Quality local restaurants that are in the same price range as chains.

[lunchslut]

Over the last few months we have gone to several established Vancouver restaurants:
Brix, Les Faux Bourgeois, and Pied-a-terre. What am struck by these restaurants is the reminder of how good their food is and how similar their price points are to the higher end chains (Cactus Club, Earls, and Milestones).

What are other local restaurants that are in the same price range as chains but that surpass them in food quality, service, and ambiance?

[LotusRapper]

Do you want a list of all cuisine types, or just French/Continental, or those that directly resemble CC/Earls/MIlestones (I should also add Joey to your list) ?

Just randomly off top of my head:

Cafe Regalade

Cafe Salade de Fruits

Crave

Eight-1/2

Brown's Social House (also a chain in the making)

The French Table

[fmed]

I think Brown's is already a chain actually http://www.litigationbrief.ca/2010/10...

The rest are solid additions.

[lunchslut]

Was thinking European/Continental/Fusion. Just thought it would be nice to ba able to pull out a list of alternatives next time someone tried to organize a meal at a chain.

[Gaseous Clay]

Wouldn't it be easier to list the ones that are not.

[fmed]

LOL. Well...I'll start a list anyway:
-L'Abattoir (Mains - ~$26)
-Campagnolo Roma/Campagnolo (Pastas ~$16, Pizza ~$13)
-Judas Goat (apps from $5-12, shareable for two)