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Articles of Section 'Patio Choices'.

Patio Choices

Epicurean Delicatessen

By Judith Lane
One could make a case that all the eateries dotting the 1800 block of West 1st share the same entertaining sights from their outdoor seats, but we're forecasting that the Epicurean's upper deck, should it ever open, will have the choicest view. The toned flocks heading to Ron Zalko's or one of the nearby spas, and cars jockeying for parking spots, are always an eyeful. Now if we could just be rid of the Hummers. That said, you'll get one of the city's best espressos downstairs.
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Patio Choices

Memphis Blues Barbeque House

By Judith Lane
A seat at one of the communal picnic tables behind the white, picketlike iron fence puts you into the heart of the Drive as half the world strolls by and half of that stops to chat. It's a party. Southern "baah-be-cue", as owners Park Heffelfinger and George Siu drawl it, rules this roost.
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Patio Choices

Salade de Fruits Café

By Judith Lane
Score a sidewalk table at this petit café and you're instantly part of Vancouver's francophone community. With luck, all that grade-school French will come tripping off your tongue. Besides being able to read the very French menu, you'll be transfixed by the Gallic charm of the proprietors and perhaps exchange a few phrases en français with habitués of the French cultural centre that houses Salade de Fruits.
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Patio Choices

Dockside

By Judith Lane
Saner heads rule at the newly refurbished Dockside on Granville Island. A competent kitchen crew is in place and the view-obstructing bar has been moved away from the windows. The enormous patio, possibly the city's largest, wraps two sides of the restaurant, offering more views of False Creek and the luxury yachts tied alongside. What to eat? The kitchen, walled in by a 15-metre aquarium, has a deft hand with seafood, although you can't eat these tanked tropical specimens.
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Patio Choices

Marine Drive

By Judith Lane
While there are better ocean views in West Van, we like the feel, the food, and the spirit at this comfortable spot. The plant-festooned patio is the place to experience the "Jeff and Tony Kitchen Show", costarring co--executive chefs Tony Austin and Jeff Batt, who seamlessly turn out a taster menu they've dubbed "Flavours of the Week". These high-impact productions are remarkable value at $12 a plate.
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Patio Choices

Oasis Pub

By Judith Lane
The Oasis's walled, rooftop patio above busy Davie Street goes year-round. Tropical plants and gurgling fountains soften traffic noise, as does the pianist banging away on the keys while patrons lustily sing along. The wine list may be limited, but this is the home of Vancouver's longest martini/cocktail list (200 drinks and counting). Need more convincing? They'll recommend a martini to go with menu choices. How about a Wild Spring with the Wild and Gathered Greens salad?
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Patio Choices

Crime Lab

By Judith Lane
It's always a party at the Crime Lab, even more so when the patio swings into action. This neighbourhood haunt pulls in nearby apartment dwellers, office workers, and anyone else who doesn't mind the roar of passing cars. Sadly, the Crime Lab's days at this location are numbered. The wedge-shaped building, once an actual municipal crime lab, has been sold, and while the restaurant's owners are looking for new digs, there aren't many such premises for lease.
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Patio Choices

Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House

By Judith Lane
Joe Fortes's landscaped rooftop patio is an oasis of calm that's mostly populated by escapees from nearby corporate towers. The ties come off and a glass of wine or two later, no one's in a hurry to get back to the grind. Thanks to the roof's own bar and fired-up grill, sustenance is always near at hand. My advice? Order a glass of sparkling wine and a half-dozen oysters before making any further decisions.
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Patio Choices

The Reef

By Judith Lane
This Caribbean spot is a no-brainer on a sunny day. There's plenty of feel-good reggae on the sound system and casual, happy servers always ready to chat, and though all seems to run on island time, service is a cut above some of the city's top rooms. Nab a sidewalk table, order an ice-cold Red Stripe or an R & B Red Devil with some plantain chips and jerk mayo, and s-l-o-w down be happy.
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Patio Choices

C Restaurant

By Judith Lane
It's hard to top an afternoon of pampering on the patio at C. Polished service, sparkling white linens, teak chairs, umbrellas angled just so, and an easy-on-the-eyes, never-ending flow of passersby in boats and on foot, 'Blades, and bikes will keep you occupied. To drink: a celebratory glass of bubbly, or a chilled white wine on ice.
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Patio Choices

Hell's Kitchen

By Judith Lane
This busy West 4th Avenue hangout sizzles in fine weather as locals pack onto a sunken patio that's perfect for scoping passing knees while fuelling up on enormous "Pizzas From Hell", Hellfire Fajitas, hot-and-spicy wings, Garden of Sin salads, and fire-grilled beef burgers. Any wine list that boasts a few decent B.C. labels, a Spanish Telmo Rodrigues white, and Bonny Doon's Beastly Old Vines Cardinal Zin has my vote.
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Patio Choices

Parkside

By Judith Lane
This gem of a patio is tucked away deep in the heart of the high-density West End. It's remarkably quiet, with the sounds of clinking cutlery and glassware and the soft buzz of conversation barely breaking the stillness. Chef-owner Andrey Durbach's cooking delivers inspired flavours on an ever-changing menu.
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Patio Choices

Brix

By Judith Lane
Quite possibly the most romantic alfresco dining in town. European in feel, Brix's brick-walled keyhole courtyard (once a turnaround for horses and buggies) is barely visible from the street. Businesslike and calm early on, Brix livens up as the sun goes down, becoming positively electric in the wee hours. Pluses? A strong wine list--many well-priced by-the-glass selections--and lots of small plates for sharing.
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Patio Choices

The Gallery Café

By Judith Lane
A great spot for lunch in the downtown core if you want to catch a few rays and the best moving tableau in town. The sleekly redesigned café upstairs in the Vancouver Art Gallery has just expanded the patio and now boasts two levels that seat 200 sun-seekers at tables and counter seats overlooking Robson Square. Cafeteria-style service feeds diners through at a steady pace, as they choose from a colourful array of salads, panini, quiches, and irresistible pastries.
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Patio Choices

Provence Marinaside

By Judith Lane
Provence Marinaside's sidewalk patio is glorious any time of day or night, and so are the sights of well-dressed Yaletowners shopping Urban Fare or walking dogs, kids, and beaux, not to mention the flotilla of luxury yachts that rarely leave their docks. The cooking is uniformly fine, whether it's a free-range omelette at breakfast or an afternoon bottle of cool rosé and a platter of chilled seafood loaded with crab, oysters, prawns, and scallops.
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Patio Choices

2004 Summer in The City Patio Choices and Location Guide.

Searching for your perfect place in the sun this summer? One that comes with a refreshing drink and tasty morsels? Look no further than our 2004 Summer in The City Patio Choices and Location Guide.
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Patio Choices

BravoBistro

By Judith Lane
With a splendid waterside location in the heart of high-rent, high-rise condorama, midway between the Bayshore and Stanley Park, BravoBistro's large glass-walled patio allows locals a measure of smugness as they hear the oohs and aahs of tourists at nearby tables. This is one of the finer places to spend an afternoon eating, drinking, and watching charter boats gorge and disgorge conventioneers and visitors, while getting buzzed by an occasional floatplane.
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Patio Choices

Galley Patio & Grill

By Judith Lane
This is the best place in Vancouver to feel like a tourist, because at least half your fellow diners dotting the Galley deck above the Jericho Sailing Centre are from the nearby youth hostel. The way this place packs 'em in, you'll likely be sharing a table with some of them as you gaze across Burrard Inlet at the mountains and city skyline.
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Patio Choices

Northlands Bar & Grill

By Judith Lane
A well-kept North Vancouver secret, Northlands is a first-rate spot to kick back at a lounge table on the deck overlooking Northlands Golf Course, Storm IPA in hand, and watch duffers wheel and stagger up and down the steep, forested course. If observing all this activity makes you hungry, there are lots of worthy choices on chef Gregory Walsh's menu.
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Patio Choices

Viva Fine Foods & Bakery

By Judith Lane
The summer crowds trolling Yew Street's restaurant row, and to-ing and fro-ing to Kits beach, make for fine viewing day and night. Viva's newly expanded sidewalk patio has street-front stools so you don't miss a thing, but you'll likely be as interested in what's on your plate.
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Patio Choices

Blue Water Café & Raw Bar

By Judith Lane
A bottle of bubbly and the seafood tower (with a whole crab, please) or sushi master Yoshi Tabo's lobster sashimi and spicy-tuna sushi rolls are perfect patio fare at this upscale Yaletown spot. Blue Water's prime corner location doubles the view of passing traffic, both two-legged and four-wheeled. Fellow patio patrons, also on view, are of the well-dressed and well-heeled variety.
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Patio Choices

Flying Beaver Bar & Grill

By Judith Lane
Plane-spotting, anyone? You'd have to be blind-drunk and deaf not to notice the seaplanes taking off and landing mere metres from the deck of this Fraser River--side pub, our favourite pre-flight stop when we're taking off from South Terminal. Happily, servers are adept at reading nods and hand signals when you're ready for a pint. Daily drink and food specials ensure you're well-fed and nearly comatose when you board your plane. More?
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Patio Choices

Milestone's on Denman

By Judith Lane
The sidewalk tables at Milestone's are the most highly sought-after in the West End, if perpetual (even in the rain) lineups are any measure. The draw? It's right across the street from the beach at English Bay, where sightseeing is some of the finest in the city. Menu portions are enormous, drinks are wet and cold, and it's all good value. Try the wild-salmon salad, or see if you can get through the gargantuan burger platter.
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Patio Choices

Sequoia Grill

By Judith Lane
A facelift has given the old Stanley Park Teahouse a new lease on life. While the menu is still being fine-tuned, the ocean-facing patio--complete with a substantial fireplace for nippy evenings--is already there. In keeping with Sequoia's less formal attitude, sea-wall strollers, runners, 'Bladers, and bikers are welcome to stop in for a snack, a meal, and a drink or two. With a clear horizon, this is likely the finest place to watch sunsets in the entire city. Menu best bets?
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Patio Choices

Backstage Lounge

By Judith Lane
The laid-back Arts Club lounge is a favourite spot for whiling away an afternoon in the sun and downing a few thirst-slaking brews. Granville Island beer is on tap and often on special, and so are a few goodies from R & B Brewing. Best noshing: Arts Club Extreme Burgers, "Backstage" nachos, and any thin-crust pizza from a much-improved kitchen.
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