Would love suggestions on best restaurants in Vancouver for a special night out during a short weekend trip. Thanks

Vancouver's culinary claims to fame are primarily in the feild of Asian and West Coast Cuisine. There are some very good French, Italian, Russian, etc places and some are considered among the cities best but for top world class quality our Asian and West Coast restaurants are the best.<BR><BR>Saying 'Chinese food' is like saying 'European' Food. There is Cantonese, Cantonese Seafood, Mandarin, Szechaunese, Shanghainese, Mongolian and a few Hunanese Restaurants and the food and cooking methods differ as much from each other as Italian and German cooking.<BR><BR>East Indian also has numerous variants from Tandoori, South India, African Indian, Vegetarian, etc. and Vancouver has excellant representations of these.<BR><BR>Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese and Thai restaurants also abound and are at least as good as can be found in any other city in North America.<BR><BR>West Coast Cuisine is primarily local fish and shellfish but also usually includes excellant lamb, some venison and occaisionally Emu which is becoming more and more common in West Coast Restaurants.<BR><BR>Finally there are the Ultra High Class Continental Restaurants where you pay about 50% more just for the high class ambiance. There are a number of these also but I tend to patronize them only on very formal occaisions.<BR><BR>Once you let us know which of these restaurant types most appeal we can let you know our favorites.

Thanks for the insight-definitely leaning towards West Coast cuisine or more formal since this is a special occasion weekend. Would prefer something a bit unique.

Bishops on Broadway,(probably the best all around)or Rain City Grill on Denman just opposite English Bay Beach, (Great for romantic sunsets). Both of these are upscale without being pretentious and will run between $50-75CAD per. These two are my favorite West Coast Restaurants. Maybe others have different ones.

My favorite meal in Vancouver was right in my hotel restaurant: Bacchus, at the Wedgewood. In fact, I want to be there RIGHT NOW, having the goat cheese packets appetizer...<BR><BR>Vancouver is such a great city!

Lumiere is considered to be THE Vancouver restaurant, with one of the top chefs in the country, Chef Rob Fenie. Their website with menus is here:<BR><BR>http://www.lumiere.ca/pages/index.htm<BR><BR>Ouest (West) is another top Vancouver restaurant:<BR><BR>http://www.ouestrestaurant.com/ouest/pages/profile.html<BR><BR>Hope this helps!

Here's another vote for both Raincity Grill and Bacchus. I haven't tried the goat cheese appetizer at Bacchus (it sounds good, though) but their orange poppyseed toast at breakfast is to die for. As for Raincity Grill - I was introduced to it by a friend who is a food critic in Vancouver and every time I'm out west we meet for dinner there. It's wonderful.

For a special night out at a very good restaurant with impecable service, great west coast cuisine, a wine menu to match, in an intimate but not over bearing atmosphere I would have to agree with GaryA and vote for Bishops. I enjoy it every time I go. However, it is not on Broadway -- as Gary mentioned -- it is on West 4th.<BR><BR>Raincity Grill is another favorite, Ouest is okay but I still think Bishops is better (nicer service and not as pretentious), Lumiere is &quot;interesting&quot; as long as you want to sit through the discourse on what the goat ate and what the weather was like the day before it was milked! In my opinion, too much interference and information from the wait staff for the dinner to be relaxing.

Of course you're right Hydra - I always think of Bishop's as being on Broadway and a couple of times I've gone looking for it there but it is on 4th Ave.

Just got back tonight 3/24...Not formal, but I loved Sand Bar for romantic, great view, wonderful food. Maybe lunch or afternoon drink and snack. You MUST sit out on the balconey; fireplaces and soft blanket throws. The weather was not cold but cozy. Ate at San Sui Wah(possible sp)that was highly recommended for fresh seafood-King Crab was $100.00 (u.sa.)and not that good, the chinese dishes were ok. Food at ZIN was wonderful(part of the Pacific Palasades Hotel)best Eggs Benedict I've ever had, waffles with fresh peaches, and dinner was a masterpiece...the hotel was HORRIBLE!Zin is on Robson St. and very &quot;hip&quot; and not very expensive.

I agree with gkb: The SandBar @ Granville Island is great. Great view also at all the boats from the balcony.