By Nathan Fong
The holiday August weekend not only marks our BC Day holiday but also our celebration of Pride Weekend. Probably the busiest weekend in the year, some 400,000 people flock to the beaches and waters of English Bay to watch the largest offshore fireworks competition finale on the Saturday, followed by an estimated 700,000 people attending the Pride Parade the next day.
Needless to say, its a happening weekend and theres lots of great restaurants to showcase our citys great culinary talents to locals and tourist alike!
Above the English Bay Bathhouse and Roof, The Keg Lounge transforms this area into a glamourous and cool VIP lounge experience, featuring hors doeuvres from grilled shrimp to prime rib sliders, a grill station and a cocktail bar by Keg Restaurants, live Canadian talent and VIP seating including the best unobstructed view of the fireworks! A perfect start to the Pride celebrations. Saturday, August 3. Proceeds to benefit St Pauls Hospital Mental Health and AIDS.
Cactus Club English Bay
1790 Beach 604-681-2582
Situated next to the Deco-styled English Bay bathhouse, this modernist design restaurant has the best beachside terrace where you can sip smart cocktails and sample their new outdoor menu while ogling the bathing beauties and uber-fit bodies on the beach. Reserve now for chef Rob Feenies Fireworks four-course menu.
Raincity Grill
1193 Denman 604-685-7337
For 21 years, Harry Kambolis popular English Bay institution has been serving seasonal and regional cuisine at its finest as well as being the first in the city to implement the 100-mile tasting menu. A great location for fireworks dining and brunch. Cant get a reservation? They have a great takeout window featuring wonderful fish and chips, perfect for the parade or last minute sunset picnics!
Café Delilah
1789 Comox 604-428-0705
For over 25 years, Delilahs Restaurant was the spot for outlandish martini gatherings and one of the first to offer table dhote (set menus) in an opulent atmosphere. Opening, its hoped, in time for Pride, the iconic space will be reborn with a brand new focus on fresh, casual food thanks to celebrated chef Daryle Ryo Nagata and thirdgeneration fisherman Paul Puratich.
Cactus Club Coal Harbour
1085 Canada Place 604-620-7410
This new addition to the popular chain located at the Olympic flame exudes classic West Coast design with First Nations artwork, spacious interiors and outdoor terraces (complete with fire pits) and one of the best views of Stanley Park and Coal Harbour. Beautiful and smart (did I say buff?) looking staff and Chef Feenies modern classics make this one of the new happening spots, although it can get noisy!
Miku
200 Granville 604-568-3900
Relocated and newly opened in the former Aqua Riva location on the harbourfront, this beautiful cavernous space overlooks the cruise ships docked along the pier. Superb Japanese cuisine including their specialty of Aburi style seared sushi. A great wrap-around terrace as well as stunning hand-painted interior murals.
Minami
1118 Mainland 604-685-8080
This sister restaurant to Miku also serves Aburi style sushi and has a stunning hidden outdoor terrace in the back of the restaurant as well as beautiful interiors. Popular dishes include their Aburi-seared beef paired with smart sake cocktails.
Blue Water Café
1095 Hamilton 604-688-8078
This superb restaurant features Chef Frank Pabsts excellent seafood menu along with a well-honed raw and sushi bar, not to mention a superb bubbly list, perfect for Pride celebrating! A great outdoor patio to view the Yaletown chicness pass by as well!
Provence Marinaside
1177 Marinaside 604-681-4144
This seawall brasserie is reminiscent of the many seaside restaurants along Frances Cote dAzur certainly familiar to chef/owner Jean Francis Quaglia and his wife Alessandra, as hes from Marseille and they met in Nice. Featuring their great Provencal cuisine and antipasti selection, it also has a great selection of wines by the glass at their new state-of-the-art Wine Bar (on tap!) Their outdoor terrace is wonderful to check out all the hot Yaletown trendies jogging or rollerblading by in tight yoga outfits!
Crave on Main
3941 Main 604-872-3663
Chef Wayne Martins popular neighbourhood bistro serves great comfort redefined classics such as buttermilk fried chicken Cobb salad and Sundried tomato meatloaf with peppercorn sauce, not to mention their excellent burgers and fries. It also features a great secluded backyard patio!
Burdock & Co.
2702 Main 604-879-0077
Celebrated chef Andrea Carlson opened her vegetable-focused restaurant a few months ago and it has gained swift popularity. Her unique, eclectic menu, organic ingredients and rough-and-refined theme are completed with a seat-sharing communal table.
Memphis Blues
1342 Commercial Drive 604-215-2599
For all those meat lovers, this small chain serves all things barbecue, Southern Style! From smoke-infused brisket, chicken and wings to sausage, complete with beans, cornbread and collard greens. Gargantuan sized platters could feed a couple of muscle boys or families, so bring a hearty appetite!
Carthage Café
1851 Commercial Drive 604-215-0661
This popular Franco-Tunisian eatery has various mussels dishes, from cumin and harissa to a blue cheese and cream sauce, not to mention their specialty couscous.
Absinthe Bistro
1260 Commercial Drive 604-566-9053
This small intimate French influenced bistro, operated by chef Cory Pearson and his wife Juliana, has ever-changing three- and four-course menus at reasonable prices.
Tavola
1829 Robson 604-606-4680
This neighbourhood favourite serves wonderful rustic Italian comfort food from their superb house-made pastas to succulent 28-day aged bistecas, served with baby arugula and lemon. Great for sharing plates family style! Small but wonderful wine selection!
Espana
1118 Denman 604-558-4040
This intimate restaurant has secured a strong local following since its opening late last autumn. Serving contemporary Spanish-influenced tapas, English chef Neil Taylor always has wonderful daily additions to the menu as well as a strong Spanish wine selection. No reservations.
Nook
781 Denman 604-568-4554
Be prepared to wait in line for this popular and small restaurant serving great Neapolitan style pizza and superb pastas. Thin, bubbled and charred crusts are lightly garnished and baked to crisp perfection from their forno. Although small, a great wine selection!
Le Parisien
751 Denman 604 687 1418
Restaurateur John Blakeleys popular bistro serves French comfort at its best. From terrines, charcuterie and escargot to sous-vide roast chicken and pomme frites with mayonnaise, this is neighbourhood Paris in our West End.
Black and Blue
1032 Alberni 604-637-0777
This is a stunner of rooftop chicness with glass fire-walls to hip LED-lit lounge seating accented by floral planter boxes. But the real showcase is their outdoor kitchen featuring their state-of-the-art Josper Charcoal Broiler oven (the only one in Canada) where their signature steaks, chicken and seafood are seared to perfection in minutes.
Joe Fortes
777 Thurlow 604-669-1940
This 28-year-old chop and seafood house known for their excellent oyster bar was one of the first restaurants in the city to have a rooftop patio, since 1993. Featuring an excellent bar and a luscious landscaped garden, this is a perfect brunch spot for Pride, as well as for oyster slurping!
La Brasserie
1091 Davie 604-568-6499
This bustling and busy Franco-German bistro situated in the heart of the village is owned by the Wiese Brothers showcasing French and German comfort food at its best. Here youll find steak and frites or bratwurst and sauerkraut paired with a selection of more than 30 unique European beers. Open for weekend brunch as well.
Le Belle Patate
1215 Davie 604-569-1215
For all those Quebecois fanatics, or for those looking for carbo-loading before the Pride parties, this Davie Village haunt is popular for those craving poutine, that popular French fry dish garnished with fresh cheese curds and smothered with hot gravy or Montreal smoked Mmeat sandwiches and steamies!
Lolitas Cantina
1326 Davie 604-696-9996
This popular Davie spot serves a great selection of margaritas and full-strength cocktails alongside hearty Mexican fare from ceviches and empanadas and chile rellenos and enchiladas. Open late until 1:30am!
Joes Grill
1031 Davie 604-682-3683
or 948 Denman 604-642-6588
These two breakfast (and lunch) eateries are popular with West Enders for their reasonable prices and decent portions. The ubiquitous breakfast fare including a great smoked meat hash!
Donair Dude
1172 Davie 604-681-1801
Open until 3am on the weekends, this is a great place for those craving Middle Eastern falafel or donairs. Large and filling, perfect for after clubbing munchies. For those looking for Halifax style donairs, they even have the sweet condensed milk sauce!
Fritz European Fry House
718 Davie
Specializing only in fries, this small friteur hand-cuts their fries and offers 19 various dips from garlic mayo to Cajun ketchup to mango curry chutney, not to mention their poutines with various toppings. Open til 3am.
Gyoza King
1508 Robson 604 669 8278
One of the citys original Japanese izakayas, this Japanese style pub serves street food cuisine such as ramen and udon, croquettes, agedashi tofu and karaage (marinated deep fried chicken morsels) served with mayo. Paired with what else? Beers and sakes! Weekends open late til 2am.
Hamburger Marys Diner
1202 Davie 604-687-1293
This village institution has been a long time favourite with the GLBT community since opening in 1979. A colourful throwback to the 50s diner, it serves huge portions at reasonable prices. Great for early morning breakfasts (served all day long for those long hour clubbers!) from 8am to after club late night noshes until 4am!
Highly respected as a food stylist and food and travel writer, Vancouvers Nathan Fong is also the founder of Passions, an annual fundraising gala for the Dr. Peter Centre. (Tickets at DrPeter.org/events/passions.) Find out more about what hes up to at FongOnFood.com.
