We're looking for a nice dinner venue for a dinner in downtown Vancouver?

Chambar would be my number 1 pick, especially after they moved to their new location. Great restaurant allround from food to service to atmosphere.

There are lots of places to choose from, depending on what kind of cuisine you're interested in. Off the top of my head, Hawksworth, Market, Le Crocodile, Blue Water Cafe, Cioppino's, and yes, Chambar, come to mind.

While not exactly downtown, I highly recommend West. Hands down.  Amazing food AND the service is... impeccable.

Personally I could never recommend Chambar because of an experience with the owner where she treated her guests HORRIBLY.

Miku if you like Japanese

Five sails with nice view and great service. Gotham for steak. Cin Cin or Lupo for good Italian food.

Definitely not Chambar. Went recently at their new location and was easily worst 'fine' dining food I've ever had. Try L'Abbatoir in gastown.

I have to refute mark. L'abbatoir is overrated. chambar was awesome recently, love the new spot and mussels and frites were to die for! Hawksworth is hands down the best fine dining in the city and classy too.

And I refit Jamie on west. lol but both are great reviewers. ;) (sorry guys!)

refute

also tuc is great for cas

I guess it goes to show we all have our faves. chambar is just a bit pretentious but I actually love the owner when I met her. they also have art there from one of van' stop local artist, George vergette that I rec checking out!

sorry about the typos!

I'll agree on Tuc but strongly stand against chambar. Mussels are super overrated and overpriced. We even had spoiled mussels arrive. Seating is also poorly designed.

Mark when were u there? I guess I compare them to all of my terrible recent experiences at edible--a place I once rated a five. I have changed my tune about chambar since I ate there last month. Perhaps their service is inconsistent which is def. not a good thing?

edible mussels that is: always small and in edible!

The Goodwolfe in Yaletown

I do like L'Abbatoir a lot but I wouldn't call it "fancy", certainly it's a bit upscale though.

I'd also recommend Tojo's sit at the sushi bar and do the Omakase (chef's menu).  

Re: Chambar I'm sure the owner can be delightful when she wants to be but when she's in the mood, she'll boot paying customers out of a booth to put her friends in it.  And she won't do it in a diplomatic friendly way either. It's more like "I'm the owner and I don't care that you're paying customers".

wow! That's really too bad. I was at a wedding she catered and she was great, but maybe it's because I met her in a different setting. They made pretty good paella.

I also had a cold meal at good Wolfe sadly. would go to tuc over that place any day; surprised it is still around actually.

Nelson, I read and UFC's your review; if it's still owned by Wolfe of Fresh Local Wild, I can see why you loved it. I opted not to do fish which was a mistake. Everyone was done eating at my table by the time I received my entree and they did not take it off the bill. (I did not ask.) They were very nice but I would not return.

@JN it is too bad because before that I liked Chamber. But anyone can sail a sail boat in calm waters but the true skill of a sailor is determined in a storm. And on they night, the boat snake and we all drowned.  I even emailed her after it and it took her about a month to reply and she wasn't apologetic, she just kept justifying herself. There are plenty of places in Vancouver that want my money and lots of places that do great mussels. I don't NEED (or want) to go to Chambar ever again.

sounds like my experience at campagnolo...but I still go! lol

I'll tell you in person...