On a recent trip to Victoria I stopped in at Spinnakers with some friends for dinner and drinks. Here they brew all of the beer on site and have quite the extensive list. The atmosphere is nice, typical pub vibe but with an ocean view. Service was good even when they were packed. My fish and chips were fabulous and they even make their own malt vinegar on site - delicious!. Friends had the roasted vegetable pizza which they enjoyed. If you are in the mood for something sweet they also make their own chocolates on site. I will definitely visit again next time I'm in town.

I stopped in at AKA Bistro for brunch with a friend after hearing that it had been opened by the fine folks at Muse and AKA Winebar, both of these are great spots so I had high expectations.
I ordered the eggs benedict with bacon. I loved that the eggs were on brioche toast, however the bacon was far too crispy and actually on the burnt side. Hollandaise was good but a bit salty. My plate came with a few potatoes and a oven roasted tomato. My friend had an omelette which was tasty but the ratio to eggs/filling was a bit off.
Overall this is a nice place to go, more of an upscale atmosphere than most brunch spots which was a refreshing change. Attentive servers and good coffee.
If the line up is too long of a wait at Diner Deluxe across the street it might be worth your while to walk over and give this place a try.

I was craving barbecue and decided to stop in at Memphis Blues on Broadway with a friend for lunch. We both ordered the pulled pork sandwich and shared a side of corn bread. The sandwich portion was huge! I could barely finish mine. Very saucy and messy but delicious. The meat was nice. Tender and flavourful. The same could not be said for the baked beans that came with it. Total disaster. Far too smoky for me I couldn't even eat them. The cornbread on the other hand was fabulous, if a little crumbly, smeared with butter.
I've also had ribs here as take out on a different occasion and while they were good, they didn't live up to the hype.

Overall it's a good place to go and probably some of the most authentic BBQ in Vancouver.

I was looking for a quick place for lunch on Cambie and thought that Trixi's looked like it could be a good local spot. Here they serve crepes, panninis, bagels, pastries, coffee and milkshakes. The menu included a nice variety of crepes but there weren't a lot of fresh fruit crepes which was disapointing and most of the sweet ones included Nutella. I chose the Cinnamon, apple, brie and roast almond. It was really good but not the best crepes in Vancouver. Their lattes are decent and they serve LavaAzza coffee. Nothing fancy on the inside but it's cute and the bigger chairs are comfortable.

A group of us decided to go for a Dim Sum lunch . They managed to fit 11 of us at one table without too much trouble. As we were such a large group we order a lot of items and everything was amazing. The service was quick and the food came out fast. There was a large variety of items to choose from. Some of the best pork and shrimp dumplings I've tasted. I found the fried squid to be very salty but some of the people at the table said it usually isn't quite so salty so maybe it was just that one day. I will definitely return the next time I'm craving Dim Sum

49th Parallel is easily serving up some of the best coffee in Vancouver. They make a killer latte and the croissants are to die for! Show up early for the almond croissants as they sell out quick.

I recently visited Provence for a staff celebration dinner. They happily accomidated our group of 12 and the service was great. We shared a bunch of items off the antipasti platter which were all superb, especially the risotto balls. I had the lamb confit as a main and it was good but not outstanding. Everyone really enjoyed their meals. The creme brulee made for an exceptional finish to the meal.

I've also visited Provence on another occasion for brunch and it is by far one of the best in Vancouver. Their waffles are to die for!

This is your typical vietnamese place. Environment is nothing spectacular but the service is usually quick and the Pho here is great. The broth is really flavourful, some of the best I've tasted so far.

The walk down Blood Alley, strewn with trash and smelling of urine is worth it if you are looking for a unique place to sample some fine charcuterie. Excellent selection of cheeses, meats and condiments with a very extensive wine list. Servers are very knowledgeable and will help you pick your tasting plate if you are feeling overwhelmed. The down side; you don't get very much for your money. This isn't a good place to come if you are hungry but a fun place to meet up with friends in a vibrant neighbourhood.

I recently stopped in at DB Bistro for a Birthday dinner with my Mom. The service was great and we were seated right away but it took them a bit of time to come and take our drink orders. The food here is delicious. I had one of the specials which was confit duck leg with brocolini, chanterelle mushrooms and yukon gold potatoes. Everything was superb and it was some of the best duck I've ever had. My mom had the steak frites. The steak was cooked to perfection and while it was good, it wasn't the best. The fries that came with it on the other hand were out of this world. I would highly recommend the passion fruit soufflé for dessert. It's light, airy and the perfect finish to a lovely meal. The prices may be a bit high but the quality is there. My only complaint was that there were a few too many people checking up on you throughout the meal.

Their menu features the Original DB Burger which is famous for it's $28 price tag: Sirloin burger filled with braised short ribs and black truffle on a homemade parmesan bun. I'm definitely going to try it on my next visit.

Stopped in one night with some friends and tried their 3 course tasting menu. Everything was fabulous from the pear, walnut and endive salad to the tagliatelle and meatballs and poached pear dessert. Their menu tries to feature local, organic and grass fed products whenever possible. The prices are reasonable and the service here is good. Always filled with locals, the bar is a great place to sit if you just want to have a drink.

Recently went to the Watermark Café on a beautiful evening and while the view was spectacular, the service was disappointing. I hate it when restaurants tell you that all their tables are full and then make you wait, only to give you one of the many tables you’ve been staring at for the last 20 minutes. The food was mediocre, my lamb chops were over cooked, and our waiter was borderline rude and nonchalant. I have been here on a separate occasion for lunch and enjoyed their Kobe beef burger but after my last visit I won’t be returning anytime soon.

This is a great place to go on a cold day or when you’re feeling nostalgic and in the mood for some great comfort food. I got a warm feeling right when I walked in the door and the service was equally inviting. After starting out with fresh from the oven chive biscuits, I opted for tomato soup and grilled cheese, which didn’t disappoint. Burgoo takes grilled cheese to the next level and you definitely won’t find any plastic cheese slices in here. Their stews and mac and cheese are also great choices. This is quickly becoming a regular dinning spot.

It’s noisy, it’s small, and there’s usually a wait but that’s all just part of the atmosphere. Everything on the menu is delicious. The hardest part is deciding which items to get to share. This is my favourite tapas place in Vancouver.

If you’re going on a Friday or Saturday night be prepared to wait in line, sometimes for up to 45 minutes. Personally, I don’t get what all the fuss is about. The food is ok but not great. I’ve tried the fish tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, and fajitas. I wouldn’t order any of them again but maybe I’m choosing the wrong things. That being said, they’re homemade, hand fried tortilla chips and fresh salsa almost makes up for it. The restaurant does have great atmosphere, and on a sunny evening the patio is a nice spot to gather with friends over a few margaritas.

There is usually a line up outside but the food is worth the wait. There menu has everything including a page and a half dedicated just to eggs benedict. The half order of waffles was more than enough and I was surprised at the amount of fresh fruit that came with it. Inside it’s nothing fancy and it can be cramped during peak hours on weekends but it’s a great all around breakfast place with good home cooking and speedy service with a smile.

Picnic is all of the fabulous food and baked goods that you can find from Meinhardt’s next door but in a relaxed, informal, “picnic” setting. The café gets it’s name from the one long picnic table where everyone seats next to each other. This is a great spot to grab a quick sandwich or soup and salad, all made with the freshest ingredients. Don’t leave without taking something to go from their pastry case; their desserts are to die for.

A friend of mine raved about this place so recently when I was craving Italian food I decided to stop in. It’s a trendy little place and was quite busy but it took no time at all to get a table. The kobe beef meatball appetizer was to die for. I ordered an arugula salad, which was simply dressed, and a great side to my lamb sausage parpadelle pasta. This was by far one of the best pasta dishes I’ve had in a while. I took the time to fill out the comment card that came with the bill and a week later I had a hand written thank you card in the mail with a coupon for my next visit. The prices here are reasonable for such great quality. My only complaint is that some of the tables are placed a bit too lose together.

This is one of my favourite restaurants in Vancouver. Situated in beautiful Stanley Park and just steps away from the water, it’s a picture perfect setting and a great place to take out of town visitors. The tables are elegantly set with white table clothes and many tables have views of the waterfront. I love their brunch, especially when it starts out with a basket of their freshly baked croissants, which come with fresh preserves. The French toast and eggs benedict are fabulous but they also have a fairly varied menu with lots of options. The service here is impeccable and waiters have been known to remember just how you like your drink.

Quite simply the best sushi I’ve ever had. The decor is understated yet elegant. The bluefin tuna brought tears to my eyes. Expensive but worth every penny – some of the freshest fish you will find in Vancouver, pair with flawless service, it doesn’t get any better.

If you’re looking for a great place to go for brunch in the English Bay area, try Raincity Grill. The brioche French toast was decadent and the hollandaise sauce on their eggs benedict is the best ever. The mini raisin scones before our meal were a surprise and a nice touch. Sit on the patio or the upper level for a great view of the ocean.

A friend of mine raved about this place so recently when I was craving Italian food I decided to stop in. It’s a trendy little place and was quite busy but it took no time at all to get a table. The kobe beef meatball appetizer was to die for. I ordered an arugula salad, which was simply dressed, and a great side to my lamb sausage parpadelle pasta. This was by far one of the best pasta dishes I’ve had in a while. I took the time to fill out the comment card that came with the bill and a week later I had a hand written thank you card in the mail with a coupon for my next visit. The prices here are reasonable for such great quality. My only complaint is that some of the tables are placed a bit too lose together.

This is one of my favourite restaurants in Vancouver. Situated in beautiful Stanley Park and just steps away from the water, it’s a picture perfect setting and a great place to take out of town visitors. The tables are elegantly set with white table clothes and many tables have views of the waterfront. I love their brunch, especially when it starts out with a basket of their freshly baked croissants, which come with fresh preserves. The French toast and eggs benedict are fabulous but they also have a fairly varied menu with lots of options. The service here is impeccable and waiters have been known to remember just how you like your drink.

Quite simply the best sushi I’ve ever had. The decor is understated yet elegant. The bluefin tuna brought tears to my eyes. Expensive but worth every penny – some of the freshest fish you will find in Vancouver, pair with flawless service, it doesn’t get any better.

This is a great place to go on a cold day or when you’re feeling nostalgic and in the mood for some great comfort food. I got a warm feeling right when I walked in the door and the service was equally inviting. After starting out with fresh from the oven chive biscuits, I opted for tomato soup and grilled cheese, which didn’t disappoint. Burgoo takes grilled cheese to the next level and you definitely won’t find any plastic cheese slices in here. Their stews and mac and cheese are also great choices. This is quickly becoming a regular dinning spot.

It’s noisy, it’s small, and there’s usually a wait but that’s all just part of the atmosphere. Everything on the menu is delicious. The hardest part is deciding which items to get to share. This is my favourite tapas place in Vancouver.

If you’re going on a Friday or Saturday night be prepared to wait in line, sometimes for up to 45 minutes. Personally, I don’t get what all the fuss is about. The food is ok but not great. I’ve tried the fish tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, and fajitas. I wouldn’t order any of them again but maybe I’m choosing the wrong things. That being said, they’re homemade, hand fried tortilla chips and fresh salsa almost makes up for it. The restaurant does have great atmosphere, and on a sunny evening the patio is a nice spot to gather with friends over a few margaritas.

Recently went to the Watermark Café on a beautiful evening and while the view was spectacular, the service was disappointing. I hate it when restaurants tell you that all their tables are full and then make you wait, only to give you one of the many tables you’ve been staring at for the last 20 minutes. The food was mediocre, my lamb chops were over cooked, and our waiter was borderline rude and nonchalant. I have been here on a separate occasion for lunch and enjoyed their Kobe beef burger but after my last visit I won’t be returning anytime soon.

There is usually a line up outside but the food is worth the wait. There menu has everything including a page and a half dedicated just to eggs benedict. The half order of waffles was more than enough and I was surprised at the amount of fresh fruit that came with it. Inside it’s nothing fancy and it can be cramped during peak hours on weekends but it’s a great all around breakfast place with good home cooking and speedy service with a smile.

If you’re looking for a great place to go for brunch in the English Bay area, try Raincity Grill. The brioche French toast was decadent and the hollandaise sauce on their eggs benedict is the best ever. The mini raisin scones before our meal were a surprise and a nice touch. Sit on the patio or the upper level for a great view of the ocean.

Picnic is all of the fabulous food and baked goods that you can find from Meinhardt’s next door but in a relaxed, informal, “picnic” setting. The café gets it’s name from the one long picnic table where everyone seats next to each other. This is a great spot to grab a quick sandwich or soup and salad, all made with the freshest ingredients. Don’t leave without taking something to go from their pastry case; their desserts are to die for.

Stopped in one night with some friends and tried their 3 course tasting menu. Everything was fabulous from the pear, walnut and endive salad to the tagliatelle and meatballs and poached pear dessert. Their menu tries to feature local, organic and grass fed products whenever possible. The prices are reasonable and the service here is good. Always filled with locals, the bar is a great place to sit if you just want to have a drink.

The combination of flawless food, impeccable service and elegantly refined surroundings creates a meal to remember. This is fine dining at it's best.

I love breakfast anytime of day and Avenue Diner is my top pick for breakfast in Calgary. They have a wonderful menu that features everything from oats to stuffed french toast, corn beef hash and deliciously fluffy pancakes. There is also a variety of lunch items. It's a fabulous place for brunch on a weekend or stop by for lunch during the week. Service is always friendly and on the ball. Well worth the wait but go early!

This popular Vancouver coffee chain has made it's long awaited appearance in Calgary. Their espresso beverages are silky smooth and made with some of the worlds best coffee beans. They are also known for their world famous baristas who produce "latté art" on every cup. You won't find a better coffee in town.