With dozens of restaurants of mentionable calibre opening every year in Vancouver, it’s easy to lose sight of establishments that have been around for a long time. Not so these five, which are still very much in focus and kicking ass every service. For your ranking consideration…
Hy’s Encore | OPENED 1962 | 637 Hornby St. | www.hyssteakhouse.com | This steakhouse is older than The Rolling Stones, and yet it still leads the milieu by a mile. They’re redecorating right now, and are set to reopen on August 30th. Here’s hoping they don’t change much!
Le Crocodile | OPENED 1984 | 100-909 Burrard St. | www.lecrocodilerestaurant.com | This downtown hideaway is a delicious marriage of fastidious French tradition and West Coast ingredients in a not-too-formal setting. Home of the classic tomato gin soup with creme fraiche.
Bishops | OPENED 1986 | 2183 West 4th Ave. | www.bishopsonline.com | This white linen-draped bastion of fine dining in Kitilano helped pioneer the concept of eating “local” decades before it became a buzzword and encouraged us to drink BC wine before we even knew it existed. Still the best service in town.
CinCin | OPENED 1990 | 1154 Robson St. | www.cincin.net | This Mediterranean-themed legend on Robson strip is the baby of the group at 25 years old, but it shows its maturity every night. Recently reinvigorated with the addition of a brand new Infierno wood-burning oven. Hidden patio one of Vancouver’s best.
Phnom Penh | OPENED IN 1988 | 224 East Georgia St. | No website | There are daily/nightly line-ups at this Cambodian-Chinese-Vietnamese institution for a reason. Everything tastes amazing, but aim for the lemon chicken wings, the sausage fried rice, and the butter beef. Voted to every Scout 25 so far.
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