Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
juices and inexpensive sandwiches, salads, and filled focaccia. The friendly ambience
makes this a pleasant escape from busy Water Street.
Although everyone has different coffee tastes,
Revolver
(325 Cambie St., 604/
558-4444, 7:30am-6pm Mon.-Fri., 9am-6pm Sat.) is generally regarded as one of the best
places in the city for coffee-lovers. Although beans are not roasted in-house, the very best
roasts are sourced from throughout North America and rotated weekly. In addition to cof-
fee made-to-order, you can sample a flight of coffees brewed in different ways.
At
Meat & Bread
(370 Cambie St., 604/566-9003, 11am-5pm Mon.-Fri., sandwiches
$8-10), the art of sandwich making is taken to a new level, without going over the top.
Each sandwich is custom-made on a freshly baked ciabatta bun and filled with one of four
daily choices, then served on a wooden cutting board.
French
L'Abattoir
(217 Carrall St., 604/568-1701, 5:30pm-110pm, $26-31) is within a historical
building beside Blood Alley with exposed wood beams and brick walls. The specialty is
Canadian game and produce-prepared and presently simply yet stylishly. Adding to the
charm is generous portions.
Italian
Dating to 1970, the
Old Spaghetti Factory
(53 Water St., 604/684-1288, 11am-10pm
daily, $12-18) is a family-friendly favorite offering simple lunch and dinner entrées, in-
cluding salad, bread, dessert, and coffee for under $20. This place is worth a visit for the
eclectic array of furnishings, from old lamps to a 1904 trolley car.
Japanese
Kitanoya Guu
(375 Water St., 604/685-8682, 11:30am-2:30pm Tues.-Sun. and
5pm-11pmdaily,$15-22)isagroovyJapaneserestaurantwithanenergeticchefwhoover-
sees the needs of mostly young, always loud, patrons. Known in Japan as
izakaya
-style
dining, the atmosphere is informal, with a menu that encourages sharing. It's similar to
a North American neighborhood pub, but instead of wings and nachos, choices include
harumaki
(springs rolls),
shiso-age
(chicken and plum sauce wrapped in thin bread), and
maguro
(tuna with avocado and mango sauce).
Seafood
At Gastown's busiest intersection, opposite the crowd-drawing steam clock, is
M
Water
Street Café
(300 Water St., 604/689-2832, 11:30am-10pm daily, $15-29), in the 1906 Ed-
