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)

Nu Restaurant (web site, 1661 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, phone: 604-646-4668) is an award winning Vancouver waterfront restaurant with fabulous views and upscale, modern food. The style of cuisine at Nu has definite French/European influences and a west-coast twist. The decor is space-age, the atmosphere is light hearted, and the patrons are stylish!

Nu Restaurant is located right out on the water on the north/downtown side of False Creek, underneath the Granville Bridge. There is ample free parking available in a lot shared with the Stonegrill restaurant (another restaurant worth visiting which is located in the same building, one floor above Nu).

To start, I enjoyed the Pan Seared Bayne Sound Scallops, with pickled mushrooms, cauliflower puree, and red wine jus ($16.10, pictured below). The scallops were really tender and tasted great! As a main course, I tried the Roasted Cornish Game Hen with smoked local gouda, braised swiss chard, wild BC mushrooms, and rich chicken jus ($26.10, also pictured below). The serving of Game Hen was fabulous, with a really prime cut of meat and a great combination of the cheese, mushrooms, rich jus and vegetables. I finished off this fantastic meal with a Passion Fruit Sponge Cake ($7.90, pictured below) which was light and refreshing.

The restaurant also features live jazz for Sunday brunch with Juno nominee Melody Diachun. Please call the restaurant (604-646-4668) for more info about the live music, or check out their web site for their menu.

Pan Seared Bayne Sound Scallops ($16.10) at Nu Restaurant in Vancouver

Cornish Game Hen at Nu Restaurant in Vancouver ($26.10)

Passion Fruit Sponge Cake at Nu Restaurant in Vancouver, BC, Canada ($7.90)

Milestones (web site, 1109 Hamilton Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, phone: 604-684-9111) is a trendy chain restaurant in the Yaletown neighborhood of downtown Vancouver. Pictured below is the very delicious Roasted Chicken Penne Asiago (around $17) which their menu describes as penne pasta with roasted Italian tomatoes, pulled chicken, fresh basil, spinach and asiago cream. View a map of their location in downtown Vancouver. View Part 4 for more photos.

Roasted Chicken Penne Asiago pasta from Milestone’s Restaurant in downtown Vancouver. (around $17)