Hidden Gem Housed on a serene side street in the West End , tucked-away Adesso Bistro delights with cuisine from Italy ’ s northwest region . A much-adored neighbourhood haunt , Tavola packs in locals for robust dishes inspired by Southern Italy . The line-ups at Ask for Luigi may call its “ hidden ” status into question , but this small Railtown room ’ s handmade Italian fare confirms its “ gem ” status .
Patio For urban retreats with cosmopolitan flair , the rooftop decks at Black + Blue and Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House come out on top . Perched on a quiet pier next to Stanley Park , Lift Bar-Grill-View boasts a backdrop of mountain , city and water views . Newly arrived Ancora ’ s Japanese-Peruvian fare is complemented by wraparound , waterfront views .
Most Romantic You ’ ll fall in love with the whole package at Five Sails : award-winning cuisine , elegant room and stunning seaside views . A charming hideaway located in a heritage house , Lupo features Italian classics reinvented with local and seasonal ingredients and desserts to linger over . French is the language of love , and the meticulous Alsatian plates at Le Crocodile are positively fluent .
High-End Restaurant Pacific Northwest cuisine is delivered with panache in Hawksworth , an elegant , award-winning room . At Cioppino ’ s , find a wine list a mile deep , perfectly executed Italian plates and polished surroundings — now that ’ s amore . Long before all the buzz about local and seasonal ingredients , Bishop ’ s served farm-to-table fare with a side of exceptional service . The city ’ s culinary anchor , Blue Water Cafe offers a mindful menu of outstanding , and sustainable , seafood dishes .
Casual Restaurant A bustling room and a menu of down-home comfort food is TUC Craft Kitchen ’ s claim to fame . The epitome of casual fine dining , Cactus
Regional Cuisine The farm-to-table fare at Farmer ’ s Apprentice changes frequently to reflect the seasons and the chef ’ s whims , all served up in a diminutive dining room . Forage celebrates the local larder with a seasonal menu , and has an array of BC wines and local liquors to match . As the name suggests , the best of the West Coast is on the plate at West Restaurant .
Dessert The sweet somethings at Thierry range from macarons to pastries to chocolates , any of which can be enjoyed with a glass of wine on the licensed patio . Exquisite Viennoiserie and other French baking can be found at Faubourg , plus an array of pretty pastries . At Mosquito , decadent desserts and champagne are the lush lounge ’ s raison d ’ être .
Drinks Raise a glass to the past at Pourhouse , which halts the hands of time with tipples that hail from the golden era of the cocktail . The glam Lobby Lounge is the perfect place to watch the world go by — settle in next to the Fazioli grand or the dramatic gas fireplace while you sip . Below-street Prohibition pays tribute to the building ’ s flapper roots with vintage cocktails and plush decor . Oenophiles head to Salt Tasting Room for a curated selection of wines , ordered by the flight .
Brunch As the line-ups attest , brunch at Medina Café is a legendary affair — the crispy Liège waffles with heavenly toppings are a must . House-cured meats , locally sourced ingredients and a dash of innovation make Catch 122 a popular spot . The site of Vancouver ’ s first jail , L ’ Abattoir adds a certain je ne sais quoi to the menu of West Coast – inspired dishes .
Ask a Concierge
Every year , Essential Vancouver poses a challenge to the pros : Which of Vancouver ’ s excellent eateries do you recommend ? Les Clefs d ’ Or concierges dished on their favourites in our online survey . Some are perennial award winners , others are personal favourites — all are excellent by jill von sprecken
Hidden Gem Housed on a serene side street in the West End , tucked-away Adesso Bistro delights with cuisine from Italy ’ s northwest region . A much-adored neighbourhood haunt , Tavola packs in locals for robust dishes inspired by Southern Italy . The line-ups at Ask for Luigi may call its “ hidden ” status into question , but this small Railtown room ’ s handmade Italian fare confirms its “ gem ” status .
Patio For urban retreats with cosmopolitan flair , the rooftop decks at Black + Blue and Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House come out on top . Perched on a quiet pier next to Stanley Park , Lift Bar-Grill-View boasts a backdrop of mountain , city and water views . Newly arrived Ancora ’ s Japanese-Peruvian fare is complemented by wraparound , waterfront views .
Most Romantic You ’ ll fall in love with the whole package at Five Sails : award-winning cuisine , elegant room and stunning seaside views . A charming hideaway located in a heritage house , Lupo features Italian classics reinvented with local and seasonal ingredients and desserts to linger over . French is the language of love , and the meticulous Alsatian plates at Le Crocodile are positively fluent .
High-End Restaurant Pacific Northwest cuisine is delivered with panache in Hawksworth , an elegant , award-winning room . At Cioppino ’ s , find a wine list a mile deep , perfectly executed Italian plates and polished surroundings — now that ’ s amore . Long before all the buzz about local and seasonal ingredients , Bishop ’ s served farm-to-table fare with a side of exceptional service . The city ’ s culinary anchor , Blue Water Cafe offers a mindful menu of outstanding , and sustainable , seafood dishes .
Casual Restaurant A bustling room and a menu of down-home comfort food is TUC Craft Kitchen ’ s claim to fame . The epitome of casual fine dining , Cactus
Club Cafe boasts killer views , an elevated wine list and Rob Feenie ’ s globally inspired dishes . Homer Street Cafe ’ s French-style bistro oozes Old World charm , with a fire-engine-red rotisserie that spins the signature roast chicken .
Regional Cuisine The farm-to-table fare at Farmer ’ s Apprentice changes frequently to reflect the seasons and the chef ’ s whims , all served up in a diminutive dining room . Forage celebrates the local larder with a seasonal menu , and has an array of BC wines and local liquors to match . As the name suggests , the best of the West Coast is on the plate at West Restaurant .
Dessert The sweet somethings at Thierry range from macarons to pastries to chocolates , any of which can be enjoyed with a glass of wine on the licensed patio . Exquisite Viennoiserie and other French baking can be found at Faubourg , plus an array of pretty pastries . At Mosquito , decadent desserts and champagne are the lush lounge ’ s raison d ’ être .
Drinks Raise a glass to the past at Pourhouse , which halts the hands of time with tipples that hail from the golden era of the cocktail . The glam Lobby Lounge is the perfect place to watch the world go by — settle in next to the Fazioli grand or the dramatic gas fireplace while you sip . Below-street Prohibition pays tribute to the building ’ s flapper roots with vintage cocktails and plush decor . Oenophiles head to Salt Tasting Room for a curated selection of wines , ordered by the flight .
Brunch As the line-ups attest , brunch at Medina Café is a legendary affair — the crispy Liège waffles with heavenly toppings are a must . House-cured meats , locally sourced ingredients and a dash of innovation make Catch 122 a popular spot . The site of Vancouver ’ s first jail , L ’ Abattoir adds a certain je ne sais quoi to the menu of West Coast – inspired dishes .
Thanks to the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver ’ s Melany Bautista ; the Fairmont Pacific Rim ’ s Charles Gonzales , Ivonee Mayne , Mark Finn and Matthew Scott ; the Four Seasons ’ Bertine Hage and
Rodolfo Parra ; the Marriott Pinnacle ’ s Verinda Doman ; the Metropolitan Hotel ’ s Oliver Ng ; the Pan Pacific ’ s Miriam Edwards ; the Pinnacle Harbourfront ’ s Alex Monetta ; the River Rock Casino Resort ’ s Rosh Chandra ; the Rosewood Hotel Georgia ’ s Sue Yoon ; the Shangri-La Hotel ’ s Jarren MacDougall ; and the Sutton Place Hotel ’ s Miguel Knudson .
48 ESSENTIAL VANCOUVER 2016 / 17