Fusion restaurants in British Columbia
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A
Mint
This loungey late-night hang-out is popular with bar staff winding down after their shifts. But they don't just come to bitch about their non-tipping customers; Mint offers an eclectic, finger-licking menu of Nepalese, Tibetan and fusion delicacies that runs from spicy lamb cooked with apricots to almond-and-cashew pesto fettuccine. There's an equally diverse menu of regular DJ performances.
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Bin 941
A hopping little spot that's packed almost every night, cave-like Bin 941 kicked off Vancouver's current small-plates fever. Not resting on its laurels, it's still arguably the best spot in town for late-night nibbles and a few glasses of wine with friends – which will quickly include the people squeezed next to you at the adjoining small table. Tuck into treats like sustainable tuna tartar and beef tenderloin, but don't miss the excellent crab cakes.
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All Seasons Cafe
Sitting on the patio under the little lights twinkling in the huge maple above is a Nelson highlight (in winter, candles provide the same romantic flair). The eclectic menu changes with the seasons. The wine list is iconic.
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D
Abigail's Party
A romantic little tapas and wine haunt that creates its own atmosphere depending on the crowd filling its handful of small, candlelit tables. The idea here is to sit back, order some tapas plates and explore the wine list at your leisure. The barbecue beef brisket and Moroccan chicken dishes are great if you're particularly hungry, but the lamb sausage corn dogs and duck confit sliders are ideal for sharing: although since you'll find three of each on the plates, a fight over the final one is highly likely. Make up with a bottle from the blackboard of ever-changing wine specials and an Abigail's Mohito or three.
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E
Boneta
Typifying Gastown's extensive transformation, this old bank building – one of the oldest in the city – now houses a bold-but-casual eatery where the chef's ever-fertile imagination is sparked by regional seasonal ingredients. Expect taste-tripping riffs like smoked bison carpaccio with sherry vinaigrette or grilled rack of lamb with curried cauliflower. There's a small but excellent wine selection but start with a cocktail or two: the bar is far from being an afterthought here and the mixologists are expert.
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Burgoo Bistro
With the feel of a cozy, rustic cabin – complete with a large stone fireplace – Burgoo's menu of comfort foods with a twist aims to warm up those long North Van winter nights: the Guinness-infused Irish stew, spicy apricot lamb tagine or smile-triggering butter chicken with brown basmati rice would thaw a glacier from 50 paces. There's also a wide array of house-made soups and heaping salads. If all you fancy is a few beers, dip into the dark and hoppy Burgoo Brew or the rich and blackcurranty Middle Mountain Black Mead. There's also live jazz on Sunday nights to keep your toes tapping.
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G
Timbre
A couple of blocks north of the SkyTrain station, this buzzy, wood-lined neighborhood resto-bar is a popular weekend brunch spot, when the hungover locals drop by to address their night-before excesses. The highlight of the main menu, though, is the Gut Strut Jambalaya, heaped with scallops, prawns and smoked chicken. The beer list might appeal if you're heading the hair-of-the-dog route – the bottled BC treats often include Phoenix Gold Lager and Phillips Blue Buck Ale – while Wednesday night is reserved for good-value beer and burger specials (usually around the $12 to $14 mark).
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H
Regional Tasting Lounge
An intimate, mood-lit dining room with an innovative menu approach: every three months it adds a new regional focus, which brings taste-bud-hugging treats from different parts of the world. Foodie focuses have included Italy, Spain, Greece and New Orleans, but there's always a selection of Pacific Northwest classics if you want to taste-trip BC, too. Small plates are popular here, so consider ordering to share. There's a three-course $29 tasting menu available daily plus a full bar: the cocktails here, including the lovely pistachio sour, are recommended.
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Bin 942
This tiny but exceedingly cozy lounge is a convivial late-night hangout if you fancy a few dishes of food and a bottle or two of wine with chatty friends. Among the best ‘tapatizers’ are sashimi-style ahi tuna and portobello mushroom cutlets, which pair perfectly with a select array of good beers – the Russell Brewing Cream Ale is best – and a compact but well-chosen wine list of Australian, Californian, European and BC tipples. Expect to stay for a few hours if you’re in the mood for a relaxing wind-down.
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Glowbal Grill Steak & Satay
Casting a wide net that catches the power-lunch, after-work and late-night fashionista crowds, this hip but unpretentious joint has a comfortable, lounge-like feel. Its menu of classy dishes fuses West Coast ingredients with Asian and Mediterranean flourishes – the prawn linguine is ace and the finger-licking array of satay sticks is a recommended starter. Check the glass-walled meat cellar on the counter and choose your desired steak cut, and make sure you head to the back-room Afterglow bar for a nightcap.
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K
Wild Rice
East meets west here in a loungey, minimalist reinvention of the traditional Chinese restaurant. Fusing classic dishes with unexpected culinary influences from around the world – think tuna tataki (lightly seared tuna) lettuce wraps or wild boar with jasmine rice and plantain chips – this is a popular late-night hangout on weekends. Once you’re done stuffing your face, you can work your way through the comprehensive martini list as you slide gracefully off your chair.
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L
Judas Goat
This smashing 28-seat, mosaic-and-marble nook became a local foodie favorite soon after its 2010 opening. Named after the goats used to lead sheep off slaughterhouse trucks, it's nailed the art of small, simply-prepared but invitingly gourmet tapas treats like beef brisket meatballs, lamb cheek wrapped in Savoy cabbage and scallop tartare with pork rinds. Like its Salt Tasting Room brother next door, you'll also find a good (although much shorter) wine and Spanish sherry drinks list. Arrive off-peak to avoid line-ups: there's a 90-minute time limit for diners.
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Ouisi Bistro
Vancouver's most authentic Creole and Cajun menu in a casual, bar-style setting, Ouisi (as in 'Louisiana') chefs up adventurous dishes like habanero coconut chicken, cornmeal-crusted trout and vegetarian étouffée for those who like a taste-tripping dinner – also consider one of the New Orleanian sandwiches for a hearty lunch. The large menu of accompanying malts and bourbons plus regular live jazz spices things up, while weekend brunch offers hot fusion riffs on trad breakfast dishes.
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N
Metro
This chic West Coast eatery – think stone-slab walls and polished wood floors – near the Touristinfo Centre offers a galloping romp through contemporary Canadian fusion cuisine. Its unusual pay-by-the-ounce approach to meat and fish can be pricey if you want to sample a few different flavors. If you’re put off by the giant 50-item selection, head to the swanky oyster bar and shuck your way through a few, complemented by a fruity bottle of BC wine.
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O
Woolsey Creek
The food at this lively and fun place is the artistic result of two women, Sylvie and Sophie, and their passion for inventive fare. There are global influences across the menu (you won't go wrong with the prosciutto-stuffed chicken) and a fine wine list. Excellent starters encourage sharing and lingering on the large patio.
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P
Dream Cafe
The heady aroma of spices envelopes your, well, head as you enter this pillow-bedecked, upscale-yet-funky bistro. Asian and Indian flavors mix on the menu, which has many veggie options. On many nights there's live acoustic guitar by touring pros; tables outside hum all summer long.
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Q
White Goose Bistro
A touch of class downtown, chef Ryan Cyre cooks up surprising treats like lobster nachos in addition to more classic bistro fare at this white-tablecloth restaurant. Lunch sees salads, sandwiches and pastas.
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R
Cow Bay Café
The inventive menu at this well-known bistro changes twice daily; there are always a half-dozen mains and desserts to tempt. Dine outside on the harbor.
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Chapter's Viewpoint Restaurant
The patio overlooking Kamloops is the best place to be on a balmy summer evening. The menu features sirloin steak and poached salmon but the New Mexican route is recommended.
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S
Bibo
Bibo is all exposed brick inside, while outside, a hillside terrace looks down to the lake. Small plates celebrate local produce: go nuts and design your own cheese and charcuterie plate. The short list of mains includes steaks and seafood.
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Amante Bistro
There's intimate dining for those who want to enjoy a changing seasonal menu of carefully prepared dishes like small pizzas with Poplar Grove blue cheese or a slow-roasted pork belly with scallops; local produce stars. Excellent Okanagan wine list.
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Wildfire Grill
Wildfire serves up a range of global cuisines from its open kitchen. Tables in the courtyard are always in demand, especially on long summer nights. There's a stylish lounge area for enjoying the local wine bounty by the glass.
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U
Gabriel's Café
This well-located hole-in-the-wall is a revelation. Chat with the man himself behind the counter, then tuck into made-from-scratch treats like pulled-pork sandwiches with apple-cider BBQ sauce or the popular Thai green chili coconut curry, inspired by the owner's global travels. Vegetarians are well looked after – try the black-bean burger – while off-menu vegan dishes can be made on request. There's not much room to sit so consider a takeout: pick up a smoked salmon and cream-cheese breakfast bun and scoff it on the nearby waterfront. Don't miss the homemade green mint raspberry iced tea.
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V
RauDZ
Noted chef Rod Butters returns with this casual bistro that is a temple to Okanagan produce and wine. The dining room is as airy and open as the kitchen and the seasonal menu takes global inspiration for Med-infused dishes good for sharing, as well as steaks and seafood. Suppliers include locally renowned Carmelis goat cheese.
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W
Glow World Cuisine
Occupying a handsome old brick fire hall building, the dark tones and mood lighting at Glow create a mysterious and secluded atmosphere. The adventurous menu combines traditional meat and seafood dishes with international influences (especially Asian) and local ingredients. Drop by for the Sunday brunch, an around C$21 smorgasbord of Western and Asian breakfast treats.
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