Artful seafood at world-renowned Tojo's. Photo by KK Law
Vancouver baits foodies from around the world with its oceanside locale and access to the freshest fish. For this seafood savant, top spots to taste saltwater succulents include Tojo’s (pictured), for buttery sashimi; Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House, for oysters by the dozen; and Coast Restaurant, for line-caught fish.—Kristina Urquhart
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
Jets roll from Meiji. Photo by chronic creative.
Local restaurants have caught game-day fever, offering tasty fare to savour in front of the big screen or creative dishes named after Winnipeg’s professional sports teams.
Just steps from the MTS Centre, 4Play Sports Bar & Grill has all the glitz and glam of a Las Vegas sports bar with cushy loungers lined up in front of a 24 ft.-projection screen. A mountain of red, green and yellow tortilla chips generously covered with roasted vegetables and melted cheese scores a grand slam in flavour. 1405 Portage Ave, 783-6155.
Succulent, flame-licked chicken is the specialty at West End eatery Galo Louco. Chow down on subtly seasoned kebabs and fresh house-made potato chips, while watching the action play on TVs in the dining room and lounge. 1075 Notre Dame Ave, 772-4256.
The Jets roll (pictured) at Japanese eatery Meiji salutes the returning NHL team. Local freshwater favourites—fresh pickerel and smoked goldeye—offer a decadent taste of Manitoba inside each bite of this artful roll topped with avocado, snow crab and salmon. 454 River Ave, 284-3996.
Two levels of TVs and games, and a rooftop patio with stellar city views make the downtown location of Tavern United a sports fan favourite. Classic pub fare like fish and chips are done exceptionally well with a crunchy, beer batter coating. 260 Hargrave St, 944-0022.
Ultra-trendy Unburger’s “Blue & Gold” creation is a tribute to the city’s beloved Blue Bombers. Here, a Manitoba lean ground beef patty is topped with gourmet blue cheese, chipotle aïoli, balsamic onion, greens and tomato. 472 Stradbrook Ave, 888-1001.
Victoria Street, Kamloops. Photo by Spatial Mongrel
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner is our series highlighting the best local restaurants across Canada. Today we are featuring top restaurant picks in Kamloops, British Columbia, situated in the dry Thompson Valley, a hub for golf and outdoorsy endeavors.
Have a tip for your city? Let us know on Twitter or on Facebook.
By Waheeda Harris
Breakfast
Make it a sweet start to the day with a cup of fair trade java and a cinnamon Danish roll from Romann’s Swiss Pastries and Chocolates. A mainstay of downtown, this Swiss bakery offers many delights, all made in house daily. And if you’re more of a savoury type, fresh from the oven bread will be another lure – the multigrain Sovital bread will help fuel up for a day of exploring.
Romann’s Swiss Pastries & Chocolates, 359 Victoria Street, Kamloops BC 250-372-2625
Lunch
Whether you’ve conquered the trails of Kenna Cartwright Park or the shopping areas of Columbia Street and Summit Drive, the tasty offerings from Taka Japanese will fit the bill. Plenty of locally-inspired options include freshly-made seaweed salad, BC roll with salmon skin or the Aurora roll (a California roll with salmon, tuna, shrimp or red snapper), or make life easy – order a combination bento box.
Taka Japanese Restaurant, #270-1210 Summit Drive, Kamloops BC 250-828-0806
Dinner
This contemporary boite will encourage switching from Mountain Co-op gear to a new outfit from one of the Victoria Street boutiques. With a nice little wine list and starters and entrees influenced by the cuisines of Spain, France and Italy, diners will have all their senses easily satisfied. Reward yourself with a post-meal stroll to see 400 rose varieties in the Peter Wing Rotary Rose Garden in nearby Riverside Park.
Felix on Fourth Street, 260 Fourth Avenue Kamloops, BC 250-434-4766
There's something for every taste at Wasabi.
Wasabi’s elegant dining room is a resplendent oasis in the bustling ByWard Market. With more than 300 items on the menu at this Japanese restaurant and sushi bar, deciding what to order can be a challenge. We suggest their signature shrimp-tempura roll, or the original Spezza Salmon Special conceived by Wasabi-frequenter — and Ottawa Senators’ player — Jason Spezza. Relax in a booth, or schmooze in the lounge, but be sure to stroll past the sushi-creation station where you can see the experts craft each delicious piece. 41 Clarence St., 613-241-3636.
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
Porchetta at Meat and Bread. Photo by KK Law
From sushi to sandwiches, quick but hearty lunches are all the rage.
1 Meat and Bread (pictured) No-nonsense spot for carnivores satisfies with porchetta and salsa verde, meatballs and a changing carvery of chicken, beef, lamb, veal and fish. Good local liquids, too.
2 Sea Monstr Sushi Smart, bento-box-sized, stainless-steel-trimmed Gastown chopsticks joint enjoys a loyal following for fresh seafood and more.
3 Big Lou’s Old-style butcher shop makes super-sized bánh mì, packed with barbecued pork, house-made pâté and spicy mayo. Plus roast beef, bulgogi chicken and more, all brown-paper-wrapped at the counter.
4 Brioche Sicily meets BC with superb scratch soups, house-baked breads from panini to pizza, seafood salads and seductive desserts in a cozy heritage setting.
5 La Grotta del Formaggio Long-running Commercial Drive institution—part deli, part sandwich shop—packs a panini with whatever your taste buds desire. Take-out only.—Tim Pawsey
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
Pan-seared BC sablefish at The Fish House in Stanley Park. Photo by KK Law
No surprise, but marine cuisine is our specialty. Where to go for some of the freshest fare?
1 The Fish House in Stanley Park Celebrated chef and author Karen Barnaby delights with Ocean Wise tastes such as cedar-planked Arctic char, in an idyllic setting.
2 Fishworks Hop on the SeaBus to discover chef Shallaw Kadir’s daring inventions, from scallop risotto to wild salmon Wellington.
3 Miku Sleek and stylin’ space close to the Vancouver Convention Centre sports a sparkling ceiling, not to mention trademark aburi (flame-seared) sushi, as well as a wealth of creative sushi and hot plates.
4 Rodney’s Oyster House East Coast–inspired haunt lures locals for its casual atmosphere, raw oyster selection, abundant chowders and well-packed steamers.
5 Blue Water Cafe East meets west at this Yaletown spot, where choices range from the superlative raw bar to chef Frank Pabst’s sablefish in miso-sake glaze.—Tim Pawsey
• 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.
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Stay, Dine, Do
