Chill Winston (web site, map, 3 Alexander St., Vancouver, BC, Canada, phone: 604-288-9575) is a hip, young restaurant in Gastown with upscale and contemporary Pacific Northwest style food.

Bonka, a reviewer on Dinehere.ca writes (click here to read review):

Great place to “chill”. I’ve come here a few times before (always during the dinner hour) and have likened each experience. It’s decorated like a lounge with large (and comfortable) low chairs. […]the dishes are prepared impeccably well. I will return to try out their brunch/lunch menus.

The crowd is mostly well-heeled twenty and thirty-somethings, who get together to have a good time. The low-light atmosphere is happy, relaxed, and at times boisterous, with much cavorting, indulging, romancing, and “chilling” going on.

To start, I had the Duck Bacon Unwrapped Scallops ($13, pictured below) which their menu describes as “Baja scallop and citrus ceviche topped with coffee and molasses cured duck bacon on brioche”. Phew, that’s quite a description, but my interest was piqued by the creative combination of ingredients. Fusion at its best, I thought while munching contentedly on every last bit of the Ceviche.

The main course I tried was the Sea Tiger Prawns ($25, also pictured below), which are grilled prawns in a lemon basil oil with a spinach and almond risotto. My dining companion commented that the chef had presented this dish differently on a previous visit (my serving was more “aggressive” looking, kind of like an angry crab). An angry crab made of risotto and prawns is an angry crab that I would like to meet again!

Sea Tiger Prawns ($25) from Chill Winston in Gastown, Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Duck Bacon Unwrapped Scallops from Chill Winston in Gastown, Vancouver ($13)

The Hamilton Street Grill (map, web site, 1009 Hamilton Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, phone: 604-331-1511) is a casual steakhouse in downtown Vancouver’s upscale Yaletown neighborhood. In addition to steaks, the Hamilton Street Grill offers tempting seafood and creative “small plate” appetizers created by their chef.

The HSG (as it is affectionately called, not to be mistaken with MSG which the chef most certainly avoids in his/her kitchen) is a favorite lunch place for me and my coworkers, as our office is nearby. Lunch prices are in the $11 to $15 range and dinner entrees are in the $25 to $35 range. The restaurant’s menus are available on their web site.

Pictured below is the Hamilton Street Burger ($12), which is made with house-ground Certified Angus Beef, bacon, cheddar cheese, sautéed onions, and chipotle mayo. I ordered my burger with a Caesar salad (included in the price) but I could have gotten a regular house salad, their popular Yam Fries, or regular fries instead. I thought the burger was especially delicious and gobbled up the whole thing in a flash (all the while making conversation and being pleasant of course!).

For more photos from my previous visits, please view Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6 or Part 7.

Hamilton Street Burger ($12) with Beef, bacon, cheddar, sautéed onions, and chipotle mayo from the Hamilton Street Grill in Vancouver.

Hakkasan Contemporary Chinese Cuisine (web site, map, 110 – 2188 No. 5 Road, Richmond, BC, Canada, phone: 604-273-9191) is a new restaurant serving modern Chinese food, surprisingly located in the middle of an industrial park! The restaurant is a 10 to 15 minute taxi-ride from the Vancouver International Airport and is also short drive from the large Ikea furniture store in Richmond.

Patatas, a reviewer on DineHere.ca (read review), writes:

Diamond in the Rough
Really awkward to get to, but totally worth the trip in the end. It’s a beautiful place (as you may be able to see from the website) and the food is amazing. Great Chinese food, awesome list of teas, try everything!

It may seem strange when you step in and there’s only one or two other tables in the restaurant, but then, depending when you go, it generally fills up. I’ve gone on a Saturday for lunch, and a weeknight for dinner, and both times it was empty at first, but filled up later. So go a little later for the atmosphere, I guess.

Pictured below are some of the creative contemporary Chinese dishes that the restaurant serves (thanks to Yvonne for the great photos).

So if you’re up for a little adventure and are looking for a taste above the ordinary, consider checking out Hakkasan Chinese Restaurant. Afterwards, be sure to let everyone know your experience by leaving a comment below.

Update, June 14th 2008: Christina has posted an excellent review of the food with photos on her web site (click here).