The Templeton (web site, map, 1087 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, phone: 604-685-4612) is one of Vancouver’s oldest classic diners (with original furnishings and jukeboxes at tables dating from the 50’s). However, don’t let the classic decor fool you into thinking the food will be, well, typical 50’s greasy diner fare. The Templeton’s food has been modernized to fit the healthy lifestyle of many Vancouverites.

You’ll find good selections for vegetarians such as the Portobello Mushroom Burger (Marinated Portobello, grilled asiago cheese on multigrain bun, $8.50) and the Pesto Grilled Veggie Lasagna (with organic noodles, pesto, zucchini, red peppers, fresh tomatoes, ricotta, mozzarella, tangy tomato sauce, and side mixed organic greens, $11). Non-vegetarians will also find plenty of choices here too, such as the organic, free range chicken burger, or the free range New York Striploin steak.

I enjoyed The Med Quesadilla (pictured below, made with artichoke hearts, sun dried tomatoes, green olives, aged white cheddar, fresh tomato salsa and sour cream, $11). The gigantic portion and creative ingredients made the dish really satisfying, and I didn’t miss the meat. My friend ordered the Ahi Tuna Steak, $14, which I’ve had before too and liked.

The Templeton restaurant also serves great breakfasts (view Part 1 for a picture of their eggs).

Med Quesadilla ($11) from the Templeton restaurant in Vancouver

I made another visit to White Spot in downtown Vancouver (click here for location and more info), and enjoyed their Salmon Burger lunch special (pictured below), which was a reasonable $11.99 and came with a very large Caesar salad. This was some of the best food I’ve ever had at White Spot, and I gobbled it up so fast that I was finished much sooner than my coworkers.

White Spot (web site) is a chain of restaurants that serves Canadian/American style food. This downtown location (80 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC, phone 604-662-3066) is really close to downtown theatres, the Granville St. Entertainment district, and BC Place Stadium (home of the BC Lions Football Team) as well as GM Place Stadium (home of the Vancouver Canucks). View Part 1 for more info and another photo from White Spot.

Salmon burger from White Spot in downtown Vancouver ($11.99)

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)