Vancouver Dining Picks, Pt. 2
Best View
Lift. Perched over Coal Harbour, Lift has knockout views, a modern design, and beautiful servers. The menu is French-accented West Coast, and the upstairs patio is to die for. (333 Menchions Mews; tel.
604/689-5438;
www.liftbarandgrill.com; entrees C$29-C$49; AE, DC, MC, V; lunch & dinner daily; bus: 19)
Best Romantic Dining
Raincity Grill. Raincity and its "100-mile tasting menu" set the bar for Vancouver's fresh local food movement. Expect exceptional organic cuisine, friendly service, and a killer view of the English Bay sunset (from both the interior dining room and the patio). (1193 Denman St.; tel.
604/685-7337;
www.raincitygrill.com; entrees C$27-C$32; AE, DC, MC, V; lunch Mon-Fri, brunch Sat-Sun, dinner daily; bus: C21, C23, 6, 5)
Best Wine, Meat & Cheese
Salt Tasting Room. Select three cured meats and/or artisanal cheeses, three perfect condiments, and then top it off with wine. Yum. The day's selections are chalked on a blackboard. (45 Blood Alley; tel.
604/633-1912;
www.salttastingroom.com; tasting plates C$15; AE, MC, V; lunch & dinner daily; bus: 50)
Best Japanese
Tojo's Restaurant. Tojo's offers legendary sushi and sashimi created with fresh, seasonal ingredients, plus omakase tasting menus. (1133 W. Broadway; tel.
604/872-8050;
www.tojos.com; entrees C$18-C$38, omakase C$55-C$110; AE, DC, MC, V; dinner Mon-Sat; bus: 99B, 9)
Best Indian
Vij. Stratospherically inventive Indian cuisine, mixing classic dishes with seasonal local meats, seafood, and produce. No reservations are taken, so arrive early. (1480 W. 11th Ave; tel.
604/736-6664;
www.vijs.ca; entrees C$22-C$28; AE, DC, MC, V; dinner daily; bus: 98b, 10)
Best BC Regional Cuisine
West. Perennially named Vancouver's best restaurant, it's stylish yet relaxed, of-the-moment but not trendy, and offers perfect service and contemporary seasonal cuisine. (2881 Granville St.; tel.
604/738-8938;
www.westrestaurant.com; entrees C$40-C$47; AE, DC, MC, V; dinner daily; bus: 98b, 10)
