Black Tuna Japanese Tapas Bistro (web site, #202 – 1184 Denman Street, downtown Vancouver, phone: 604-408-7557) is quite a find for exceptional food quality, an upscale atmosphere with aesthetically pleasing decor and a great view of the English bay beach from the window. It’s an intimate dining room located on the second floor of the commercial building on Denman Street, very close to the Davie intersection. We tried the Chef’s Special Dinner Box ($29.95) which in my opinion was really worth it (some of the items are pictured below). And to accompany the food I really liked the restaurant’s choice of laid-back jazz background music.

[update Oct 14 2008: Black Tuna has closed and there is another Japanese restaurant there now.]

My Sushi World Bento Express (more info, 1258 Robson Street, Vancouver, BC, phone: 604-681-1150) is one of my friend’s favorite places to grab a quick, reasonably priced Japanese meal that will surely satisfy. The Deluxe Sushi combination ($10, pictured below) was really delicious.

Cafe Des Arts (863 Beatty Street, phone 604-669-2189) is a family run cafe located in Vancouver’s downtown Yaletown neighborhood that serves a variety of European and Vietnamese entrees, as well as sandwiches, salads, and soups. The Oriental Chicken Rice (pictured below) is served with a choice of soup or salad for approximately $8.50.