Best Spot for a Romantic Dinner: Dine at Il Giardino di Umberto Ristorante, 1382 Hornby St. (tel. 604/669-2422), in the summer and you can enjoy one of the loveliest courtyard patios in town; even on the darkest of rainy winter nights, the Tuscan villa-like dining room basks in the warm glow of the candlelight.

Best Spot for a Celebration: Lumière, 2551 W. Broadway (tel. 604/739-8185), is expensive but worth it to be pampered by chef Rob Feenie, the darling of the Vancouver food world and an increasingly hot commodity in New York.

Best View (for drinks): On the top floor of one of the tallest buildings in Vancouver, Cloud Nine, 1400 Robson St. (tel. 604/662-8328), has 360-degree views that go on forever and drinks that will put you in the clouds. (Just don't stay for dinner).

Best View (for Dinner): For a combination of truly top-notch food and a killer view, try The Five Sails in the Pan Pacific Hotel, 999 Canada Place Way (tel. 604/891-2892).

Best Wine List: Raincity Grill, 1193 Denman St. (tel. 604/685-7337), has a huge wine list that's focused on the Pacific Northwest and sold by the glass at a reasonable markup by a knowledgeable staff. Go on a tour of the region, glass by glass by glass.

Best Value: Get gourmet-quality Indian cuisine in a West Broadway strip mall at Sami's, 986 W. Broadway (tel. 604/736-8330). The well-known chef prepares amazing Indian cuisine with a hint of fusion; none of the main courses cost more than C$12 (US$8) or so.

Best for Kids: Romano's Macaroni Grill at the Mansion, 1523 Davie St. (tel. 604/689-4334), has a huge kids' menu, highchairs, and a great old mansion to explore -- kids will love it.

Best Chinese Cuisine: Pink Pearl, 1132 E. Hastings St. (tel. 604/253-4316), has its fans, and not without reason, but the best Vancouver Chinese at the moment remains Sun Sui Wah, 3888 Main St. (tel. 604/872-8822). It's definitely worth the trip.

Best French Cuisine: From its early days, Lumière, 2551 W. Broadway (tel. 604/739-8185), has been in the running for best restaurant in Vancouver. And, indeed, from 1999 to 2002, Lumière won the top spot in the yearly Vancouver Restaurant Awards. In 2003, it slipped a bit but was still the second overall restaurant in town. You won't be disappointed.

Best Bistro: Sure you can sit and dine formally, but the best way to experience Yaletown's Elixir, 350 Davie St. (tel. 604/642-0577), is up at the bar, where you can enjoy the fine French bistro food and, at the same time, sample all the eye candy.

Best Service: Owner John Bishop of the eponymous Bishop's, 2183 W. Fourth Ave. (tel. 604/738-2025), makes every customer feel special.

Best Meat: The Memphis Blues Barbeque House, 1465 W. Broadway (tel. 604/738-6806), offers pure southern barbecue, lots of napkins, and next-to-no vegetables. It's a carnivore's dream.

Best Seafood: The creativity of the chef, the quality of the ingredients, and the freshness of the seafood all combine to make C, 1600 Howe St. (tel. 604/681-1164), the best seafood restaurant in Vancouver.

Best Tapas: La Bodega, 1277 Howe St. (tel. 604/684-8815), was serving tapas when chefs at all the new tapas upstarts were saving their nickels for a night at McDonald's. La Bodega still does it best.

Best Pacific Northwest Cuisine: A full top-notch sushi bar plus inventive and ultra-fresh seafood dishes make the Blue Water Café and Raw Bar, 1095 Hamilton St., Yaletown (tel. 604/688-8078), the place to try the best that the West has to offer.

Best Trendy Newcomer: The riotous sounds of chefs and happily munching customers are aural evidence of the fun and quality of trendy Robson Street newcomer Hapa Izakaya, 1479 Robson St. (tel. 604/689-4272).

Best Italian: So nice, he gets mentioned twice; Il Giardino di Umberto Ristorante, 1382 Hornby St. (tel. 604/669-2422), is the supreme reigning champ when it comes to Italian.

Best Japanese: The most sublime of sushi is at Tojo's Restaurant, 202-777 W. Broadway (tel. 604/872-8050). Just remember to take out an extra mortgage and practice your so-you're-a-movie-star-I-don't-care look.

Best Late-Night Dining: Trendy Yaletown newcomer Glowbal Grill and Satay Bar, 1079 Mainland St. (tel. 604/602-0835), is the place to be seen sipping and snacking late into the evening.

Best Martinis: At Delilah's, 1789 Comox St. (tel. 604/687-3424), a two-page menu includes such lovelies as a Black Widow, a Boston Tea Partini, and the Edsel (soaked in lemon), all served in the wonderfully decadent lounge.

Best Outdoor Dining: For unsurpassed ocean views, reserve a table under the trees at The Teahouse Restaurant in Stanley Park, Ferguson Point (close to Third Beach; tel. 604/669-3281). This patio also doubles as best sunset spot.

Best People-Watching: In the heart of the Robson shopping area, Joe Fortes Seafood and Chop House, 777 Thurlow St. (tel. 604/669-1940), is a favorite after-work gathering place for the young, rich, and beautiful -- and those who wish to live as if they were.

Best Vegetarian: Annapurna, 1812 W. Fourth Ave. (tel. 604/736-5959), has fabulous, flavorful food; a cozy little room; and the most reasonable wines in town. Who says you have to sacrifice when you're a veggie eater?