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.