 'romantic' and there's a good chance that's where you'll end up unless you can speak French/twist a few arms.
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Slipping them a tenner always worked for me ;-)
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Great suggestion with Salade des Fruits. I always forget about that place: such a bargain for what you get. The entrance leaves much to be desired but once your in the restaurant, it is romantic.
Lupo is my favourite restaurant and I didn't suggest it because whenever I have dined there the bill is usually over $150 and the OP wanted under $100 total. I guess if you order starter and entrees but are not drinking wine and don't have dessert/coffee, it could work....
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i suppose depends on what your plans are for the evening. but i find its nice to have a view or a scenic location. nice to watch the sunset in a heated patio. ur biggest challenge will be spending under $100 with tax and tips. two glasses of wine would already eat almost 1/4 of your dining budget.
heated patio to watch the sunset, and maybe a romantic walk after.
Sandbar
Teahouse
Nu
romantice rooms, maybe with candlelight
le gavroche defintely too pricey though
lupo
le faux has candle light and within price range but the room is cramp
other comments:
jules still has the same owners but has changed his cooks.
corner suite is closed.
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From your list, I would definitely pick Les Faux Bourgeois. I don't think it's too casual; it might be a touch loud, but the room has a nice warm atmosphere and low lighting. The food is great and pretty reasonably priced.
Other suggestions:
Cobre
seconding islandgirl's suggestion of La Brasserie
Boneta (but not sure if they're still open; atmosphere may be a bit bright)
maybe L'Abattoir?
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Cobre Restaurants
52 Powell St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1E7, CA
La Brasserie
1091 Davie St, Vancouver, BC V6E1M5, CA
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Is Boneta closing? I walked by last night and it was business as usual...
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Boneta is moving to a new location (still in the same area) in Feb.
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Has anyone been to Trafalgar's lately? The menu looks pretty good, the price is right and IRC its pretty nice atmosphere. But I have not been for YEARS. I'd be curious to know if anyone has any recent experiences.
http://www.trafalgars.com/dinner-menu...
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Trafalgar's is still there ??
Wife and I had a romantic (I think there was a candle) dindin at Au Petit Chavignol (E. Hastings, west of Clark Dr, accessible by bus #135, #10, #16 and #20).
http://www.aupetitchavignol.com/
Baru Latino on Alma @ 10th is another good option if you order carefully:
http://www.barulatino.com/
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Ooh! Au Petit Chavignol is a great idea! Romantic, and a bit different from the usual restaurant fare and everything is shared.
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Agreed! What could be more romantic than sharing a fondue or raclette with your sweetie over a lovely bottle of Riesling?
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Shared ?!? Mrs. LR and I fought to get each other's last morsels of cheese and meat, LOL !
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Thanks all,
so far I have 'compiled' this:
Jules: bill under $100 and suitable atmosphere
Juno Bistro: Nice intimate and cozy spot for sushi
Faux Bourgeois: quite romantic, candle light, within price range (don't think it's too casual), room has a nice warm atmosphere and low lighting. But too casual, room is cramp, might be a touch loud,
Lupo: within budget and nice atmosphere, my favourite restaurant, romantic room. But bill is usually over $150
Sandbar: bill under $100 and suitable atmosphere, heated patio to watch the sunset kind of casual
Water St Cafe: would be in the price range
Salade de Fruits: less than 100, Great suggestion But can't see the lobby of that building being 'romantic'
Judas Goat: Intimate
Fish House
Seasons
La Brasserie
I think I'm gonna go with one of these...
- Seasons
- Salade de Fruits
- Sandbar
- Faux Bourgeois
- Water St Cafe
- Jules
Any last minute advice?
Thanks again,
Christophe.
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Salade de Fruits
1545 7th Ave W, Vancouver, BC V6J1S1, CA
La Brasserie
1091 Davie St, Vancouver, BC V6E1M5, CA
Water St Cafe
300 Water St, Vancouver, BC V6B1B6, CA
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I would choose Les Faux Bourgeios or Jules from that list. Let me throw in Kitsilano Daily Kitchen into the mix as well.
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Eight-1/2 ...... on E.8th just west of Main St. Cozy and snuggly. Affordable, casual food made with care:
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/14/144910...
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I think that of your short list, Les Faux Bourgeois and Jules (from what I hear, as I haven't been) are the most romantic. Salade de Fruits is great as well as long as you can get a table not in the atrium/hallway.
I would not personally classify Sandbar or Seasons as romantic. I see Sandbar as more of a "casual fine dining" atmosphere and Seasons more of a "business" atmosphere (it does have a nice view, but you wouldn't be able to see any of that during a winter dinner).
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Hello all,
First I thank you all for answering my questions, this definitively helped my choice.
Second I went to Les Faux Bourgeois Bistro (663 E 15th Ave Vancouver, BC) and that everything went very well.
Third, I want to give you my personnal feedbacks in order to help other people to make the same (kind of) decision.
1) the restaurant is really busy, so book far in advance (at least 2 days if you want to have full choice of when (and where))
2) think about closing time. I made a reservation for 9pm and it closes at 10pm on sundays. We arrived early and so had plenty of time, but if not it would have been short for a nice dinner.
3) some tables are closer than others, same as some tables are more in the way than others. Probably because it was late, it was not busy, crowed, or loud, but I feel that it could potentially be not as intimate and romantic as our dinner was.
4) the food was really really good, and in nice (big) portions.
5) we shared an appetizer, we had each a main course and a glass of wine, we shared a dessert. After all of this, we were really full and the bill was only $95 after taxes and tips.
6) we did have a candle at our table
7) the atmosphere (decoration/lay out) is nice, warm.
8) the service is good.
9) the prices are honest.
10) it is indeed more casual than formal, but in our case it was still romantic. I guess it is hard to be objective in these kinds of rating, since casual or formal is a relative impression.
So to conclude, I think that Les Faux Bourgeois is a really good place to go for a romantic candlelit dinner in Vancouver, with an intimate but not formal atmosphere and a reasonable bill. Only drawback, because it is a good place and a good deal and has good food and service, plan and book enough in advance so you have more choices.
Cheers,
Christophe.
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Les Faux Bourgeois Bistro
663 E 15th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5T, CA
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You met your goal by $5 !
Glad to hear everything worked out :-)
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Very cool report-Thanks for posting back-glad to hear you had a fine time.
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