Copper Chimney Restaurant and Bar (web site, map, 567 Hornby Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, phone: 604-689-8862) recently came to my attention through an email from Mary, the restaurant manager. Copper Chimney is located in the luxurious boutique Le Soleil Hotel (rated 4-diamonds by American Automobile Association since opening in 1999). Downtown in the financial district, the restaurant/hotel is close to Vancouver’s stunning Convention Centre as well as Pacific Centre mall.

I visited the restaurant at Le Soleil around 7 or 8 years ago, and the impressive and airy dining room is much the same today, but with some updates I am sure. I’m really interested in visiting Copper Chimney again to see the current menu concept. In the meantime, here’s what Mary sent along about Copper Chimney:

“Consistently rated one of the city’s most stunning dining rooms. Enter into an exotic world of fusion where you will be treated to some of India’s finest flavors. Experience our award winning chef’s amazing command of the Tandoor , its copper chimney highlighting our open kitchen. Your senses will be heightened and you will be drawn to the warmth and comfort of one of the city’s most popular dining experiences. Sip handcrafted expertly mixed cocktails while enjoying an exotic selection of house music in the lounge or retreat to the dining mezzanine for a memorable meal. Have the Maitre D arrange your dinner in our VIP private dining room.”

Thanks to Mary for providing the tantalizing photos below! For some more reviews of Copper Chimney from customers, check out Urban Spoon or Yelp.

Copper Chimney restaurant at 567 Hornby Street in downtown Vancouver BC Canada.

Dining room of Copper Chimney restaurant at the LeSoleil hotel in Vancouver BC Canada.

glowbal grill steaks & satay (formerly known as glowbal grill and satay bar, website, map, 1079 Mainland Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, phone: 604-602-0835) doesn’t need much of an introduction. Glowbal made international headlines in 2009 when teen-heartthrob Twilight stars Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and Taylor Lautner were spotted dining at glowbal and other restaurants around Vancouver. But apart from being a favorite of celebrities, glowbal is one of the trendiest, hippest places for the high-class citizen to enjoy superb – dare I say world-class dishes.

Our group of incredibly intelligent, geeky, and immensely wealthy software developers from a nearby office were probably some of the most casually dressed patrons at Glowbal today. I’m not sure where all these fancy people come from, but walking through Glowbal at noon on a weekday is like stepping into a movie set from perhaps the opening scene of a Bond spy thriller. The place exudes class and style, and they’ve got everything down from the subtle electro-jazz that pulsates, to the affable and dynamic serving staff who are up to date on the latest social nuances.

The food is some of the best I have tasted in this price range (which can be perused on their menu) and is incredibly flavorful, making use of the full palate and leaves me smacking my lips for every last morsel. Well, maybe this time I toned down the smacking, but beware upon the future occasion!

Today I ordered the Linguini off their lunch menu (pictured below), which came with jumbo tiger prawns, tomato, oregano, capers, stewed tomatoes, and of course olives. I’m sure that if you don’t like olives, or only want to eat olives and nothing more, executive chef Erik Heck and his staff will be able to accommodate your special dietary needs.

Vegetarians will note that this restaurant doesn’t advertise many vegetarian or vegan-friendly items on their menu. However if you end up at Glowbal I think you’ll do fine if you explain your needs to your server and they will be most amenable to providing tasty substitutions and a dish that you’ll likely enjoy.

Delicious Prawn Linguine from Glowbal restaurant in Yaletown, Vancouver BC Canada.

Yummy Seafood Linguine pasta from Glowbal Grill in downtown Vancouver BC Canada.

Tasty Prawn Linguine from glowbal grill steaks and satay restaurant in Vancouver BC Canada.

Rosie’s on Robson (website, menu, map, 298 Robson Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, phone: 604-689-4499) is a casual British pub -style restaurant located in the heart of downtown Vancouver’s entertainment district. The establishment offers reasonably-priced, hearty North American and British fare. House favorites include the Shepherd’s Pie, stuffed Yorkshire Pudding, fish and chips, and chicken pot pie. For health-conscious Vancouverites looking for something a little lighter and “west coast”, Rosie’s also features delicious items such as the Thai Chicken Salad, Veggie or Salmon burger, and the chicken and mushroom penne.

At lunch time, most entrees are in the $10 to $14 range which is quite reasonable considering the restaurant’s convenient location and proximity to venues such as Rogers Arena, BC Place Stadium, the Queen Elizabeth Theatre and the Centre for Performing Arts. A 10 minute walk up Robson Street will bring you past the local library (book lovers unite!) to Vancouver’s famed upscale shopping district with the likes of Tommy Hilfiger, Le Chateau, and lululemon.

I ordered the Salmon Pesto Penne ($15, pictured below) which was served with diced tomatoes, broccoli, and walnuts in a pesto parmesan sauce. It tasted as good as it looked!

Stepping into Rosie’s and experiencing the comfort food and decor of a British Pub is a refreshing change from the mostly-similar and ultra-modern trendy places which seem to be popping up these days. Don’t expect to be wowed by super-slick staff sporting the latest in cosmetic enhancements – instead you’ll enjoy a down-to-earth dine on delicious and honestly good victuals.

Salmon Pesto Penne from Rosie's on Robson (British Pub-style restaurant in downtown Vancouver BC Canada)

Salmon pesto penne pasta from Rosie's on Robson, restaurant in downtown Vancouver BC Canada.