We have been coming here every year since 2014, but after trying the food under new ownership, we find there is a big difference in the way they prepare the food, not as refined tasting as before. The smoked duck dish was the not medium...rare and was chewy. Wagyu beef is served with heavy truffle sauce that overpowers the beef. The souffle was a big disappointment to before also, definitely not light and airy. You can see the difference between previous souffle and the one served now (last photo).More

Our meal here last night was one of the most disappointing dining experiences we have had in Vancouver. First, even after booking the table a month in advance, we were given an awful table, hidden away in a makeshift room that appeared to have once...been a private room. Totally isolated from the rest of the dining room and with no view of the 5 sails! Our drinks took almost 30 minutes to arrive at the table, and then the wine we selected was not available. My husband’s pork was overcooked and tough, and my steak was raw and cold. Our server tried his best to address the situation, but after all this we just wanted to leave. The sting of having still spent several hundred dollars on this meal will not soon wear off...!More

We have eaten at Five Sails a few times over the years including some truly memorable meals. One meal we had there last year was one of the best we’ve ever had, and we have eaten at highly rated restaurants around the world. However there...has been a change of management and staff at Five Sails; we knew it was a risk but took a chance. Despite having made a reservation some time ago we were given a table as far away from the window as you can be without being in the bar area. These tables have seats side by side. Due to a neck problem I cannot turn my head to one side for an entire meal. This meant that I had to sit somewhat sideways on the bench seat for conversation. It didn’t bode well for our evening. Servers were well intentioned but not trained sufficiently. There were times when we were rushed (ie for orders too quickly after first seeing the menu) and other times where they were absent for too long. There was a lot of running back and forth by staff giving the impression that they were understaffed or not working as a team. Several seemed to have worked in restaurants a few tiers below this one (“how were your first few bites” is a phrase that shouldn’t be used in this type of restaurant, and you shouldn’t interrupt your guest’s conversation to ask it). We found it odd that a serving area has been set up in the middle of the restaurant. This means that unless you are sitting by the window, much of your view will be of a waist-high table with wine decanters, glasses and water jugs on it, or of the staff who are picking up or dropping things off on it. I’m sure that COVID has something to do with this decision but there has to be a more creative option than this. To allow physical distancing the tables are adequately spaced apart, to the extent that small tables with flowers on them are set between some of the tables. However the hostess in order to take a short cut to another part of the restaurant cut between our table and the flower table beside us on at least 4 occasions, passing within a foot of us and having to turn sideways to get past. She did not excuse herself. In terms of the food, it was perfectly adequate without being outstanding. Everything was enjoyable but few items were memorable. I was pleased by the quality of B.C. wines on the wine list but the list is also quite limited. It is nice to see some wines available by Coravin; by the time our dinner wine order was taken (we had already been served) I just wasn’t in the mood. I feel that everyone is trying hard at Five Sails, they just need more training and professionals should be brought in to bring everything up a notch or two. It is unlikely we will be back anytime soon. The rating reflects the enjoyment of our evening given the cost incurred.More

First of all, there are some great restaurants in Vancouver, but Five Sails has made it to the top of the list in my opinion. Christophe and staff have done a wonderful job re-furbishing the location and there is no better view in the city...to enjoy fine dining or a business lunch . From the minute you are welcomed at the door to the final farewell when you leave, the staff are outstanding. The menu is innovative and there is something for everyone to enjoy. Every course we ordered last evening was A+ and the kitchen was so accommodating when we asked for a minor change to a set menu. This rarely happens. Service at its best. The food itself was visually very appealing and was excellent. First class 5 star rating for sure. We were so impressed with absolutely everything Five Sails was we decided to have our wedding dinner there in April. Kudos to Christophe and staff for making our evening truly memorable.More

1) Service is somewhat pushy (and a bit arrogant) for expensive items giving an initial impression the place is a money sucking machine. 2) The food is generally OK but nothing stellar compared to other high end restaurants I have been across Canada and around...the world. I truly enjoy great cuisine but neither my guests nor I were excited about what was served. 3) The menu is not very diversified, particularly the desserts which are quite uninspiring. 4) The wine list is excellent but some bottles are priced up to 8-10 times liquor store retail (comment 1). 5) I was served a similar but lesser quality wine from the same winery than the one I ordered (without notice). Turns out this wine was not on their list but costs less than half the price at local stores. I fortunately picked it up but how many have not? This substitution is difficult to understand or justify. 6) The setup is nice with the view and ambiance. Overall a disappointing experience and a restaurant apparently not worth its reputation. It was 3/4 empty on a normal week day evening so this might be a sign I am not the only one with real issues. I came to Five Sails expecting a great evening but in the end got the uneasy impression the ship is sinking.More

Our server Ramon was excellent. Possibly best waiter I've ever known. This is the first place I've never had to ask for a refill on water! The view is what the price of admission partly covers. Well thought out decor and fine dining standards throughout...the experience. We had the Valentine's 4 course meal. The soup was a revelation, the tapas type board they brought out piqued my imagiation with its varied sensations - there was sea urchin, beet and a mushroom all prepped to perfection. The beet infused risotto was also prepared with passion. I should say the wine selection is varied and commeserate with the locale and region we are in. The main course, I must be honest, came on a hot plate. I gasped. $500 for a meal for 2 and the food was sitting under a hot plate? Where can we possibly go to escape the cheap diner experience of mass production?? The veal was tasty and well done, albeit it's lightbulb faux freshness. The dessert was a masterpiece of decorative confections, fresh fruit and eclair goodness. 4 stars, 1 star dropped for a hot plate which I can get at the Fresgo Inn in Surrey.More

Due to COVID-19, the restaurant spaced out the tables along the windows giving diners amazing front row water view; plus safety and privacy at the same time. Five Sails is a beautiful restaurant. Food quality, service and ambience all top notch. The service staff is...attentive but not intrusive. Our meals, both the halibut and the scallops, came beautifully presented, fresh and delicious. Our Prosecco nicely chilled. The lemon tart a must try. And thank you Christophe (manager) for looking after us. We will be back and soon!More

It’s always interesting going to a restaurant by yourself when you’re a “woman of a certain age” no matter how funky/confident…….mixed would just about cover the range of experiences! However, my experience tonight was great I didn’t feel neglected, I didn’t feel patronized and I...had a really great meal The server was an awesome young woman named Jordan in her first week at the Five Sails and you would never have known it. She was polite, efficient and then encouraging and warm when I told her why I was splurging on an expensive dinner for me …..sola (Just as an aside ….have had many really good anniversary meals when it felt like I was the only one at the table even though there were two of us….so maybe this new found freedom is a REALLY good thing) So back to my review: the food was pricy but really good. I had the grand marnier duck breast. It was perfectly tender and flavourful My only minor criticism would’ve been the plate could’ve used the accompaniment of more simple real veg in addition to the Parmesan espuma and the fennel crème brûlée The small bites of green bean(?) under the duck breast were welcome and more-ish but the flavours in your mouth stood up brilliantly. It was the textures that needed to be just a bit more balanced However the pièce de résistance had to be the Citrus Pearl dessert. Whoever made it has a superb sense of flavour and design! Look it up on The Five Sails menu! I had it, slightly unusually, with a shot of Casamigos (aka George Clooney et al) reposada tequila as a nod to a lifetime of friends and family in Baja California but the combination of citrus and tequila was magical. I bought a shot for Jordan for after work so she could try it with her own Citrus Pearl and she encouraged me on my investigations into bike touring in Mexico It was a lively and lovely evening despite the excruciating journey to get to that place in life So the only advice I feel confident in giving at this juncture is: (if you have the budget to splurge!) Go to Five Sails and ask for Jordan….she’s authentically good! .More

While there's always some doubt when a favourite restaurant changes hands after many years, The Five Sails is as good if not better than ever. The menu is somewhat simplified during the Covid crisis but there's always something interesting as well as delicious. The service...remains excellent with several staff remaining from the previous management, and with the restaurant now open for lunch you can really enjoy the wonderful panoramic view.More

I emailed Chris (general manager) to help organize and facilitate an anniversary dinner for my parents. Not only did Chris create a 5-course menu, he edited the menu to cater to my parents palate (they like seafood) at no extra cost. Chris communicated leading up...to the event and would always reply within 24 hours at most. On the day of the anniversary dinner, my parents wanted to thank Ramon for his exemplary efforts in making their dinner a memorable one. Ramon's culinary knowledge and friendly service is to be noted and recognized. Overall, my parents and I would like to commend this restaurant and highly recommend Five Sails without reservationMore

My friend and I made dinner reservations at Five Sails and were greeted with utmost courtesy at the lobby. The concierge on the ground floor was helpful in guiding us in the direction towards the elevator. Once we got seated, we were met with a...spectacular view of the harbour, mountains, and city lights. We were quickly introduced to our server who was kind, professional, and personable from the beginning to end of our time there. We were brought glasses of champagne as we decided on our appetizers and drinks. The General Manager was also very courteous as he made his way around to all the tables to ensure everything was up to standard at this restaurant. The risotto and foie gras were unbelievable and the pork main disk was a splendid surprise with how savoury and flavourful it was. If one enjoys sweet and savoury, I definitely recommend the duck. To end off our night, we were brought excellently plated desserts that wrapped up our night perfectly. I will definitely be back here when I'm back in the west coast.More

Wow. While the pandemic has definitely been hard on this restaurant (very few tables with people), their quality hasn’t slipped. Fantastic service from the wait service and delicious meals. I may have started with the lobster bisque 3 times.... Scampi risotto and halibut meals were...also delicious. Then there’s the view.... stunning.More