Best North Shore 2015

Best North Shore Restaurant winners of Vancouver Magazine’s 26th Annual Restaurant Awards

• Gold: La Régalade
• Silver: Canyon
• Bronze: Blue Eyed Marys
• Honourable Mentions: Olive and Anchor, Trattoria at Park Royal

 Yes, Virginia, there is a small but vital food scene at the snowy end of the Lions Gate Bridge, starting with consistent champ La Régalade (Gold), where French authenticity—it’s small, it’s bustling, and French is the staff’s first language—resonates. The food may not be adventurous and you won’t find surprises on the menu or in the service, but steak frites doesn’t need sizzle to sing. This is French bistro delivered to perfection. Scott Kidd earned restaurant cred having cooked over three decades at Sooke Harbour House, Le Gavroche, William Tell, Raincity Grill, and Araxi, among others. At Canyon (Silver), he’s decelerating. Come on a weeknight and let him take care of you out front while Top Chef Canada contender Caitlin Hall does an elegant West Coast rendition of bistro food in the small peekaboo kitchen. With its beautiful open room, Bowen Island transplant Blue Eyed Marys (Bronze) is a welcome, calm presence. Its well-curated menu never disappoints, at least for one judge from the ’hood: “From fresh, well-manicured salads to the perfectly cooked flatiron bison steak and their innovative sides, this husband-and-wife team has created the ideal environment for this North Shore foodie.” Honourable Mentions: Olive and Anchor, Trattoria at Park Royal