Best Restaurants for People Watching in Gastown

We enjoyed a beautiful meal and terrific drinks, and the friendliest service! Impressed! Our first visit to West Oak and we sat on the patio, which despite being chilly & rainy outside was cozy & comfortable -- and quieter than the main dining room. Appreciated the gluten-free options and the knowledgeable, caring servers. A special rave for the GF calamari - a fantastic appetizer that came with a generous green salad on the side, perfectly dressed. Our reservation was for 6:15 pm -- on the early side -- which worked out well for us as it was only at around 8:30 pm (as we were wrapping up) that the noise level on the enclosed patio became too much for a three-way conversation. The place was hopping at that point!

My Waitress, Kristine?, was absolutely AMAZING! I do not have words to describe her professionalism. She was patient and composed, she treated me VERY WELL on my bday! And put up with so, so, much from my very drunk and obnoxious friend. Who did not end up staying. She was an absolute god send. She turned my bday from sad to happy. Very professional and very kind! Thank you CHOP! Thank You Kristine.

When we walked up and realized it was a hotel restaurant, I started to look for something else b/c typically, they’ve not that good. Loved the cocktail I ordered, Jade something, and the sable fish entree was excellent. My husband got the steel trout salad which was also excellent. Service was great.

Great lunch. Felt rushed - the tone was set upon checking in (with reservations) that our table had a reservation and hour later. I looked on line and there were still availability for reservations every hour after ours. When you are having several courses, the timeline is set by the server who takes our order and the kitchen. Our order was not taken promptly so that at up into one hour lunch. At the the one hour mark, we were not yet finished but there were other table empty and no one waiting at the door. 😡 food was good and have been wanting to eat here for quite sometime. Would I eat here again -yes. Would I make a reservation for lunch - yes but at 2 pm when you know there is no reservations coming in for your table after because I want to enjoy the food and not chow down like I was at a fast food joint.

We were a large group with young children and teens and half of us arrived late. The staff were very accommodating and patient with us. The food was excellent, the service was amazing. Always happy at tap n barrels. Keep up the great work!