Asakusa Sushi (map, visitor reviews, 4729 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC, Canada, phone: 604-436-5505) is a hole-in-the-wall Japanese restaurant across from Metrotown mall that is the favorite of some true sushi aficionados.

hisashi_rocks, a reviewer on Menuism, writes (click here to read review):

They may not have the best sushi ever but they have the best affordable sushi in town. Some people probably prefer Sushi Garden to this one but not me. One of my favourites.

I visited on a friend’s recommendation and I was impressed by the generosity of the portions, especially the Sashimi for One Person, which was gigantic and good quality ($12, pictured below). Other dishes we ate are also pictured below. I’ll definitely visit Asakusa again soon.

Tako sunomono ($3.50) from Asakusa Japanese restaurant in Burnaby

Sushi from Asakusa Japanese Restaurant in Burnaby

Sashimi for One Person ($12.00) from Asakusa in Burnaby

More sushi from Asakusa Japanese Restaurant near Metrotown.

Miso soup ($1.00) and tea from Asakusa Japanese restaurant in Burnaby, BC, Canada.

Tacos Mexico Rico (map, visitor reviews, 309 West Pender, Vancouver, BC, Canada, phone: 604-688-7426) serves authentic Mexican food in a casual, unpretentious atmosphere.

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

The chicken enchiladas with verde sauce are exactly like they are in a local place in small town Mexico. Others have had the burritos and salads and are always happy.

The atmoshpere is good too with the cheesy Mexican soaps and gameshows on the TV, and the service is decent – the woman who runs the place is always smiling and happy, even though her English is limited.

Pictured below is the Chicken Enchilada that I ate (for around $9), which I thought was really tasty. I went with a large group of coworkers and we agreed that it was a satisfying Mexican lunch. The place is decorated in a simple style that reminds me of some of the inexpensive but honestly-good restaurants in Mexico I visited which were mainly frequented by locals.

Chicken Enchilada from Tacos Mexico Rico Mexican Restaurant in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Wild Rice (web site, map, 117 W. Pender, Vancouver, BC, Canada, phone: 604-642-288) is a stylish, modern, and upscale restaurant on the edge of Vancouver’s Chinatown that serves innovative Chinese cuisine.

Wild Rice is one of the only restaurants in Vancouver with a menu that takes familiar Chinese dishes and re-imagines them in a marvellous fusion between new and old-world Chinese cuisine and high-end Western-style tapas.

40something, a reviewer on DineHere.ca writes (click here to read review):

The decor is polished and dark with mute dark green panel lighting. Wear black my dear! Very Sean Connery turtle neck. BTW The prices reflect the ambiance.

[…] The food was pretty darn good. Like with other outings, we ordered and shared. It was eclectic and all nicely presented, yet seemed more like elaborate tapas then meals. Our service was good (I guess that has changed for the better recently given the older reviews). And our wait staff seemed knowledgeable and attentive enough.

The restaurant is offering a special menu for Dine Out Vancouver 2009. I have copied it from their website and included it below. Vegetarian (vegan) items are indicated with a “v” symbol.

3-COURSE MENU OPTIONS:
available wednesday, january 14 through sunday, february 1, 2009.
please note that, during dine out, our regular a la carte menu will not be available

1st course:
bc side stripe shrimp congee or
hot & sour soup or
wonton soup with pork dumplings

2nd course:
yarrow meadows duck confit on shanghai noodle or
local mushroom & baby bok choy on noodle or
free range kung po chicken on jasmine rice

3rd course:
red bean panna cotta or
seasonal berry dumplings or
tea cup chocolate pudding

$18 per person. optional VQA wine pairings available.

Pictured below are some of the dishes we tried last week. It was a real feast!

Peking style duck pancakes from Wild Rice restaurant in Vancouver. Made with yarrow meadows duck breast, scallion pancakes, and hoisin $18

Spicy kung po chicken with twice cooked peanuts from Wild Rice restaurant in Vancouver. Made with Maple Hill free range chicken, broccoli, and rice noodles $18

Side stripe shrimp congee from Wild Rice restaurant in Vancouver. A modern take on traditional Chinese soup. Made from brown rice $9

Ma po doufu from Wild Rice restaurant in Vancouver. Made with tempura eggplant, chili jam $11

Gai lan (Chinese brocolli) and crisped shallots from Wild Rice restaurant in Vancouver. $7 (side dish)

Local fruit dumplings (dessert) from Wild Rice restaurant in Vancouver. Star anise caramel, vanilla doufu ‘ice cream’. $8. The Caramel sauce was stupendous!