Warning: this post may make you hungry

I spent the last nine days in what is probably my favourite city in Canada (but I won't say for sure because I feel like a traitor): Vancouver. As I stepped off the plane, I thought how fortunate I was that my visit to this wonderful coastal city, known for its vast fresh seafood offerings, coincided with a week-long craving for oysters I couldn't shake.

I had my first tasting of the delicious mollusks a mere two weeks ago at a friend's BBQ, and I couldn't get them out of my mind. Nine days felt like plenty of time to get'r done.
And yet, there I was boarding the plane to YYZ last night - stand-by ticket in hand because I had missed my original flight due to an inability to get my act together - and no oysters in my belly. Shucks. (Get it?!!)

I can hardly say that Vancouver let my grastronomic needs down. (Note: "gastronomic" sounds gross but it's really not). I have been lucky enough to have a few trips out there in the past year and each time I have savoured a wonderful meal that leaves me happy as a clam. Here is my guide:

Chambar
562 Beatty St.
Chambar is a Belgian restaurant. I have no idea what Belgian food is but I know Chambar was delicious. It is, I admit, a much-hyped restaurant in Vancouver - I don't doubt you will find it on many Top 10 lists of places to chow down. But it is worth every bite of the praise it gets. Get any of the three moules frites (mussels) dishes and you will not be let down. Their cocktails are pretty...and pretty tasty.

Noodlebox
1867 W 4th Ave.
This place in Kitsilano rocks because it combines the service of a casual dining experience with food that you would usually pay top dollar for at a house of fine dining. We got the Spicy Peanut Box - put simply, a mix of asian greens, peanut sauce and coconut milk and switched up ribbon noodles for the thick udon ones because everything is better on thick noodles. Who's with me!

Memphis Blues
1342 Commercial Dr.
The t-shirt on the back wall of Memphis Blues says it all - No Vegetarians. A $135 platter on the menu called The Priscilla includes pulled pork, ribs, brisket, BBQ chicken, catfish, oysters and shrimp. A combo plate of ribs and pulled pork was plenty for us, although Priscilla tempted me with her oysters.

Chill Winston
3 Alexander St.
Urban Dictionary says "Chill Winston" can be a phrase used to calm someone down or a term used by stoners to describe the lethargic effects of ample marijuana use. Either way, this patio in Gastown is certainly a relaxing place to spend an evening. It has co-ed bathrooms which automatically makes it cool in a weird way. The dinner menu is split into small, medium and large dishes which I appreciated and the drinks list could keep you on that patio for a while.

Urban Thai
1119 Hamilton St.
This Yaletown gem is the perfect place to go with a group and do a little dish sharing and the lazy susan on the table will make you feel guilty if you don't. To be honest, I don't remember what I or anyone else in my party ordered here but I know I want to go back and that the actual meal was so good that even the leftovers were amazing.