I'd appreciate reccommendations for good restaurants in Vancouver -- especially Italian or seafood.

We're staying at the Sunset Inn (I'm told it's in the vicinity of both the West End and downtown).

We're travelling light, so the toughest dress code we could meet would be busines casual.

Thanks,

John

A couple of restaurants to check are:
www.opentable.com
www.dinehere.ca

As for criteria: 1) within walking distance? 2) price range?

In Vancouver, it's all about seafood but there are hundred different styles for it.

I've heard some good things about Trattoria Italian Kitchen. Haven't been there yet myself though but plan to try it out soon. It's outside the downtown core though, across the Burrard St Bridge. It looks like the Sunset Inn is on the other side of the bridge.

As Braindrain indicates, you're going to find seafood in most restaurants. Finding salmon, halibut, and shrimp dishes seem to be pretty standard IMO. Black cod/sablefish is somewhat common too.

Last year I did a posted a list of restaurants a local food critic recommended. If you have some time, maybe take a look at the list, though I didn't indicate what type of restaurants they were.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ght=restaurant

If you have the $$$ to spend, some people recommend C where you spend a lot for very little quantity wise.

For the scenery, you can go to Cannery (classic French preparation) although the location is a bit remote to say the least. Plethora of Chinese seafood restaurants though I haven't been to the one that many recommend (Sun Sui Wah - Richmond said to be better becauase it has a larger kitchen).

The "western" restaurants that I find good for seafood (they use local and usually wild caught - not farmed salmon) are Aurora Bistro, Gastropod and Pair (went to the latter last night) in Mount Pleasant, Kitsilano and Point Grey respectively. The chef/owner at Aurora likes to use sablefish and halibut cheeks. The chef/owner at Gastropod does many things with fish including a multi-layered tuna appetiser (can't remember the exact name). I'd avoid the fish restaurant in Stanley Park (it has "fish" in the name) as service slow is at best. I'd also avoid the seafood restaurant just off the north side of the Burrard Street bridge.

For italian, there's a restaurant called Pinos or some such in Yaletown. Said to be very good italian food, especially seafood.

There's two owned by the same group (Glowbal?) The Kitchen is on Burrard near Alberni. The Bistro is on West 4th. My partner went to the Bistro with a friend a few weeks back and said between the music, open kitchen and the acoustics of the place, they couldn't have a decent conversation (the place is loud.

It would be nice for the restaurant to be within walking distance, but not crucial. We're avid wlakers - two miles, or so, to dinner wouldn't be a problem as long as the neighborhood was OK.

Regarding $$, we're comfortable paying $90 to $100 for a nice dinner for 2 with a glass of wine each. Note, I won't have a jacket and tie with me.

Thanks

Get thee to Parkside! It's an absolute gem of a restaurant in a quiet corner of the West End - incredible food and perfect service. I always say there are two only types of guests there - regulars and soon-to-be-regulars. Dress code is business casual, and allow yourself about 2.5-3 hours to really savour the experience. The menu changes daily, but you can get a taste for their style of cooking by checking out their wesbite - it's updated every day with that night's menu. From the Sunset Inn, you're looking at a 1.2 mile walk each way - you can walk down Davie and Denman to check out the two main streets of the West End or take the seawall to Gilford for a nice view, or just zig-zag around the residential streets in the neighbourhood.

It's so good that Mr. DtC and I had our wedding there!

I should add re: Parkside that while it is $65pp for the full 3 courses, you can order a la carte should you just want to have mains, or split a starter. I'm not sure what the breakdown is as far as price per course, though, as I always opt for all 3, greedy piglet that I am.

Here are my recommendations within those criteria:
1) Caffe de Medici (Robson St) - good Italian, wine may bring you over
2) Hermitage (Robson St - French) - right beside Medici! The chef cooked for the King of Belgium or something like that.
3) Izakaya - You CANNOT go to Vancouver WITHOUT trying Izakaya, or Japanese tapas. Close ones (downtown) are Gyoza King, Hapa Izakaya, Kingyo Izakaya. Sushi is so yesterday.
4) So.cial at Le Magasin (Gastown) - One of the only places in Vancouver wit dry aged steaks. For the steak connoisseur.
5) Morton's (downtown, Canada Place) - Part of the Chicago chain and like Ruth's Chris. Reason for recommendation: if you go to the website, you'll find a coupon for $119, good for a complete dinner for 2.
6) Fleuri (downtown, in Sutton Place Hotel) - old skool French without breaking the bank.

Enjoy!

Sadly Caffe de Medici is closing September 27. Full story here, short version = lease is up and they couldn't find another downtown location at a decent price.

Nooooo!!!!

Hmmm...

Anyone been to Bishop's lately? It's been awhile but have enjoyed several fabulous meals there....

Also we really enjoyed Diva at the Metropolitan Hotel in the centre of the city....

Rather than Bishop's, I usually go to Bistro Pastis (a few doors down). More casual atmosphere but superb food. I feel I have to tuck my shirt in when I go to Bishop's.

Diva is good, but IMHO, a little overpriced for what it is. Lots of competition downtown.

It's been a few years but this is one of the best places in Vancouver IMHO....


http://www.lecrocodilerestaurant.com/index.cfm

For Italian, try Amarcord in Yaletown. Understated and underrated.

I'd avoid the Cannery and go with The Fish House in Stanley Park. Nicer room, and you could walk.

Agree. Cannery the food is great but to get there is a real pain. With the new security, the whole area is gated and you have to go through security check. It is a pain.

What about "C Restaurant" It specalizes in seafood and it is within the price range that OP quoted. Great view by the water.