Filed under: fine dining, Restaurants, top-feature
An Evening Out in Yaletown, Vancouver
Originally known as ’s garment district, Yaletown has kept it’s name in the fashion world through its boutiques and local designers, but is now known for an eclectic mix of fine dining restaurants, microbreweries, galleries, and more. The brick-paved loading docks that were once part of the warehouses in this area now provide sidewalk tables and shade for those enjoying a meal or drink from one of the many restaurants and cafes. The trendy community is a great blend of residential and commercial, bound to the north by Georgia Street, to the east by Cambie Street, to the south by False Creek, and to the west by Richards Street.
For an fun evening out on the town, Yaletown offers over 100 cafes and restaurants and plenty of entertainment. After drinks and dinner, linger at one of the restaurants for live music, catch a movie, or take a walk around the contemporary neighborhood’s many fashionable shops and galleries.
It can be difficult to sift through all of the options, so here are some suggestions for a night out in Yaletown.
Drinks
Recently renovated, the former pizza and pasta joint is now a top jazz club in . Start you evening at Capones with live jazz and blues from the best local musicians on the west coast. The wine list is categorized not by color but by it’s taste – smooth and approachable, medium and full-bodied, big and rich, and range from $8-13 per glass. They also serve martinis ($9-14), creative cocktails ($12, served as doubles), and a variety of beers and liquors.
The restaurant is open Monday through Sunday from 5 pm to late night, with music every night.
350 Davie Street,
Located in the OPUS Hotel , the OPUS Bar has been named the city’s most popular nightspot by Zagat, saying “keep your paparazzi eyes open at this movie star hangout in Yaletown.” For an extra special night out, book a room at the hotel.
OPUS Bar features “lifestyle cocktails” based on your personality (are you a Susan or a Pierre?), along with a selection of “hand-crafted cocktails,” so you’re sure to find something unique ($11.50-19.50). There is also a limited selection of champagne, red, white, and rose wine ($11-26), and a whiskey menu ($6-32).
Fine Dining
Elixir Bistro
350 Davie Street,
Interior of the Elixir Bistro
Also located in the chic OPUS Hotel, the Elixir Bistro combines French bistro with the chic style of Yaletown. The chef specializes in classic French cuisine using fresh seasonal and regional ingredients. There are three different dining rooms, the Bistro, the Garden Room, and the Velvet Room. Serving meals throughout the day, the Elixir Bistro attracts tourists and locals alike.
Dinner at the bistro starts with a list of twelve delicious appetizers, from French onion soup ($9) to sautéed escargot Provençal ($11) to crispy sweetbreads with celery root purée and roasted garlic jus ($13). The choices keep on coming with main dishes ranging from $16-36 including both land and sea choices.
The restaurant is open daily at 7:30 am, and closes from 2:30 – 5 pm. It opens on Saturday and Sunday at 8:30 am.
Blue Water Cafe + Raw Bar
1095 Hamilton Street,
True to Yaletown’s history, Blue Water is housed in an old warehouse with red brick and wooden beam construction located on Hamilton Street. Executive Chef Frank Pabst is known for his innovative West Coast plates, using wild and sustainably harvested seafood, and the restaurant is recommended by the Aquarium for their ocean-friendly seafood choices. The dining room provides a view of both the kitchen and the wine bar, while a main bar leads out to a heated patio and the private wine room hold an award-winning wine selection.
The Blue Water Cafe terrace.
Most dishes at the restaurant feature traditional seafood choices, but there are also meals with fish such as White Sturgeon ($37.50) and West Coast Stablefish. If you aren’t looking for seafood, there is also a green pea soup ($13.50), organic greens salad ($14.50), pearl barley risotto ($28), Kobe style beef short ribs ($45.50), and lamb loin ($36).
At the raw bar, Yoshi Tabo has his own dedicated following for his expert sushi and sashimi. The raw bar has a full list of oysters ($2.75-3.75), sushi ($12.50-18.50), nigiri ($3.50-5.50), and sashimi ($11.50-19.50).
Dinner is served from 5 – 11 pm,with a late menu until midnight. The bar is open from 5 pm – 1 am. Reservations can be made up to 30 days in advance, and are strongly recommended.
1133 Hamilton Street,
This restaurant, along with it’s sister restaurant located next door, Enoteca, is a favorite of celebrities and food lovers alike, also on the popular Hamilton Street. This is some of the best examples of Mediterranean cooking in British Columbia,. The restaurants offer two large patios, two open show kitchens, two dining rooms, and several private rooms for corporate and special functions. The owner and chef Giuseppe “Pino” Posteraro is very proud of the many awards the restaurant has received: the 2008 Magazine’s Chef of the Year, 2009 Restaurant of the Year and gold medal winner at the BC Gold Medal Plates (2007). Wine lovers will enjoy browsing the 62-page wine menu to find a delicious pairing for your meal!
Chef Pino preparing food at Cioppino's
Pino’s “Cucina Naturale” style of cooking emphasizes only the freshest of ingredients, and replaces animals fats and creams with olive oils as much as possible. He also uses vegetable purees and seafood stock reductions instead of flour in sauces to create fresh, light dishes that as delicious as they are healthy. The menu also denotes seafood choices that are recommended by the Aquarium. The menu includes appetizers ($18.95-88), soup and salads ($12.95-18.95), pasta, risotto, farinacei ($25-35) and other main dishes ($30-48). There are also vegetarian options.
The restaurant is open Monday through Saturday from 5 – 11 pm.
After Dinner
For a classic dinner and a movie night out, try one of these suggestions:
900 Burrard Street,
A typical movie theater, the Scotiabank features the latest cinemas. Adult tickets are $12.99 each, $15.99 for 3-D.
1181 Seymour Street (at the International Film Centre),
Besides hosting the each year, the theater features year round cinemas and shows from around the world. Ticket prices are $10 for a single feature or $13 for a double bill for adults, and $12 for a cinema salon special presentation.
1131 Howe Street
Showing a wide range of cinemas from classics to new releases to the rarely seen, the goal of the Pacific Cinémathèque is to bring “essential cinema” to viewers, movies that inspire and invoke emotion.
NOTE: Prices mentioned here are quoted in Canadian dollars, and were current as of date of publication.
Photo Credits:
Elixir Bistro – courtesy of Hawksworth Communications
Blue Water Cafe – courtesy of Top Table Restaurant Group, photo credit Steve Li
Cioppino’s – used with permission of Chef Pino Posteraro
International Film Centre – courtesy of
2 Comments