At Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards, Dynasty Seafood became the first- Chinese restaurant to win the Restaurant of the Year title. During the 28th annual awards show, 41 gold awards were handed out April 18.

“Though Vancouver is renowned for having the best Chinese food outside of China, there has often been a disconnect between Chinese restaurants and non-Chinese diners. Dynasty Seafood has changed all that,” said Neal McLennan, Food Editor, Vancouver Magazine.

Chef of the Year honours went to Joël Watanabe. The award recognized Watanabe’s refined fusion style, first through his modernized Chinese-French menu at Bao Bei, and now through his Japanese-Italian menu at Kissa Tanto.

Fraserhood favourite, Savio Volpe, captured top honours in the Best New Restaurant category.

This year’s show had new categories, including Best Brunch (Café Medina), Best Sushi (Zest), Best Vegan/Vegetarian (The Acorn), Best Bakery (Thomas Haas), and Best Pacific Northwest (Royal Dinette).

CinCin took Best Italian and My Shanti won Best Indian. Meanwhile, Hawksworth defended its Best Upscale Restaurant title, and Le Crocodile and Maenam repeated for Best French and Best Thai respectively. Best Latin saw La Mezcaleria and newcomer, El Santo, tie for first place. Around the province, Araxi took Best Whistler, Agrius won Best Victoria, and Waterfront Wines was named Best Okanagan.

 For a full list of winners, visit  http://www.vanmag.com.