Stephanie in Calgary, Alberta, Canada...
I have lived here all of my life, so do I ever know some good restaurants around town!

Sushi Tokyo in Chinatown on Centre Street SE is beautifully decorated in Japanese style. After 4:00pm till early evening on weekdays they serve all-you-can-eat sushi for $20/person. Very good quality! (check with the restaurant to be completely certain of the hours). Tel: 232-8868.

Check out Peking Garden in Shaganappi Village on Varsity Drive NW. You won't regret it -- they serve really good Chinese food. Gets busy, so reserve just to be sure. Tel: 286-0488.

Blue House Cafe is an affordable restaurant with excellent food and live jazz on some evenings (19 Street NW). It's a good idea to reserve for dinner. Tel: 284-9111

Shehnai Restaurant is located at 507 8th Ave. SW (downtown). Their specialty is East Indian food. Excellent! Small and cozy. Very knowledgeable waiter -- he makes interesting recommendations.

Monica from Calgary, Alberta...
I live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and the best eats, is a hamburger joint called Peter's Drive-In on 16 Avenue North East. They've been in operation in Calgary for over 25 years, just the one location, and people line up and drive thru. Now when you're out and about in my town you can eat like a local. Yum! P.S. On a sunny day, it's fun to eat at their picnic tables.

Velma in Victoria, British Colombia...
I would recommend Sam’s Deli as a little eatery with the best avocado sandwiches possible made exactly to your specifications (I love mine piled high with shrimp!) along with soups and plenty of other luncheon choices. The location can’t be beat either, since it is at the Inner Harbour near the stunning Empress Hotel and within walking distance of most of the central hotels. Take a walk along the Harbour Promenade then nip in for lunch and a coffee. There are tables both indoors and out and considering Victoria’s mild climate it is often possible to eat al fresco even mid-winter. Sam's Deli is located at 805 Government Street across the street from the Visitor's Information Center and within a few blocks of most of Victoria's main attractions.

Sandra from Comox, British Colombia, Canada...
We live in the beautiful Comox Valley, halfway up the east coast of Vancouver Island. People come for sailing, kayaking, skiing, hiking, etc. and the best food in Courtenay is The Atlas Cafe on Sixth Street. Owned by an Australian couple, the food is fresh, varied, service is great - it's a completely comfortable, safe place for breakfast, lunch or dinner. All the locals go there all the time. Not expensive, lots of vegetarian options. Dinners range from $8.00 - $24.00. In neighbouring Comox, the best is Toscanos, on Port Augusta and Beaufort. Again, family-owned, open for lunch and dinner prices range from $8.00 - $20.00. Food is largely Italian, 1/2 size portions are available for many entrées, and again, all the locals go there.

Vicki from Vancouver, Canada ...
One of my favourite restaurants in Vancouver B.C. is Brix - the food is fabulous, wonderful tapas, the best cheese/fruit platter in the City, there's a great wine list, and the courtyard patio (fully covered two stories above) is, to me, a lot like a beautiful European courtyard, with sparkling lights and the best atmosphere. To round it all out, the service is superb as well.

Shawna in Halifax, Canada...
I want to mention my favourite Japanese restaurant in Halifax. It’s a little place called 'Milamodo' in Rockingham Ridge. They are a little bit outside of the downtown core but definitely worth the extra work to get there. My favourite dish is their Spider Maki (soft shell crab). It is fabulous! Please check their website for all the other information you might need. www.milamodo.com.

ONTARIO

Davina from Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada...
Anyone traveling in Niagara's wine country should take the time to stop in at the Anchorage, at 186 Ricardo Street in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. The restaurant is located at the water's edge and from the patio you can watch the boats of all sizes come in from both sides of the Niagara River. The restaurant is cozy, friendly and has a varied menu which includes a selection of sea food dishes. If you love mussels, it's the place to go. A don't miss feature of the Anchorage are the amazing murals of underwater life painted by a noted local artist. Reservations are not needed, but call ahead (905 468 2141). A single female diner is always made to feel at home.

Loraine from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada...
We live only 10 km. from Parliament Hill in Ottawa and our favourite steak place is the Grillman - on Highway 16 at Colonnade. It is close to downtown and you would just follow Queen Elizabeth Driveway until it changes to Prince of Wales. The restaurant is on the right, at Colonnade. Just a short drive from downtown for great prices, great food and the best staff in Ottawa. Seriously. I am not a relative.

Heidi from Ottawa, Canada...
If you're looking for the best vegetarian restaurant in town, head for the Green Door Vegetarian Restaurant. This is a self-serve restaurant specializing in organic vegetarian food which is priced according to the weight of your meal. A variety of hot food such as lasagna, quiche, rice, tofu, vegetables, potatoes, and yams is available along with a salad bar and a great selection of scrumptious desserts. Relaxed, communal atmosphere. Take-out is also an option. The Green Door is located beside a new age bookstore, so you can browse to your heart's content either before or after you eat. Health food store located two-doors down. Address: 198 Main Street, Ottawa, Ontario. Tel: (613) 234-9577 P.S. If you like the Green Door, The Table Vegetarian Eatery, is another self-serve organic vegetarian restaurant. Two locations: 261 Dalhouse, Ottawa Tel: (613) 244-1100 and 1230 Wellington, Ottawa. Tel: (613) 729-5973

Erica from Toronto, Canada...
Best crepes close to Toronto's Art Gallery of Ontario. Check out the Art Square Cafe right across from the Art Gallery of Ontario. It's cozy, the staff is warm and welcoming and the crepes (buckwheat or white) are mouthwatering. I was there with a friend for brunch. We shared the Spinach and Walnut crepe and the Grilled Chicken & Mayan Organic Dark Chocolate crepe (yes, chicken and chocolate). Both were fabulous. This is a perfect stop before or after a visit to the Art Gallery. Address: 334 Dundas Street West. Website: www.artssquarecafe.ca P.S. This cafe has a small gallery adjoining the cafe as well.

Ettie from Toronto, Ontario, Canada...
I teach Moroccan cooking but when I don't feel like doing it myself, I eat at Boujadi (220 Eglinton Avenue East) or Kensington Kitchen (124 Harbord Street). The hospitality at Boujadi is wonderful and the ambiance at Kensington is delightfully warm. At night it is candlelit and in the summer you can enjoy their backyard patio. Both these neighborhood restaurants are very suitable for the solo diner and both are reasonably priced.

Shirley from Toronto, Canada...
My favorite restaurant in Toronto's Chinatown would be Taste of China at 338 Spadina Ave. Phone (416) 348-8828. Loads of Chinese patrons dine here and it's right across from Lee Garden which has become a tourist mecca. The decor is very ordinary but not the food. You might catch a glimpse of famous local chef, Susur Lee having his favourite chicken dish here!

Sandra from Montréal, Québèc, Canada...
Anyone coming to Montréal should indulge first in French food. The prices are much less than anywhere else and the quality of the food is equal to Paris. Restauranteurs go shopping each morning at one of the three farmer's markets to choose their meat and produce to offer you the freshest of that day's market offerings.

Just a bit north of downtown, Le Paris Beurre, is Paris bistro-like with rounded wooden captain's chairs, wood floors and white paper tablecloths covering the white linen ones. You might call the cuisine "bourgeoise", as you can always find potage St-Germain (pea soup) and my favorite, fish soup served with rouille (garlic mayonnaise). Main courses offer plenty of meat, always a steak, duck magret, roast rabbit and cassoulet in season. Desserts are delish - order ahead the tarte tatin for two (flat apple pie), Poire Belle Hélène made with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce or have the caramelized pineapple. There's a small table d'hôte ($18.95-$24.95), but you can even put together 3 à la carte courses for under $30 per person. All prices in Canadian dollars. Hours: Lunch 11:30-2:30, Dinner 5:30-10.00. Address: 1226 Van Horne. Tel: 514 2717502 Ed. note: Sandra is the author of "Smart Shopping Montreal." I've gone to dinner several times with her and hubby. Her picks are always excellent.

Would just a hamburger hit the spot? The best burgers in Montreal are found at L'Anecdote, 801 Rachel Est in the funky Plateau Mont-Royal area. The homemade fries are cooked in peanut oil and you can order several kinds of sauce for dipping. Credit cards are not accepted, but debit cards are. When you leave the restaurant, walk north (turn right onto St. Hubert) for a few blocks admiring gracious trees and the outdoor staircases typical of Montreal's architecture. Look for the monastery on the west side of the street. When you come to Mont-Royal, go either right or left. This street is lined with all sorts of small boutiques, great for finding second hand clothes and one of a kind jewelry.