People eat with their eyes. From the visual presentation of the food on the plate to a restaurant's decor, these visual cues add to the dining experience. All across Canada, top restaurants excel in these departments and several take that visual component to the next level--literally. Some of Canada's noted restaurants are positioned high above city skylines, while some lie quietly along peaceful waters, and some surrounded by nature, all providing magnificent views of the sea and urban landscapes.
Starting on the West Coast with Vancouver's waterfront, crossing through the prairies and into the Rockies, and then stretching eastward to Canada's entertainment and cultural hub of Toronto, these places feature some of the best restaurants with stunning views.
WEST COAST DINING
Vancouver, British Columbia is gaining quite the reputation as a foodie destination in Western Canada. With an abundance of seafood and local produce, restaurants can highlight the fresh flavours of Pacific Coast cuisine. Vancouver's lovely waterfront and bustling downtown make for an ideal setting for several of the city's best restaurants.
Aqua Riva
Enjoy waterfront dining at Aqua Riva, offering harbour front views of Burrard Inlet and the North Shore Skyline. Located downtown next to Canada Place, Aqua Riva is within walking distance to many hotels in the area. The window-wrapped dining room and bar allows patrons to indulge in Pacific Coast delicacies while watching the cruise ships sail in and out of the harbour. The menu consists of tapas and starters, including thin crust pizzas featuring bold flavours such as wood roasted barbecue duck. Lunch and dinner highlight Vancouver's prime seafood with dishes such as wood grilled wild salmon and Pacific cioppino--a hearty seafood and fish stew featuring salmon, sablefish, dungeness crab, clams, mussels, clams, and prawns. To complete the visual appeal, the restaurant's decor features murals and nautical themes, adding to this waterfront dining experience.
The Observatory
Begin this dining experience with a scenic gondola ride (included with reservations) to the top of Grouse Mountain in Northern Vancouver. From here, one can enjoy views of the Pacific Ocean and Gulf Islands, with the city of Vancouver in the distance. Patrons of the Observatory restaurant will dine on West Coast cuisine, where the emphasis is on fresh, regional ingredients. Hand-selected wines, chosen by the in-house sommelier, complement the dishes served here. To experience the ultimate in food and wine pairing, the Observatory offers a prix fixe menu featuring multiple courses paired with various wines. An a la carte menu is also available for those wanting to pick and choose their own selections. Sample menu dishes include local oysters dressed with a sherry mignonette, beef tenderloin with black truffle jus, magret of Barbary duck with a green peppercorn sabayon, and for dessert, a vanilla bean panna cotta.
Stanley Park
Any visit to Vancouver would not be complete without a trip to Stanley Park, the city's forested playground situated along the harbour. Several dining options are available in the park, including Prospect Point Cafe and the Sequoia Grill.
Prospect Point Cafe
Stanley Park's highest point, Prospect Point offers visitors panoramic views of the North Shore Mountains, the Lion's Gate Bridge and the Burrard Inlet. The on-site Prospect Point Cafe offers a full service restaurant, allowing patrons to indulge their taste buds while taking in the beautiful scenery. Favourites at this eatery include the Prospect Point ice-cream, an ideal way to cool down on a summer's day, and the fish and chips made with Granville Island Draft Beer Batter. Other menu items include a number of fresh salmon dishes, grilled burgers and sandwiches, and pasta entrees.
Sequoia Grill
Found at Ferguson Point, the Sequoia Grill offers ocean views surrounded by towering trees. The restaurant's menu highlights the best of Vancouver's bounty, including such dishes as BC Albacore tuna tartar, mussels bathed in a red curry coconut broth, and cedar plank salmon topped with a maple whiskey glaze. A brunch menu is offered on the weekends, making for a lovely way to spend the morning.
Glo EuroPub & Grill Victoria
Only a day trip from Vancouver, Victoria also offers pleasant sights and eats. One of the newest restaurants on the scene is the Glo EuroPub & Grill. Touted as one of Vancouver Island's best patios, the Glo EuroPub & Grill features a 180-degree view of Victoria's Selkirk Waterway. Patrons can enjoy brunch, lunch, dinner and late night bites on the patio, taking in views of the harbour at any time of the day. Blankets are provided for cooler evenings making this outdoor experience comfortable and enjoyable. Minutes from downtown, the grill offers a retro-modern interior with a contemporary menu featuring gourmet pizza, burgers, steaks, seafood and pastas. An extensive wine list and drinks menu also make this place a popular social gathering venue.
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