Why not make eating an adventure?  I usually try to find at least one new place to eat each week.  Some people have asked how I can afford this and why I am not too overweight.  This is simple.  I have avoided any major vacation trips;  I really could afford a nice car but I ride my bike instead; I don't have expensive hobbies or do expensive sports.  Most importantly,  I don't aim to go to high-class eateries; $20+ meals are rare.  The following is a list of food and places I've tried.  I will try to keep the descriptions short and I'll add to them as I remember.  Keep in mind that the prices are only a guideline but most people would find I can eat quite a lot.  Simplified ratings: NG=no good, OK=Okay, R=Recommended, HR=Highly recommended.

Last updated April 28, 2005

Japanese restaurant above Habibi's
Afganhorseman on West Broadway.  If you have more than two people, try their combo platter.  The food is similiar to Greek/Persian with a bit of a twist.  Look at the menu and you'd be surprised that it does not actually cost as much as when you briefly glance at it.  Result: R  $45 for two people.
Ole Ole is little Mexican run-down hole in the wall restaurant in New West.  The food is authentic.  It
puts places like Las Margaritas, Pepitas, and Topanga to shame for mentioning Mexican food.  They don't put wallops of sour cream, cheese, or jalapenos.  Every ingredient is just enough and just right.  Portions are not American sized.  The rancheros steak is quite good.  Result: R  $18 including tips and taxes for 2 people. 
Las Margaritas on West 4th.  Not-quite-Mexican restaurant. It was a disappointing just like when I tried it three years ago.  Tortillas too salty, salsa too mild (like tomato sauce), jalapeno poppers too mild (not hot at all), roast beef enchilada with beef that tasted and had a texture like beef stewed in water.  To top it off their slice of orange looked and tasted like the pre-cut it a day ago.  We asked for hot sauce and they brought 4 different types.  Each tasted like tangy but ultra mild tobasco. Result: NG $15 per person.
Rugby Beach Club Grille on West Broadway.  I've been told this is like a cafeteria for Australians.  Prepare for all a la carte menu with portions sized like large tapas.  Well presented and unique fusion-ish style.  Cheap lobster days.  Get the Rainbow chocolate cake. Result: HR  $50 for 2 well fed.
Raja's on West Broadway.  Clean and calm atmosphere with one of the best chicken dishes I've tried.  Not too spicy hot but still tasty spicy.  Less expensive than it looks.  Result: HR  $30 for 2
Red Lobster Lynnwood, USA.  You've probably seen most of the commercials on the American TV.  The food is OK but the prices are significantly higher than what you'd get in Vancouver.  Shrimp obviously comes from the pre-washed and frozen section.  The fresh cod tastes like it's fresh frozen.  The best item are the cheese biscuits. Result: OK $60 for 2.
The Cheesecake Factory Seattle, USA.  This is a large hip restaurant in downtown.  The line-ups are longer.  The prices are on the high-side.  The food is similar to Milestones, Red Robin's, Earl's.  Imagine being forced to pay a premium for a larger portion of a dish that you don't really want.  Result: OK  $60 for 2.
Pandok on Commercial.  Indonesian food that tastes like something a Chinese home may attempt to make.  A bit disappointing if you've tried Spice Island.  A bit expensive too.  Result: NG
DunHuang on Broadway.  Good cheap dimsum in larger portions. The last time I tried their dinner it was disappointing.  The lobster with yi noodles was a mess --- too watery.  Result:  Dimsum HR, Dinner OK
Cupcakes on Denman.  They sell only cupcakes.  All show, no-go.  The frosting is not creamy buttery but crusty sugary.  Very disappointing.  I tried a Safeway cupcake side-by-side and the Safeway won easily.  Result: NG
De Dutch on Oak.  Long line-ups, mediocre food that is as Dutch as chop-suey is Chinese.  A bit overpriced.  Result: NG
The Wooden Shoe on Cambie.  Like what De Dutch should have been.  Quirky dishes like Dutch style fried rice. Result: OK
Ba Le on Kingsway.  Vietnamese submarine sandwiches.  90% different than a Subway.  Cheap and flavourful.  Result: HR
Shin Su on West Broadway
Zagros on Denman
Swedish bakery on Arbutus
Maria's Taverna on West 4th.  Greek.  Excellent eggplant, fishroe, homous dips and roast lamb.  Result:  R
Maria's Taverna on Denman - Greek.  A bit salty and dry compared to the excellent meals I've had at the West 4th location. $40 for 2.  Result: OK. Disappointed but I'd give them another try.
Barolo's Restaurant on 2nd near Cambie.  Italian-ish.  Result: OK.  $30 for 2
Nice 'n Spicy Jamaica on Broadway, by Yukon.  Jamaican.  Jerk chicken is crispy on the outside, moist inside.  Neat coconut bread sandwich.  Result: R. $12 for 2
Ajisen on Broadway, by Oak.  Sushi.  Unique dishes/arrangements usually not found elsewhere.  Sockeye salmon is used.  e.g. triple sushi: toro/uni/ikura on one piece.  Result OK  $40 for 2
Il Pappagallo Caffe - 6696 Hastings Street by Sperling, Burnaby.  Deserts and coffee.  Self-proclaimed ultimate cheesecake.  They are pretty close to true.  A large piece compared to other desert places with the soft style cheese with lots of crumbs.  Result: HR.  $3.50/piece
Chutney Villa on Broadway close to Main.  Southern India.  Supposedly the only place that serves this style of  Indian food in Vancouver.  The medium curry is HOT but very aromatic.  There's a samolina based comfort food bowl that reminds me a bit of couscous.  Result: HR.  $18 for 2.
Random on Davie.  West coast/fusion?  Smaller portions of things like roasted duck, mahi mahi that are well presented.  The best thing is the filo wrapped warm (hot) cheesecake.  Result: R
May Hong on Grandview close to Renfrew.  Vietnamese.  Good salad rolls and spring rolls.  Result: R. $12 for 2.
Thai Son on Broadway near Kingsway.  Vietnamese.  Tastier dry style noodles than other places.  Result: R. $12 for 2
Gigi's Pizza on Broadway near Manitoba? Italian-ish/Greek-ish/European-ish.  Nothing outstanding but the portions are big and probably classified as a comfort food place.  Result: OK.  $20 for 2.
Danyal's on West Broadway west of Cambie is a clean and newer East Indian place.  The dishes are medium sized and what they call medium is quite spicy.  The prices are decent.  Result R. $25 for 2
Rangoli just off Granville beside Vij's.  East Indian food in a posh but casual environment.  Smaller portions help you keep from overeating.  The place is clean but the decor reminds me of a the men's washroom at work.  The spices used in the food is above average.  Take-home and reheat packages are available. Result OK.  The $30 for 2 (1 "meal" entree each)
Spice Island on 41st near Dunbar is a small Indonesian restaurant.  The place is cozy but not too crowded.  The dishes range from unique to something you may find in some Chinese restaurants.  Their dishes are different enough that you would not be reminded too much of Banana Leaf or Tropika.  The fried banana is better than most.  Result HR.  $15-20 per person.
Korean BBQ place near Lonsdale.  Fairly typical Korean BBQ hotpot place.  Most of the dishes were very good and fresh.  However, I'm pretty sure I tasted a butane note in their cooked octopus dish. Result OK. $20 per person.
Cco Cco Chicken on West 41st close to West Boulevard is a Korean "chicken" place.  Their house special is fried chicken.  It's similar but distinctly different than Chinese Hong Kong style or Japanese style fried chicken.  Their interior design could use a heavy makeover.  They should hire me.  Result NG. $ 25 for 2
Red Sea Cafe on East Broadway near Fraser.  The neighbourhood has the drug dealer and drunks ambience but once you enter, it's a clean and nicely decorated place.  Horn of Africa/Ethiopian food is how they describe it.  The lightly sauteed, extra rare beef with spices dish is good.  Eating is either fork and spoon or traditional finger style with bread.  The spices used are very aromatic and obviously of high quality.  Result HR. $25 for 2.
Au Petite Cafe on Main. Vietnamese noodle and subs.  Slightly disappointing considering recommendations and newspaper reviews.  If you want better pho try Pho Thang Long.  If you want good subs try Kim Chau on Kingsway or Ba Le.  The service was slightly disrespectful.  The prices are higher than my other two recommended places.  Result: OK (I'm being generous)
Kim Chau Vietnamese deli and market.  More like a sandwich shop and deli counter.  The best Vietnamese subs I've tried are from here.  Cheap and fast.  They sell other snacks as well.  Result: HR

[Main St]
chinese style cut noodles OK
Hawker's Delight R
Pho Van OK
Pho Thang Long HR

[Granville]
Adonis Greek HR.  If you want good cheap Greek food without the line-up.  The cook is straight from Stepho's.
Sushi King R
Taiwanese Beef Noodle R
Fu Ramen R
Daimo Noodles OK
Bubble Tea World HR
east indian place R
japanese market/deli OK

[Oak]
Dragonball Bubble Tea R
Hachi Bei HR 13th just off Oak

[Dunbar]
Le Moderne Bar R
La Notte R
Bubble Tea World R
Brick Oven Pizza HR

[West 41st]
japanese places
pasta place OK
Sushi King HR

[West Broadway]
Sushi Boy NG (used to be a HR)
Sushi Bang R
Golden Train OK
Fuloi OK
that japanese place
India Palace. Cheap East India buffet.  Some Chinese-like dishes are offered.  OK
Falafel King R
Banana Leaf R
Minato R
Tropika R
Formosa HR (now Gin's Kitchen which I haven't tried)
Swiss Chalet R
greek place
greek bakery 8
euro bakery 8

[W10th]
that british place OK
chinese place
Golden Train again OK
what used to be cnn falafel 8

[Robson]
De Dutch NG
Koreana R
korean place with lineups R
Korean place serves silkworms OK
Gu HR
Korean place with dumplings close to hooters R
Naked Chicken/Magic Oven HR (closed and now a Korean fast food place)
Gyoza King R
The Carpenter and the Chef R
Persian Bakery OK
Cloud 9 Service is poor, food could have come from a PC choice frozen section NG

[Denman]
Ma Dang Coul R
Russian Place R
Other Korean Place OK
Vina NG
Falafel King HR
Johnny's Hotdog OK
Sundae place OK
NY Grill OK

[Davie]
Kam's Place OK  I'm being generous with my rating here.  Food is mediocre.
Samurai Sushi HR  Don't confuse this with the place with the same name on Cambie near Oakridge Mall
Kisha Popo OK
Taki's Taverna G  Often overlooked by those wanting to wait the long line-up for Stepho's.  Time=money.  Don't waste $
Stepho's G  It's good but not so good that I'd wait in line for it.  See Taki's or Adonis on Granville.
Boathouse G
Milestones G

International House of Pancakes OK
[Cornwall]
Vera's Meatshack OK  Ok burgers but somehow overrated.  Go to Le Moderne Burger instead.
Siegel's Bagel HR  Get a hot off the oven bagel.  Nothing beats this.  You'll never think of a bagel like this again.
That falafel place OK