Chinois Restaurant photo by KK Law
Yaletown’s newly minted Chinois, a cozy brick room that brims with funky, vibrant art, blends classic Chinese fare with smartly sourced local ingredients. Faves from the glass-walled kitchen range from barbecued pork, roast duck and kung-pao chicken to steamed sablefish and jumbo prawns with candied walnuts.—Tim Pawsey
Society. Photo by KK Law
How’s this for an offer you can’t refuse: movie nights at Yaletown hot spot Society (pictured). Reserve a seat in the upstairs lounge to see this month’s flick, Michael Jackson’s This Is It (Apr. 4, 7 p.m.), on the big projector screen. There’s complimentary popcorn, but why settle for kernels when you could sample some specials? Try the addictive buffalo wings on the $5 snack menu or pastas and pizzas for $8 each. Meals, movies and mingling—now that’s the beginning of a beautiful friendship.—Kristina Urquhart
Yaletown's The Flying Pig restaurant. Photo by KK Law
Once the town’s transportation hub and warehouse district, Yaletown has been transformed into a hotbed of great eats, often in funky surroundings. Go early to get a seat at newly landed The Flying Pig (pictured); try the skirt steak and don’t miss the homemade waffle cone. Nibble on sweet and succulent ebi mayo (tempura wild prawns) at Hapa Izakaya. Check in for the cheese and meat board at the Opus Hotel’s edgy pop-up Cento Notti. Or pop by down-east-style Rodney’s Oyster House for a dozen freshly shucked BC bivalves and a healthy serving of no-nonsense hospitality.—Tim Pawsey
Dockside tempts with pan-fried chilli squid (front) and sauteed tiger prawns (back). Photo by KK Law
The burgeoning beer scene here yields no shortage of hop-friendly dining.
1 Dockside (pictured) Discover Granville Island’s “other” brewery and dine in vista-kissed surroundings.
2 Howe Sound Brewing Take a 45-minute trip to Squamish to sample Howe Sound Lager with seafood chowder or ale-braised pork sliders.
3 Steamworks Enjoy freshly brewed quaffs, such as Lions Gate Lager, in a brass-trimmed, wood-panelled Gastown pub overlooking the harbour.
4 Yaletown Brewing Grab a glass of Downtown Brown along with a steaming bowl of sliced beef tenderloin tip stroganoff in this red-bricked Yaletown haunt.—Tim Pawsey
Sockeye salmon wellington with pinot noir butter sauce. Photo by KK Law
Cannery Redux
When the waterfront’s long-running Cannery succumbed to port security measures, former owner Bud Kanke took up the challenge by incorporating some of the original hallmark dishes into the menu at his Goldfish Seafood & Chops in Yaletown. Reincarnated classics include the pastry-wrapped sockeye salmon wellington and the smoked Alaska black cod, while other mainstays include brick chicken, braised beef short rib with cashew brittle, and a seafood tower stacked with marine treats.—Tim Pawsey
More information:
GOLDFISH SEAFOOD & CHOPS $$. D (daily). 1118 Mainland St. 604-689-8318. www.goldfishseafood.com
Pork rack chop with Parmesan gnocchi and bacon jus, at Hamilton Street Grill. Photo by KK Law
4 Eco-Friendly Eats
Looking for a meal that’s as good for the environment as it is for you? These Green Table–certified restaurants are sustainable from top to bottom.
1 Hamilton Street Grill Warm and friendly, this converted Yaletown warehouse is known for certified Angus steaks and great seafood.
2 Raincity Grill Across the street from English Bay beach, regional-seasonal plates are paired with wines from throughout the Pacific Northwest.
3 Commune Cafe Right downtown, this minimalist cafeteria-style spot with a hipster buzz serves all things free-range, organic and sustainable, from dawn to dusk and beyond. (more…)
The New Oxford Public House. Photo by KK Law
Yaletown’s The New Oxford serves up beer with pub-style food, all under the watchful eye of Oscar Wilde. His portrait is just one of many nods to the famous university, with vintage touring bikes and shelves of classic novels adding to the ambience.—Jennifer Patterson
More information:
The New Oxford Public House, $-$$. L/D (daily). 1144 Homer St. 604-609-0901.
www.donellygroup.ca/oxford
BeautyMark in Yaletown
In Yaletown, head to BeautyMark’s new location for a huge selection of hard-to-find skincare, make-up and haircare products. Peruse the wall-to-wall shelves, get a one-of-a-kind manicure by nail artist Christina Culver, enjoy a mini facial, have unruly eyebrows shaped, and finish with a blowout by Funk’d Hair. It’s like a mini-department store for all things beauty.—Jennifer Patterson
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.
Hamilton Street Grill photo by KK Law
How do you celebrate a 14th birthday in style? If you’re the Hamilton Street Grill in Yaletown, you offer a steal of a deal: an eight-ounce sirloin steak with garlic smashed potatoes and veggies, all for $14. The special runs all month long, even on Father’s Day (Jun. 19), so treat Dad to a nice dinner. We won’t tell him how little it cost.—Sheri Radford
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