Vancouver Magazine
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A Guide to the City’s Best Omakase
5 Croissants to Try at the 2023 Vancouver Croissant Crawl
The Best Drinks to Bring to a Holiday Party (and Their Zero-Proof Alternatives)
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Nightcap: Spiked Horchata
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Protected: Your dream smile, just in time for wedding season
5 Things to Do in Vancouver This Week (November 27-December 3)
Escape to Osoyoos: Your Winter Wonderland Awaits
Your 2023/2024 Ultimate Local Winter Getaway Guide
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2023 Gift Guide: 8 Gorgeous Gifts from Vancouver Jewellery Designers
Local Gift Guide 2023: For Everyone on Your Holiday Shopping List
Local Gift Guide 2023: For the Pets
Four places to power-lunch right now.
You won’t likely catch Bruno Wall standing in line at Ask for Luigi or Nat Bosa accepting a 5:45 Tuesday reservation for Kissa Tanto because that’s all that’s available. The powerful have a different set of requirements when selecting their restaurants: service, discretion, convenience and, yes, good food. Want to make like a mogul for your next lunch meeting? Here’s a cheat sheet on how to close the big (dining) deal.
The prospectus As beautifully old-school as it gets: dim light, cold cocktails (even at lunch) and red meat. Where Don Draper would celebrate the McCann merger.
Power patron Jimmy Pattison
Off-the-menu dish A custom-cut—go big or go home—dry-aged rib steak.
Power table The private room to the right as you walk in has seen a lifetime of over-the-top celebration dinners.
Closing-the-deal bottle Harlan Cabernet Napa Valley 2012 for $3,000.
The prospectus The classic yellow house has been replaced with a blend of modern and classicalItalian just a few doors away, but Umberto Menghi still has a Rolodex of power that any other restaurateur would kill for, plus a swank new contemporary room to boot.
Power patrons Peter Brown, Frank Giustra
Off-the-menu dish Venetian calf’s liver; Alba truffles on risotto in season (Oct. to Nov.).
Power table In the summer, it’s the round one on the patio; in the winter, the tables under the Venetian light.
Closing-the-deal bottle How does a magnum of 1976 Taittinger sound, hotshot? $980.
The prospectus This is Vancouver’s answer to New York’s famed Four Seasons restaurant—soaring ceilings, chill design and a mix of well-heeled locals and well-heeled travellers.
Power patrons Bob Rennie (every morning), Joe Segal (every lunch), Hassan Khosrowshahi
Off-the-menu dish A grilled cheese on sourdough was long Rennie’s order.
Power table If you want everyone to know you’re celebrating, the glassed-in wine room offers privacy (but not really); if you want real privacy, booth #115.
Closing-the-deal bottle Château Montrose 2000, $1,200.
The prospectus The city’s seat of power since 1889, more than a few mayors and premiers have been selected within the tony confines of this granite block of importance. Inside, the wood panelling has wood panelling.
Power patrons A few, but let’s go for Canadians owner Jake Kerr and Robert Lee.
Off-the-menu dish This isn’t the place to flex your muscles with such gauche displays—have the massive slab of prime rib with tear-inducing horseradish like everybody else.
Power table No particular special one, but the atrium in summer and near the fireplace in winter are always well subscribed.
Closing-the-deal bottle A bottle of the Macallan 25 from your private whisky locker.