Places for an anniversary?
 

It's gonna be me and my girlfriend's 3-year anniversary coming up in a couple weeks. We've pretty much had all that Richmond has to offer and I'm thinking of taking her downtown for a great place to eat that's almost borderline fine dining (and probably might be).

We don't eat downtown very often, and I'm not too familiar with the places there myself. My friend recommended Gotham Steakhouse as a place to go; he says it's great food, albeit pricey. Anybody else ever been there? Are there any other places that anyone can recommend, but won't be too overly excruciating for your wallet?

Seasons in the Park at QE Park.

Took my girlfriend there... fantastic!
not too pricy like Gotham.

Gotham is like $65 for just a piece of steak IIRC (8oz NY Strip)

Our go to place is Pink Peppercorn on Kingsway

Joe forte's! Our go to place for all things yummy. Or provence marinaside

That salmon wellington. :sweetjesus:

Gotham's is $$$$ if you can afford it. IMO for a more memorable experience go to a cheaper place but do more things

Take her to a nice small place in yaletown (or go to Glowbal which is always tasty as fuark... kobe meatball :sweetjesus:),
or have a friend camp out @ cactus on the beach and get a good table for yourselves.
Or go to bridges on granville island (But go after 5 as they open up the top level and its got a very nice view)
Sandbar @ granville island is also good

here's what I think is a good idea:

Wake up late and go to an all day breakfast place.
Go bike the seawall on a tandem bike
Go to one of the aforementioned restaurants

Total cost = $100-$150 max and I'm including $30 miscellaneous cost for flowers/box of chocolates/etc.
Also, the day I've outlined is oozing in sappy shit, sappy shit is good stuff bro.

At gotham's you'd be spending $150 min. on both your meals with no drinks included in that price

no way bro.... 150 is just the 2 pcs of meat :troll:...lol

you'd be lucky to walk out with $250min with a glass of wine.

---------------

but probably any place along the alberni strip would be a good call. :)

IF you do take her to a Glowbal restaurant, you can pick up a $100 Gift card @ Costco for $80.. :)

Great food and value. Can probably go all out and get 2 lobsters for roughly $100.

However, not sure if it's the best neighborhood to bring your gf for your anniversary though.

I took my Ex g/f to the restaurant up grouse mountain. Free ride up, we walked around and looked at the grizzleys and had a perfect romantic dinner over looking Vancouver. I would try that it's something different and sort of an adventure as well.

if you dont mind getting there a bit early, i'd say vij's.
$150 after all is done, inc bottle of wine.

That sounds legit, Glowbal sounds like a great place. The creativity in me has been fading each year, and I've always been looking for ways to keep things going great and surprising. I remember during our 1st, I took her to the ramen place just off Robson, because that's the same place where we hit it off the year before; I thought that was genius.

It's been tough to surprise recently, and sometimes I can't help to feel as if she's getting bored of the stuff I've been putting out. Thanks for all the input! These ideas are great :D

I went to seasons for Valentines/ 3 months. Yea maybe I set the bar sorta high but it was a $115 meal :okay:. 2 Entrees, 2 drinks (wine+cocktail), 2 deserts. Great place, great view, decent washroom and environment.

Damn. My lady friend and I thought Wendy's was pretty fancy. :lol

Tell her stop being such a fucking skankassbitchwhore.

:fullofwin:

Tried "super-fancy" fine dining with the girlfriend a few days ago. Did not enjoy. There comes a point where you have to be a straight foodie to know what the hell you're eating, and have a developed tongue for certain tastes.

Anyways, a nice place the gf and I always enjoy is Dockside restaurant on Granville Island. Their outdoor dining area is amazing. I recommend going a little earlier while the sun's still out. Or if you go a little later, you might get lucky and catch the sunset.
Not that pricey either. Cactus Club prices.

Steak = Gotham Porterhouse steak :sweetjesus:

White seafood = bluewater cafe :sweetjesus:

If you guys don't really care about the food, just the atmosphere I'd say Whiterock would be a nice place along the beach. Sunset there is pretty good.

La quercia on west 4th and alma in kits. About 30 seats, amazing northern italian food. It was voted best restaurant on several occasions by several of the smaller magazines in Vancouver. You have to book about a week or 2 in advance if you want the late seatings. The best option there, that me and my girlfriend always to is the 9 course tasting menu. The food comes out family style, and the chef just makes you whatever. Tell them of any allergies and things you hate and they make a menu for you on the spot based on what they have in house. It provides a really cool and intimate dining experience. Not really pricey either.

Hy's aint bad.

If you share a steak its about 50$ and then get some appys

20 bucks for shrimp cocktail.

add a side of double baked potato for 4 bucks

Cheese Bread for two 5.95


spend 30 bucks on drinks

Around 110 + tax

so around 125.00

plus tip

$150


Nice Meal and you will be more than full!

Emad did a fantastic job with his glowbal chains and I have to give him props for the success he has had with his ever growing company. I had the pleasure of doing business with him with my fams and I have nothing but great things to say about him. However, the food is BEYOND mediocre. If you're looking for a nice place to go with decent prices (and not much care towards the food)..this place will suffice (dim lighting, fancy-ish etc) but there are definitely way better places out there.

The Quattro chains have never disappointed me and quality of food and service has always consistent. Nice decor, amazing food, and price is very affordable. I've been to all of them (except the one on 4th now to Broadway) and great food EVERYTIME.

Enjoy some photos below...

Richards:

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...16945538_n.jpg
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...57858043_n.jpg

North Van

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...26781469_n.jpg
Their share plate is AMAZING!
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...98959582_n.jpg

Whistler:

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._5662604_n.jpg
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...4_893428_n.jpg
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._5722355_n.jpg

Agreed. People suggesting places like glowbal, cactus club, etc need to learn what good food is.

what's the name for 'Richards'?
Quattro only have stores in N.Van and Whistler I thought?

^ Q4 al centro

cheers

Teahouse in Stanley Park is a classic. I'd second La Quercia as well.

If you want something a bit more affordable, but really tasty but not too fancy - check out Cafeteria on Main and 10th. It's a small room, quiet, and you'll get great food and service. I go there every few weeks because it's just that good.

And just to get it out of the way - steakhouses are NOT romantic.