As fabulous as Dine Out invariably is — and, each year Canada’s largest food and drink festival seems to improve like a good vintage in a cool cellar — there are nights when you just want to eat in peace, away from the madding crowds and three-course flurries in 90 minutes or less. For those who want to sup quietly but happily for the rest of January, here is my second annual edition of Dine Out-free dining zones.
Savio Volpe
This new osteria in the Fraserhood (see my review in this issue) is busy enough without needing to add prix-fixe pricing. Stop by for a good glass of wine and a few dishes to share with your kids or some friends. SavioVolpe.com
Jitlada
For three years, this quiet, narrow room on West Broadway just east of Granville has been turning out some seriously good Thai food. Fragrant tom yum with prawns or lobster mango salad are always good choices. Bonus: There’s a wine list. Jitlada.ca
Rajio Public House
Tapas-style fusion Japanese might sound odd, but there is nothing wrong about the food here. Try the octopus wasabi bites if you’re brave, or the KFC if you’re not. Either way, the hot stone crab bibimbap will have your stomach singing thank you (although your waistline might be less enthused). RajioPublicHouse.com
Giardino
For a slightly posher and more upscale evening, take your date to Giardino for large plates of pasta, roasted meat, charcuterie, and lots and lots of wine. The room is beautiful, the crowd is well-heeled, and the food demands both a large appetite and a healthy wallet. Umberto.com/Giardino
Latab
When a restaurant already offers most of its menu for dinner at under $50, prix fixe becomes fairly redundant. This tiny space downtown near St. Paul’s Hospital is home to one of Vancouver’s most inventive and creative chefs, and a constantly changing menu. Repeat visits are encouraged. Latab.ca
Masayoshi
Fine-dining Japanese can be worth every penny, especially when it is home to such wonders as the gravity siphon-ed dashi broth or the stellar chawanmushi. Forget take-out and make a night to dine out that’s truly memorable. Facebook.com/MasayoshiSushi
The Mackenzie Room
Sometimes, you just feel like eating a pig’s head, y’know? (Wait, is that just me?) Chef Sean Reeves is a master at turning off cuts and odd bits into something stellar, like the Bone, Tongues and Harmony that sees lush bone marrow married to beef tongue and pickled beets. It’s also home to one of the city’s top bartenders, Arthur Wynne, so cocktails are definitely on the menu. TheMackenzieRoom.com
Chef Tony
Nothing says “Vancouver brunch” like dim sum, and Chef Tony has turned himself into the XLB darling of Richmond. The décor is a bit shiny and bright, but the food is spot-on, like the sui mai with black truffles or the visually-stunning yin-and-yang mushroom tarts. ChefTonyCanada.com
