1220 Main Restaurant & Bar

When 1220 opened up it really brightened up the choices in Downtown Vancouver. Since then, we eat there at least once a week. The service is excellent and the staff know us. The food is amazing, well worth the little extra it costs. This year they did something special and had a mothers day brunch. All 7 of us decided that it was probably the best brunch buffet that we have ever had (and yes, Ive been to Vegas and Reno). Its usually packed at lunch and in the 100 times I have eaten there, I have never had a problem getting my 1 hour lunch finished with no time. Best items to try (might not be on menu right now)… Salmon burger… oh…

I went here on a date night with my father, and had a fantastic meal! The service was exceptional. I asked for a beer that they didn’t have, and she was very quick with different suggestions that I might like, depending on my taste. And after explaining the flavors I liked, she brought me out this amazing beer, and I wish I could remember the name!!! It looked like a Coors light or something similar, but tasted like a Hefeweisen!
Then the meal was fabulous. I had the special, which happened to be lamb, and it was cooked just perfect. It had this cherry demi-​glaze on it which paired perfect with the earthy lamb. I can’t remember what my father had, but he enjoyed it as well.
I hate when you go into a restaurant, and feel rushed. This did not happen at all. I thought the timing of our meal was coordinated perfectly. We started with an appetizer and my biggest pet peev when dining out is getting your entrée when you aren’t even done with the appetizer. I was very pleased that it didn’t happen at 1220.
I read a couple of the other reviews, and although I agree that 35 minutes to wait for your main dish is way too excessive, but I would rather wait the extra 10 minutes, and enjoy what I am eating, and not feel like they are just trying to turn the table. Maybe the wait staff needs to work on a happy medium.
If I could, I would give it a 4.5 stars, but since I can’t, I am forced to go up, since I always believe in rounding up, rather than rounding down :)

Just wanted to let you know that 1220 Main is under new ownership and management! A new chef is already on board and big changes are on the way! Stay tuned for the Grand Re-​Opening scheduled for late January!

I’m fairly certain I had a one-​off bad experience, unfortunately. So I will certainly be going back, but this was bad enough to drag it down to the near-​lowest score I’ve given a restaurant.
First, the good;
–All of the food was high quality
–The prices were very reasonable
–The waitstaff is friendly and the cooks seemed to know what they were doing
–The wine selection was short but perfect. It had everything I could possibly ever be in the mood for.
–Best. Fries. Evar.
The bad;
–The service was horribly slow and when I asked if they were understaffed they said ‘not at all, why do you ask?’ … details below.
When we got sat, it was over 10 minutes before anyone came to take our drink orders. We worried at this initial sign but figured it was just a fluke. The drinks came fast enough, but then it was another 15min until our order was taken. The salads were delivered quickly enough (and were quite good and very fresh) but it was 35 minutes until our entrees arrived. Why? Well. Many times we watched as plates stacked up on the counter (no heating lamp) and sat for ~5min. We hoped it was never ours. They weren’t, but I overheard our waitress mention ‘The steak was supposed to have fries with it’. Only I’d get a steak with fries at a semi-​fancy place so I knew it was mine. Five minutes later our food was delivered and a friend leaned over and said ‘My vegetables are cold, are yours cold?’ … not only were my veggies cold, so was my steak. Everything but the right-​out-​of-​the-​fryer fries were cold. My other friend ditto’d it. «Should we send them back? Mine is not even luke warm!»
None of us were really offended enough to send anything back, but I brought it up (nicely!) to the waitress and she offered a free dessert and apologized but said that they were not understaffed and wasn’t sure why the food would be cold.
I think this could all have been solved by a heat lamp. Oh, I know a few folks just cringed but c’mon, it just keeps food warm when minor corrections need to be made! Far better than resting on the counter for 5 minutes getting cold. Hopefully the new management reads this and takes into consideration. Otherwise, don’t change much! The menu was a bit all-​over-​the-​map but the fillet and fries are sooooooo good that I’ll be back (so long as the food is done right the first time and hence no cold meals for an entire table).
So it likely deserves 5 stars, but COLD food at $ 50/​person is not ok =(

My favorite lunch spot in Vancouver. They have the best soup in Portland metro area and amazing sandwiches. They have great service and a really friendly staff. I have yet to try their dinner menu; but, I assume it is great.

Locals who frequent lunch in Downtown Vancouver probably already know the intersection of 12^th and Main as the location of the green and white striped hot dog cart. While yummy, another culinary gem is found across the street.
1220 Main is a small but inviting Restaurant and Lounge that looks like it’s been plucked out of bustling metropolis and placed in mellow Vancouver. It reminded me of the late Harrison’s (located in Portland’s Fox Tower).
We had the Baked Spinach & Artichoke dip and Roasted Pepper Hummus as appetizers, both were simply fantastic. I had the herb roasted chicken breast which was brilliantly prepared and presented with potato and a cranberry chutney. There are enough options on the menu that anyone could find something to be happy with.
The live music was starting up in the bar as we were leaving, the group sounded pretty good. Our group of 5 had a dinner reservation at 6.30 pm on a Saturday night, but were unnecessary as it was not overly busy. The staff was attentive and charming and get a bonus star for not making a scene that it was my birthday.
Well done 1220, I hope you’re around for a long time.

I went to 1220 Main for a friend’s birthday. The waiter was very accommodating and helpful with selecting appetizers and entrees. I decided on their salmon special.
In short, this was one of the salmon dishes I have ever had, and I come from a family who knows their salmon. The chef himself came out to present the dish and they all seemed very pleased with me ordering it. The dish even came complete with fish shaped mushrooms on top (see picture)! The waiter told us that the chef takes pride in all his dishes.
Excellent staff, excellent food, excellent experience. What more could I say?