Diner
When you think of diners you think of booze. Whether you hit a 50s booths-and-eggs joint for an early morning post-party or mid-afternoon hang-over placation, alcohol has something to do with it. Well, diners should be about conversation. Ask Jerry Seinfeld or Mickey Rourke. Like a true iconoclast, this diner eschews the 50s aesthetic in favour of old-school, crown and country British fare and word-exchange-conducive ambiance. Of course, they do maintain the requisite all-day-breakfast options and when you think England, you think booze. It's okay, the British think that too. 4556 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC Full Story



Century
Think this century is so yesterday? Think again. Century, the dining room, is as lavish as the Nuevo Latino it serves. With long velvet curtains, Victorian chandeliers, exposed pillars, a marble staircase leading to a second floor and, filling almost one whole wall, a massive mural of Che Guevara, it's a frenzy of chic resto-revolution. The fare - generated by 26-year-old Chef Remi Dubois (Ritz Carlton and Salish Lodge) -fuses West Coast ingredients with Latin flavours. The Bouillabaisse - Dubois’s own interpretation of the dish - is a lightly scented saffron and clove broth with roasted seafood and organic root vegetables, while the Black Cod is a serving of roasted cod with cinnamon rioja jus, caramelized squash and Peruvian potatoes. Are you getting hambriento? 432 Richards Street, Vancouver, BC Full Story



Habit
Habit plowed its way through its first year, adroitly mixing vintage and modern, and reinventing a bygone-era parlor for neo-hipsters. Chef Jacques Thibodeau (Tangerine) has created an original set of choices that caters to this eclectic crowd while offering some unique treats of its own. The menu matches Habit's tagline: “Make it a habit to share.” Standouts include pomegranate-glazed, organic chicken wings, smoked sablefish cakes ($13); tofu, mushrooms and spinach ($9); and carrot and cheese perogies ($10). The vibe is relaxed, brimming with smiles. And, since the decor is all low and lovely, you can shoot a sideways glance at a potential mate from one side of the room to the other. -L.H. 2610 Main Street, Vancouver, BC Full Story