Wednesday, December 29, 1999 — North Shore News ~ 19 DINING HEWS photo Brad Lodwidge aa PHILIPPE (left) and Michel Segur flank chef Deorinic Ragenard at their Chez Michel restaurant in West Vancouver. , From page 45 : It s time, as we do every 100 years, to Pick the best of Oo ay onthe 1899 . it on ie picks, but clear as crystal din- er ware on the 1999 selec- tions. ' " sc.The following have all been selected with longevity, consistency, passion and over- . all itment to gastro- nomic’ excellence as key judg- Tounded back in-1987 by. Peter Wiesér i in | the Obscure ° -: _Carmelo’s. . ‘Italiano, 1448 Marine Dr, “West Vancouver, 922-47 19. - Sortino in 3985 several paces _ to the east of its present loca- 1414; fax 922-7971. The 1912-vintage heritage site has always been blessed with the best waterfront loca- tion on the North Shore, bur the dining room that is now the Beach House has not always delivered the dining experience to match the loca- tion. « Since the House replaced the capable hands of Sicilian- born Jean Claude Lo-Cicero since 1994, The original 40-seat din- ing room was expanded into the adjacent Persian carpet shop in 1997. A genuine Italian brick oven, manned by brother Roberto, was added in the expansion. Carmelo’s _ personality more than dou- ‘Peppi’s i in late 1994, howev- .¢r, location is not the restau- " rant’s only draw, Managing partner Ken -. Brooks has seen to that. Original chef Sonny Mendoza has recently depart-: “ed the Beach House, but _ expect his replacement to be - top of the line. - Large boisterous dining: room with inviting horseshoe * bar; bracing seaside outlooks; ctisp service; dag food. -Ristorante NEWS photo Mike Wakefield - Founded by Carmelo . 7 LA TOQUE Blanche ‘ ewner and chef John- bled. Despite the loss of key personnel over the years to competitors cager to dupli- cate Carmelo’s dining experi- ence, Lo-Cicero has main- tained Carmelo’s exacting level of service, cuisine and ambience. Qo0a Ambleside Bistro, 235 15th St. West Vancouver, 922- 7678; fax: 922-7898/The Viliage Bistro, 3135 Edgemont Bivd., North Vancouver, 980-5535. Difficult to separate one bistro from the other. Both are the creations of key Bistro Boys Joe Perri and chef Steve Myddleton. The two launched the original Village Bistro on its way when they took it over in 1996; and both travelled west to open the Ambleside Bistro two years later. Perri now resides in Bistro West, better known as the Ambleside, while Myddleton has returned to the Village Bistro. Both out- lets offer excellence in cuisine and both are endowed with much dining room personali- , Perri is the classic host; Myddleton the inspired chef. Their separate works add much to the North Shore . dining landscape. Q00 The Beach Side Cafe, 1362 Marine Dr. Vancouver, 925-1945. A perennial Top 10 choice _ in virtually every Lower ’ Mainland Best-Of dining list. - since owner Janet McGuire installed her Beach Side Cafe in the old Twickers sandwich shop in 1987. Expansions and improvements since have continued to add to the Beach Side’s appeal. Its din- ing room is now ir: the opt- mum 80-seat range; its 55- . seat southern exposure sun- . deck taps the North Shore’s seaside summer bréezes and West er Mark Davidson and chef Carol Chow is the best on the North Shore. 900 Chez Michel, 1373 Marine Dr., West Vancouver, 926- 4913. Michel Segur’s fine house of French cuisine turned 20 in 1999, The milestone is a testament to the quality of the restaurant's food and the warmth of Segur’s personable and efficient service. There See more page 20 BUFFET®9® Sun. & Mon. 5-8 p.m. {no coupons on Sun & Mon) @Gpen for Lunch Monday-Friday 12-2 Take-out service aisa A175 &. 3rd St., N.Van. 985-5477 Open? 7 Days a Week until 10pm. » Fresh & Fabulous - B A creative approach to superior Italian cuisine @ in a casual, upbeat atmosphere. Great Food ef Great Friends Makes Great Times Gift Certificates Available ¢ Open Lanch & Dinner 2232 Marine Drive * Underground parking in rear For reservations cell f 921-2228 Carlo Fellcelle. its caecutive staff of sommeli- oo se =Trear YOURSELF ‘TO. ONE— me we [SOF LIFE'S DELICACIES ~~ pee ncn nc eee e nen e nen wen enn enn nn ence e ey | CORAL COURT SZECHUAN ¢ CUISINE, ion, Carmelo’ 's has been i in Vegetable Chicken Noodle, of Mushroom ee Christmas Special _*Dinesin * Jan. 1509 . | Spicy String Beans. pir 7: daysAveek 900 W. 16th, North Van. =~: Kellogg’s Corn | Flakes Cereal