Vancouver, BC (a foodie’s paradise)

Italian Kitchen

Looking for a trendy little Italian place for lunch?  Look no further.  The Italian Kitchen fits the bill!  This is not your mama mia’s Italian.  Open from 8am to 3pm, the IK caters to the young business set.  Waitstaff is very helpful and know their stuff.  Highlights on the menu include a great seafood linguine and a superb Monte Cristo.  Best to drop in before noon to guarantee a table.  Outside patio dining is nice on the days that the weather agrees.

Joe Fortes

The Pavolva

Buckle your seatbelts, Joe Fortes lives up to its name.  You want the freshest seafare?  You looking for an oyster bar that rivals just about anywhere?  FORTE!  The waiters wigged us out a little…looks like the waiters belong in a barbershop quartet!  All are cad in white coats and ties.  Jayson apparently drew the short straw and served our table.  Enter fun.  His knowledge of the menu, ingredient sourcing, recipes, and fish facts was impressive.  He offered his personal guarantee that the meal that we were about to partake was, “the best in the world”.  A few of the highlights included:  the Seafood Cioppino and the dessert menu include a meringue delight entitled: Pavlova.  YUM!  For those tea toatalers, the “O, Canada” is an interesting mix of grape fruit and lemonade.

Arms Reach Bistro

Arm’s Reach

Just a short drive north along the beautiful evergreens, is the sleeply little enclave of “Deep Cove”.  Overlooking a fiord bay filled with sailboats and sea kayakers is the Arms Reach Bistro.  Well worth the drive for lunch.  Ask for a table over looking the bay.  Our watress, Kiana was a spitten image of Caterina Murino of the James Bond flick Casino Royal.  Expect standard lunch fare of sandwiches and salads.  Patio dining is also very appealing should the weather cooperate.

Kamei Royal

Every street corner in town has a sushi spot.  Obviously, not all sushi is created equal.  A Sushi stop is a must in this Asian influenced city.  We used our usual tactic of going to the best hotel we can find in the area we want to dine, ask the councierege for his/her recommendations.  We identified and consulted the helpful contact at the Fairmont Pacific Rim.  “You want the best?  without mortgaging any children?” she remarked.  ” I would recommend the Kamei.  The Kamei is a little hard to find.  Located on Georgia street, it is on the second level.  You must take the escalator up.  You will not be dissapointed.  Very traditonal Japanese environs, and service.

Enter fight #276-I commented that our traditionally attired waitress was our sushi geisha.  Luci didn’t think that was appropriate.  Discussion ensued.

Highlights included: the Crunch & Munch and of course the Samurai Power cannot be missed.  The place is really reasonably priced.  Menu descriptions of the rolls is also very helpful.  Fun Japanese ambiance.  Yes, you will most likely be seated in area where you must remove shoes.

Honorable mention:

Cafe Crepe

Looking for a great snack or dessert?  You must try the Strawberry Chocolate Crepe.  To die for.