Saturday, June 26, 2010

10 Top Restaurants In Vancouver

By Bryan Reimer

Vancouver, Canada, is a beautiful city surrounded on three sides by water and snuggled alongside the Coast Mountain Range. It is the largest city in the province of British Columbia, boasting a population of over half a million residents. Vancouver is very popular for its mild climate, sensational beauty, bustling metropolitan core and natural scenery. Vancouver was the host city for the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics Games. The city attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year and offers a plethora of activities and fabulous things to do and see.

Not only is Vancouver full of pleasantries galore for entertainment purposes, but the food here is another spectacular part of the city's lustrous allure. Many wonderful restaurants and eateries here are sure to please any palate. However, here are ten top restaurants in Vancouver that can kick off any vacation with taste, style and world-class cuisine.

1. Lupo Restaurant and Vinoteca: This little hidden gem is a definite diamond in the rough and a romantic place for couples to discover. Formally known as Villa del Lupo, this restaurant will warm your heart and you tummy with their delightful Italian menu and mouthwatering wine list. If you are looking for a perfect place to put a smile on your sweetheart's face, and perhaps even propose, then Lupo is the place to go.

2. Blue Water Cafe: This restaurant offers one of the largest selections of oysters in Vancouver. It is frequented by celebrities year-round and is a great place for families, couples and business meetings, as well. The mascarpone cheesecake is legendary here and should be indulged in if you get the chance.

3. Chambar Belgian Restaurant: Boasting the award for Newest and Best Restaurant for 2004, this spot offers the perfect balance with its exquisite fresh produce and delectable menu. The ambience is a great blend of mystery, art and romance. The Belgian waffles and the pan-roasted halibut are among the favorites here.

4. Rain City Grill: This grill is the best place for great food and beautiful views of English Bay and Stanley Park. The organic menu filled with fresh veggies, fruits, exotic cheeses and fresh salmon that is fished especially for the restaurant, and these are just some of the tastebud-pleasing items that will indulge your senses here. The classic Northwest Cuisine is first-rate and the restaurant is known as one of the best in the West End.

5. Le Bistro Chez Michel: This cozy little bistro-brasserie style restaurant offers guests a taste of delightful French cuisine. Chef Joseph Lassaga is well known for his masterpiece dishes of seafood and his famous bouillabaisse.

6. Glowbal Restaurant: Yummy dishes and a trendy after-hours club gives this place a delightful one-two punch. The seafood is simply marvelous, with Dungeness crab cakes, seafood linguini and a sweet creme brulee. Combine all of these dishes with good music, great dancing and all-around fun and you have a dining experience worth talking about (just not with your mouth full!).

7. Simply Thai: Looking for a bit of spice for a decent price? Well, look no further than Simply Thai, which is located in trendy Yaletown. There is an open kitchen so you can see everything that the chefs are preparing, and the service is truly second to none.

8. Provence Marinaside: This restaurant boasts award-winning food and class-A service. The friendly staff is pleased to serve you with a classic wine list and seafood galore, and this eatery also features a raw oyster bar, take-out food and fabulous catering services.

9. La Terrazza Restaurant and Lounge: This restaurant is nestled in historic Yaletown and is a gem waiting to be discovered. This place has been dazzling food critics since 1998 and has been a popular attraction and dining experience ever since. La Terrazza has some of the best Italian cuisine and is known for having one of the best wine selections in Canada.

10. Salade de Fruits Cafe: This place will have you feeling like you have visited Paris for an hour or two. You will fall in love with the many delightful homemade French dishes on the menu. If you are a huge fan of creme brulee then you should make it a point to stop here and try some. The restaurant is known for its tasty desserts along with a warm and friendly atmosphere. It will charm you and enchant your tastebuds all at once.

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