Sun Sui Wah Seafood Restaurant

My girlfriend is vegetarian so I enjoy the food here with my brother and my omnivore friends. They do have a veggie menu but it is a la carte. Also, the sight of large live Alaskan King Crab may make your veggie guests uncomfortable. According to my trusted authentic chinese food critic, this restaurant is among the best in the GVRD area. As far as I know, there is no MSG and the quality of food is excellent. It doesn't hurt to have great ambience and good service. I never expect much in the way of service with chinese restaurants, but I have no complaints here.

This is not the place for cheap dimsum (I particularly enjoy The Flamingo on Fraser for less expensive dimsum). Sun Sui Wah ranks on par with places like the various Kirin locations in Richmond and Vancouver. Unlike Kirin, they still have the classic carts bringing sometimes mysterious treats to the tables!

The a la carte menu was excellent. We had the beef in a Taro basket, House Special Chow Mein, and a Vermicelli Seafood HotPot. Unlike other restaurants, these dishes were not drenched in oil. The deep fried Taro basket was crisp but not oily, the scallops tasted fresh without the fishy aftertaste, the bbq pork was not too sweet, and the crispy noodles were just that-crispy but not too oily. The noodles were not drenched in sauce, rather the ingredients were placed nicely on top of the noodles leaving them crisp.

As much as I enjoy the food at Sun Sui Wah and other such high end chinese restaurants, I do take some issue with some items on their menu. In the past, I have enjoyed eating Shark Fin soup but after seeing the movie "Sharkwater", I can no longer enjoy this dish. Here is where ecological and cultural sensibilities collide. I hope that these two issues can respective resolve themselves in the future. Watching "Sharkwater" made me aware of the plight of sharks and I hope that Asians everywhere will watch the movie and feel the same way.

Thai Terrace

Thai Terrace
2872 West Broadway, Vancouver
Tel: 604-738-2824

Yummy! I didn't know what to expect when I ordered from Thai Terrace at lunch today. This small clean lunch spot lived up to it's good reviews. I ordered some green thai curry with vegetables, tofu and rice. As it is my personal favorite thai curry I didn't know what to expect but wow it was probably the best one I've had it vancouver to date! I will definitely be back.

Kalamata Greek Taverna

Kalamata Greek Taverna
Broadway @ Yukon, Vancouver
Tel: 604-872-7050

Yum yum yum! This restaurant is soo good, fresh food, great flavors, nice meditterean ambience. This is our favorite greek restaurant in town and so far is very hard to beat. With a great vegetarian selection and excellent lamb roast who woudn't love this place. Go you will not be dissapointed.

From the omnivore's point of view, the lamb is GREAT!! I've had the delight of eating the braised lamb shoulder and souvlaki. I can't tell if the meat has been marinated for the souvlaki (i think that's the standard prep), but I'm inclined to think so because it is seasoned very well and remains very juicy. It is not overcooked, dry, or tough to eat. The Zagat guide recommended the braised lamb shoulder-it is a winner, no doubt (However, it is a larger and heavier dish than the souvlaki. If you are looking for lighter and more vibrant flavors, go with the souvlaki). The meat on the lamb shoulder melts almost like butter and you can tell that it is one of their signature dishes.

This place has the air of a restaurant that has lasted among all those that have closed around it. Despite the RAV line construction that forced them to move, they managed to find a new location just one block east. The Greek Gods must be smiling upon this place!!

Akbar's Own

Akbar's Own
1905 West Broadway, Vancouver
Tel: 604-736-8180
http://www.akbarsown.com/

Well we love Akbar's own and rank it as one of the best in town. They have the most amazing panir's we have tried. With it's nice atmosphere, pleasant service and great food it keeps us going back for more. This is definitely one to check out, it's sure to please.

Sai Z

Sai Z
3116 West Broadway, Vancouver
Tel: 604-732-7249
http://www.saiz.ca/

This is a beautifully designed restaurant with 3 floors of dining space. A nice date spot or great place for the nice night out as it is a bit more pricey than your regular Japanese restaurant. You can't help but feel a bit spoiled in this restaurant as the service is excellent as is the food. They also have a good sake menu so it would make a great place for sake and appys at night. We definitely recommend this restuarant if you want to treat yourself. We will be going again.

Toshi Sushi

Toshi Sushi
181 E 16th, Vancouver
Tel: (604) 874-5173

Great food at great prices

You can't really go wrong for the price. It has a crazy 30-40 minute line up which you really have to be up for (but you can always get take out) and they are only open for dinner. If you are looking for a lunch spot in the neighborhood try ZiPang Sushi at 21st and Main. Otherwise if you make it in try the baked eggplant with miso, house roll, grilled squid, the awesome soy sheet rolls ect... Everything is fresh and tasty, the only thing I wasn't thrilled about was the green tea cake it was so so in my opinion but authentic according to Marcus. So if you are looking for very good Japanese food and don't feel like spending alot this is the place for you.

All India Sweets and Restaurant

All India Sweets and Restaurant
6507 Main Street, Vancouver
Tel: (604) 327-0891

Good Cheap Indian Food

Well if you are looking for the best Indian food in town don't go here go to Vij's, Akbar's own or one of your favorites. If you want a good buffet, go to all india sweets. We've been there a few times and have enjoyed it every time you can't beat $12 for dinner. They also have yummy partha naan bread, butter chicken and famous cheap samosa's.

I know I will be back! You can't beat it for what it is.