Need help for May 24 thru 30..

[astaylor]

Coming back to YVR for the better part of a week, have a number of free nights to sample the best of what Vancouver has to offer, and some of those nights I will have company from one to up to six additional diners.

I guess what I want to know is what is really good in Vancouver these days..
Vij's is a must for me..
Is Salt worth the visit?
Blue Water for sushi?
What about Chambar?
Never been but obviously know about Lumiere - should I go?
Why is Market not getting any press?
Are there local gems not on the popular radar worth checking out?

If you had 4 nights to pick anywhere in the city to eat, budget not an issue, but also not of the mind that a big bill equates to a great night (case in point is a place I frequent when in Toronto called Enoteca Socale - probably the best Italian this side of Venice, but I can't budge the bill past $150 for two no matter how hard I try..), where would you go?

Thanks for guiding me...

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Vij's Restaurant
1480 11th Ave W, Vancouver, BC V6H1L1, CA

Lumiere
2551 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6K2E9, CA

[waylman]

Salt is great if you like wine and charcuterie...don't expect a full meal though. More of a big snack!
Blue Water is awesome. Sushi + everything else is top notch.
Chambar is good - food can be inconsistent though. Also, the room can get very loud which turns some off.
Lumiere is closed. The old chef has opened up a new joint called Ensemble. I haven't been yet.
Market is alright - nothing to write home about.

4 nights anywhere?
Blue Water
Cioppino's
Le Crocodile
Boneta, L'Abattoir or La Quercia

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La Quercia
3689 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6R1P2, CA

Lumiere
2551 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6K2E9, CA

Le Crocodile Restaurant
909 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC V6Z2N2, CA

[astaylor]

See what happens when you don't pay attention? May check out Ensemble (the old chefs new place), will research the others and report back..

Thanks for the recs!

[clutterer]

I've been to Ensemble: it's less upscale than Lumiere (I mean, pulled pork sliders are on the menu). It's not quite a "must visit" place (unless you're a Top Chef Canada fanatic), but it just opened last week and probably needs some time to settle into a groove. They play the tv show while you're eating, which just seemed ____________.

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Lumiere
2551 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6K2E9, CA

[clutterer]

Lumiere is no more, so that's an easy question to answer. Dale Mackay's new place, Ensemble, is now open.

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Lumiere
2551 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6K2E9, CA