Seeking recommendations: hotels, restaurants and sights in Vancouver and Seattle?

Kate and I have decided that this fall's vacation is going to be to the Pacific Northwest -- several days in Vancouver, and then a couple in Seattle. Neither of us has ever been to Vancouver, so we're particularly interested in getting recommendations there. (Especially because we'll be there for our anniversary, so will be looking for a good restaurant.)

So -- anybody have recommendations? We've looked through the guidebooks, but always prefer to hear what friends have to say...