Cardero’s Restaurant & Marine Pub

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Cardero’s is ideally situated overlooking the marina. It’s much nicer inside than the pictures convey. Since it’s always packed in the evening we decided to go for Sunday lunch, and it was delightful.

We shared the rather massive dockside platter, which included 12 oysters, 12 clams, 12 mussels, 6 prawns, a whole Dungeness crab, ahi tuna tataki, salmon poke, miso-ginger vinaigrette, red wine mignonette, cocktail sauce, and fresh grated horseradish. Everything was great. My wife loved the oysters, and I loved the clams and mussels. The crab was a bit of work, but worth it.

There’s a nice wine list (no bargains).

Service and the entire staff were very friendly and welcoming. A great place for seafood, and to enjoy the view.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/carderos-restaurant-and-marine-pub-vancouver-2

Tableau Bar Bistro

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Tableau is a nice, traditional French bistro with a classic menu. We went for Sunday brunch, and the menu is fairly egg-centric, as you would expect. I had the Lyonnaise salad, which was topped with two poached eggs, lardons, and the addition of crispy duck confit. It was good, although the confit was pretty chewy.

My companion had the French onion soup, which was classic in all respects. Nicely done.

We started with the smoked fish dip, which was fine, but a bit odd. It was a rather low-brow presentation of a scoop on a plate accompanied by a half dozen saltine crackers and, inexplicably, an order of french fries.

My favorite item was Le Vesper cocktail. Their version is prepared with Citadelle gin, one of my favorites. It was perfect.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/tableau-bar-bistro-vancouver

Pho 37 – Robson

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This is our favorite Vietnamese restaurant. Despite the name, it’s not just about pho. There’s an extensive menu that includes a wide range of appetizers and mains, including Bun (vermicelli bowls) and Banh Mi sandwiches.

The sampler platter appetizer makes a great lunch for two at a reasonable price.

The interior is very pleasant; they’ve done a nice job decorating the relatively small space.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/pho-37-vancouver

Hydra Estiatorio

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This restaurant is stunning. I wasn’t expecting it, either from the website or the hotel’s facade. 

We had a delightful lunch here. We started with the assorted dips, served with crudites, pitas, and the best pita chips I’ve ever had. We couldn’t pick a favorite, although the salmon one was certainly a standout.

After all that dip, we just had a couple of other appetizers: tuna tartare and spanikopita. Both were excellent.

The service was attentive and pleasant. I’m looking forward to another visit to further explore the menu.

Loved the Greek mythology lecture playing in the restrooms!

https://www.yelp.com/biz/hydra-estiatorio-vancouver

Archer

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This lovely bistro is light and airy, and has traditional green banquettes that evoke Paris. The lunch menu isn’t overly elaborate, but offers a variety.

I had the Caesar salad, a large serving topped by a veritable school of white anchovies. I’m old-fashioned, and still prefer my anchovies chopped into the dressing and my lettuce chopped by the chef, but it was very good, particularly the rosemary croutons.

My tablemate had the seafood chowder, a large bowl literally brimming with mussels, clams, salmon, and lardons. The seafood was fresh and not overcooked.

We also shared a sourdough boule, which was fresh from the oven, and nice and crusty.

Service was friendly and responsive.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/archer-vancouver

Miku

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This beautiful restaurant overlooking the cruise ship dock at Canada Place serves terrific high-end sushi.

We had the Deluxe Shokai lunch. It included miso soup, three starters (scallop, salmon, and tuna sashimi; seared scallop in cream sauce; seared wagyu with Bernaise), ten pieces of sushi (rolls, nigiri, and Aburi Oshi sushi), and dessert. It was a lot of food for $75.

Our favorites were the scallop sashimi and seared scallop, but everything was delicious.

Service was very friendly, and the view can’t be beat. Outdoor seating is also available, but some of the subtleties of the food might be lost out there.

Full bar and extensive wine list. Maybe ask to not sit near the bar if you don’t like the sound of cocktail shakers!

https://www.yelp.com/biz/miku-vancouver-2

CinCin Ristorante + Bar

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Don’t be put off by the fact that this is an upscale restaurant in a tourist district. This is a great spot for local regulars, too. Accessed through a steep stairway, the space opens out into a large area with an expansive balcony overlooking Robson. 

The menu offers far more than traditional Italian food. 

The Hamachi Crudo was a spectacular dish of fish, flowers, scrumptious olive oil, and mild olive slices that didn’t overpower the fish.

The Parmesan Souffle was flavorful, light, and delightfully crusty.

Caesar salad is a good choice for sharing.

Wagyu Carpaccio came with a generous topping of freshly shaved truffle.

Perhaps my favorite dish was the Dungeness Crab Linguine, served in a cream sauce with just a hint of jalapeno.

The broccolini was an excellent side, fire-grilled with a touch of rosemary.

Pistachio gelato was the true essence of ground pistachios.

There’s a nice assortment of apertivos and amaros.

Service is friendly and well-paced.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/cincin-ristorante-bar-vancouver-3

Cardero Cafe

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This is a charming little cafe in a residential part of The West End. The menu includes coffee drinks, panini sandwiches, and tamals. If you are dining “in”, you order at a counter and they bring it to your table.

The LGBT (Lettuce, Guacamole, Bacon, and Tomato) was one of the best paninis I’ve ever had, with delicious ingredients and perfectly crisped. Avoid the tamals, which had almost nothing inside the corn meal, and were very dry.

There is a nice selection of Latin American sauces and canned goods, and a refrigerator full of drinks–although not a single diet drink.

There are just a few tables, located outside, so plan accordingly.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/cardero-cafe-vancouver-4