Bean Around the World Coffee (5601 Dunbar St., Vancouver, BC, Canada, at Dunbar and 40th Ave, phone 604-261-8188) is a small, comfortable cafe in Vancouver’s affluent West Side neighborhood (a short drive from the University of British Columbia). It is decorated with original paintings by Vancouver artists, and has a cozy lounge area with soft chairs.

The Cafe Americano (pictured below) was a real treat. And I must say, the tuna sandwich (also pictured below) melted in my mouth and had a good match of texture contrasts between the grilled bread and tuna filling. (The cafe also has free Wifi internet access.)

Cafe Americano

Tuna sandwich

Yamato Sushi Restaurant (visitor reviews, 616 Davie St, Vancouver, BC, Canada, phone: 604-682-5494) is a tiny hole-in-the-wall Japanese restaurant on the edge of Yaletown downtown. Yamato has decent food quality and incredibly low prices.

Carrotstop, a reviewer on Dinehere.ca writes:

[…] Yamato Sushi on Davie is the perfect place for me. They have great combo deals, like 18 pieces of sushi for $5.50. That’s what I always get. Sushi combo, and with a little extra cost, I can twist the combo a little and get the special rolls I love (the avocado roll). The portions are on the larger side. The quality of the sushi rice is nice, soft and fluffy. The wasabi is to kill for. It is very strong, I love it.

Pictured below are various selections from the Bento Box A, which is about $7.00 and includes miso soup, green salad, California roll, chicken (or beef or vegetarian) teriyaki, prawn and yam tempura, and deep fried gyoza. What a deal! Also pictured below is the BC Roll (around $2.00).

Japanese Bento Box, California roll sushi and prawn and yam tempura.

Japanese Chicken Teriyaki

Japanese BC Roll Maki Sushi

Another photo of the delicious BC Roll sushi.

Cactus Club (web site) is a chain of really fun, trendy, and dynamic restaurants with outstanding food. Pictured below are the Soft Fish Tacos (around $11) which were delicious! The restaurant is also known for their steaks, rice bowls, appetizers and specialty drinks.

Cactus Club’s West Vancouver location (in Park Royal Village, at 855 Main Street, West Vancouver, BC, Canada, map, phone: 604-922-1707) is only about a 20 minute drive from downtown Vancouver (depending on the traffic on the Lions Gate Bridge).

If you’re looking for a great way to spend New Years Eve 2007, the West Vancouver location is putting on a special evening of live jazz by the Geoff Peters Trio. Be sure to give them a call for more info.

More photos: View Part 1, Part 2.