The Noodle Box (web site, map, 1-1867 4th Avenue West, Vancouver, BC, Canada, phone: 604-734-1310) is a South East Asian noodle bar (near Burrard and 4th) that is popular with the young, hip student crowd for casual dining and drinks. The restaurant is cafeteria style in that there is no table service: you order and pay first, and then find a table yourself. When your food is ready one of the chefs will call out your name. The atmosphere is high-energy and lively, making this a great place for hanging out with friends and people watching. Prices for entrees are in the $10 to $14 range, such as the Thai Green Curry (pictured below, around $12), which I ordered with a chicken and prawns combination. Thai spices were simmered in coconut milk and lime juice, served with rice noodles, Asian greens, mushrooms, sprouts, and herbs. Yum!

The Noodle Box also has two locations in Victoria: Chinatown (626 Fisgard, Victoria, BC, Canada, phone: 250-360-1312) and downtown (818 Douglas, Victoria, BC, Canada, phone: 250-384-1314).

Thai Green Curry from the Noodle Box restaurant in Vancouver

Earl’s (web site, map, reviews, 1601 W. Broadway, Vancouver, BC, Canada, phone: 604-736-5663) is a popular chain of restaurants that serves casual Canadian and American-style cuisine. There are two Earls locations on West Broadway in Vancouver, one at Fir street (which I visited) and another just east of Oak street (901 W. Broadway, Vancouver, phone: 604-734-5995). For a complete list of the other Earl’s locations in the Greater Vancouver area, be sure to visit their web site.

Earl’s offers a good selection of pizzas, soups, burgers, sandwiches, pastas and wok dishes, as well as signature entrees such as steaks, seafood, and chicken. The prices are quite reasonable, with most dishes in the $10 to $20 range. I especially like their pizza. Pictured below is the Californian Pizza (around $12.50), which is made with shrimp, pesto, sundried tomatoes, and feta. The Margharita pizza ($10.50, also pictured below) is a simple but tasty pizza made with fresh basil, rich tomato sauce, mozzarella and white cheddar. We also enjoyed the Calamari (deep fried squid, pictured below, $10) which was served with sweet red onions and a special tzatziki sauce made in house.

The Earl’s location at Fir and Broadway is quite large, easily accommodating large groups, and has a bright solarium that is great for dining on sunny days. There is limited free parking available (provided you register your license plate with the host/hostess) and the restaurant is also on the Broadway bus route.

(above) Californian Shrimp Pizza ($12.50) at Earl’s Restaurant in Vancouver

(above) Calamari appetizer ($10) at Earl’s restaurant on Broadway at Fir

(above) Margharita pizza at Earls in Vancouver ($10.50)

Ridge Gardens Chinese Restaurant (map, visitor reviews, 3113 Arbutus Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, phone: 604-736-7006, fax: 604-736-5231) offers above-par Chinese food in the affluent Arbutus Ridge neighborhood of Vancouver, which is close to Kitsilano to the north and Kerrisdale to the south. It’s in the same strip mall as the Ridge Theatre.

My family always chooses to dine at Ridge Garden for big get-togethers, where we order off the banquet menu and share many dishes.

Prices are reasonable: for a huge meal including soup, crab, and at least one dish per person, the total cost came out to around $20 each including tax. There were enough leftovers for a couple more meals at home too! The Ridge Garden restaurant also offers Chinese food delivery to the nearby Vancouver vicinity, as well as take-out.

Pictured below are the Hot and Spicy Crab (market price), the hot pot with chicken and black fungus (very tasty, believe me!), and the house soup (flavorful and savory). Ample free parking is available in the lot just north of the restaurant on Arbutus street, and the restaurant is also accessible by bus (view easy transit directions to the restaurant).

Hot and spicy crab, prepared Chinese style

Chicken and black fungus Chinese hot pot

Chinese soup (very flavorful)