VANCOUVER - British Columbia: Including the Alaska Highway - page 114

dishes such as a platter to share for $38. The food is nothing special (mains $12-28), but the
views are unbeatable and the service professional. Inside, the bistro offers a similar menu,
or eat in the upstairs dining room (dinner daily, mains $25-34), which is more formal and is
open nightly for a seafood-oriented menu.
Under the Granville Street Bridge, Sandbar (1535 Johnston St., 604/669-9030,
11:30am-midnight daily, $18-29) is well worth searching out. Downstairs features an open
kitchen and water views, a world away from the hustle and bustle of the nearby market-
place. The upstairs room features a private deck complete with its own elevated waterfront
bar. The menu comprises mostly seafood, cooked with a distinct Asian feel.
Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts
M Bistro 101 (1505 W. 2nd Ave., 604/734-4488) within the Pacific Institute of Culinary
Arts, by the entrance to Granville Island, is renowned for its state-of-the-art facilities and
world-class teachers led by chef Julian Bond. Cuisine prepared by these budding chefs
is served to the public in the institute's 50-seat dining room. The quality of the food is
impossible to fault, and its presentation is also impeccable. Lunch (11:30am-2pm Mon.-
Thurs., $20-22) and dinner (6pm-9pm Mon.-Thurs., $26-32) are offered. The three-course
set menus offered Monday through Thursday are a bargain, and on Friday it's an extravag-
ant West Coast seafood lunch and dinner buffet. Desserts and pastries produced by the in-
stitute's bakery classes are also tempting and are offered at the café-style bakery (9am-5pm
Mon.-Sat.).
KITSILANO
The main concentration of restaurants on the south side of False Creek is in Kitsilano, along
West 4th Avenue between Burrard and Vine Streets. This part of the city was the heart of
hippiedom in the 1970s, and while most restaurants from that era are long gone, a few re-
main, and other, newer additions to the local dining scene reflect that period of the city's
history.
Cafés
Retro-hip Sophie's Cosmic Café (2095 W. 4th Ave., at Arbutus St., 604/732-6810,
8am-2:30pm Mon., 8am-8pm Tues.-Sun., $10-15) typifies the scene, with a definite cosmic
look, but also provides a good value and fast, efficient service. Standard bacon and eggs
is $8.50, and omelets are around $11. The rest of the day, check the blackboard above the
food-service window for dishes such as a nut and herb burger ($10.50).