Hey littlemountain, you have been a tremendous help to us already. Thanks for your latest tips of places near Granville...and suggestion about going to C on that same day.

If you feel that neither dim sum establishment is so favorable, what traditional dim sum place (with pushcarts) can you recommend that has a better atmosphere? Thanks again!

Terry

I can't, really I can't. I just feel right now that visitors' scarce opportunities to, as you put it, "try out restaurants that are more unique to the region" are better spent outside of dim sum/Chinese restaurants. They're letting us down!

Not sure you've discovered this yet, so here are the recent winners of the Vancouver Magazine restaurant awards. You'll see many of the recommendations on this page are well-represented:

http://www.vanmag.com/17th/restaurant_awards.html

Many thanks, littlemountain, for all of your help!

Okay, terryr I'm going to finally wade in on this.

Dim sum in Vancouver is very good; there are probably (literally) close to a hundred places to choose from to have dim sum in Greater Vancouver.

If your choose Sun Sui Wah or Imperial you will probably not be disappointed. If you/your travel group feel like having dim sum, just choose a place, relax and enjoy it.

As for SSW's "cafeteria" room - I think it's a little harsh but understand how it could be seen that way. Keep in mind that traditionally dim sum is not typically an "upscale", fine dining experience - it is lunch/brunch, often with extended family (i.e., lots of noisy kids).

And before I get whacked, yes, there are some new/nicer restaurants that do dim sum.

Nicer view and room, and more upscale, at Imperial and it is downtown if that is convenient for you. If you eat congee, they present it here like at no other place (as I recall - haven't been there in a couple of years).

A short drive/cab ride out to SSW might let you see more of Vancouver rather than just the downtown core, of which it looks like you will see plenty.

I'll be in Van 2 w/ends from now and will hit my newest favourite dim sum haunt: Jade excellent dim sum in a nice setting. However, for you it might be too far out of the way as it is in Richmond (a suburb of Vancouver).

Enjoy-la!

If you're looking for a restaurant with a view that doesn't scream "touristy" or "average", I'd suggest Nu - the French-inspired restaurant directly on the other side of False Creek from Sandbar, literally a short 20 steps away from C. It's actually owned by the same people that own C, but it's predominantly very affordable (ie: $4.70 - $6.50) small plates of what looks like incredible French/local cuisine! I did a tour at that restaurant for work 2 nights ago and am planning my next meal there. It looks out over the water and they also have a patio. The vibe is very contemporary and tasteful, without feeling too posh or snotty. Apparently it's been voted the best new restaurant in Canada, and has won awards from Wine Spectator.

Anyhow, I'd just thought I'd throw that out there as another idea. As for the Sandbar/Bridges debate, I have only ever eaten at those 2 restaurants once. Bridges feels a lot more touristy to me, while Sandbar feels more trendy. I don't see you going wrong at either one, but they're definitely not in the same league as the other restaurants you're planning to visit.

Thanks klam_chowder on weighing in on dim sum places and Carmanah for your continued advice! All of you up in Vancouver have helped to create a very nice thread for us outsider/foodies! Can't wait to try your cuisine!

Terry