About the only advance planning I did for Vancouver was to read Bon Appetit’s July’s article, but we didn’t bother to make ANY dinner reservations before leaving. As soon as we got settled at our hotel, we began researching like crazy (thank you Zagat, Chowhound and Yelp) and decided on Boneta in Gastown.  I loved everything about this restaurant: from the witty copywriting on the menu to the slightly disconcerting mirrors suspended at odd angles far overhead. The real standout here is the kitchen. We even came back for dessert and cocktails the next night. Both did not disappoint.

If you’re already out in this part of town and looking for a nice nightcap, give Josh Pape’s new second-story spot a whirl.  We were too full to try any of the food, but The Diamond’s menu of cocktails is outstanding and our drinks rivaled the ones you might find on the bar at Pegu Club in New York.  Pape suggested our window seat and often jumped behind the bar mixing up cocktails.  I can’t exactly imagine seeing Audrey Sanders doing the same.When I saw the chandelier above The Diamond dining room I knew I had seen something similar before. I got home and dug through my photos from The Great Atlantic Company in Putnam, Connecticut. I wonder if it’s still available? I saw it exactly two years ago to the day. Happy Anniversary Nathan and Katherine!