Good value, no attitude and other Vancouver, Canada Restaurant Reviews

Restaurant Name: Joe's Grill

For those weekends when you wake up at noon and you don't get outside until 3pm but you're still craving a traditional diner breakfast, Joe's Grill always fits the bill.

Located on Davie Street in the West End, Joe's Grill's a bit of a community diner for those who want to escape the pretentiousness easily found elsewhere around town. I like it for that. They don't rush you and there's no attitude. It's a place you can go to and be completely anonymous. And no, this is not one of those faux diners frequented by hipsters.

Joe's Grill is set up with booths and tables inside, but they also have a heated patio outside. It feels a little dated, but you either take it or leave it.

Every time I've been there, I've never had a problem getting a table. You basically seat yourself and the servers are quick to come with menus and coffee.

They stay open until 5pm every day of the week and they serve breakfast until then. Their breakfast menu is extensive - everything from the typical bacon and eggs, to omelettes, waffles, pancakes, French toast, eggs benny, etc. They also have a varied lunch menu with soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers and comfort food. The prices offer excellent value - you get a lot of food for small prices.

Favorite Dish: The "Ranchero" ($6.95) is scrambled eggs covered in tomatos, black beans, and cheese, served in a little tortilla bowl with a side of hash browns and toast.

A nice bonus is that they serve endless coffee and they're often efficient at refilling your cup!

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Theme: Diner
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: 604-682-3683
Address: 1031 Davie Street, Vancouver
Directions: Located on the north side of Davie Street between Burrard and Thurlow in Davie Village in the West End.

Restaurant Name: Canadian Maple Delights

Maple Delights is a Québecois maple syrup company bringing its products to the west coast for both locals and tourists to try. They're a store and a bistro all in one. They believe that many tourists come to Canada familiar with its famous maple syrup, but don't always get the chance to make it out to Québec. So Maple Delights is meeting them half way!

You'd expect it to be touristy, but it's not at all. It's very tasteful and the bistro is frequented by locals. I've been coming here more often because they have a great sandwich and salad selection. I always seem to get a seat here during their lunch rush, and on sunny days, you can sit on their patio. Their desserts also look quite amazing - maple crème brulée anybody? They even have gelato!

Sure, Maple Delights is gimmicky in the way that every item on their menu contains maple syrup in it, even if it's a Greek salad or a turkey sandwich! But it's done in such a subtle yet tasteful way that you wouldn't even know it. I'd give it a try for something different.

Favorite Dish: They have a cookie called the "healthy cookie" which is almost like gingerbread, but it has dates in it and it's glazed with maple syrup. This is definitely a cookie I will go out of my way to eat! It's about $1.87 per cookie, so not cheap, but worth it as a treat!

For an affordable light lunch, I like to have a regular sized sandwich, as it costs less than $5 and comes with a side salad. I'm a big fan of their smoked salmon and ricotta cheese sandwich. The side salad dressing is made with grainy mustard and sweetened with maple syrup. If you go for their soup & sandwich deal, their lentil soup is quite nice.

The curried chicken salad is also delicious. It has large chunks of chicken, apples, and celery coated in a creamy curry sauce. There's maple syrup in there somewhere, but you honestly would have no idea. It's a very tasty salad, but can be a meal in itself!

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Theme: Coffeehouse
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Address: 769 Hornby Street, Vancouver
Directions: On the west side of Hornby Street, north of Robson, just across the street from the Vancouver Art Gallery.
Website: www.mapledelights.com

Restaurant Name: Chambar

Chambar is has become my special occasion restaurant. Service here is impeccable and the food matches. It's an incredibly hip and stylish lounge in an old heritage loft in "Crosstown" - where Gastown and Chinatown meet Downtown. It's a Belgian restaurant so they offer the standard moules frites and Belgian draft beer, but they offer so much more than that.

What's great about Chambar is its lively environment. It makes a great restaurant for socializing with friends who love and appreciate good food. But what's also fantastic are the prices. So often people assume you have to pay top dollar to experience the best a city has to offer, but in this case, Chambar's prices are competitive, often mirroring the same prices that you'd find in the local chain restaurants.

Favorite Dish: You can't go wrong with anything you eat or drink at Chambar.

Cocktails

Chambar's bartenders make some of the best cocktails you'll ever taste, anywhere. That's quite a statement. I've had the pleasure of drinking the following and can highly recommend:

The Blue Fig "Oven roasted figs steeped in vodka & frozen. Served martini style with a side of Danish blue cheese". If you could turn roasted figs into liquid, this would be it. The tiny plate of blue cheese (with matching tiny spoon to eat it with) pairs nicely.

The Kissy Suzuki "Jasmine tea infused vodka with sake, blueberry, aloe & passionfruit. Served with a cape gooseberry". If you could drink magic, this would be it.

Starters

To celebrate my sister's 25th birthday, our table of 4 shared:

Coquilles St.-Jacques ($13) "Maple seared scallops, walnut oil tossed lentils & pancetta. Sweet potato crisps". Though tiny, there were enough scallops so that everyone could have at least a whole one and a bit of another. The lentils were delicious.

Les nouilles aux vin de Madeira ($14) "Madeira braised beef shortribs. Applewood smoked cheddar & arugula. Cicatelli pasta. Cassis reduction". This was, as I joked at the table, "a gourmet hamburger helper". Very tender beef and long squiggly pasta. It was scrumptious and we had plenty to go around.

Entrées

Moules Frites Congolaise "Mussels cooked with a tomato coconut cream. Smoked chili and lime. Fresh cilantro". There must have been over 30 mussels in this pot - more than enough for a hearty meal. The mussels were fresh, tender and the creamy coconut cream sauce was mild. The small bowl of frites were some of the best I've had. I'm guessing they fry them up in some sort of lard to make them taste this good.

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Theme: French
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: 604-879-7119
Address: 562 Beatty Street, Vancouver
Directions: Located on the east side of Beatty Street immediately north of Dunsmuir. It's right next to the Beatty Street entrance of Stadium-Chinatown Skytrain station.
Website: www.chambar.com
Other Contact: info@chambar.com

Restaurant Name: Jules Bistro

Jules Bistro is a popular French bistro located on a side street in Gastown. It has a great French bistro ambiance with its brick walls, mirrors, black ceiling/doors/windows, and chandelier.

The staff speak French and it really feels like you could be in Montreal or Paris. There's a bar for drinking or even eating if you wish, but most diners sit in the main dining room which is right behind the bar.

I've been here twice with a group of friends and once as a couple. It can be quite loud from everyone talking, which makes it a better restaurant for socializing. Although it's a warm environment, I wouldn't necessarily call it romantic due to the noise factor. Though not a dressy restaurant, most people here look sharp.

Prices are reasonable considering the quality of food (entrées range from $16 to $26) and the service is professional. It's overall a casual restaurant with an emphasis on really good, traditionally prepared French food.

Favorite Dish: The filet de boeuf ($26) in a morel cream sauce with ratatouille and scalloped potatoes. I've had this twice, but on the third time opted for their salmon frites special - it comes with a salad and chocolate terrine for $23. The salmon was tasty, but is not in the same league as the filet de boeuf. Order it and you will not go home disappointed.

They also have a great selection of wines, many of which are French.

For dessert I'm a big fan of their rice pudding with rhubarb compote, although I believe this is seasonal so it might not always be on the menu. Likewise, they make excellent fondant au chocolat and crème caramel. You can't go wrong with dessert here!

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Theme: French

Phone: 604-669-0033
Address: 216 Abbott Street, Vancouver
Directions: Located on the east side of Abbott Street between Water and Cordova in Gastown.
Website: www.julesbistro.ca

Restaurant Name: Cafe Calabria

Cafe Calabria is famous in the Commercial Drive neighbourhood, not only for its authentic Italian style coffee and treats, but also for its interior decorating and customer service.

As soon as you walk into this large Italian coffee shop you can't help but notice the statues of David, Venus and Caesar, or a replica of Michelangelo's famous Sistine Chapel fresco on the ceiling. Then, you have the Italian opera music projecting from the speakers. Above the mirrored walls are photographs of famous Italian superstars.

But I think it's the service that really brings people returning. The owner and his two sons are the only people who serve the customers here - always with enthusiasm and warm, genuine, welcoming smiles. You feel as if you're a part of the family!

Sit on the patio or inside and enjoy your coffee with a biscotti, Italian dessert, or a panini. Take in the atmosphere of Commercial Drive. It's the perfect place to wind down after a stroll around town.

Favorite Dish: Americano a leche with a chocolate drizzled biscotti.

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Theme: Coffeehouse
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: 604-253-7017
Address: 1745 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
Directions: On the west side of Commercial Drive south of E 1st Ave.

Restaurant Name: Tree's Organic Coffee

This is one of my favourite downtown coffee shops and occasionally where I eat while I'm on my lunch break at work. I like Tree's because it has a very inviting atmosphere with rustic west coast decor. It's not a chain and it doesn't feel like one.

All their coffee is 100% organic and their espresso drinks are delicious. However, they also have an impressive collection of baked goods which they bake in house. Apparently they're most famous for their cheesecake (which looks very impressive), but I haven't tried any yet.

Unlike most coffee shops in the business district of downtown, Tree's stays open in the evening, often with live music. Over all, it's a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of downtown.

Tip: Visit their website and print out a coupon!

Favorite Dish: I really like their sandwiches, which is why I come here for lunch. They have them already made on display in the display case and are often made with baguettes. My favourite sandwich is the brie and tomato, but the chicken salad and the tuna salad are delicious as well. They also have a sandwich called the "west coast" which is grainy pumpernickel thinly sliced with a filling of cream cheese, capers, lettuce, and smoked salmon lox. For a few dollars more, you can have a soup or salad with the sandwich.

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Theme: Coffeehouse
Comparison: about average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: 604-684-5060
Address: 450 Granville Street, Vancouver
Directions: On the east side of Granville Street, between Pender and Hastings.
Website: www.treescoffee.com

Restaurant Name: Provence Marinaside

Provence Marinaside is a classy but casual French restaurant with a beautiful patio and a bright interior overlooking the Yaletown marina. I've only been here for brunch, but this is what it's famous for, as it's regularly voted among locals as the best place for brunch.

Service is professional and the food comes out quickly (sometimes even a bit too quickly!), but overall a great place if you want consistently good food.

You can also come here and order from their deli counter which is right near the front door. Most of the items featured in the showcase are used in their antipasti where you pay $15 and get 3 different items which you can share. This is what we do if it's sunny and warm outside and we want to sit on the patio with a bottle of wine and munch on some tasty treats.

Favorite Dish: They make delicious authentic French croissants, served warm with strawberry and raspberry jam. We often order a side of goat's cheese (not on the menu) because it goes great with the jam.

Once I ordered the seasonal fruit crepes, which was made with peaches sauteed in maple syrup and cream, served with some fresh fruit.

Most recently I really enjoyed their cannelloni stuffed with beef, oven baked and served with green salad. Usually baked pasta dishes are really heavy, but this was quite light - there wasn't much cheese and the tomato sauce was sweet but tangy. I loved it!

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Theme: French
Comparison: about average

Phone: 604-681-4144
Address: 1177 Marinaside Crescent, Vancouver
Directions: Located immediately north of the eastern foot of Davie Street on Marinaside Quay in Yaletown. It's basically around the corner from the Starbucks which is next to Urban Fare.
Website: www.provencevancouver.com/marinaside
Other Contact: marinaside@provencevancouver.com

Restaurant Name: Go Fish

This is a bit of a local secret, and even then most people don't know it exists. Go Fish is all about providing customers with fresh, wild, sustainably-harvested fish. The people who are responsible for setting up Go Fish are already well known in Vancouver for their successful gourmet tapas restaurants (Bin 941/942), so that in itself already gives Go Fish a lot of culinary credibility.

But it is a take-out stack with outdoor seating, so not your typical sit-down restaurant. Probably not the best place to be on a rainy day, but when the sun is shining over False Creek and you're looking out over the boats, the mountains and the Vancouver skyline, there's no better place to be eating fresh, local seafood!

They're open daily from 11:30 until dusk and serve tasty fish 'n chips, fish burgers, fish tacos, chowder, and other local seafood specialities.

Favorite Dish: The wild, Pacific salmon burger. At $9 for takeout, it may be a tad expensive, but this ain't your typical fish burger. Made on a fresh, Portuguese-style bun, they BBQ a fresh salmon steak (which pretty much went directly from the boat to the kitchen) - it tastes like how fresh salmon should taste. They season it with a wasabi mayo and Japanese picked cucumbers. They serve this on a paper plate with a side of crunchy coleslaw. A very satisfying lunch!

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Theme: Seafood

Directions: Located in a blue shack across from the public fish sales wharf just south-west of Granville Island along the seawall.

Restaurant Name: Old Spaghetti Factory, the

Am I really writing a review for this place? Good lord.

The Old Spaghetti Factory is a Gastown institution. Hordes of tourists b-line there which always makes me cringe. You have one day in Vancouver, and you’re going to spend it here? But if you’re a bargain hunter searching the best deal or you’re feeding your family of tiny mouths, the Old Spaghetti Factory is fitting. It’s the McDonald’s of Italian cooking – cheap, filling, popular with young families, but the food is…

… it’s actually pretty decent for what it is. You pay $10 for a plate of spaghetti. You choose the sauce. It comes with a salad or soup and endless loaves of fresh, hot bread. For dessert, you get a cup of spumoni ice cream, and you’re set.

Service is actually really good here. It might not be the fastest or the most efficient, but the servers have been well-trained and are in positive spirits, despite the fact that most tables are large banquet parties with shrieking kids. I can recognize their professional attitudes and really appreciate it.

As for the space, it's a huge restaurant in an old brick warehouse furnished with hundreds of Tiffany lamps, stained glass windows, antiques, and an authentic heritage trolley car from early 20th century.

Favorite Dish: The spaghetti with spicy meat sauce is what I'll order if I happen to find myself at an Old Spaghetti Factory. The sauce is actually very, very spicy in that satisfying burning way, which I like. I tried the clam sauce once, but found the sauce bland and pasty.

The popcorn shrimp appetizer is also really good, especially if you share it between two of you. They also have a bit of spice to them and are crispy in all their deep-fried goodness.

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Theme: Italian
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 604-684-1288
Address: 53 Water Street, Vancouver
Directions: Located on the north side of Water Street, west of Carrall, in Gastown
Website: www.oldspaghettifactory.ca

Restaurant Name: The Irish Heather

The Irish Heather is an Irish gastropub in Gastown. And a gastropub is basically a pub that specializes in higher quality food.

The pub itself is run by an Irish brother and sister who actually are quite famous in the local restaurant scene as they have started other successful Gastown establishments and are often credited for Gastown's renaissance as a dining destination.

I like the Irish Heather because of their location. The building used to be Vancouver's first jail. The pub has a traditional bar at the front, a seated areas upstairs, a glass-encased greenhouse room at the back which looks onto the historic Gaoler's Mews alley. It's a very lively place at night, especially in the summer when all of Gaoler's Mews turns into a patio!

In the day time, the Irish Heather is a quiet place, but makes a great lunch destination.

Favorite Dish: I'm particularly fond of the Curry Chips ($6) which is described in their menu as "hand cut, twice fried, skin on, served with a mild tomato curry sauce". Excellent snacking food.

If you're looking for a meal, I can recommend the Pot Pie ($14) if you're hungry. "Each piece made from scratch... this is the real deal. Filled to the brim with Guinness-braised steak and vegetables, this beast is served with mashed potatoes, which act as a natural barrier, preventing the gravy from flowing off your plate".

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Theme: Pub/Brewery
Comparison: about average

Phone: 604-688-9779
Address: 217 Carrall Street, Vancouver
Directions: On the west side of Carrall Street between Water and Cordova in Gastown.
Website: www.irishheather.com/ih_main.html