Japanese Cuisine

Canada > Archive by tag 'Japanese cuisine'

Hot Dining: Beyond Sashimi

The food at ShuRaku is as lovely as art. Photo by KK Law

Even though the city boasts countless sushi bars, the raw fish specialty is only part of the Japanese scene. Chef Masahiro Omori takes small plates to new heights at Granville Street’s ShuRaku Sake Bar & Bistro (pictured). Tucked away downstairs at Alberni and Thurlow, long-running Aki is a robata specialist. And nearby hibachi-style Kobe Japanese Steak House puts on a knife-whirling teppanyaki show. Warning: don’t try this at home.—Tim Pawsey

You Are Here: Hamilton Street

Find an eclectic mix of dining, shopping and places for pampering on this stretch in historic Yaletown

By Jill Von Sprecken

Hamilton Street Grill. Photo by KK Law

SPLURGE ON STYLE
The bold graphic prints at iconic Finnish company Marimekko pack a punch on bright handbags, home accessories and fashions for the whole family. Or try the Goorin Brothers Hat Shop, a brand established in 1895, on for size. The stylish boutique carries a selection of toppers for men and women, ranging from classic to creative.

BEAUTY-FULL
In an area brimming with salons, Noir Lash Lounge has the niche market covered. Eyelash extensions, the only service offered, make peepers pop with styles ranging from au naturel to high drama. At Blo, a bombshell blowout is only a hairdryer away. There’s nary a pair of scissors nor a bottle of dye to be found, just salon-worthy locks in a snap. Guilt-free indulgence can be found at Frilly Lilly, where dessert-inspired beauty products, such as the “bathcake,” are (almost) good enough to eat.

SPOT-ON SEAFOOD
A converted brick-and-beam warehouse space is the backdrop for Blue Water Cafe + Raw Bar, where innovative offerings, such as jellyfish and sea urchin, are always local and sustainable as well as beautifully prepared. Drop anchor at casual Rodney’s Oyster House for raw oysters and chowders that are sure to make a splash.

Society. Photo by KK Law

TOP TASTES
For a new take on small plates, visit Hapa Izakaya to sample Japanese tapas, sake and cocktails. At Cioppino’s Mediterranean Grill, the extensive wine cellar is second only to the fresh ingredients and traditional flavours, which take centre stage. Try Hamilton Street Grill for steaks or the famous burger, served with aged cheddar and truffle mayonnaise. Sip cool cocktails and nosh on pad thai on Charm Modern Thai’s trendy patio. For other South Asian bites, try Simply Thai or Urban Thai Bistro. Hot spot Society serves creative comfort food with a twist, from spiked milkshakes to lobster shepherd’s pie.

DRINK UP
For inspired cocktails that will get your creativity flowing, check out Raw Canvas. An extensive menu of beer, wine and mixed drinks is served alongside the “painting pit.” Purchase a canvas and unleash your inner artist. If a caffeine buzz is what you’re after, try Argo Cafe for that perfect cup. Fair trade beans are roasted in-house and complemented with soups, sandwiches and baked goods.

BY NIGHT
DJs set the scene at George Ultra Lounge, the perfect spot to sip a classic martini. Built on a foundation of food, drink and graffiti art, 100 Nights is a lively venue with plenty of glitz and glamour. Trendy Afterglow Lounge combines sultry decor, beautiful people and libations—certainly a potent cocktail.

Hamilton Street is a 10-minute walk from downtown. Or take the Canada Line SkyTrain to the Yaletown-Roundhouse stop.

Vancouver Life: Pride of Davie Street

Rainbow flags and pink bus stops decorate the streets of gay-friendly Davie Street, known for its vibrant collection of bars and restaurants, in the heart of the culturally diverse West End

By Dylan Martin

Davie Street is awash with rainblow flags during the Vancouver Pride Parade and Festival. Photo courtesy Vancouver Pride Society

Casual Cuisine

Chock-full of delicious dining spots, Davie Street offers plenty of places to find an inexpensive meal at any hour of the day. Hamburger Mary’s provides a retro diner experience, while Denny’s serves an all-day-breakfast. Joe’s Grill is a local favourite, as is Vera’s Burger Shack, known for its toppings.

International Eats

With a variety of ethnic restaurants, Davie Street has something for every palate. Satisfy cravings for savoury Korean barbecue at Dan Sung Sa or for fresh Italian pasta at Café Luxy. Japanese food fans have their pick between Kadoya, Samurai and Downtown Sushi Bar, while Indian lovers indulge in tandoori and curry dishes at India Bistro. Further down the road, folks wanting inexpensive Greek food line up at the ever-popular Stepho’s, known for its heaping portions.

Colourful costumes are a highlight at the Vancouver Pride Festival. Photo courtesy Vancouver Pride Society

Party Places

Those seeking sophisticated sips turn to the cool cocktail bars 1181 Lounge and Oasis Ultra Lounge. While sports fans cheer on their favourite team at Score on Davie, friends share brews at The Fountainhead Pub. Dance enthusiasts converge on Celebrities, where international DJs get the crowd on their feet.

Pride Week

Every summer, thousands of spectators flock to the Vancouver Pride Parade and Festival (Jul. 31) for the 150 flashy floats, the colourful marching bands and the festival on Sunset Beach featuring local performers. All are celebrating the queer community in over-the-top style. Concerts, street parties, lectures, boat cruises, art exhibitions and other similarly enticing events take place during the days leading up to the parade and festival, meaning there is lots to see and do.

Davie Street is an easy walk or a short taxi ride from all downtown hotels. Or hop on the Canada Line SkyTrain and get off at the Yaletown-Roundhouse Station, at the foot of Davie Street.

Hot Dining: Happening Hapa

Hapa Umi is the sophisticated older sister of Vancouver's Hapa Izakaya restaurants. Photo by KK Law

No wonder Bon Appétit magazine has pegged Hapa Izakaya as among the top five izakayas in North America: owners Lea and Justin Ault honed their izakaya skills in Tokyo before opening in Vancouver. Their newest, more formal Hapa Umi (pictured), boasts a bustling bar, open kitchen and picturesque patio, just a few steps from Canada Place. Fave tastes range from inventive maki sushi (splurge on the lobster roll) to BC wild spring salmon, plus superb desserts. Save room for green tea opera cake with butter cream.—Tim Pawsey

Hot Dining: Seeing Stars

The patio at Blue Water Cafe. Photo by Steve Li

As North America’s third-largest film production centre, Vancouver welcomes its share of celebrities. Keep your eyes peeled for the glitterati at VIP hot spots such as Blue Water Cafe (pictured), which has hosted Tom Cruise, Owen Wilson, Liam Neeson and Ben Stiller. Twilight stars Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart have supped at Italian Kitchen and Miku; Renée Zellweger and Bradley Cooper were spotted at Market by Jean-Georges; Lady Gaga lunched at Raincity Grill; and Jennifer Aniston was served at Cioppino’s and Goldfish Pacific Kitchen.—Kristina Urquhart

Hot Dining: West (End) Meets East

Dragon roll at Taiko on Denman. Photo by KK Law

Asian flavours abound in the West End. Taiko on Denman is a polished, capacious, slate-and-glass-trimmed upstairs escape close to Coal Harbour. Inventive sushi, robata and donburi are served in a dramatic setting with glimpses of Stanley Park and the North Shore mountains. Prime lures: all-you-can-eat lunch and dinner menus. Close by, sushi-free Gyoza King Japanese Izakaya is a late-night haunt favoured by locals and homesick language students alike, while Kintaro Ramen, a Lilliputian hole-in-the-wall diner, is famed for its pork-packed noodle bowls, minimal seating—and often long line-ups.—Tim Pawsey

Hot Dining: Turning Japanese

• Hamachi House on Morris Street: One of Halifax’s most popular sushi destinations; also offers tempura, teriyaki
and more.
• Fujiyama on Blowers Street: Picked by Where editors as one of Canada’s Best New Restaurants; specializes in sushi and hibachi.
• Sushi Nami Royale on Dresden Row: Japanese fine dining with traditional and fusion sushi; exotic cocktails.

Hot Dining: Sake to Me

Executive chef Masahiro Omori puts the finishing touches on ebi mayo at ShuRaku. Photo by KK Law

No surprise that vibrant Asian flavours are all the rage in this Pacific Rim city. Downtown on Granville Street, ShuRaku (pictured) delights with contemporary and traditional plates, from beef tataki and chicken teriyaki to the “Dynamic” prawn tempura roll, all paired with one of the city’s most extensive sake lists, including many from Artisan SakeMaker. Just opened Guu Garden is a popular izakaya (Japanese tapas) lure for homesick language students, while bustling Kingyo Izakaya in the West End stays open late for those craving ahi tuna, avocado carpaccio, stone-grilled Kobe beef or ebi mayo (spicy butterflied prawns).—Tim Pawsey

Hot Dining: Bento Redux

Pork katsudon at Oru. Photo by KK Law

Right across from the new Vancouver Convention Centre West, Oru (in the Fairmont Pacific Rim) has a lunchtime lure that’s hard to resist. Bathed in natural light, the spacious upstairs room revels in a modern, minimalist setting.

Executive chef David Wong’s “Asian brasserie” cuisine includes a midday Four Set, a variation on the Japanese bento box: flexible choices of appetizer, salad, small entrée and dessert range from spicy Thai chicken to kimchi-spiced braised short rib—not to mention seductive and silky ganache chocolate tart.—Tim Pawsey

Hot Dining: Asian Precision

An exquisite offering from chef Hashimoto

If ever there was a reason to schedule an excursion to Toronto’s more northerly environs, Kaiseki Yu-Zen Hashimoto is it. The recently opened Japanese spot has only 10 seats and requires reservations at least a week in advance, but such exclusivity allows master chef and owner Masaki Hashimoto to give his full attention to your utterly unique meal. The nine-course chef’s-choice prix fixe menu ($300) is modeled on the centuries-old kaiseki tradition, which prizes artful presentation and the freshest seasonal ingredients sourced directly from the land of the rising sun. Each delectable dish is paired with an imported matcha tea, too, adding another sensual dimension to the acclaimed epicurean experience.

Bonus! Toronto Life offers an illuminating look inside Kaiseki Yu-Zen Hashimoto here.