The West Coast

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Hot Dining: Finny Faves

Local ling cod and chips at Go Fish. Photo by KK Law

Locals who love Gord Martin’s open-air, dockside Go Fish are already hooked by the second, more landlocked, indoor location, just arrived on Broadway near Granville. Highlights from the sustainable Ocean Wise menu: scallop ceviche with heirloom tomato and watermelon salad, oyster Po’Boys, seafood tacos with smoked chilli sauce, wild salmon with Dungeness crab potatoes, and a trio of fresh fish ’n’ chips.—Tim Pawsey

More information:

GO FISH Local seafood at its freshest. Savour authentic fish tacos with homemade soft shells and a changing selection of fresh fish on the patio at the Fisherman’s Wharf location, or get take-out to enjoy at home. $$.

Fisherman’s Wharf, 1505 W. 1st Ave. 604-730-5040. L/D (Tu-Su).

1521 W. Broadway. 604-734-9421. L/D (M-Sa).

www.bin941.com

Hot Art: Water World

"Seaweed Near the Surface" by Veronica Plewman

The best thing about the West Coast is its proximity to the Pacific. Painters pay homage to the deep blue sea in Ocean View at Jacana Gallery (to Sep. 4). Artist Veronica Plewman gives us a look at what lies beneath in “Seaweed Near the Surface” (pictured), as she explores the relationship between the water’s surface and depths—tumultuous, like any great love story.—Kristina Urquhart

Vancouver Life: Sacred Sites

New Zealand’s Sacred Hill Winery (www.sacredhill.com) recently asked West Coasters to name the most sacred sites to enjoy a glass of wine. Raise your glass to the Vancouver winners: Stanley Park, Grouse Mountain, English Bay and anywhere with a view of the North Shore mountains.—Sheri Radford

Spanish Banks and the University Endowment Lands as seen from English Bay. Photo by KK Law

Hot Art: Festival Fun

Works by many artists, including Rachael Ashe, are on display at the Eastside Culture Crawl

Potters and painters and photographers, oh my! See the work of more than 350 local artists in their studios during the Eastside Culture Crawl (Nov. 26 to 28). Plan your own walking tour of this free festival to pick up lovely and interesting West Coast souvenirs such as “Looking for Signs of a Safe Return Home” (pictured) by mixed-media artist Rachael Ashe.—Kristina Urquhart

Hot Dining: 5 Dream Decors

Market by Jean-Georges at the Shangri-La Hotel. Photo by KK Law

In a nod to Vancouver Fashion Week (Nov. 3 to 7), check out these stylin’ rooms.
1 Market (pictured) Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s Vancouver destination yields a soothing, gently traditional feel that combines contemporary and classic themes.
2 La Terrazza Soaring ceilings, striking frescoes, swags and swaths define an exuberant Italian personality at this Yaletown flagship with its lounge bar and elegant private cellar room.
3 Lift Bar-Grill-View This Coal Harbour destination blends elegant interior lines, expansive glass and sweeping harbour views with plush leather seating and an edgy, contemporary, onyx backlit bar.
4 The Shore Club Elegant curves of warm wood, dramatic chandeliers and an expansive staircase that links downstairs lounge to upstairs dining room and open kitchen all combine for a luxurious experience.
5 Yew Natural light, wood, granite and a giant sandstone fireplace reflect BC’s natural beauty and artfully complement the West Coast–focused fare.—Tim Pawsey

Hot Art: True Colours

"Looking for Spring" by Ann Vandervelde is on display at Petley Jones Gallery

Two brushes are better than one in Forces of Nature at Petley Jones Gallery (Sep. 25 to Oct. 15; page 78). Behold acrylic and mixed-media abstracts by Lynda Kirby and Ann Vandervelde (“Looking for Spring,” pictured), exhibiting together for the first time. Also at the gallery: vibrantly hued West Coast scenes by painter Adrian Livesley in The Tangled Wood (Sep. 9 to 23).—Kristina Urquhart

Hot Art: Creative Cetacean

Douglas Coupland's Digital Orca is a cool West Coast symbol on Vancouver's waterfront. Photo by KK Law

Your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you. That giant metal whale in front of the new Vancouver Convention Centre really does look like a pixellated computer image or a Lego-like hologram—with a stunning North Shore backdrop, that is. Local artist and author Douglas Coupland’s 8-m- (25-foot-) tall Digital Orca installation juxtaposes our natural environment with technology. After the sun sets, LED lights make Coupland’s interpretation of our quintessential West Coast symbol a celestial sight.—Kristina Urquhart

Hot Shopping: Fly Me to the Moon

These unique luggage tags depicting Vancouver scenes are a fun souvenir. Photo by Caroline Toth

Celebs are always at their best while travelling—so what’s your excuse? Start with travel charms from Tiffany & Co. to spruce up your outfit, tuck no-name carry-on inside a luxe tote from Louis Vuitton and make sure everyone knows the drool-worthy bag is yours with luggage tags from Casa (pictured). Each tag captures an iconic spot on the West Coast in an art print.—Jennifer Patterson

Hot Dining: 5 Secret Patios

The sophisticated patio at Goldfish Pacific Kitchen. Photo by KK Law

1 Joe Fortes The tastefully adorned, plant-filled, rooftop garden sits above busy Robson Street at Thurlow.
2 Goldfish Cozy couches beckon from the back of this Asian-inclined West Coaster.
3 Gotham This discreet alfresco hideaway is mere steps from Pacific Centre.
4 Dockside Granville Island’s “other” brewery offers refreshing, waterside ales.
5 Cardero’s This sun-soaked afternoon escape in Coal Harbour lures with crispy wok squid and sesame-crusted albacore tuna.—Tim Pawsey

Gorgeous Greens

Stunning scenery sets the stage for a round of golf

By Jeff Angus and Jennifer Patterson

With all the focus West Coasters put on the great outdoors, it’s no surprise Metro Vancouver is a golfing destination. So whether you putt, drive, swing or chip your way to the eighteenth, there’s never a shortage of stellar courses to aim for that elusive hole-in-one or, even better, that perfect game.

A golfer attempts a birdie on the 14th hole at Furry Creek. Photo by KK Law

Furry Creek Golf & Country Club
If you enjoy sprawling mountain ranges and panoramic ocean views, head 40 minutes north of Vancouver to Furry Creek. The first hole prepares you for what’s ahead: a 165-ft (50-m) drop from tee to green on the 352-yd (322-m) par four. But the 14th hole is the most memorable—and most photographed—as it sits almost level with the ocean and the green is surrounded by the pristine Pacific. Don’t let the view throw you off your game; the 211-yd (193-m) hole demands accuracy off the tee.
Fun fact The famous fight scene between Adam Sandler and former The Price is Right host Bob Barker from the comedy Happy Gilmore was filmed at Furry Creek.
Tip If you’re a beginner, stock up on balls before your round, as a few wayward tee shots on this unforgiving course may have you feeling surly.

University Golf Club
In a city celebrated for its private courses such as Marine Drive, Point Grey and Shaughnessy—home of the 2005 and 2011 PGA Tour Canadian Opens—the University Golf Club has taken a different route by celebrating its public status with the slogan “non-members only.” Situated on the grounds of the University of British Columbia, the tree-lined course is a serene escape from downtown’s bustling metropolis.
Tip The wide, forgiving fairways allow for a few flubs during the round, but they narrow as you get closer to the green, so make sure your short game is in order.

Lush greens on the University Golf Club. Photo courtesy University Golf Club

Kings Links by the Sea
Bordering the Strait of Georgia, Kings Links by the Sea has uneven fairways lined with thick rough and fescue, very few trees and lots of wind. All in all, it’s a links course in the truest sense. Using natural terrain to create a playing field, the links-style course originated and was made famous in Scotland.
Tip If too much wind hinders your game, start early as the breeze picks up in the afternoon.

Fraserview Golf Course
City-owned Fraserview is known for numerous elevation changes and tricky greens. It’s one of only three public courses in the city—McCleery and Langara are the other two—certified by the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses. Of an estimated 32,000 courses in the world, only 677 are certified. The goal is to help golf courses preserve and protect wildlife and natural resources.
Tip The ball always breaks towards the Fraser River.

McCleery Golf Course
City-owned McCleery offers relatively flat fairways and large, welcoming greens. But don’t get too comfortable: a dozen water hazards keep you on your toes. Local duck and geese enjoy this course thanks to the ample swimming spots.
Tip To score well, keep the ball on the fairway.

Langara Golf Course
The shortest city-owned course is Langara, playing at only 6,261 yd (5,725 m) from the tips. It’s accommodating to players of all skill levels, but keep an eye out for sand traps that line the course.
Tip Precision off the tee makes navigating the rolling green less of a challenge.

Sprawling views at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Course. Photo courtesy Fairmont Chateau Whistler

Whistler
Golf legends Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus recognized Whistler’s idyllic setting as the perfect spot to build their award-winning courses. It’s fitting that they set up championship courses a stone’s throw from one another, as their on-course rivalry is legendary, beginning in the early ’60s. Jack Nicklaus lent his expertise to the crafting of Nicklaus North, which sits nestled in a lush valley and has played host to big names such as Fred Couples, Vijay Singh and John Daly. It was ranked one of the top 10 public golf courses in British Columbia in 2009 by SCOREGolf Magazine. Arnold Palmer left his mark on the West Coast with his design of the Whistler Golf Club. His philosophy was to create a course that is not only fun to play but also respects nature; it incorporates crystal-clear streams and lakes. Opened in the mid-’80s, it continues to be voted one of the top spots to play in the country.
Only two Canadian courses landed a spot on Golf Digest’s prestigious list of the 75 best golf resorts in North America. The Fairmont Chateau Whistler was one of them, snagging position #23 with its winning combination of golf, lodging, food and service. The course is carved into the side of Blackcomb Mountain, with natural features including an exposed rock face, ravines and waterfalls.

Famous Names
We don’t just produce great courses, we also produce some heavyweight talent.
Mike Weir The first Canadian to win the Masters Tournament, back in 2003.
Sandra Post Won eight LPGA titles, and two were back-to-back.
Al Balding The first Canadian to win on the PGA Tour, back in 1955.
Stephen Ames Currently ranked one of the top 25 golfers in the world.
Nick Taylor Young up-and-comer is first on the world amateur golf ranking.

For more info on these and other local golf courses, click here.

Hot Shopping: Cool Dwellings

Vancouver Special is a hip store for design divas

Design aficionados go wild for one of Main Street’s coolest shops, Vancouver Special. Named after a distinct West Coast style of architecture, this bright space stocks textbook-sized tomes that run the gamut from photography to travel to the best in condo living. Colourful clocks, notebooks and tchotchkes are perfect as take-home gifts, and the collection of furniture is just plain inspiring.—Jennifer Patterson

2009 Where to Dine Awards

By Tim Pawsey// Photos by KK Law

With its rich diversity of year-round local ingredients, from fresh seafood to artisan cheeses, Vancouver has emerged as an international culinary destination. Every year, Where Vancouver surveys readers to find out just which dishes, settings and service left a lasting impression—tastes that linger in the memory well beyond the trip home. And, once again, our well-travelled voters proved the great dining we enjoy here is a vibrant and flavour-filled reflection of this all-embracing, multicultural community.

READERS’ CHOICE

Caprese salad and spicy Kobe meatballs, at Italian Kitchen

ITALIAN
Italian Kitchen
1037 Alberni St. 604-687-2858.
Upbeat ambience and down-to-earth flavours rule at this lively two-tier room that appeals as much for its bar scene as for its multiregional fare. Drop in for a mixed antipasto platter at the dazzling 18-m (60-ft) white marble long bar, and stay for veal scaloppine with Braseola, penne arrabbiata or crab-stuffed prawns, each matched with a vintage from the well-stocked, glass-walled cellar. Must have: the spicy Kobe meatballs.
Honourable Mentions
CinCin
Il Giardino Di Umberto

FRENCH
Le Crocodile
909 Burrard St. 604-669-4298.
A long-running Francophile favourite, Michel Jacob’s burgundy-and-mustard-toned room delivers authentic bistro fare, often with a nod to the chef’s hometown dining mecca of Strasbourg. Top tastes include tarte à l’oignon, foie gras terrine, grilled veal medallions, rack of lamb with mustard sabayon, and wild salmon with saffron velouté. Wines roam from Alsace to the Okanagan, while service, ever thorough, is always discreet. Best-kept secret: authentic Dover sole with beurre blanc.
Honourable Mentions
Lumière
Le Gavroche

OTHER EUROPEAN
Chambar Belgian Restaurant
562 Beatty St. 604-879-7119.
This popular pre- and post-show room continues to evolve, now with its own Chambar Ale, an always-busy private room and The Dirty Apron Cooking School. Settle in for slow-cooked lamb tagine with honey, figs, cinnamon and cilantro; moules frites Congolaise; or bison carpaccio drizzled in truffle oil. This art-festooned heritage room feels just like being in Brussels—minus the airfare. Inside scoop: the city’s best Belgian waffles at next-door sibling Cafe Medina.
Honourable Mentions
The William Tell Restaurant
Jagerhof Schnitzel House

CHINESE

Delectable dim sum at Kirin Mandarin Restaurant

Kirin Mandarin Restaurant
1166 Alberni St. 604-682-8833.
A soaring three-storey atrium welcomes diners to this downtown room, celebrated for its authentic Northern Chinese fare, including the renowned Peking duck, as well as fresh King crab and lobster plucked from live tanks. Regulars pack in for mid-day dim sum, while larger parties choose the affordable but inventive set menus. Top taste: roast suckling pig.
Honourable Mentions
Sun Sui Wah Seafood Restaurant
Wild Rice

JAPANESE
Tojo’s
1133 W. Broadway. 604-872-8050.
The man who kick-started Vancouver’s sushi craze—which shows no sign of letting up—was also the first sushi chef to feature West Coast, as opposed to imported, ingredients. Tojo’s celebrated cuisine is becoming increasingly sustainable. Must-have: the omakase, the ultimate Japanese experience, where the chef cooks what he wants for you.
Honourable Mentions
ShuRaku
Guu

OTHER ASIAN
Banana Leaf Malaysian Cuisine
1096 Denman St. 604-683-3333.
These cheerful and colourfully decorated affordable haunts celebrate the culinary crossroads of Straits cuisine. Laksa (the spicy Malaysian broth and seafood staple) is a mainstay but so too are Hainanese chicken, black cod in caramelized ginger sauce and rendang curried beef. Top tastes: the prix fixe for six, which adds up to a menu-wide sampler.
Honourable Mentions
Thai House
Phnom Penh Restaurant

INDIAN
Vij’s
1480 W. 11th Ave. 604-736-6664.
Vikram Vij, the man credited with bringing modern Indian cuisine to Canada, continues to dazzle with his unique and flavourful style. Go early to avoid the inevitable late-evening wait, and savour celebrated tastes such as curried organic chicken liver paté, mutton kebabs or spot prawns and halibut in coconut lemon curry. Don’t miss: the famous fenugreek-cream curried lamb “popsicles.”
Honourable Mentions
Maurya Indian Cuisine
Rangoli

Filet mignon with crab legs and asparagus, at The Keg Steakhouse and Bar

STEAK
The Keg Steakhouse and Bar
1011 Mainland St. 604-633-2534.
Legendary for consistency and value, The Keg—which has its roots in Vancouver—continues to impress. Go for the New York strip; the baseball top sirloin with shrimp, scallops and Béarnaise; and the lively bar scene. Granville Island, Thurlow near Robson and Yaletown (with its tiered fireplaces) are all popular locations. Don’t miss: sirloin topped with Dungeness crab.
Honourable Mentions
Gotham Steakhouse and Cocktail Bar
Hy’s Encore

SEAFOOD
Blue Water Cafe + Raw Bar
1095 Hamilton St. 604-688-8078.
East meets west at this Yaletown hotspot, where executive chef Frank Pabst focuses on less well-known sustainable species such as sardine and jellyfish, while sushi chef Yoshi Tabo presides over the raw bar. Highlights range from sablefish with miso sake glaze to coffee-and-ancho-braised Kobe-style short ribs, enjoyed in a heritage red-brick-and-beam setting. The lure: the seafood tower.
Honourable Mentions
The Boathouse Restaurant
Joe Fortes Seafood and Chop House

HOTEL DINING & BAR
Yew Restaurant
Four Seasons Hotel, 791 W. Georgia St. 604-692-4939.
The Four Seasons’ gorgeous wood-trimmed room lures the power crowd and celebrities, who come for inspired Pacific Northwest plates, served with flair in a dramatic setting. Want to make friends? Try the communal table. If you’re the exhibitionist type, book the all-glass semi-private room. Highlights range from seared halibut cheek with dashi broth to lobster chowder to roast duck with caramelized shallot tart. Insider scoop: one of downtown’s best coffees.
Honourable Mentions
Market by Jean-Georges
Bacchus Restaurant and Lounge

TAPAS/SMALL PLATE
Bin 941
941 Davie St. 604-683-1246.
Owner/chef Gord Martin’s diminutive haunt ignited a small-plates revolution that swept the continent. A loyal clientele still packs into the friendly room for well-presented plates such as beef tenderloin with grainy mustard masala sauce, and steamed Cortes Island mussels with chorizo and smoked tomato broth. Insider’s perch: a seat right at the bar, overlooking the stove, where you can watch the chefs at work.
Honourable Mentions
La Bodega Restaurante & Tapa Bar
Guu

PUB FARE
Pourhouse
162 Water St. 604-568-7022.
“Don’t call me a mixologist, I’m a bartender!” says Pourhouse co-owner Jay Jones, whose specialty is the Gold Fashioned. Sit at the handmade, 8-m (27-ft) bar for lighter plates, or settle into the gently formal dining lounge for Sloping Hill pork ’n’ beans, local halibut with shaved fennel, or roasted Fraser Valley chicken vol-au-vent. Don’t miss: the six-course chef’s table with wines to match.
Honourable Mentions
Doolin’s Irish Pub
Elephant & Castle Pub and Restaurant

BUDGET BITES
White Spot
580 W. Georgia St. 604-662-3066.
It can be challenging to have kids in tow when travelling, but these family-friendly rooms—which started out as a 1928 drive-in—have a history of serving nutritious, affordable fare. Traditional favourites such as beef dip, turkey dinners, clam chowder and the famous burger with Triple O sauce now share the menu with more eclectic tastes such as prawns tempura and chicken quesadilla. The hook: the Pirate Pak meal in a boat for kids.
Honourable Mentions
Vera’s Burger Shack
Cactus Club Cafe

WEST COAST
West
2881 Granville St. 604-738-8938.

Squid a la plancha with squid ink aioli, at WestWest2881 Granville St. 604-738-8938.

The fare at this definitive West Coast room, with its open kitchen and expansive bar, complements its clean and minimalist lines. The ingenious menu changes with the season, based on available, local ingredients such as Pemberton Meadows strip loin with espresso-scented celeriac purée or Queen Charlotte Island halibut with Read Island clam chowder. Insiders go for: the vegetarian tasting menu or the early-bird prix fixe.
Honourable Mentions
Coast Restaurant
Salmon House on the Hill
Raincity Grill

LAST COURSE
Thomas Haas Chocolates and Patisserie
2539 W. Broadway. 604-736-1848.
True truffle hounds head to these dessert outposts, one tucked away in an industrial corner of North Vancouver, the other next to good friend Daniel Boulud’s west side db Bistro Moderne. Make the trip for extraordinary chocolate morsels filled with every flavour imaginable, but also double-baked almond croissants and superb espresso—with chocolate sparkle cookies, of course. Don’t miss: the free samples of truffles given out most days.
Honourable Mentions
True Confections
Sweet Obsession Cakes and Pastries

CRITICS’ CHOICE

WHERE SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD AWARD
The Observatory
6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver. 604-998-4402.
It seems fitting that this mountaintop room, which lays the entire coastline of the Lower Mainland at your feet, should win Ocean Wise’s Sustainable Seafood Award for working so conscientiously to help preserve our marine species. Settle into your table at 1128 m (3,701 ft) to enjoy such local and sustainable tastes as house-smoked oysters, spring salmon lasagne and halibut with fingerling potatoes, all served against the dazzling backdrop of the city far below.

GREEN TABLE AWARD
Cactus Club Cafe
588 Burrard St. 604-682-0933.
“While some may have ‘greener’ menus, or more reclaimed wood tables,” says Green Table executive director André LaRivière, “as yet, no one but Cactus Club has established sustainable policies and practices across all of its 21 locations. Sustainability has become an essential part of the Cactus Club culture, and a measure of their success for its management and staff. We need many more restaurant groups to follow their lead.”

The Sustainable Seafood Award is presented to the restaurant that best exemplifies practices of sourcing, serving and promoting sustainable species, as outlined under the Ocean Wise Program. The conferring committee represents the BC Seafood Alliance, David Suzuki Foundation, Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre and Where Vancouver. The Green Table Award is conferred on a restaurant that promotes sustainability in food service at all levels of its operation, as determined by the organization’s executive.

Assorted chocolates, squares and truffles, at Thomas Haas Chocolates and Patisserie

BEST NEW RESTAURANT 2009
Cibo Trattoria
Moda Hotel, 900 Seymour St. 604-602-9570.
Combine the best of Italian cuisine with soundly sourced West Coast ingredients and you have the foundation for Cibo Trattoria, a lively spot in the smartly restored Moda Hotel. Dishes may include agnolotti of suckling pig and veal, baked halibut with black trompette mushrooms, and roast ling cod with young asparagus—all paired with an astutely chosen wine list of Italian and BC bottles. Don’t miss: Uva Wine Bar and Red Card Sports Bar + Eatery, both right next door.

Other Notable Newcomers
Au Petit Chavignol
Bao Bei Chinese Brasserie
Cafe Barcelona
The Corner Suite Bistro De Luxe
db Bistro Moderne
Lumière
Judas Goat Taberna
La Brasserie
Lupo Restaurant & Vinoteca
Market by Jean-Georges
Maenam
Miku
Mis Trucos
Nook Restaurant
Oru
Voya Restaurant and Lounge

BIRKS SILVER SERVICE AWARD
Coast Restaurant
1054 Alberni St. 604-685-5010.
This dazzling new space—with its circular bar and hip O Lounge—is more than just a pretty face. Nobody knows (or hears) more about the overall guest experience than Vancouver’s concierge community, which honours this buzz-worthy room with its coveted Birks Silver Service Award. On the menu: everything from fish ’n’ chips to Dungeness crab cakes to line-caught chum salmon, all served with a fine melange of polish and pizzazz.

EDITOR’S CHOICE
Il Giardino di Umberto
1382 Hornby St. 604-669-2422.
Since 1973, Umberto Menghi has helped set the pace for Italian dining in Vancouver. Today the “little yellow house,” with its cozy, multi-tiered, terracotta interior, still lures the glitterati with its romantic surroundings and power-lunch scene. Few settings can compare to the vine-wrapped, well-concealed terrace for a lingering summer meal, truly an oasis in the heart of the city. Wow factor: succulent, tender osso buco with 2006 Sassicaia.

TOP DROPS

Lesser-known BC wines from smaller producers can be hard to find but are often available at either VQA or private wine stores. What to look for? Any on this list would be a welcome addition to any cellar.

Cassini Cellars Chardonnay
Fairview Cellars The Bear
Foxtrot Pinot Noir
La Frenz Shiraz
Laughing Stock Portfolio
JoieFarm Riesling
Poplar Grove Syrah
Quinta Ferreira Obra-Prima
Stoneboat Vineyards Pinot Noir
Twisted Tree Six Vines

Hot Shopping: Say “Om”

Photo courtesy Pursuit of Happy Hips DVD

Don’t let the words downward facing dog and scorpion pose frighten you: they’re yoga terms. Lululemon turned athletic apparel into trendy everyday attire, while Halfmoon worked together with students and teachers to produce high-quality mats. Sweat with the best at Bikram’s Yoga College or Westcoast Hot Yoga. The Pursuit of Happy Hips DVD ($24.99) features over four hours of poses, was filmed locally and is available at Lululemon. Namaste.—Jennifer Patterson

Hot Dining: Marine Cuisine

Sablefish with shiro miso, baby bok choy and quinoa at Blue Water Cafe. Photo by KK Law

West Coast seafood has evolved considerably from the days when planked salmon was all the rage. Just ask Blue Water Cafe + Raw Bar chef Frank Pabst, whose annual “Unsung Heroes” salute to sustainable species—such as red sea urchin and sea cucumber—forms the basis for his Ocean Wise menu. Classic harbourside The Cannery Seafood House—soon to close—is renowned for salmon Wellington, while notable chef Karen Barnaby dishes faves such as flaming prawns and grilled “Pacific Provider” pink salmon at The Fish House in Stanley Park. Seafood aficionados head downtown to the giant circular bar at elegant Coast Restaurant, or hop a ferry to Monk McQueens for oysters or to Granville Island’s The Sandbar for mussels.—Tim Pawsey

Hot Dining: Diva Delights

Prosciutto and pumpkin carpaccio and local beet tart at Diva at the Met. Photo by KK Law

Cutting-edge contemporary cuisine is the hallmark of Diva at the Met, an understated downtown destination in the Metropolitan Hotel, with its tiered room, gracious bar beneath soaring glass, and bustling open kitchen as the focus. Detail-driven West Coast plates—delivered with intuitive, impeccable service—range from beef short ribs and Dungeness crab to coq au vin with pommes purée and wild mushroom croquette. Tasting menus rule.—Tim Pawsey

Hot Dining: Tapas Time

Roasted pork belly at Mis Trucos. Photo by KK Law

Tucked away upstairs in a lovingly restored old house in the heart of the West End’s Davie Village, minimalist newbie Mis Trucos blends West Coast and Mediterranean styles on small plates. The thoughtful, sometimes playful menu roams from traditional tapas, such as white anchovy around a black olive, to olive-oil-poached Qualicum Beach scallops that tango sexily with pancetta-and-green-pea purée, to velvet-smooth bacalhau brandade. Smart Spanish wines, classic cocktails and even Catalan red wine and cola prop up the bar, while desserts are a tour de force. Worth the search.—Tim Pawsey

Hot Dining: Granville Grandeur

GRANVILLE GRANDEUR

The spacious dining room in Circa Restaurant & Lounge. Photo by KK Law

Circa Restaurant & Lounge is a dazzling two-storey addition to the Granville entertainment district. The elegant bar, dining area and private room are accented by gold-leaf-adorned, soaring gothic pillars. Highlights from the regionally sourced menu range from seared ling cod with fingerling potatoes to Sloping Hill pork hock Peking-style with Shanghai noodles. Cutting-edge cocktails and a primarily BC wine list round out this newly landed downtown destination.—Tim Pawsey

15 Things We Love About Vancouver, August 2009

Courtesy Rocky Mountaineer

1. Travelling by train with Rocky Mountaineer to Whistler or Calgary.

2. Gorgeous jewellery at The Crystalworks Gallery, which also stocks carvings and oversized minerals.

3. Getting our sugar fix with a caramel cupcake at the new downtown location of Cupcakes, at Robson and Thurlow streets.

4. Araxi in nearby Whistler. The restaurant is currently featured on Hell’s Kitchen, the TV show starring chef/tyrant Gordon Ramsay.

5. Watching the competitions at the 2009 World Police and Fire Games.

Courtesy World Police and Fire Games

6. Alsatian flatbread topped with cheese, bacon and onion at DB Bistro Moderne. Yum.

7. Screaming our heads off on rides at the annual PNE.

8. Grabbing tasty sandwiches-to-go at Cardero Bottega before a leisurely stroll to Stanley Park.

9. The view of downtown as you ride the SeaBus to the North Shore.

10. Reaping the seafood rewards of the West Coast at Coast Restaurant, Goldfish Pacific Kitchen, A Kettle of Fish and Tojo’s.

11. Japadogs. These Japanese-style hot dogs are served with miso, mayo and flakes of seaweed, at the corner of Burrard and Smithe or Burrard and Pender.

12. Sitting on the sand at English Bay and counting the freighters waiting to sail out.

13. The two baby belugas at the Vancouver Aquarium.

14. Buying souvenirs for the 2010 Winter Games, coming here in just six months.