Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
table on the patio, you'll soon be enjoying the hum of conversation around you as you
tuck into top-notch dishes like lamb in cumin and cream curry.
There's always a cool microbrew bottle or two to keep your grub company (IPAs are
a great curry accompaniment) and the coconut pudding dessert is enough to make any-
one smile. If you like what you've had (and you're staying in a place with a kitchen)
you can also pick up ready-to-eat meals to go from the cabinets near the front.
SUIKA
JAPANESE
$$
(
www.suika-snackbar.com
;
1626 W Broadway; main $8-18; 11:30am-2pm & 5:30pm-midnight
Sun-Thu, to 1am Fri & Sat; 9)
A contemporary
izakaya
(Japanese neighborhood pub)
with a playful edge, Suika is all about sliding alongside a moodlit table under the sake-
bottle chandelier and sharing dishes of rice balls, deep-fired tori-yako chicken (highly
recommended) and the naughty-but-delicious Chinese
poutine
- fries topped with moz-
zarella and spicy ground pork gravy. Drinks-wise, try a smashing oolong tea cocktail.
If you're a fan of Japanese pop culture, make sure your seat faces a TV screen so you
can watch classic episodes of Ultraman to your heart's content - don't worry, your date
will understand (or maybe not).
HEIRLOOM VEGETARIAN
VEGETARIAN
$$
(
www.heirloomrestaurant.ca
;
1509 W 12th Ave; mains $14-18; 11am-3:30pm Mon-Fri,
9am-3:30pm Sat & Sun, 5-10pm daily; ; 10)
With a modern cafeteria-meets-rustic ar-
tisan feel (yes, those are old farm tools on the wall), this is Vancouver's trendiest veget-
arian restaurant. But it's not just about appearances. With mostly local and organic in-
gredients fused with international influences, you'll find repeat dishes like chick-pea
curry and spicy Cuban black bean chilli popping up on the menu. Stay for a drink after
dining: the bar is open late.
This the kind of place you can bring carnivores (and vegans) and everyone will be
happy.
OUISI BISTRO
CAJUN
$$
(
www.ouisibistro.com
;
3014 Granville St; mains $12-24; 5pm-2am Mon-Fri, 11am-2am Sat &
Sun; 10)
Vancouver's most authentic Creole and Cajun dining in a casual, bar-style
setting, Ouisi (as in 'Louisiana') serves up adventurous dishes like habanero coconut
