For the hungry, you won’t want to miss Free House’s famed Fat Burger with Skinny Fries. Weighing in somewhere near a pound of ground beef, this puppy is served with smoked bacon, provolone and onion marmalade. Not for those prone to heart conditions. Also on the gargantuan side are the chicken wings, which typically aren’t my style, though I assent when I see the keen expression my date’s wearing. With Caribbean jerk sauce they are dy-na-mite, and will evaporate any drink but beer.

Rodney points out that Free House’s seafood is delivered fresh daily, though there isn’t much of the fresh west coast variety on the menu – an issue I would take with most Vancouver restaurants. Still, the anchovy and herb-crusted halibut with lime butter does tickle my interest. But, alas, we’re both sated by now.

And both ready to escape. - D.H.