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Horizons Restaurant, Burnaby Mountain

Posted by Heather | February 28, 2007 .

I know many of you are mothers with young children and spend your time running from errand to errand, doing housework and endless laundry, cooking, making lunches, doing your kids homework and driving to so many events it seems as though you live in your car. Life can be a whirlwind and sometimes you don’t have time to just be YOU.

Honestly, life will become normal again, your children will grow up, become human beings - perhaps even cook dinner for you. You will have money left in the bank at the end of the month and you will have time to pamper yourself. You will have a life of your own again!

So, hang in there, do your job and more rewards will come. I’m finally at that point - my youngest is 25. I wouldn’t trade all those years of childraising for anything - and I love spending time with my family, but it’s my time now!
This is my personal review of Horizons Restaurants - it’s not a paid advertisement - just my experience of one of the lower mainlands fine dining establishments, which I highly recommend.

Kent, Pop and I met our friends John, Gay and Carol at Horizons Restaurant on Burnaby Mountain this evening for Gay’s birthday dinner.

On our drive (50 minutes) we were surprised to see fairly fresh snow at the side of the road in North Surrey where the elevation is higher than our area. We had a beautiful sunny, warm day at home in South Surrey!

I supposed there might be snow on Burnaby Mountain but there was very little - luckily as I was wearing my heels. It was 1 degree celsius and icy but a beautiful clear evening. Parking was easy and wheelchair access is provided. By moving a pilon Kent was able to drive us right to the ramp.

We were seated at a window table with a fabulous view of the city lights. We all enjoyed our dinners - no one had a complaint and everyone cleaned their plate. The food was beautifully presented, hot and delicious. The sockeye salmon looked fabulous, but then so did the steak, the pork and lamb chops - and my chicken was tender and juicy.

Horizons’ staff was friendly, knowledgeable, unobtrusive and provided great service. Bathrooms always tell the true story and the ladies was proof this is a well cared for establishment. The handicapped bathroom is nearby - which meant no stairs for Pop to deal with.

The meals were pricey ($21.00 to $34.00 per entree) but the ambiance, view and quality service made the evening memorable for this very special occasion.

If you are looking for a great place to take out of town visitors, try to arrive before dark to enjoy a walk amongst the Japanese totem poles and the expansive view of the city and Burrard Inlet. The nightime experience is even more spectacular with all the lights of the city before you.

Horizons web site reads:

Location:
Situated on top of beautiful Burnaby Mountain Park, Horizons is approximately a half-hour drive from downtown Vancouver. Aside from the many hiking trails on Burnaby Mountain, majestic Japanese totem poles and the Centennial Rose Gardens surround the restaurant.

Description:
A window-wrapped dining room offers a commanding view of the surrounding park-like setting; Burnaby and Vancouver below, as well as views of Burrard Inlet and Indian Arm. A popular tourist attraction - Horizons is best known for its fantastic menu, spectacular views and its comfortable, cozy accents.

I’m sure children are welcome, but it’s not the type of place I’d enjoy taking small ones. There was no sign of a seniors menu or a childrens menu and this was truly a “refined dining” experience!


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7 Comments so far
  1. crunchy March 1, 2007 8:05 am

    That was where I went for my grad celebration with the family after I finally finished at SFU.

    It is sooo nice and yes, we take visitors there too.

    And yeah…actually a nice dinner out without kids ANYWHERE is balm for the soul..but at a place with a great view..even better!

  2. Laura March 1, 2007 9:47 am

    Hey what do you guys think of Horizons as a wedding ceremony/reception venue? I’m searching for a venue right now and it’s on my list to check it out.

  3. Heather March 1, 2007 11:52 am

    I say ‘WOW’ - it would be fabulous!!! Hey Laura,

    Can I help you plan? (and be invited of course :)

    If it’s in your budget, I believe you’d find it superb, upscale, with fab rose gardens and the best views, exceptional service and no doubt photos to treasure.

    What other venues are you checking?

    Keep me in the loop please - I’ll be very interested to hear your thoughts after you’ve seen it!

  4. Laura March 1, 2007 12:40 pm

    Heather - thanks for the advice! I haven’t booked a venue tour with them yet but it’s on my to-do list already. My mom has spoken with them on the phone and despite some kind of unusual pricing strategies (which is not to say they’re too expensive, but they apparently charge you whatever they made in revenue on the same day the year before - ODD), everything sounds great there.

    I’ve already checked out Newlands Golf & Country Club in Langley, Marriott Pinnacle Hotel downtown, University Golf Club, Grouse Mountain, Sage Bistro at UBC, and I’m going to visit the Beach House Restaurant in West Van this evening with my fiance. Of those that I’ve visited so far, the only ones I’m considering booking are University Golf Club and Grouse Mountain, and I’m excited about the Beach House because they’re just renovating and expanding their event space and haven’t done many events yet, and as such are super willing to work with the bride & groom rather than offering set packages that can’t be altered. It’s pretty awesome!

    The other two I want to check out are the Diamond Alumni Centre at SFU and the Celebration Pavilion and Shaughnessy Restaurant at Queen Elizabeth Park. And then I want to make a decision. Soon. The venue search seems never-ending!!

    I blog about my wedding planning adventure at my wedding blog - click on my name for the whole story :)

  5. crunchy March 1, 2007 1:25 pm

    Horizons would be better than the Diamond Club. MUCH better layout.
    The food is great at the Diamond Club..but the layout of the venue is really awkward.

  6. smalltown RN March 1, 2007 9:57 pm

    I loved Horizons I use to live at the base of the mountain until I moved to the Island. Not only was the food good but the scenery was spectacular…the night lights…incredible…and when the roses came out in the rose gardens…or the fall with all the leaves….hey did anyone ever take the goat trail up the mountain…I did a few times..what a workout….holy crap batman….

  7. Laura March 11, 2007 2:40 pm

    Hmmm so unfortunately, it turns out Horizons has a minimum spend of $14,000 for a Saturday night in August to book the restaurant for a wedding. Wha?!? I’m sure they’re nice, but I could get Brock House cheaper than that, and they are much more in demand than Horizons. So, errr, no longer a consideration. Which is unfortunate. Two more to check out…