Best Steakhouse/Chops/BBQ: Gotham Steakhouse

In a tight race for beefly (and pulled pork) supremacy this year, Gold medalist Gotham wins for confident and mature service in an elegant room that’s always fun, while serving only the best cuts of Canada AAA and U.S. Prime with side dishes that are elevated above the steakhouse norm. The bar is a convivial roustabout of strong drinks, well-made under Shannon Belkin’s soaring murals. Morton’s (Silver) was noted for the city’s best happy hour—“those mini fillet-mignon sandwiches are the manliest of canapés”—and Jurassic-sized steaks and potatoes that make a happy next-day lunch. Hy’s (Bronze), another David Aisenstat steakhouse (Gotham and The Keg are all part of the family), remains as popular as ever for its tableside Caesar salads, and its under-the-table drinks. One judge mentioned that the “retro time-capsule feeling is elusive in Vancouver. This is what to do when you fear one more ‘drizzled’ dish that menus its mother’s maiden name.” Honourably mentioned Hamilton Street Grill and Memphis Blues doubled for accessible, reasonably priced meaty mains. “The Hammy” was singled out for exceptional hanger steak, hockey games and gingerbread pudding; Memphis Blues for quality smoked brisket and hens and the most concise wine list in town curated by Park Heffelfinger.

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