Vancouver diners can be quite fickle when it comes to restaurants. A new restaurant is born, goes through its popularity phase, and then gets forgotten about and disappears. Not Chambar.
I have to say it's one of the most consistent restaurants in the city, as in consistently one of the best. It's got an upscale feeling but not with an attitude or the formalities. It's categorized as a Belgian restaurant and they have delicious moules frites and Belgian beers but if I were to categorize the restaurant, I'd lump it into one of the city's all around favorites. You know they are doing good things over there when some of the newest favorite restaurants' owners and/or chefs have graduated from there.
When I went for dinner, my girlfriend and I shared samplings of the marinated beetroot carpaccio, a Chicago style beef striploin, and the Turkish lamb dumplings. We also had several of their innovative cocktails. The bartenders here are mixmasters. My bartender made me an incredible sherry cocktail that she smoked with cherry wood in front of me. I could not get over it.
If you want a guaranteed great meal, do make a reservation for Chambar. I'm positive you'll love the experience and the food and it will also be a highlight of your Vancouver visit.
