Vancouver - Opinions please - Dockside Brewery or Aqua Riva
 

Just looking for opinions of either of these restaurants. Thank you.

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

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

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?

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.......

Thanks again immimi. That is the one we are leaning towards.

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!

Oh thank you for your confirmation!! That makes me feel much better. I think that makes the decision. Thanks again all, for your help.