Stars

means "perfect" -- couldn't possibly be improved.

means nearly perfect; some minor flaw that pulls it down from a perfect score, but still highly recommended.

means really excellent; some drawback that makes it just one tiny step less than perfect. My general rule of thumb is that if I'd recommend this to eight out of ten people, it gets a "4." A simple equation.

means very good, but can't compete with the top-dollar, perfect food and service places. Many fine family dining establishments rate 3-1/2 stars. And some quite-fun movies.

means good, especially when combined with reasonable prices. In movie ratings, again, we'd calculate that six out of ten people will enjoy it.

means we might not recommend this place to our parents, but you know, some very decent greasy spoons rate only 2-1/2 stars -- and we still frequent them, well, frequently! For films, well 2-1/2 stars is starting to look pretty iffy.

means -- okay, we're really starting to get down there. These places are not so hot, but again, in a get-what-you-pay-for world, you might just get some good grub and low prices in a two-star diner. But a two-star movie...uh-UH!

means you pays yer money and you takes yer chances!

means, uh, okay, this is really starting to look like a dud!

and lastly...
A BOMB! This is really a stinker, folks, whether it's a bad movie or a dreadful restaurant, or a CD you are likely going to end up using as a coaster. When we say "hiss," it's the sound of that fuse about to blow the whole thing up ('cause that's what we'd like to do!).

Dollars

$$$$$ means top-dollar; entrées in the $35-$50 range; bottom line per person: $75+ (plus taxes and gratuity). Sky's-the-limit if you add fine wines.

$$$$ means moderately expensive; entrées in the $25-$35 range; bottom line per person: $45-$60 (plus taxes and gratuity).

$$$ means reasonable; entrées in the $15-$25 range; bottom line per person: $25-$35 (plus taxes and gratuity).

$$ means inexpensive, affordable, budget-conscious; entrées in the $8-$15 range; bottom line per person: $15-24 (plus taxes and gratuity).

$ means downright cheap, you will rarely find a better deal, heck if it were any cheaper, they'd have to pay you to dine there! We reserve this classification for the precious-few in Vancouver, the Lower Mainland, the Island, the Interior and the Pacific Northwest. We cover mainly Vancouver and the Lower Mainland in Vancouver's Cheap Eats, so if you're dining in that region, you'll find many of our $5-$8 entrée places included in our best-selling book.

Remember that all things are relative; for instance, is half-price at a Continental-type-cuisine restaurant...cheap? Take JJ's at VCC -- when they charge $15 for an entrée that would normally go for $40, is that a bargain? Or sushi -- generally pretty costly, right? So when you can get out of a sushi joint -- having eaten until you were stuffed -- for $18 for three people (Mas' Clubhouse), you'd call that cheap, huh? Well, we think so, too, which is why you'll see those single-dollar-signs proudly waving the flag of a country we like to call "El Cheapo."