VANCOUVER - British Columbia: Including the Alaska Highway - page 111

Italian
Self-described as a “dignified spaghetti joint,” Zefferelli's (1136 Robson St., 604/
687-0655, 11:30am-10pm Mon.-Fri., 5pm-10pm Sat.-Sun., $16-28) dishes up simple Italian
fare in a stylish room featuring a wine rack along one entire wall.
Named for a traditional Italian toast, CinCin (1154 Robson St., 604/688-7338,
5pm-11pm daily, $16.50-37) is a Mediterranean-style restaurant with an extremely loyal
local following. The centerpiece of the dining room is a large open kitchen, with a wood-
fired oven and a rotisserie in view of diners. The heated terrace fills up quickly and is the
place to watch the Robson Street action from above. The specialty is gourmet pizza, but the
oven is also used to cook seasonal dishes like rack of lamb broiled in a rosemary marinade.
Seafood
Half a block off Robson, M Joe Fortes (777 Thurlow St., 604/669-1940, 11:30am-10:30pm
daily, $24-38) is named after one of Vancouver's best-loved heroes, a Caribbean-born
swimming coach and lifeguard at English Bay. This restaurant is a city institution and is
always busy with the young and beautiful set. The comfortable interior offers elegant fur-
nishings, bleached-linen tablecloths, a rooftop patio, and an oyster bar where you can relax
while waiting for your table. Of the grilled fish on offer, try something different, like the
delicately textured black cod or Arctic char, caught in Canada's northern waters. In warmer
weather, request a table on the patio.
Market
At the west end of Robson Street, Whole Foods Market (1675 Robson St., 604/687-5288,
8am-10pm daily) is a cavernous store selling groceries and premade meals for the health-
conscious. Caper's also has an in-house bakery, deli, and juice bar.
WEST END
Denman Street is the center of the dining action in this trendy part of downtown. Toward the
English Bay end of Denman Street, there is a definite seaside atmosphere, with many cafés
and restaurants offering water views and attracting droves of beach-lovers in their summer
wear.
Cafés
For a quick bite to eat before heading back to the beach, search out your favorite flavors
from the strip of sidewalk eateries along the south end of Denman Street. Urban Rush
Cafe (1040 Denman St., 604/685-2996, 7am-11pm daily, lunches $5-8.50) is a large, busy