Best New

★ SUYO MODERN PERUVIAN

3475 Main St., Vancouver suyo.ca

We’re privileged to live in a city that’s packed with extraordinary and diverse dining options—so many, in fact, that gaps in cuisine are rarely pointed out or addressed. We’re grateful for what we have. Why be greedy?

Suyo is why. The modern Peruvian restaurant, masterminded by Lima-born chef Ricardo Valverde, is “something Vancouver needed, but didn’t know how to ask for,” according to one of our judges. Thanks to dishes like the ensalada rusa (a pretty, colourful beet and parsnip salad with smoked mayo) and the pork belly chicharron (an homage to the Peruvian breakfast sandwich, with polenta tamal and yam puree), Suyo has captured not only the gold in this category, but the gold for Best Latin American (page 49) as well.

Earning silver is Folke, the Kitsilano newcomer proving that veggies have more fun: tapioca dumplings with mushroom XO sauce and ponzu and pizzoccheri pasta with potato, cabbage and shio koji are standouts. “A true celebration of vegetables and those who grow them,” quipped one judge. And Sushi Hil takes the a★ Folke

2585 W Broadway, Vancouver folkerestaurant.com

★ Sushi Hil

3330 Main St., Vancouver sushihil.com

HONOURABLE MENTION

Okeya Kyujiro

1038 Mainland St., Vancouver okeya.ca bronze: our judges hyped up the chirashi royale (uni, bluefin tuna, king salmon, wagyu and caviar): “It could be a piled-up mess in lesser hands,” said one, “but here, the dish sang with abundance and each element was distinct and bright, balancing indulgence and restraint perfectly.” And hot on Hil’s heels is another Japanese standout: the superindulgent (and honourable mention-worthy) omakase of Okeya Kyujiro.