For seafood at around the same price Forte's charging, I would recommend the Beach House at Dundarave Pier in West Vancouver (Marine Drive near 25th Street). Even though you may have to endure extra traffic in crossing the Lions Gate Bridge from town to get there, the quality far exceeds that of Forte's. Plus they have sea view tables you can sit at - something Joe Forte's doesn't have.
http://atthebeachhouse.inknoise.com/main

Lots of great choices but I have to second Vij's. Amazing food!

Thanks for all the suggestions! Dissapointingly, our trip schedule changed and we weren't able to spend much time other than driving through Vancouver. I always like to spend time there so I was a bit bummed, but the rest of the stuff was great, too.

It's sort of "fast food" (gasp) but a place called Bread Garden Bakery in Coquitlam was pretty good for being fast and right off the highway (we were trying to make it to Kamloops at a reasonable hour)

With West Jet flights from Hamilton or Toronto to Vancouver, hopefully our next trip to BC will be sooner rather than later!

Too late now for the OP, but here's another vote for Vij. We liked it so much we went there twice! :) Fabulous and original food (kind of designer Indian), wines chosen to match the menu (owner Vikram is a sommelier), welcoming friendly atmosphere.

Here Are My Favorites
 

Banana Leaf - inexpensive Asian food
C - pricy, but we love it
West - the absolute best, medium priced
Raincity Grill - we eat there on every Vancouver visit
Showcase - OK, it's in the Marriott hotel and this is going to sound strange - but it has some of the best curry I've ever had! So good that once I got home, I called the chef back with some questions about how to make the curry I had, and I swear, he spent > 20 minutes on phone with me, walking me through every step.
Vijs - We eat there every time we leave Vancouver. When it's on the menu, my husband always gets the curried goat, which I think is just a mistake...I mean, who in their right mind would eat curried goat and get on a plane...but that's his tradition.

To add to the growing list of places in the city may I recommend the Cafe De Paris located at 751 Denman St near Alberni in West End (close to Stanley Park). I know the name sounds so obvious, but your looking for an French Bistro with a west coast flavour touch to it then this is the place to go. Their duck confit & smoked rack of lamb are worth craving for.

dinner choice
 

I think Coast in Yaletown is pretty good for seafood. It's stylish, friendly and the food is a notch above. I went to the Blue Water Grill and found it to be just ok.

After a search for Vancouver decided to bump this back up. We will be in Vancouver next week for 4 days. Previous posts still apply? Any new locations we should try? Also would like the one, must go to, special event (read melt the credit card expensive) place to celebrate while in Vancouver.

The must-have, mortgage the house, experience in Vancouver is Lumiere, or Tojo's.

Tojo's serve fastidiously expensive sushi which is a favourite of Hollywood celebs, out-of-towner's, but surprisingly few locals, and especially local Japanese!! However, when Tojo is "on" it is a heart-stopping experience, food, and bill, wise. The "omakase" is the preferred order choice, for both the patron and customer......... ;)

Lumiere is a Relais & Chateaux restaurant and serves wonderful a wonderful "Vancouver" influenced french cuisine. Rob Feenie, the chef, has trained under the likes of Charlie Trotter and Daniel Boulud, uses the best local ingredients in preparing some of Vancouver's best food. Interestingly, he was victorious on Iron Chef America and I believe that menu he used to win is on the dinner menu.

The sister restaurant to Lumiere, is Feenie's, located immediately next door to Lumiere and they share the same kitchen. Feenie's is MUCH cheaper and features more of Rob's favourite comfort food. The Calamari Sandwich is spectacular; you really cannot go wrong with anything on the menu.

Both Lumiere and Feenie's offer complimentary valet parking.

The noise level at Feenie's is often atrociously loud. You have to shout to have your dining companions hear you. FOr much less money, I like Aurora Bistro and Seb's Cafe.

Tojo's is way overrated. Not surprising no locals go there. Go to Sushikan in Richmond instead.

And if you've got time to kill in Gastown while waiting for the next Seabus, the Steamworks brewpub is right by the terminal. Excellent pub grub and award-winning beers made on premises.

I second Steamworks. The crispy dry ribs go down really nicely with a couple of pints of Empress IPA.