This may be a tall order.

I'll be in Vancouver for one day and I'm looking for a place that serves continental cuisine or seafood, has entrees in the $15-$20 price range, is not "dressy", and has enough variety for picky eaters and the adventurous alike. It also needs to be accessible by public transit or walking from downtown. I've Googled to death and the only places that I've found that meet these criteria are American chains. Not that I mind those, but I would like to try something I can't get at home.

Any help would be appreciated.

Hi Kostroma, you don't have to Google to death. You can just walk down the street. You'll be spoiled for choice. I've eaten at places such as you describe in Vancouver, but didn't take note of their names. (I didn't know then that I'd join Fodors and be asked these sorts of questions. )

No place in Vancouver could be said to be dressy-the whole city is casual.

http://www.joefortes.ca/ should fit your bill.

Check out chowhound.com and you'll have great fun reading about restaurant/food postings.
Downtown Vancouver is very walkable and has plentiful public transportation.

There are indeed lots of options. I suspect any major hotel would have a restaurant that fits the bill.

That said, Milestones on Robson is a Canadian chain restaurant that fits the bill. But all around it on Robson are others that would also work. White Spot (several locations downtown and another Canadian chain) would work. I wouldn't choose either of these as my very favorite, but they do have lots of good options and variety, and I would be quite pleased to go to them.

There are tons of excellent Asian restaurants, but since you asked for continental cuisine to also be available, I haven't included those. There are also lots of great Italian and Greek restaurants. There are so many others of all types that I am starting to feel hungry thinking about them!

Carderos has a great location on the water not far from Stanley Park. If my husband could find something to eat there, probably anybody could.
http://www.carderos.com/carderos_main2.html

Had very good fresh seafood at Joe Fortes, right in the heart of downtown. Go look at it and the menu at http://www.joefortes.ca/
It's a big place right off Robson St.

Dorothy

Thank you all.

I honestly don't know what I'm worried about. I *have* been to Vancouver before and I'm aware of the wealth of restaurant choices, but it's been a couple of years. I'm at the point where I've done everything I can with regard to planning this vacation and there's not much left for me to do before we actually go. Hotels are booked, tickets are bought, etc. and there's really nothing else for me to do, but I'm still in research mode and I'm probably micromanaging at this point. Maybe I should start planning my 2005 vacation.

Thanks again for your suggestions. I'll check them all out.

Kostroma, I know the feeling. I drive myself mad that way!

If you can splurge just a bit I would go to the Blue Water in Yaletown.

This place has an over abundance of fresh fish offerings as well as an incredible oyster bar. Casual and hip, great service!

You can see the menu here:

http://www.bluewatercafe.net/bluewat...sp?index=menus

Trying www.vanmag.com for a great listing of restaurants. Cheers, Linda

... correct that "trying" to "try". Sorry! Linda