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deasine
Jan 6, 2009, 1:42 AM
Dine Out Menu is out now =)

http://www.tourismvancouver.com/visitors/dining/dineout.php

Yume-sama
Jan 6, 2009, 2:13 AM
They seem to be missing a lot of restaurants. None of the ones I really go to are on that list... :haha:

quobobo
Jan 6, 2009, 2:20 AM
*shrug* Pretty good selection in Kits. Quattro, Sai-Z, Octopus' Garden, Flying Tiger, Mistral are all worthwhile. Hopefully I can still get reservations.

officedweller
Jan 6, 2009, 5:35 AM
The prices have been slowly creeping upwards every year - now its $18, $28 and $38.
Originally it was $15 and $25, then they added the $35 category, now each has been bumped up $3.

Anyways, one that isn't trendy etc. but has consistently good food is Rex Rotisserie & Grill @ Bentall Centre. Good sized portions, good selections (more than one dessert offered) and isn't so crazy busy that the servers ignore you - and it's $28.

http://www.tourismvancouver.com/visitors/dining/dineout.details.php?id=578

Had a bad experience at Flying Tiger a while back (non-dine out) - they lost our order and we waited over 1.5 hours for our food - even after pestering the servers (who must not have followed up on the orders). Never going back there again.

deasine
Jan 6, 2009, 5:52 AM
My friends and I have booked a table for Nu.

David
Jan 6, 2009, 6:17 AM
ive had great experiences with Dine Out the last 2 years... The Cannery two years ago and the Watermark last year. You can't go wrong with the Cannery, it is amazing. But I was pleasantly surprised by Watermark. Definitely recommend both

Spork
Jan 6, 2009, 7:57 AM
I went to Rex about a year ago and was quite unimpressed for the money that they ask.

Disappointed that Chambar isn't on there this year. My favourite restaurant in Vancouver!

officedweller
Jan 6, 2009, 7:12 PM
Yeah, not sure about the prices on the regular menu at Rex, but there's usually a two for one coupon in the Georgia Straight (or there used to be).

Went to Watermark a couple of years ago for dine-out - was also impressed with the food (i.e. it's not just for the view). But the place was incredibly noisy (you could barely hear the person across from you) and they didn't have our table ready so we had to wait for about half an hour.

deasine
Jan 7, 2009, 4:36 AM
Watermark is amazing... or at least I think it is. Even for the regular prices, the food isn't expensive for what you are getting. It is pretty loud though for a western restaurant, but I'm used to those chinese restaurants so I'm fine with the noise level.

SpongeG
Jan 7, 2009, 5:03 AM
how is the cannery? is it still down there on the docks sort of near commercial?

my friend wants to eat seafood and asked me where to go

I relaly don't know as I hate the stuff

vanlaw
Jan 7, 2009, 10:01 PM
how is the cannery? is it still down there on the docks sort of near commercial?

my friend wants to eat seafood and asked me where to go

I relaly don't know as I hate the stuff

The setting/view is top notch and they do their seafood very well. The only knock I have is that it isn’t really as "inventive" as some of the other higher end places downtown - i.e. most dishes are still served with the exact same sides as a number of years ago - mashed potatoes, two baby carrots and a few roasted peppers. However, consistency over constant reinvention can also be a plus. The lobster infused oil for the bread is pretty kick ass too.

It is on Commissioner along the port - you have to go through the security gates and tell them you are going to the Cannery (not sure if you can still go from Clark entrance - I have gone through one off McGill last few times). I believe it was mentioned on another thread that they will have to move after leas is up because it is essentially a massive security hole. If that is the case, you might as well try to go before it moves - setting is great.

vanlaw
Jan 7, 2009, 10:08 PM
double post

thefly
Jan 7, 2009, 10:52 PM
how is the cannery? is it still down there on the docks sort of near commercial?

my friend wants to eat seafood and asked me where to go

I relaly don't know as I hate the stuff


Best one I had was dine out last year at Rain City Grill. They had an extra option for a 100 mile 3 course (think an extra $10). Was extremely good. Was worried about the dessert - parsnip cake (no sugar)...but was probably one of the best desserts that I've ever had - highly recommended. Would go there again in a heartbeart if our newly acquired dog was stable enough to be left at home alone ... ;(

LeftCoaster
Jan 7, 2009, 11:56 PM
I went to the Raincity dine out last year and was blown away too. Easily one of the most under rated restaurants in the city.

thefly
Jan 7, 2009, 11:59 PM
I went to the Raincity dine out last year and was blown away too. Easily one of the most under rated restaurants in the city.


Not to mention the view on a clear night.

giallo
Jan 8, 2009, 3:24 AM
Ahhhhh!
Reading this thread is making me miss the Vancouver food scene terribly. Shanghai is no slouch in that department, but it just doesn't compare to the 'Vancouver only' culinary experience. You guys live in a foodie's wet dream. Take advantage of it as much as possible.

jlousa
Jan 8, 2009, 3:26 AM
Going to Cobre tonight I'll think of you. :tup:

deasine
Jan 8, 2009, 7:29 AM
I went to the Raincity dine out last year and was blown away too. Easily one of the most under rated restaurants in the city.

I know eh? It's one of my favorite restaurants even to date. Prices aren't outrageous expensive and food is excellent. Hope Nu (same owner) is the same... =P

giallo
Jan 9, 2009, 3:31 AM
Going to Cobre tonight I'll think of you. :tup:


So...how was it?

jlousa
Jan 9, 2009, 5:45 PM
It was great, I am always pleasantly surprised there, maybe my expecatations are always low because of the less then stellar location, but man is the food ever great. The pulled duck taco and the rockfish taco were both incredible, definetaly need to go with mutliple people and share dishes.

LeftCoaster
Jan 9, 2009, 6:39 PM
I went to vij's last night... sorry I wasnt think of anything other than my delicious lamb.

Spork
Jan 29, 2009, 12:18 AM
What is the dress style/code at Cobre? I am going tonight (based upon your recommendation :) but with all of these "fast casual" places, I never know what is expected.

jlousa
Jan 29, 2009, 12:34 AM
I've never had any issue at any restaurant in this city with dress code, of course I don't wear ripped jeans and baggy t-shirts but I have worn regular jeans to even the fanciest of places.
At Cobre you'll be fine with normal clothes.

forgot to mention, Went to raincity the week before, wasn't bad my stuffed chicken appy was really good, my entree was a braised beef that was only okay, my wife had the salmon and it was much better. Desserts we both got the wine pears and they were great we still ended up going to bearded papas across the street though. You just have to. :tup:
On Saturday I went to the yaletown Pinkys, I wasn't expecting much buy I was really surprised how good the food was. The service sucked but the food made up for it. The Tiramasu was the best I've ever had. The waitress forgot to charge us for our drinks, since she sucked we didn't mention it but we left a large enough tip to cover it just incase she has to cough it up herself.
This friday we're hitting Plan.B

deasine
Jan 29, 2009, 12:39 AM
Yeah Raincity is pretty consistent... Beard Papas is so damn expensive!

Great to see someone went to Pinkys... I was going to hold someone else's party (apparently I'm a party organizer) there... but then I didn't know what it was like =P

I'll be going to Nu this Saturday! So excited =P

giallo
Jan 29, 2009, 3:59 AM
Beard Papas is so damn expensive!

Really? What's the price of a standard cream-filled puff pastry in Vancouver? They run about $1.30 at the Beard Papas here in Shanghai.

jlousa
Jan 29, 2009, 4:00 AM
I couldn't tell you but me and my wife bought one she has the eclair and I had a plain one and we paid with change.

mezzanine
Jan 31, 2009, 4:44 AM
Cannery this year for dine out, water street cafe last year. can't go wrong with either, NB - the cannery is offering a similar 3 course menu to Dine out's every sunday for the winter season for $38.

I have to check out Rain city.....:cheers:

Spork
Jan 31, 2009, 6:21 AM
FYI the Culinary Arts place on Granville Island is offering 2-for-1 three course lunch & dinner menus for $24 and $36 respectively during the months of Jan and Feb.

deasine
Feb 5, 2009, 10:01 PM
Went to Trattoria... kinda disappointed. While the food wasn't bad, it sure wasn't worth $28!

My friends and I were camwhoring nonstop... but we managed to get a few photos on just the food =)

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2110/184/11/507915915/n507915915_1811794_5605.jpg
Photos taken by myself hosted on a friend's Facebook Album

http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2110/184/11/507915915/n507915915_1811779_1165.jpg
White Cannellini Bean & Pancetta Soup
truffle oil drizzle
Photos taken by myself hosted on a friend's Facebook Album

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2110/184/11/507915915/n507915915_1811780_1480.jpg
Organic Beet Salad
baby greens, Okanagan goat’s cheese & Chianti dressing
Photos taken by myself hosted on a friend's Facebook Album

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2110/184/11/507915915/n507915915_1811781_1767.jpg
Carne Platter
(Left to Right) Grilled Lamb Chops, Italian Sausage, Veal Parmigana
Photos taken by myself hosted on a friend's Facebook Album

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2110/184/11/507915915/n507915915_1811782_2049.jpg
Pesce Platter
(Left to Right) Forno Mussels, Wild Salmon Fillet, Tiger Prawns
Photos taken by myself hosted on a friend's Facebook Album

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2110/184/11/507915915/n507915915_1811783_2362.jpg
Baked Apple & Pear Tart
cinnamon gelato
Photos taken by myself hosted on a friend's Facebook Album

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2110/184/11/507915915/n507915915_1811784_2663.jpg
Classic Tiramisu
chocolate biscotti
Photos taken by myself hosted on a friend's Facebook Album

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2110/184/11/507915915/n507915915_1811785_2950.jpg
Zeppole al Cioccolato
home made fritters, vanilla anglaise
Photos taken by myself hosted on a friend's Facebook Album

http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2291/184/11/507915915/n507915915_1818171_1703.jpg
Zeppole al Cioccolato
home made fritters, vanilla anglaise
Photos taken by myself hosted on a friend's Facebook Album

And because I love the Cinnamon Gelato so much:
http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2291/184/11/507915915/n507915915_1818164_9543.jpg
Baked Apple & Pear Tart
cinnamon gelato
Photos taken by myself hosted on a friend's Facebook Album

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2291/184/11/507915915/n507915915_1818165_9831.jpg
Baked Apple & Pear Tart
cinnamon gelato
Photos taken by myself hosted on a friend's Facebook Album

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2291/184/11/507915915/n507915915_1818166_121.jpg
Baked Apple & Pear Tart
cinnamon gelato
Photos taken by myself hosted on a friend's Facebook Album

officedweller
Feb 5, 2009, 10:56 PM
That actually look pretty decent for a dine out. i.e. good quantity of meat there.
The presentation could be better.
How were the "tim-bits"?

deasine
Feb 5, 2009, 11:14 PM
Those were sharing platters. You have on big plate of food per two ppl. The Timbits weren't part of the menu btw XD It wasn't bad... it's a nice dark chocolate inside with a nice chewy texture to it. It isn't bitter because you dip it into that vanilla glaze or whatever you call it.

giallo
Feb 6, 2009, 2:10 AM
The food looks pretty good, but the presentation of the dishes, especially in the picture below, is absolutely amateur.

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2110/184/11/507915915/n507915915_1811782_2049.jpg

Hong Kongese
Feb 11, 2009, 4:32 AM
DB and Lumiere's pre-sup agreement

By Mia Stainsby, VANCOUVER SUN

February 10, 2009 5:01 PM

It's not the most romantic thing in the world but couples making reservations at DB Bistro Moderne and Lumiere for Feb. 14, one of the busiest restaurant days on the calendar, are being asked to sign a "guarantee" form.

No-shows on that date will be charged the full Valentine's menu price of $85 per person at DB Bistro and $145 at Lumiere. And if they don't make cancellations within 24 hours of the date, they'll be charged $40 on the credit card number they'll have submitted.

"It's not to make money," says DB and Lumiere general manager Paul Quinn. "It's to confirm they understand if they don't cancel and don't show, we have permission to charge them. It's for Valentine's Day only, which is a high demand day. We take our reservations very seriously and we hope our customers do, too." Both restaurants, he says, are fully booked.

Quinn, who has worked in high-end restaurants in Ottawa and New York, says the practice isn't unusual on high-demand days.

To Vancouverites, the guarantee form and its consequences might come as a surprise as most restaurants do not charge no-shows except for large groups, absorbing any losses. It's been the stuff of other world cities. Not us.

Or is it? And are local restaurateurs moving in that direction?

Bearfoot Bistro charges $50 a person for no-shows as a general policy all year round. "It's like any other service industry, you pay to reserve theatre seats, air fare. It's a very common practice elsewhere in the world," says owner Andre Saint-Jacques. "When I reserved at Alain Ducasse at Monte Carlo, I was charged 250 euros per person three months in advance on my credit card. Every year I go on culinary trips and all the high-end restaurants ask for credit card information, even in Beijing. It goes on all the time in big cities."

Tojo's restaurant takes a $50 deposit per person for groups of 10, but doesn't charge for no-shows. Owner Hidekazu Tojo says about five per cent of customers cancel at the last minute.

One local diner, however, did not take well to the guarantee form. "I am fully horrified," wrote someone who emailed a Sun reporter upon booking at DB Bistro. "I can't believe a restaurant in the city will get away with having to sign a contract for a dinner reservation. Anyway, we have cancelled our reservation . . . instead we will order in!"

At Bishop's restaurant, known for exemplary hospitality, they don't charge no-shows on high-demand days, but they do ask for credit card information from large groups. The eternally gracious John Bishop wonders if the time has come to reconsider his policy.

"I can understand [DB and Lumiere's Valentine's policy]. You refuse other parties to honour reservations, you gotta pay staff, you got to have food on hand. On most evenings, there is a no-show," he says. "It's difficult, particularly in small restaurants where sometimes 10 per cent of reservations don't show. My own staff has heard stories that on special occasions, people book at several places and then decide where to go. The only thing that gives me comfort is I don't see no-show numbers increasing."

mstainsby@vancouversun.com

##############################



Fair enough!

deasine
Feb 11, 2009, 5:17 AM
Looks like Lumiere isn't the only restaurant offering "discounts" on Valentines. This was in my email:

Regular Price Fixe 3 Course Menu
for $38.00 per person

Choice of: House Greens or Daily Soup

Choice of: Spring Salmon, Lamb Sirloin or Baby Back Rib Dinner

And: New York Cheesecake with Fresh Berry Compote



DELUXE Price Fixe 3 Course Meal
for $49.00 per person

Choice of: Jumbo Prawn Cocktail, Crab & Artichoke Dip
or Seasonal Seared Scallops

Choice of: N.Y Steak Oscar, Filet Mignon Neptune,
Free Run Chicken Neptune
or
NY Steak & Lobster Tail Dinner (add $12.00)

Choice of: Chocolate Terrine or NY Cheesecake with Berry Compote





TRY OUR INCREDIBLE SEAFOOD PLATTER FOR TWO
AS A SUBSTITUTE STARTER
add $12.00 per person

Includes: Chilled Tiger Prawns, Seared Scallops,
Giant Cajun Shrimp, Lobster Tail with Drawn Butter



reserve online or call 604-738-KITS
Source: Watermark on kits beach