One dining tip that’s worth noting is that the place really starts getting busy after 5pm on a Saturday. We arrived at 4:30pm and were seated right away, and enjoyed a lengthy and enjoyable meal including drinks, salad, appetizers, steak dinner, and even some ice cream for dessert.

After my meal (which is pictured below, except for the ice cream which I didn’t snap a picture of), I exclaimed, “it’s dinners like these that make me think that Life is Good!” I don’t usually write things like this, but I think that those of us who are fortunate enough to be able to afford a fancy steak dinner should really think about how we can give back to our communities and help out those who are not so fortunate (link to Vancouver charities directory)

I also wanted to mention that the Calamari at the Keg is a really creative dish (pictured below, $9.95) where the ringlets of squid are lightly battered and fried, and then tossed with a sweet tangy sauce, kind of like a teriyaki sauce. It is served with a side of more spicy hot sauce as well as a lemon to squeeze onto the calamari if desired. It’s quite a taste sensation, maybe not for everyone, but definitely is a yummy dish to try for adventurous diners!

Another thing to note is that if you order one of the Keg Classic Dinners (such as the Sirloin, Prime Rib, or Teriyaki Sirloin – $24.95), the dinner will include a Caesar salad (such as the one pictured below). If you order a steak that is not listed in the “Classic Dinners” section of the menu, such as a 14 oz New York Steak ($32.95) the salad is not included (but can be added on if requested).

For more photos and info please view Part 2 and Part 1.

Caesar salad at the Keg Steakhouse on Granville Island in Vancouver BC Canada.

Calamari Appetizer at the Keg Steakhouse ($9.95) restaurant in Vancouver.

Teriyaki Sirloin steak (medium rare) with Baked Potato and vegetables from the Keg Steakhouse in Vancouver. ($24.95 including Caesar salad)

Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice from the Keg Steak Restaurant in Vancouver BC Canada (Granville Island). ($3.95 for a large)

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

I like the Keg. The food and service is consistantly good, but my problem is I always order too much steak. I have a soft spot in my heart for the baseball steak and it always beats me. Next time I visit the Keg I will explore the menu a little bit more.

The Keg is great for a quiet dinner with friends or even someone special. The many nooks and crannies of the restaurant are cozily furnished and have fireplaces throughout. There is also a bar area with upbeat music.

I ordered one of their Keg Classic Dinners, the 8 oz Teriyaki Classic Sirloin steak with a Caesar salad (both pictured below, $23.95), and it was served with a selection of stir fried vegetables and a big baked potato. I especially like all the toppings they have for the baked potato: green onions, sour cream, butter, and bacon bits. They also served some very nice sourdough bread (with big pieces!) while we were waiting for the meal to arrive. The steak looked small, but it was actually quite filling.

Caesar salad at the Keg Steakhouse restaurant.

8 oz Teriyaki Classic Sirloin Steak ($23.95 including Caesar salad) from the Keg Restaurant on Granville Island.

Milestones is known for their steaks, rotisserie, and pasta dishes, but they also have a great brunch menu, which is available on weekends. I ordered their Grilled Shrimp California Benedict ($12.99, pictured below) which was a creative variation on the classic Eggs Benedict, served with “spicy house-made avocado salsa, double-smoked bacon, [and] large grilled shrimp.” I was really impressed by the presentation of this dish and it tasted great – the bacon, eggs, shrimp and hollandaise sauce were a nice combination.

antoni81, a revewer on Dinehere.ca (click here to read review) writes:

I always leave happy. Tonight I came by with 2 friends. I had a double hamburger and fettucini. My other friend had the Portobella chicken, and I think my other friend had a hamburger. The food here has always tasted good…

Visit Part 6 for another photo and more information about a different location (Yaletown, downtown).

California Eggs Benedict with Shrimp ($12.99) from Milestones Restaurant in Vancouver.

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.

The Beatty Street Grill is located in the Georgian Court Hotel which is near BC Place Stadium and GM Place Stadium in downtown Vancouver.

For more photos and info about this restaurant / sports bar please visit Part 2 or Part 1.

Chicken and Brie Cheese Panini (The Parisian Panini) from Beatty Street Bar and Grill in Vancouver. ($11.99 before tax and tip.)

Epicurious, a reviewer on DineHere.ca writes (click here to read the full review):

I would not have recognized this Milestone’s if I were just walking by. It looked like a completely new eatery. Outside was modern silver and had some beach wood decor. Inside was also very nice – silvers, beach wood, dark wood etc.). There was a projection screen above the bar that rolled up and out of site when not in use and revealed a nice wood/mirror motif behind it.

I ordered the Seafood Mixed Grill ($21.99, pictured below) which their menu describes as:

Wild West Coast Coho salmon, Corvina sea bass and tiger shrimp, matched with a trio of house made sauces; Mango, Gogi Berry, Gaucho. Served with spinach, bok choy, grape tomatoes and lavender roasted mini potatoes.

This was a bit pricey for lunch (the restaurant uses the same menu at lunch time as dinner) but I am a big seafood fan and thought the salmon, sea bass and shrimp were an excellent combination.

For more photos please view Part 5, Part 4,  Part 3, Part 2, and Part 1.

Seafood Mixed Grill from Milestones Restaurant in Yaletown, Vancouver

The Beatty Street food menu is fairly basic, but quite well executed, with daily specials such as Fish and Chips on Fridays, a soup and sandwich special, burgers, pastas, and the usual appies. Prices for lunch are in the $10 to $15 range, which are quite reasonable considering the downtown location. I especially enjoy their pastas, such as the Chicken Pesto Pasta ($13.99, click here for photo), and the Prawn Linguini ($14.99, pictured below). The Prawn and Mussel Linguini was prepared in a simple way, with a basic tomato sauce, lots of yummy cheese, several prawns that were hidden throughout the pasta, and some mussels which I quickly devoured. My only suggestion for this dish would be to add even more prawns, but I was quite satisfied regardless.

This restaurant is located in the Georgian Court Hotel, a popular downtown Vancouver hotel for tourists and business travelers alike. For some more photos of the Beatty Street Bar and Grill please view Part 1.

(above) Prawn Linguini pasta at Beatty Street Bar and Grill ($14.99)

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

Marmalade is a great place to go for cocktails or dinner, and the restaurant is also open for lunch, weekday breakfast, and weekend brunch. Visit their web site for their current menu and specials.

Enjoy dishes that bring out the best of London-style cuisine, such as the Chelsea Flair (sauteed wild sockeye salmon with red onion marmalade, served on a bed of sauteed potatoes, $17.95) or the Knightsbridge Chic (half garlic herb-roasted game hen served with tomato ragout and saffron rice, $16.95). Or if you’re looking for something a little more traditional, there’s always the comforting and satisfying Shepherd’s Pie ($12.50, served with mixed greens) which is a rich stew served with mashed potatoes, vegetables and a tasty gravy. Pictured below are some of the chef’s creations.

Mushroom at Marmalade Kitchen and Bar

Tuna at Marmalade Kitchen and Bar (photos courtesy of the restaurant)

This downtown Vancouver restaurant focuses on seafood, with selections such as the ling cod (served with ginger, baby bok-choy vegetable, and a black bean reduction, $22, pictured below), and the wild BC salmon (with Asian BBQ sauce and a snow pea salad, $22, also pictured below). We also tried and enjoyed the miso sake asparagus roll ($8, with mushrooms, marinated tofu, spicy hoisin glaze, pictured below), the wok tossed squid (not pictured, $8), and the creme brulee for dessert (pictured below, $8, served with yummy shortbread cookies).

The restaurant has hip, tasteful decor that is reminiscent of the modern restaurants in recent James Bond movies, and can easily accommodate large groups or provide a more intimate atmosphere for a romantic dinner. Goldfish Pacific Kitchen also has an extensive wine list and a lively bar area that is popular with the upwardly mobile urban socialites of Vancouver’s “yuppie” Yaletown neighborhood.

Unfortunately the restaurant does not cater very well to vegetarians, with only two vegetarian main courses (although the kitchen would most likely accommodate special dietary needs if required). Valet parking is available, and the restaurant is quite near to the Canada Line train station which will be operational in 2009. Visit their web site for the Goldfish menu and more info.

Ling Cod seafood at Goldfish Pacific Kitchen ($22)

Wild BC Salmon at Goldfish Pacific Kitchen ($22)

Miso sake asparagus roll at Goldfish Pacific Kitchen ($8) – the sake is quite strong in this dish!!

Creme Brulee for dessert ($8). The shortbread cookies were so tasty!

… one of Vancouver’s hottest nightclubs with huge crowds every night of the week, great drink specials, a massive sound system, stylish decor and a friendly and attentive group of staff members.

This time I enjoyed the Mexican Corvina Sea Bass (pictured below, $18.99) which their menu describes as, “lightly fried, seasoned with red chile salts and fresh lime. Southwest rice, tiger prawns, fresh spinach, bell peppers, cilantro-lime broth”. The dish was nicely presented and very tasty!

Mexican Corvina Sea Bass

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.

Cactus Club’s West Vancouver location features a live jazz band, the Geoff Peters Trio, playing on selected Tuesday nights. Please call the restaurant to confirm about the live music. (More info: view part 1)