Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the romantic dining room or, on warm summer nights, on a delightful patio. The seasonal
menu features contemporary North American cooking, with pizza from $14 and seafood
and game dishes from $21.
A few blocks west of Queen Elizabeth Park, in VanDusen Botanical Garden, you'll
find a similar setting at the
Shaughnessy Restaurant
(5251 Oak St., Shaughnessy, 604/
261-0011, 11:30am-3pm and 5pm-8:30pm daily, $24-29). Located near the entrance to the
garden, it offers sandwiches and salads in a bright and breezy environment decorated with
original watercolor paintings and vases of freshly cut flowers at each table. At night, the
restaurant goes a little more upscale, featuring a seasonal menu of West Coast cuisine that
may include seafood cannelloni or slow-cooked lamb shank. One staple (thankfully) is
mango and strawberry crumble. Reservations are required in the evening.
French
The much-lauded
Bishop's
(2183 W. 4th Ave., 604/738-2025, 5:30pm-10pm daily,
$36-40) is very French in all aspects. Owner and longtime Vancouver restaurateur John
Bishop makes all diners feel special, personally greeting them at the door, escorting them
to their table, and then describing the menu and wine list as required. Elegant surround-
ings,parched-whitelinen,andsoftjazzbackgroundmusiccompletethepicture.Themenu
features French classics but changes as seasonal produce becomes available, such as sal-
monandhalibut,FraserRiverValleyvegetables, andfruitsfromtheOkanaganValley.Ex-
pect to pay around $150 for three courses for two, sans drinks. Reservations are required.
Market
Whole Foods Market
(2285 W. 4th Ave., 604/739-6676, 8am-10pm daily) is a large
grocery-stylestorecrammedwithnaturalandorganicfoods.OfftoonesideistheGourmet
Deli&Bakery,withitsowncourtyardpatio,whereyoucanfillupatthesaladbarororder
anything from muffins to smoked salmon wraps.
Mexican
At Maple Street,
Las Margaritas
(1999 W. 4th Ave., 604/734-7117, 11:30am-11pm
daily, $14-20) boasts “mild or wild, we can add all the octane you wish.” The decor is
Californian-style south-of-the-border: white stucco walls, Mexican hats, tile floor, tile-
topped tables, and an outdoor deck. Throw back a couple of margaritas with your meal for
the full effect.
Farther west, near McDonald Street,
Topanga Café
(2904 W. 4th Ave., 604/733-3713,
11:30am-10pm Mon.-Sat., $9-24.50) offers inexpensive California-style Mexican dishes
