Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Canada
Reload this Page >

Vancouver - Opinions please - Dockside Brewery or Aqua Riva

Vancouver - Opinions please - Dockside Brewery or Aqua Riva

Old Aug 9th, 2009, 01:06 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Vancouver - Opinions please - Dockside Brewery or Aqua Riva

Just looking for opinions of either of these restaurants. Thank you.
owinsmom is offline  
Old Aug 9th, 2009, 01:22 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 916
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
What exactly are you looking for in a restaurant? A view? Special occasion? Something formal? Casual? Lunch? Dinner?

Aqua Riva's a more high end restaurant overlooking the cruise ship terminal on Burrard Inlet. It's completely indoors with floor to ceiling windows.

Dockside Brewery's on Granville Island at the back of the Granville Island Hotel. They look over False Creek and are also part of a brew-pub. They also have a nice patio.

While I've toured both and have eaten samplers at both, I haven't experienced both in terms of dinner. For that, I'd recommend you look at the reviews posted on Dinehere.ca:

Dockside - http://dinehere.ca/restaurant.asp?r=162
Aqua Riva - http://www.dinehere.ca/restaurant.asp?r=92
Carmanah is offline  
Old Aug 9th, 2009, 03:00 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 4,588
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Okay, here's my opinion of Aqua Riva. We had been going
there for years and always enjoyed the menu. Last time,
a few months ago, we thought the food had really gone
downhill. They have a prime location next to the cruise
ship terminal and thus have a captive audience - this may
be the reason the quality had lessened. Can't beat the
venue and the waitstaff are personable, but when we were
there the food was meh.

Actually, they are part of a resto group that includes
Salmon House on the Hill and Horizons on Burnaby Mountain.
All three places are beautifully sited and very very
popular. Again, we've recented eaten at all of them and
decided they're sitting on their laurels.....

DD just had dinner at the Dockside on the deck. She said
her meal was lovely and the ambience terrific.

In Vancouver you're spoiled for choice so check out the
dinehere site for sure!

Bon appetit
immimi is offline  
Old Aug 9th, 2009, 03:31 PM
  #4  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you both. I probably should have said that there are six of us and we have the entertainment coupons, which is why we chose these 2 places (and I have enough for all 6 of us for these 2 places only). We are staying at the Renaissance but are spending a part of the afternoon at Granville Island.

I love waterfront dining, and I love sitting outside if the weather warrants it (will be there in 3 weeks). We are looking for dinner and I liked the menus at both. We originally chose the Dockside because it was a brewery and we like the microbrews, however I have read many negatives about their beer. I also liked their menu as it had some really nice seafood choices. Then when I got my EB I noticed Aqua Riva and have seen it recommended over on cruise critic. But again when I read the reviews there are so many negative reviews. So I was looking for an opinion of food quality by people that are not doing a review. Sometimes I think you only get the negative reviews. I would assume that Aqua Riva is a bit "dressier" than Dockside? But are they both casual?
owinsmom is offline  
Old Aug 9th, 2009, 04:25 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 4,588
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
DD said both are 'casual fine dining' - if you can figre out
what THAT means! Hey, Vancouver West Coast so just about
anything is fine as long as you don't frighten the chef!

I'd go with Dockside myself.......
immimi is offline  
Old Aug 9th, 2009, 05:33 PM
  #6  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks again immimi. That is the one we are leaning towards.
owinsmom is offline  
Old Aug 12th, 2009, 12:42 PM
  #7  
dar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I've been to Dockside many times, never dissappoints. Great deal with a coupon. There is a large restaurant will floor to ceiling windows, so if the weather is off, you'll still get a view. Then there is a pub next to it, with a much smaller menu. The beer is good!
dar is offline  
Old Aug 12th, 2009, 05:35 PM
  #8  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Oh thank you for your confirmation!! That makes me feel much better. I think that makes the decision. Thanks again all, for your help.
owinsmom is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
poss
Canada
14
Aug 15th, 2009 02:13 PM
wordsmith
Canada
4
Aug 1st, 2008 12:16 AM
thornphoenix
Canada
22
Jun 24th, 2005 12:27 PM
soontobemrs
Canada
5
Jul 30th, 2003 01:01 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -