Your scribe was a long time judge of the Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards for many years and always admires the impressive amount of work put in to determine their important annual culinary awards. We have posted several references about these important choices in earlier postings including the 2021 Instagram version during Covid on September 20, 2021 here. Also have a warm soft spot for them having presented to my talented wife Joan and yours truly their 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award noted here on April 24, 2017. The Michelin Guide arrived in Vancouver as reported here August 1, 2022 which changed the dining landscape endorsements but Van Mag still does an excellent job of spotlighting out the real industry winners. This year 2025 the ceremony held on May 5 at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver was notable for recognizing many worthy winners including especially Restaurant of the Year and Chef of the Year. Well done indeed!
ELISA – Restaurant of the Year.
So pleased to see this steakhouse “a powerhouse when it comes to quality and consistency” honoured this year. It is a much deserved tribute to the amazing Executive Chef Andrew Richardson and his brigade. Elisa is so much more than a steakhouse though with Joan’s fav dish being their delicious whole grilled branzino with cavolo nero. This award also is an unrecognized tribute to the Aquilini Group and their superb TopTable Restaurant Group with conscientious President Michael Doyle. They have put together a phenomenal group of restaurants each providing a unique highest quality dining experience also at Blue Water Cafe, CinCin, Thierry, Luigi & Sons, in Whistler Araxi Restaurant & The Cellar, il Caminetto and Bar Oso, plus Marilena in Victoria. Watch out for 2026 their newest venture of a brand new restaurant in the old space at 1133 Hamilton in Yaletown previously occupied by Cioppino’s Mediterranean Grill. Elisa also received Best Yaletown from Readers’ Choice Winners posted here. So well done indeed! Congrats.
ANGUS AN: CHEF OF THE YEAR
So pumped to learn that friend and dedicated chef Angus An won this coveted award. He has been a dynamic force in the local dining scene for so long but contributing in so many other ways including outstanding help with the thriving Chefs’ Table Society of BC. He also is a knowledgeable wine guy. Even back in a posting here on December 16, 2013 Angus suggested and prepared dishes to contribute to a BCLDB Sauternes seminar. His Maenam Thai duck salad was so popular and paired beautifully with several top 2007 sweet wines. Angus cleaned up winning as well Best Thai for Maenam and Best Casual for Fat Mao Noodles. Fantastic choice! Congrats.
More details on all the 2025 Van Mag Restaurant Awards here.
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