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: Good Restaurants for Dinner in Downtown Vancouver?


RacingMetro92
04-02-2011, 09:08 AM
So, I have some relatives coming up from the States soon, and from what they told me, they want to find a place to eat downtown. While I only know of Ebisu (which I've heard is good) I have no real knowledge of the eats out there (I'm in Surrey)

What they're looking for is a place with good food. EDIT: was just told cost isn't as much of an issue anymore, something about a fat tax return or something. Cuisine does not really matter much, they just want a nice place to eat some dinner out there.

Thanks for the help!

skiiipi
04-02-2011, 10:27 AM
For the price range you listed, I would reccomend the downtown cactus club on dunsmuir.
It is inexpensive, and looks fancier than it actually is. Good way to impress relatives on a budget.
There are quite a few GOOD resturants downtown, but pricing is usually quite a bit higher. Like Joe Fortes, Hy's, Gothams, Cin Cin's etc.
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tiger_handheld
04-02-2011, 10:34 AM
urbanspoon.com >> find some restaurants and search for reviews on rs. best way!

miss_crayon
04-02-2011, 02:00 PM
So you're looking at around 23 per person..kinda hard to do depending on what "good" means to you. If you want good price, you might get mediocre food. If you want good food, you might have to spend a little bit more. Joe Forte's is great for seafood but is more like 100-150 between 2 people. Cactus/Earls is decent on the wallet but even then for 6 I'd suspect itd be around the 200 range (depending what you get) and the food is just average.

What kind of cuisine are you looking at?
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Culverin
04-02-2011, 02:40 PM
Good isn't necessarily expensive. Are they big eaters?

Also, why downtown? There's plenty of good food elsewhere in the city.

RacingMetro92
04-02-2011, 03:16 PM
@ miss_crayon- They're willing to go over a bit, just has to be worth it. They're Filipino so they'll eat just about anything, as long as its good food.

@Culverin- Not exactly big eaters, but as long as they arent fine dining portions (ie. an entree that someone can eat in 2 bites) they're ok with it. They also want to eat downtown because it's a daytrip sort of thing where we'll be walking around the city for a while, then we eat out there.

If anyone knows if there's good food elsewhere thats Skytrain/transit/walking accessible within the area, shoot some suggestions out!

alwaysideways
04-02-2011, 05:48 PM
Le Crocodile

Went there last night and it was AMAZING! Just google the name to grab the website, they have menu and pricing on there.....ENJOY!

XinLoiBby
04-02-2011, 06:21 PM
Milestone sounds like the right choice for you .

1109 Hamilton Street, Vancouver

RacingMetro92
04-02-2011, 06:44 PM
Milestone sounds like the right choice for you .

1109 Hamilton Street, Vancouver

Been there, different location though. Last time they were here they went to Moxies out in Surrey, same thing.

MrGoodbar
04-02-2011, 06:50 PM
grubb, yaletown

xmisstrinh
04-02-2011, 07:52 PM
Market at Shangri La

duyxngoc
04-02-2011, 08:15 PM
What type of ethnic food are you looking for? Any specific tastes?
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RacingMetro92
04-02-2011, 08:23 PM
^ Well, being Filipino, I guess I do have a preference to Asian cuisine, but I'm open to taking them to just about anywhere.

duyxngoc
04-02-2011, 08:26 PM
Asian food downtown is extremely expensive. Majority of them are on broadway or kingsway
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6793026
04-02-2011, 09:12 PM
dude 150 bucks for 6 people as crayon was saying, that's NOTHING. you won't even be able to eat a decent meal for 3 at cactus club with 150. 150, heck you can't even eat that in a Chinese restaurant on a good night.

Not trying to bash but 150 is pretty limited.
say 200 bucks for 6 people. i would say Thai food is surely do-able, you can go to yaletown brewery and get pizza and stuff and be good. eating at a fine diving place is totally out of the issue.

Culverin
04-03-2011, 01:34 AM
Try some of the fancy bar/bistro places in gastown. Something like Greedy Pig or Chill Winston is going to do you just fine for the food, quality made (unlike some of the chains), and will be within skytrain walking distance.

If you are worried about budget, I'd say splurge on the lunch meal, then save on dinner.

DaFonz
04-04-2011, 11:34 AM
I'll never understand revscene's obsession with ebisu.

Restaurants:

Boneta, Shore Club, Bistro Pastis, Grub

Spoon
04-04-2011, 11:43 AM
$150 for 6 people is nothing in downtown if you want decent food. Only solution I could think of is to buy some kind of groupon if one happens to pop up.
http://www.dealradar.com/vancouver

Also consider discount gift cards. I know Costco sells 2x$50 Glowbal gift cards for $85 or something. Not sure if they can be used all at one time though.

bcrdukes
04-04-2011, 02:16 PM
I'll never understand revscene's obsession with ebisu.

C'mon man. It's got to be the bestest evar! :fullofwin: :troll: :whistle:

duyxngoc
04-04-2011, 03:06 PM
It's not downtown but here's a good place to eat . 8542 Granville . When you come there , eat from the Sushi menu . The western food is not quite at par but the Sushi is AWESOME !

Durrann
04-05-2011, 06:45 AM
Sala Thai for Thai food
On burrard near smithe
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MelonBoy
04-05-2011, 09:26 AM
I'll never understand revscene's obsession with ebisu.

Restaurants:

Boneta, Shore Club, Bistro Pastis, Grub

shitty food + expensive as f-town.. but the hot chicks there make up for it i guess???.. (note iv only been there about 2-3 times.. lets say I gave it a chance but No more :/ )



On topic

Restaurants - Guu with Garlic, Zakkushi

Obsideon
04-07-2011, 12:52 PM
shitty food + expensive as f-town.. but the hot chicks there make up for it i guess???.. (note iv only been there about 2-3 times.. lets say I gave it a chance but No more :/ )

On topic

Restaurants - Guu with Garlic, Zakkushi

I'm just curious to know what you ate at Ebisu to incur the "shitty food" label so I can work it over with my chefs and improve them, but I know it's impossible to please everyone, least I can do is try to meet the refined standards of fellow Revsceners such as yourself. :)
Prices are very competitive and pretty standard for a Robson area downtown location with expensive rent. Definitely better value then places like Hapa which cost roughly the same at half the portions.
Across the street Moxies and Earls sell:
Edamame Beans for 6 or 7 bucks compared to $3.95
Wings $10 < Ebisu $6 (or 39 cents at Happy Hour)
All our specialty rolls are under $10, the standard California roll clocks in at an average $4.50, what do you expect in the heart of Vancouver downtown? If we were located in Coquitlam or Surrey it would be a different story.

So if Ebisu is f-town expensive then Earl's must be "Balling out of control" expensive? :confused:

Back on topic:
I am very honest and non-biased about other restaurants.

Guu Thurlow is the best Guu and by far has the best food of all izakaya's in downtown, I was actually just there last night with my friend... but I do get tired of the constant yelling in my ear from the staff, I could barely hold a conversation with my buddy. The wooden picnic benches aren't too kind to my rear either lol... but I'm friends with most of the staff there cuz I frequent them so often.

Zakkushi I haven't been to for a while but there's a reason for that, last time I went was around the Fireworks time (Celebration of Light) last year. It was totally underwhelming, food was bland and overcooked a lot of my skewers. The special Yakitori-don + egg is great though!

If cost isn't an issue anymore then I would suggest a steakhouse like Hy's or Gotham.
Seafood - Coast is a solid choice, the Lobster Mashed potato is freakin' awesome!

It's actually really difficult to pinpoint a restaurant without specifying what kind of cuisine you have interest in as there's so much variety in this great city of Vancouver. We are quite spoiled in our selection of food here compared to most other cities. A lot of out of town customers are blown away when they go to Ebisu cuz there is nothing even remotely similar in their hometowns.

s300ae
04-07-2011, 12:54 PM
http://www.bishopsonline.com/


a lil pricey and not really downtown van, but still amazing.

DaFonz
04-07-2011, 01:08 PM
I'm just curious to know what you ate at Ebisu to incur the "shitty food" label so I can work it over with my chefs and improve them to your refined standards.
Prices are very competitive and pretty standard for a Robson area downtown location with expensive rent. Definitely better value then places like Hapa which cost roughly the same at half the portions.
Across the street Moxies and Earls sell:
Edamame Beans for 6 or 7 bucks compared to $3.95
Wings $10 < Ebisu $6 (or 39 cents at Happy Hour)
All our specialty rolls are under $10, the standard California roll clocks in at an average $4.50, what do you expect in the heart of Vancouver downtown? If we were located in Coquitlam or Surrey it would be a different story.

So if Ebisu is f-town expensive then Earl's must be "Balling out of control" expensive? :confused:


Well to be fair, I'd rather eat at Ebisu than Earl's because Earl's is fucking garbage.

The rolls are one thing that Ebisu does ok in. Your fish tacos are decent as well. Drink specials are good as are your oyster specials.

Here's what I have had problems with when I have gone in the past:

Your chicken wings taste like cardboard. I understand that for $5.55, you can't do much, but fuck, they are some of the worst wings ever. Raise the prices if you need to to increase the quality.

Your potato butter. I've made the mistake of ordering it twice now and each time, it's come out COLD. Cold potatoes with cold cheese is disgusting. I wanted to send that shit back and raise a fuss, but the people I was with didn't which is why I didn't bitch more.

Your Ton Toro. This could entirely be a question of taste, but Guu's is more tender and tastes a hell of a lot better. Oh and sizzling hot plate? Mine sure as hell wasn't sizzling when I got it.

BBQ Short ribs - At your price point, this dish stinks. It's no different from the crap that you would get at an all you can eat place. Only difference is that at an all you can eat place, I can pay $12 and get as much of that garbage as I want. You want to improve it? First off, stop serving the dish cold. Second, less fricking sauce. The dish tastes more like sauce than ribs. Third, get thicker cuts of ribs. Yours are anemic.

Asari Pasta - your chef needs to learn to make a sauce. This dish is gross and this is coming from someone who LIKES rich cream sauces.

Culverin
04-07-2011, 01:51 PM
I'm just curious to know what you ate at Ebisu to incur the "shitty food" label so I can work it over with my chefs and improve them, but I know it's impossible to please everyone, least I can do is try to meet the refined standards of fellow Revsceners such as yourself. :)
Prices are very competitive and pretty standard for a Robson area downtown location with expensive rent. Definitely better value then places like Hapa which cost roughly the same at half the portions.

Obsideon, it's been on my list for a while to visit Ebisu. Would you care to briefly explain what you see as Ebisu's position in the market and what kind of level of service and food it should be delivering?
I have noticed that you mention keeping up standards and such a few times now, I'm no professional restaurant critic by any long shot, but maybe if I show up cold then I could give you back some useful critique?

I've got an interest in food and restaurants but I've never worked in the industry. Even if what i tell you is stuff you already know, maybe you'd be able to educate me a little?

Obsideon
04-07-2011, 02:40 PM
Well to be fair, I'd rather eat at Ebisu than Earl's because Earl's is fucking garbage.

The rolls are one thing that Ebisu does ok in. Your fish tacos are decent as well. Drink specials are good as are your oyster specials.

Here's what I have had problems with when I have gone in the past:

Your chicken wings taste like cardboard. I understand that for $5.55, you can't do much, but fuck, they are some of the worst wings ever. Raise the prices if you need to to increase the quality.

Your potato butter. I've made the mistake of ordering it twice now and each time, it's come out COLD. Cold potatoes with cold cheese is disgusting. I wanted to send that shit back and raise a fuss, but the people I was with didn't which is why I didn't bitch more.

Your Ton Toro. This could entirely be a question of taste, but Guu's is more tender and tastes a hell of a lot better. Oh and sizzling hot plate? Mine sure as hell wasn't sizzling when I got it.

BBQ Short ribs - At your price point, this dish stinks. It's no different from the crap that you would get at an all you can eat place. Only difference is that at an all you can eat place, I can pay $12 and get as much of that garbage as I want. You want to improve it? First off, stop serving the dish cold. Second, less fricking sauce. The dish tastes more like sauce than ribs. Third, get thicker cuts of ribs. Yours are anemic.

Asari Pasta - your chef needs to learn to make a sauce. This dish is gross and this is coming from someone who LIKES rich cream sauces.

Thank you DaFonz!
Honest constructive feedback that gives me room to work with rather then a generic "Food suxoRZZ". That's why I love the RS community :whistle:
Copy and pasting this in an anonymous word document then shoving it in my chef's face! :D
We will work diligently to improve on the above mentioned dishes and then some so that I really hope your next experience won't be anything of the like!

Obsideon, it's been on my list for a while to visit Ebisu. Would you care to briefly explain what you see as Ebisu's position in the market and what kind of level of service and food it should be delivering?
I have noticed that you mention keeping up standards and such a few times now, I'm no professional restaurant critic by any long shot, but maybe if I show up cold then I could give you back some useful critique?

I've got an interest in food and restaurants but I've never worked in the industry. Even if what i tell you is stuff you already know, maybe you'd be able to educate me a little?

Our position in the market is to try to be different and stand out amongst the masses. There's just way too many restaurants in Vancouver doing the same thing, what we try to offer is a (hopefully) good blend of styles that would appeal to everyone. Where else can you catch the Vancouver Canucks on a full HD 15 foot big screen while enjoying very afforddable and creative drink specials and munching on food ranging from standard pub fare (nachos, wings) to speciality Japanese dishes brought in by our authentic Japanese chefs with 20+ years experience.

Competition is fierce around here and with the new HST and uber strict drinking + driving laws, business has been difficult. I honestly work to try and improve every aspect of the restaurant although I understand nobody is perfect but hey it doesn't hurt to strive for it every once in a while :)

RacingMetro92
04-07-2011, 02:44 PM
Thank you DaFonz!
Honest constructive feedback that gives me room to work with rather then a generic "Food suxoRZZ". That's why I love the RS community :whistle:
Copy and pasting this in an anonymous word document then shoving it in my chef's face! :D



Our position in the market is to try to be different and stand out amongst the masses. There's just way too many restaurants in Vancouver doing the same thing, what we try to offer is a (hopefully) good blend of styles that would appeal to everyone. Where else can you catch the Vancouver Canucks on a full HD 15 foot big screen while enjoying very afforddable and creative drink specials and munching on food ranging from standard pub fare (nachos, wings) to speciality Japanese dishes brought in by our authentic Japanese chefs with 20+ years experience.

Competition is fierce around here and with the new HST and uber strict drinking + driving laws, business has been difficult. I honestly work to try and improve every aspect of the restaurant although I understand nobody is perfect but hey it doesn't hurt to strive for it every once in a while :)

I'm leaning towards going to Ebisu, especially since you took the time as one of the higher ups up at the restaurant to actually come and take a look at feedback you've received. It's just up to my family on whether or not they want to go.

I'll hit it up myself with my brother later on this month (I can't really pass up your Happy Hour prices) if my family chooses not to go to Ebisu. I already pitched the idea to them, with those good prices on the rolls as a selling point.