Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ward Hotel. Unlike dining at most other Gastown eateries, you won't feel like you're in
the touristy quarter of Vancouver. White linens, dark blue carpets, and lots of polished
woodworkoozestylewhileserviceisprofessional.Mostimportant,thefoodiswellpriced
and delicious. The wild salmon topped with a basil and strawberry balsamic reduction is
a good choice, or go for something lighter, such as the prawn and papaya salad. A good
selection of well-priced pastas provides a break from seafood.
Granville Street beyond the pedestrian mall isn't exactly the culinary heart of the city, but
along its rough-around-the-edges length are some of Vancouver's best dining bargains.
Don'texpecttoomuchinthewayofdecorfrom
any
ofthefollowingplaces,butdoexpect
hearty portions, inexpensive prices, and in all except the infamous Elbow Room, friendly
service. The listings start on Granville Street Mall and work their way southwest toward
Granville Island.
“QualityFood,SnappyService”isthecatch-cryat
The Templeton
(1087GranvilleSt.,
604/685-4612, 9am-11pm daily, $11-16), which has been serving locals since 1934. Eat at
the low counter or in the vinyl booths, each with a small jukebox, and enjoy traditional
diner fare aswell asmore exotic creations, suchasgrilled ahi tuna with adabofpineapple
salsa on top. Wash it down with a banana split. Breakfasts go for under $8, lunches range
$6-11, and dinners are all under $15.
The
M
Elbow Room
(560 Davie St., 604/685-3628, 8am-3:30pm Mon.-Fri., 8am-4pm
Sat.-Sun., lunches $11-17), one block south of Granville Street, is a Vancouver institution
where portions are huge and the prices reasonable ($11.75 for the Lumberjack breakfast),
but it's the service that you'll remember long after the meal. Feel like coffee? Get it your-
self. A glass of water, maybe? “Get off your ass and get it yourself,” a sign declares. The
waiterstakenononsense,andtheconstantbanterfromtheopenkitchen,ifnotmemorable,
is at least unique. But it's all in good fun, and if you get abused you'll join a long list of
celebrities whose photos adorn the walls. If you don't finish your meal, you must make a
donation to a local charity; if it's a pancake you can't finish, you're advised to “just rub
it on your thighs, because that's where it's going anyway!” Sunday morning is when the
kitchen and waitstaff are at their wittiest.
Two Parrots Perch & Grill
(1202GranvilleSt.,604/685-9657,lunchanddinnerdaily,
$7-15) fills the first floor of an old hotel. The modern and colorful interior seems a little
out of place at this end of town, but the food is good and there's always something on spe-
cial, such as $0.25 wings on Thursday and ribs for $4.50 per pound on Friday.
