Ebisu on Robson (827 Bute Street, Vancouver, phone 604-689-8266) serves Japanese tapas and Asian-western fusion food, appealing to the younger, hip Asian crowd as well as food enthusiasts seeking a taste above the ordinary. Recently taking over from “Hooters” in this spacious 2nd floor room overlooking Robson street, Ebisu has a varied menu that ranges from delectable sushi concoctions such as the “Crunch ‘n Munch” roll ($12.97, pictured below) to Rack of Lamb and even pumpkin soup and fish tacos. The Oyster Blowout ($12.78, pictured below) has got to be my favorite item. It’s a huge platter of 12 fresh raw oysters served with a variety of sauces and toppings. We ordered some more inspired Japanese items, such as the Ika Meshi (stuffed squid rolls, pictured below, $11.11), the Deluxe Tempura ($14.77, pictured below), and the Sashimi Salad ($9.57, pictured below).

Crunch ‘n Munch Roll

Ika Meshi (Squid roll sushi)

Oyster Blowout (fresh raw oysters)

Sashimi Salad

Deluxe Tempura

Guu Japanese Bar (web site, 838 Thurlow Street, near Robson, Vancouver, phone 604-685-8817) serves creative Japanese tapas / Tokyo pub food in a fun atmosphere. Dishes range from $5 to $10 and you’ll want to order lots! Pictured below (in order from top) are the Grilled Squid legs w/Spicy mayonaise ($4.60), Cold Spicy Chicken special, Pork special, and BBQ Eel & Mushroom Rice Gratin ($7.80). This restaurant is also known as “Guu with Garlic”.

The Penny Farthing Pub (web site, 2228 Oak Bay Ave, Victoria BC, phone 250-370-9008) is an olde-English style pub located in the Oak Bay area of Victoria. The word from my compatriots is that the beer and wine and other drinks at this pub are mighty fine. However I felt like indulging in some culinary fare, and went for a dish of their steamed mussels (pictured below, $12.00). They have mussels with a Strongbow cider sauce, or some with a mango curry sauce. I tried the curry ones, and boy were they delicious. I asked my fine server what locale the mussels hail’d from, and she replied that they are fresh from Quadra Island. Now that is why they are so good! They were big, juicy, and really just melted in my mouth. And that curry sauce was so tasty that I just slurped some of it up after all the mussels had gone. If you’re in Victoria be sure to stop by this venerable watering hole!