Best of Vancouver from previous page

NYC Pizzeria—which is run by the brothers behind Via Tevere on Commercial Drive—serves the kind of thin-crust pie that pizzaiolos perfected centuries ago. Dalina, meanwhile, is a grocery store, deli, and café (named after the late matriarch of the Bosa family) serving everything from seasonal salads to private-label espresso.

BEST LOCAL GROUP THAT SUPPORTS WOMEN IN CULINARY CAREERS

Les Dames d’escoffier, B.C. chapter Les Dames d’escoffier takes its name from the late chef Auguste Escoffier, a master of classical French cuisine. Decades ago in the States, a maleonly culinary organization called Les Amis d’escoffier formed, gaining a reputation for its multicourse dinners. In 1970s New York, 50 professional women working in food, wine, and hotels got together to increase the presence and visibility of women in the hospitality industry—and help them get the kind of training they needed to qualify as equals to men. That led to Les Dames d’escoffier International in 1986. None other than Julia Child was a founding member. There are now 38 chapters worldwide, and the B.C. chapter is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. The groups share the same original goal of providing education, support, and advice to women in the fields of food, fine beverages, and hospitality. Every year, the local chapter raises funds to give scholarships to B.C. women. The program is the most generous culinary-scholarship program for women in the country. first French- Canadian eateries, with classics like tourtière, tartare, and tarte au sucre. The prices run higher than what you’d pay for similar dishes out east, but the place is one of the city’s hottest new restaurants.

BEST REASON TO FOLLOW A CATERING COMPANY ON FACEBOOK

Tayybeh: A Celebration of Syrian Cuisine

Tayybeh (pronounced “Tie-bay”) is a collective of female Syrian refugees who are sharing the food of their homeland with Vancouverites—and blowing people away while they’re at it. With their husbands and kids helping behind the scenes, the women—who hail from Aleppo, Daraa, Idlib, Homs, and other Syrian cities—offer catering services, sell sweets at farmers’ markets, and put on pop-up dinners every month or two.

Here’s how the extraordinary group came to be. With the arrival of more than 25,000 refugees in Canada in early 2016, Vancouver resident Nihal Elwan was determined to assist them in any way she could. Originally from Cairo, the Arabic-speaking Elwan is an international-development consultant who works on gender issues in the Middle East. She set out to help Syrian women who would have found it difficult to find work here because of language and cultural barriers and because they were housewives back in Syria, having never held a job or earned an income.

Initially, Elwan hosted a small dinner for friends and neighbours so people could get a sense of Syrian cuisine. She put out an open invitation to the event on Facebook. It sold out within a day. Vancouverites were not only moved by the women’s stories and eager to support their families but also wowed by the fresh, fragrant food in front of them: toothsome dishes like mutabbal, a creamy smoked-eggplant dip; muhammara, a red-pepper spread with walnuts and pomegranate molasses; makloubet bazalia, upside-down rice with aromatic slow-cooked beef and toasted nuts; lentil-and-bulgur pilaf topped with caramelized onions and parsley… The list goes on.

Word has spread: the dinners continue to be announced via social media and now sell out within minutes. The evenings are as deliciously filling as they are heartwarming and inspiring. Follow the group on Facebook and watch for pop-up tickets to be released. It’s the best seat in town.

BEST PLACE TO INTRODUCE YOUR PARENTS TO MIDDLE EASTERN TAPAS

When you’ve got parents who are, to put it mildly, unadventurous eaters, it can be tough to find a place that satisfies everyone. Happily, Jamjar, purveyor of folk Lebanese cuisine, comes to the rescue with its array of shareable small-plate tapas. From veganfriendly deep-fried cauliflower to tender chicken skewers that’ll give you pretty wicked dragon breath, Jamjar’s menu is endlessly pleasing. Fair warning, though: you will probably end up fighting over the last square of baklava.

BEST 120-YEAR- OLD BAR

Vancouver is celebrating its 131st birthday this year, and the Cambie Bar and Grill (300 Cambie Street)— the famous gritty pub at the edge of Gastown—has stood for 120 of those years. The establishment, which has undergone a few name changes in that time, has a storied history, including the current owner stumbling across a printing press in the basement that had been used to create counterfeit bills. Raw and cosmopolitan, the Cambie has had a number of real-estate agents inquire about its purchase, but current owner Sam Yehia refuses to sell, seeing himself as the custodian of the pub’s rowdy and time-worn aesthetic. Have a beer on us, Sam.

BEST PLACE TO HAMMER

ROSE ABOUT WHY SHE DIDN’T MAKE ROOM ON THAT GODDAMN DOOR FOR JACK

Kate Winslet recently had some sweet things to say about Deep Cove’s famous Honey Doughnuts, but some residents are still salty over the fact that the actress’s young Rose failed to accommodate the supposed love of her life, Jack, on that makeshift raft in Titanic 20 years ago. As one agitated Twitter user put it:

Artists participating in the Vancouver Mural Festival may have brightened the streets of East Van, but just one artist can lay claim to helping unite a mourning community in its struggle for more than a year. Since early 2016, Smokey D’s brightly coloured, graphic depictions of the overdose crisis have acted as powerful public-service announcements for residents of the area. The streets and alleyways of the Downtown Eastside bear important messages, harshly worded warnings, and heartfelt memorials—including one for his partner, Dawn Heather Sangster—that intend to remind residents of the area how dangerous tainted drugs can be. Amanda Siebert photo.

HOTEL—METRO VANCOUVER

1. Fairmont Pacific Rim

1038 Canada Place 2. Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

900 West Georgia Street 3. Rosewood Hotel Georgia

801 West Georgia Street

BOUTIQUE HOTEL— METRO VANCOUVER

1. Loden Hotel

1177 Melville Street 2. Opus Hotel Vancouver

322 Davie Street 3. Wedgewood Hotel & Spa

845 Hornby Street

OUT- OF-TOWN SPA GETAWAY Scandinave Spa Whistler

1.

8010 Mons Road, Whistler 2. Sparkling Hill Resort

888 Sparkling Place, Vernon 3. Harrison Hot Springs Resort 100 Esplanade Avenue, Harrison Hot Springs

B.C. GOLF RESORT

1. Predator Ridge Resort

301 Village Centre Place, Vernon 2. Furry Creek Golf & Country Club 150 Country Club Road, Furry Creek

3. Bear Mountain Resort (tie)

1999 Country Club Way, Victoria 3. Whistler Golf Club (tie)

4001 Whistler Way, Whistler

RESORT/HOTEL— VANCOUVER ISLAND

1. The Fairmont Empress

721 Government Street 2. Tigh-na-mara Seaside Spa Resort & Conference Centre

1155 Resort Drive, Parksville 3. Wickaninnish Inn

500 Osprey Lane, Tofino

RESORT/HOTEL— OKANAGAN

1. Sparkling Hill Resort

888 Sparkling Place, Vernon 2. Delta Hotels by Marriott Grand Okanagan Resort

1310 Water Street, Kelowna 3. Watermark Beach Resort

15 Park Place, Osoyoos

RESORT/HOTEL— GULF ISLANDS

Galiano Oceanfront Inn and Spa

1. 134 Madrona Drive, Galiano Island

2. Poets Cove Resort & Spa 9801 Spalding Road, South Pender Island 3. Hastings House Country House Hotel

160 Upper Ganges Road, Salt Spring Island

Fairmont Chateau Whistler

1.

4599 Chateau Boulevard 2. Four Seasons Resort Whistler

4591 Blackcomb Way

3. Westin Resort & Spa Whistler

4090 Whistler Way

LOCAL TRAVEL AGENCY

1. Flight Centre

Various locations

2. Travel Best Bets

Various locations

3. Marlin Travel Vancouver Hornby Street

939 Hornby Street

Grouse Mountain

1.

2. Granville Island 3. Gastown

ACTIVITIES & EVENTS

BEST USE OF THE CAMBIE STREET BRIDGE

Nettie Wild and her team of cinematographers brought scores of sockeye salmon back to False Creek this year, but not in the way you might think. No, Wild isn’t responsible for restocking the inlet with fish; she’s the mind behind the cinematic public artwork called Uninterrupted, which tells the story of the sockeye-salmon migration in B.C.’S Adams River. Instead of projecting the mind-blowing production onto a flat surface, a keen group of technicians was able to generate the footage in such a way that it could be projected onto the underside of the bridge. The visceral piece of moving art reminds Vancouverites of how vital these fish are to our ecosystems and provides an intimate look at a creature that, unless it’s in the context of sushi, we so rarely consider. Catch Uninterrupted before the last show on Sunday (September 24).

BEST WAY TO GET HIGH DURING THE HOLIDAYS

During the past Christmas season, the Vancouver park board unveiled a new addition to its holiday attractions. Called Holiday Heights at Bloedel, the event transformed the Bloedel Conservatory and its grounds into a winter destination. A key feature was a Ferris wheel on the plaza of the Queen Elizabeth Park conservatory, which—at 152 metres above sea level—is the highest spot in the city. Then–park board chair Sarah Kirby-yung noted that the Holiday Heights Ferris wheel gives visitors spectacular views of the city and mountains on the North Shore.

BEST PROGRAM TO UNVEIL MYSTERIES OF THE CITY

Doors Open Vancouver is an idea that came out of a task force that looked at ways citizens could deepen their sense of belonging in the city. Started in 2014, the free event creates access to city locations that typically aren’t open to residents during ordinary days. An example is the National Works Yard at 701 National Avenue, which is the engineering facility where street signs are made, among other things.

BEST REASON TO COME TO THE DARK SIDE

Besides the cookies, of course, it’s gotta be Vancouver’s Ce Soir Noir. Founded in 2013 as a tongue-incheek alternative to the very sophisticated—and very Parisian—dîner en Blanc, the all-black picnic has since taken on a life of its own, attracting thousands to Crab Park with the promise of good ol’ unpretentious and inclusive fun. Plus, there’s no worrying about spilling Merlot all down your crisp white T.

BEST PLACE TO BUY SECONDHAND ANYTHING

Actually, the Vancouver Flea Market—in that giant red airplane hangar of a building on Terminal Avenue about halfway between Main Street and Clark Drive—has a lot of brand-new stuff for sale as well. But if you are looking for used tools, phones, mounted steer horns, giant chessboards, fine bone china, antique jewellery, vinyl records, or brass birdcages, there’s no better place to go on weekends. Hundreds of disparate venders in booths and at tables hawk their wares and, yes, haggle over prices, which is just part of the fun. The sheer variety of goods for sale—often by the same merchant (not all of them specialize)—is also much of the draw. Take Dave at Booth 72, for example: where else in town can you get old board games, gory Mexican horror-movie posters, antique books, steamer trunks, ’60s trading cards, and a huge collection of vintage magazines and comics—including near-mint copies of National Lampoon, Mystery Tales, Amazing Stories, Woman’s Weekly, and, discreetly displayed, a huge inventory of historic Playboy mags—in the same couple of square feet?

BEST ILLUSTRATION THAT EVERY DOG HAS ITS DAY

Dogs had their day in the summer when the Vancouver park board allowed pet owners to take their fourlegged friends onboard the Stanley Park train for free every Sunday from July 16 to September 4. The ride on a replica of a Canadian Pacific Railway engine carries visitors on a two-kilometre journey through the Stanley Park forest.

BEST SPOT TO PRACTISE KILLING WHITE WALKERS

Game of Thrones might not be back on our screens until 2018 at the earliest, which leaves much uncertainty about the advancement of its blueeyed, undead army. Winter has finally arrived, after all. For those fantasy fiends who want the authentic taste of what it would be like to join Jon Snow’s militia before the big battle, though, Academie Duello (412 West Hastings Street) will be happy to oblige. A centre for swordplay and western martial arts (or, more accurately, for teaching Vancouverites how to slash at each other with steel, shields, and poleaxes), the studio is as good for fitness as it is for concentration and strength. The Academie offers a number of programs for all ages, including youth skills, stage combat, boot camps, mounted combat, and archery techniques—and for those who think swordplay is a male-dominated sport, the studio boasts an even split of students from both genders.

BEST OUTDOOR AREA TO PLANEWATCH WHILE TAKING A BREAK FROM SHOPPING

When the Mcarthurglen Designer Outlet opened next to Vancouver International Airport, it was touted to be the next major retail destination in Metro Vancouver. With designer stores carrying marked-down items, shoppers flocked to the scene. As time passed, the spouses/partners/significant others/children who accompanied the shoppers noticed that it is located in a great place to view planes that fly directly above the shopping space. Aviation lovers can see everything from jumbo jets to small prop-driven aircraft here. It’s common to see bag-carrying people suddenly look up at the sky when jet-engine sounds begin to increase in volume. If the noise gets too loud, just wear some earplugs and continue shopping.

Marpole’s Snackshot—a Hong Kong–style dessert café—opened a few months ago and has been causing a stir on social media. Most of its menu items are extremely photogenic, which means it would almost be a crime if you didn’t take a pic. One of its most photographed items is the Vitasoy red-bean bulldog, a nonalcoholic take on the Mexican bulldog drink (a margarita with a whole bottle of Corona dumped upside down in it). In order to capture this drink under the best lighting, though, you will probably be moving it around the table to find just the right angle. That’s when the problem arises: the Vitasoy bottle, being heavier than the glass, can easily tip over when moved and your entire drink can smash on the floor. The good part is that the bottle is sturdy and doesn’t break into a million pieces. Tammy Kwan photo.

PLACE FOR COSMETIC SURGERY

1. Skinworks

3568/3578 West 41st Avenue 2. Skinlife

504–145 East 13th Street, North Vancouver

3. Cambie Surgery Centre

2836 Ash Street

PLACE FOR A NONSURGICAL MAKEOVER

1. Skinworks

3568/3578 West 41st Avenue 2. Project Skin MD

Various locations

3. CÜR Laser and Skin

2830 Main Street

PLACE TO GET WAXED Stripped Ladies & Gents Wax Bar

1.

Various locations

2. Dona Lucia Esthetics Salon

Various locations 3. Sugarbox Waxing Boutique

1025 Cambie Street

LASER HAIR-REMOVAL CENTRE

Arbutus Laser Centre

1.

106–2025 West Broadway 2. Ideal Image

2825 Granville Street 3. Dermal Laser Centres

Various locations

SPA (CHAIN)

Spa Utopia Health and Wellness Center

1.

Various locations 2. Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont Pacific Rim 1038 Canada Place 3. Sabai Thai Spa

Various locations