I seek good food and drink everywhere and it’s no different when I visit my hometown of Vancouver, Canada. Visits home are now filled with meeting babies (many girlfriends are on their second) so I wasn’t able to get out as much, but when I did, I made it count. Here are some standouts.
Kissa Tanto
Located in Chinatown by the same owners as hip Chinese Bao Bei, this Japanese Italian restaurant is stylistically closer to a restaurant that you might find in New York or London. It has brass, dark wood, and velvet with dark green and blue hues. There are cozy banquets and a stunning central bar. I was a bit hesitant to order the tajarin pasta (thin flat noodle) because I last ate it in its birthplace of Piemonte during white truffle season where it is coated in sage butter served underneath a fluffy mound of shaved white truffles. I promised myself that I would only eat half the portion but it was so delicious I wiped the plate clean with bread. I was even more impressed when they had G.D. Vajra’s Barbera (also from Piemonte), a perfect accompaniment and what I would have ordered had I been in Alba. Go for date night, to people watch or to catch up with friends.
The Diamond
Expect to wait at the dimly candlelit Diamond in Gastown, but know that it will be worth it. The cocktails are strong and it’s open late (until 2:00AM on Fridays and Saturdays). There are large windows that look out to the street below, which also provides fresh air so you won’t sweat your face off on a hot summer night. This is the place to wind down your night, providing a good excuse for a greasy slice of pizza from the shop below.
One of the best benefits of going home is the quality of the Chinese food. I was asking a chef in Shanghai last year about where to find the best Chinese food and amazingly he said Vancouver. There is a large Chinese population that began immigrating there in the late 90s before Hong Kong was to be given back to China and with the people came the food.
Nightingale
Another newcomer from revered local chef David Hawksworth. This stunning restaurant is also located in downtown Vancouver with lots of natural light and high ceilings framed by white subway tiles, light coloured wood and beautiful circular chandeliers. I sat at the bar and ordered several small plates, which were put away with my ‘house’ Champagne: Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve NV. The wine list is extensive and impressive and I would definitely return before a night out on the town.
Here are some of my frequent haunts…
PhotoCredit:ViewTheVibe
Sea Harbour
I have been all over town for dim sum and Sea Harbour is one of the best hands down. It is located close the airport in Richmond across the street from the River Rock Casino. You will need to book a table as they will not hesitate to turn you away. Their award winning dish maybe a little adventurous for some, but I think about it often and order it every time I am back. It is deep fried pumpkin with a sauce made out of salted duck egg yolks. It is very rich but it’s perfect in texture and flavour both with the saltiness of the duck egg yolk complimenting the sweetness of the pumpkin.
Mui Garden
There are several locations for a restaurant that is best described as a Chinese diner. It is famous for its Malaysian coconut curry and other restorative comfort dishes. Order a coconut curry with an extra portion of sauce and then use it to drown the Hainan rice that is flavoured with chicken fat. This dish is so soul satisfying that it’s a contender for my last meal. This is also the place to have honey garlic spare ribs, dry fried string beans and honey walnut prawns. Leave with an extra inch to the waist but a feeling that it was all worth it.
Dinesty
I love Shanghai soup dumplings and have had them all over the world so couldn’t resist not having them while at home. Dinesty is a casual restaurant where you can get classic Shanghai dishes like soup dumplings, stir fried nian gao (sticky rice cake), and fried thick noodles. They have several locations including a shop where you can buy the frozen dumplings to steam at home.
Several locations in Vancouver
Any Questions or Tips to add?