Cocktails

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Hot Dining: Cranberry Bellini Recipe

Cranberry Bellini

Toast the new year with this festive Cranberry Bellini, an updated version of the Italian classic, created by Hendrick’s Gin Brand Champion, Charlotte Voisey. We think it will make the perfect addition to any New Year’s Eve party.

Ingredients
• 1 oz (30 mL) Hendrick’s Gin (which recently won gold for “Best Distilled Gin” at the 2011 International Spirits Challenge)
• 1 oz (30 mL) cranberry juice
• 1 oz (30 mL) simple syrup
• 1/2 oz (15 mL) fresh lemon juice
• 4 oz (120 mL) champagne

Method
• Combine ingredients in a mixing glass (except champagne)
• Shake well
• Strain into a flute glass
• Top with champagne
• Garnish with a sugared cranberry

Serves one

*To make simple syrup: Bring equal parts sugar and water to a boil. Stir to dissolve and then let cool.

Hot Dining: All’s New at Yew

Yew's popular Low Thai'd cocktail. Photo by KK Law

The Four Seasons’ flagship room, Yew, with its soaring ceiling and two communal tables, now features inventive marine cuisine, highlighted by a dazzling new raw bar. Top tastes include albacore tuna with Aggasiz-hazelnut granola and lime-miso aioli; scallop crudo; and roasted steelhead with bourbon-maple-squash purée. Wines are well chosen, while creative cocktails are all shook up by star bartender Justin Taylor.—Tim Pawsey

More information:

YEW Hotel Dining & Bar, Where to Dine Awards since 2008. $$-$$$. B/L/D (daily), brunch (Sa-Su). Four Seasons Hotel, 791 W. Georgia St. 604-692-4939. www.yewrestaurant.com

Hot Dining: Pretty in Pink

Pink Elephant Thai. Photo by KK Law

You don’t need rose-coloured glasses to appreciate Pink Elephant Thai, an aptly named, decidedly modern, magenta-wrapped downtown spot that yields a mouth-watering range of Thai specialties from its upstairs open kitchen. Before dinner, check out the cocktail action from a (pink) stool at the downstairs bar. Menu highlights range from barbecued squid with chilli dipping sauce to deep-fried soft tofu to a delicious “Three Princesses” trio of dessert sticky rice. Don’t miss the daily soup-and-small-plate happy hour from 3 to 5 p.m.—Tim Pawsey

Hot Dining: All Shook Up

Jay Jones of Market by Jean-Georges. Photo by KK Law

The city’s cocktail culture is on fire thanks to a growing community of serious practitioners, such as Jay Jones (pictured), the debonair lead bartender behind the sleek bar at Market by Jean-Georges. The classics inspire many of Jones’ more popular concoctions, such as a BC blueberry sangria, while his uniquely styled Royal Canadian Mint Julep combines small-batch Canadian whisky with fresh BC cherry purée, mint leaves and barrel-aged bitters. Taste more good drinks and eats at funky The Refinery, marble-wrapped Oru and second-storey The Diamond in Gastown.—Tim Pawsey

Hot Dining: Raising the Bar

Simon Kaulback mixes drinks at Boneta. Photo by KK Law

When it comes to cocktail culture, Gastown rules the wood. Boneta barkeep—and Vancouver Magazine’s bartender of the year—Simon Kaulback (pictured) is just as happy making classics as he is his Oloroso- (sherry) and Wiser’s- (whisky) themed Bronfman, which salutes “the family that put the ‘pro’ in Prohibition.” Find other serious shakers at nearby upstairs local secret The Diamond, speakeasy salute Pourhouse, edgy resto L’Abattoir and late-night industry insiders’ fave Revel Room.—Tim Pawsey

You Are Here: Hamilton Street

Find an eclectic mix of dining, shopping and places for pampering on this stretch in historic Yaletown

By Jill Von Sprecken

Hamilton Street Grill. Photo by KK Law

SPLURGE ON STYLE
The bold graphic prints at iconic Finnish company Marimekko pack a punch on bright handbags, home accessories and fashions for the whole family. Or try the Goorin Brothers Hat Shop, a brand established in 1895, on for size. The stylish boutique carries a selection of toppers for men and women, ranging from classic to creative.

BEAUTY-FULL
In an area brimming with salons, Noir Lash Lounge has the niche market covered. Eyelash extensions, the only service offered, make peepers pop with styles ranging from au naturel to high drama. At Blo, a bombshell blowout is only a hairdryer away. There’s nary a pair of scissors nor a bottle of dye to be found, just salon-worthy locks in a snap. Guilt-free indulgence can be found at Frilly Lilly, where dessert-inspired beauty products, such as the “bathcake,” are (almost) good enough to eat.

SPOT-ON SEAFOOD
A converted brick-and-beam warehouse space is the backdrop for Blue Water Cafe + Raw Bar, where innovative offerings, such as jellyfish and sea urchin, are always local and sustainable as well as beautifully prepared. Drop anchor at casual Rodney’s Oyster House for raw oysters and chowders that are sure to make a splash.

Society. Photo by KK Law

TOP TASTES
For a new take on small plates, visit Hapa Izakaya to sample Japanese tapas, sake and cocktails. At Cioppino’s Mediterranean Grill, the extensive wine cellar is second only to the fresh ingredients and traditional flavours, which take centre stage. Try Hamilton Street Grill for steaks or the famous burger, served with aged cheddar and truffle mayonnaise. Sip cool cocktails and nosh on pad thai on Charm Modern Thai’s trendy patio. For other South Asian bites, try Simply Thai or Urban Thai Bistro. Hot spot Society serves creative comfort food with a twist, from spiked milkshakes to lobster shepherd’s pie.

DRINK UP
For inspired cocktails that will get your creativity flowing, check out Raw Canvas. An extensive menu of beer, wine and mixed drinks is served alongside the “painting pit.” Purchase a canvas and unleash your inner artist. If a caffeine buzz is what you’re after, try Argo Cafe for that perfect cup. Fair trade beans are roasted in-house and complemented with soups, sandwiches and baked goods.

BY NIGHT
DJs set the scene at George Ultra Lounge, the perfect spot to sip a classic martini. Built on a foundation of food, drink and graffiti art, 100 Nights is a lively venue with plenty of glitz and glamour. Trendy Afterglow Lounge combines sultry decor, beautiful people and libations—certainly a potent cocktail.

Hamilton Street is a 10-minute walk from downtown. Or take the Canada Line SkyTrain to the Yaletown-Roundhouse stop.

Vancouver Life: Pride of Davie Street

Rainbow flags and pink bus stops decorate the streets of gay-friendly Davie Street, known for its vibrant collection of bars and restaurants, in the heart of the culturally diverse West End

By Dylan Martin

Davie Street is awash with rainblow flags during the Vancouver Pride Parade and Festival. Photo courtesy Vancouver Pride Society

Casual Cuisine

Chock-full of delicious dining spots, Davie Street offers plenty of places to find an inexpensive meal at any hour of the day. Hamburger Mary’s provides a retro diner experience, while Denny’s serves an all-day-breakfast. Joe’s Grill is a local favourite, as is Vera’s Burger Shack, known for its toppings.

International Eats

With a variety of ethnic restaurants, Davie Street has something for every palate. Satisfy cravings for savoury Korean barbecue at Dan Sung Sa or for fresh Italian pasta at Café Luxy. Japanese food fans have their pick between Kadoya, Samurai and Downtown Sushi Bar, while Indian lovers indulge in tandoori and curry dishes at India Bistro. Further down the road, folks wanting inexpensive Greek food line up at the ever-popular Stepho’s, known for its heaping portions.

Colourful costumes are a highlight at the Vancouver Pride Festival. Photo courtesy Vancouver Pride Society

Party Places

Those seeking sophisticated sips turn to the cool cocktail bars 1181 Lounge and Oasis Ultra Lounge. While sports fans cheer on their favourite team at Score on Davie, friends share brews at The Fountainhead Pub. Dance enthusiasts converge on Celebrities, where international DJs get the crowd on their feet.

Pride Week

Every summer, thousands of spectators flock to the Vancouver Pride Parade and Festival (Jul. 31) for the 150 flashy floats, the colourful marching bands and the festival on Sunset Beach featuring local performers. All are celebrating the queer community in over-the-top style. Concerts, street parties, lectures, boat cruises, art exhibitions and other similarly enticing events take place during the days leading up to the parade and festival, meaning there is lots to see and do.

Davie Street is an easy walk or a short taxi ride from all downtown hotels. Or hop on the Canada Line SkyTrain and get off at the Yaletown-Roundhouse Station, at the foot of Davie Street.

Hot Dining: Summertime Drink

Summer Lemon Zinger. Created by William Grant and Sons and Charlotte Voisey.

For all those cool cats out there who will be kicking back on this sunny weekend (and who are over 19 years old!), we’ve got a fun summer drink you can whip up for your next barbecue. The “Summer Lemon Zinger” was created by Charlotte Voisey, a William Grant and Sons mixologist.

Designed for picnics, barbecues, or lazy porch-side evenings spent with friends, this Canadian Whisky cocktail is easy to prepare in a big batch ahead of time.

Ingredients:
-1 ½ oz (3 tbsp/45 ml) Gibson’s Finest 12 Year Old Canadian Whisky
-1 oz (2 tbsp/30 ml) tea (brewed strong and allowed to cool)
-2 oz (4 tbsp/60 ml) fresh made lemonade (equal parts lemon juice, sugar and water)

Method:
-Combine ingredients in a glass or pitcher over ice
-Garnish with available fresh fruit – raspberries, orange, and lemon wheels work well
-Enjoy!

Serves 1

Hot Dining: Tasty Trips

Melody Fury with some of the tempting entrees at The Diamond. Photo by KK Law

Deciding where to dine in a strange city can be a daunting affair. Vancouver Food Tour skips the guesswork and takes you right to the restaurants—several, in fact. Small-plate tours, led by culinary maven Melody Fury and her expert guides, give guests the inside edge on the town’s best tastes. How about Modern-Chic Chinatown, Gastown Tasting, Craft Cocktail or a gourmet Paint the Town extravaganza across the city? Or go further afield: hop on a floatplane for a taste of idyllic Salt Spring Island. Groups are limited to 12 and prices include all food and taxes.—Tim Pawsey

Hot Dining: All Shook Up

In the Fairmont Pacific Rim's Lobby Lounge, Jacob Sweetapple mixes The Maker's Plan. Photo by KK Law

NOLA (New Orleans) meets LOLA (Lotusland) as Tales of the Cocktail (Mar. 13 to 15) makes its first foray out of the Big Easy. Hang with international mix-meisters, as well as movers and shakers from Vancouver’s burgeoning bartender community, at the Fairmont Pacific Rim headquarters, as well as at more informal haunts such as The Refinery, Pourhouse, The Diamond and The Keefer Bar, to glean the latest in spirited culture.—Tim Pawsey

Hot Dining: Cocktail Culture

Nic Tickner pours a Ruby Tuesday at The Refinery. Photo by KK Law

Looking for a serious drink in Vancouver? You don’t have to go far.
1 Master-mixer Lauren Mote is always up to something new at The Refinery (pictured). Go for a Tea Collins or Charred Bourbon Sour.
2 The Keefer Bar’s apothecary-infused recipes are the brainchild of Giffard International Cocktail Challenge champion Danielle Tatarin. Try the Milk & Honey with loa han gao, or the Tiger’s Tail with astragalus.
3 L’ Abattoir, one of several Gastown rooms with a buzz, has Shaun Layton behind the wood crafting the Hanky Panky, Old Fashioned and a Beefeater 24-Primed Spot of Tea.
4 Fairmont Pacific Rim’s stylish Lobby Lounge wows with technical wizard Jacob Sweetapple’s trendy twists such as the Maker’s Plan, the El Capone and the Valid Victoria, made with local Victoria Gin.—Tim Pawsey

Hot Dining: Old Meets New

Bao Bei Chinese Brasserie. Photo by KK Law

Recently named one of the top 10 new restaurants in Canada by enRoute magazine, Bao Bei lives up to its reputation. Set in a lovingly refurbished setting, this modern Chinese brasserie boasts a cool menu and even cooler decor. The small plates convey a decidedly novel Asian influence, such as the combination of stir-fried squid and pork belly or fresh clams with ginger and scallions. A well-stocked bar filled with creative concoctions and smartly chosen wines completes the picture.—Tim Pawsey

Hot Dining: Retro Room

Chef Ned Bell in the Tiki Bar. Photo by KK Law

Grab a cab to this East Hastings hangout, where ‘50s cool is all the rage in the city’s original bamboo-and-black-velvet-art-adorned Tiki Bar. Once long forgotten, it has re-arisen as part of the impressively restored Waldorf. Drinks range from the mai tai to the mimosa, while the all-day cafe and casual dining room—under chef Ned Bell—celebrate all things regional and sustainable. Order Latin-inspired street food such as Yucatan ribs, and local classics such as BC spot prawns.—Tim Pawsey

Hot Dining: Raising the Bar

Danielle Tatarin of The Keefer Bar. Photo by KK Law

A cool crowd hangs out late at The Keefer Bar (pictured), a recent arrival on Chinatown’s edge. Bar manager Danielle Tatarin wows the locals just as she did the judges at this year’s Giffard International Cocktail Challenge in France, at which she beat out bartenders from around the world to scoop first place. The mood is funky, with Asian small plates and considered concoctions, often tweaked with traditional tinctures, teas and other uncommon ingredients. Find more cool sippin’ next door at Bao Bei Chinese Brasserie and at Gastown’s Pourhouse, The Diamond at Maple Tree Square and Boneta.—Tim Pawsey

You Are Here: Homer Street

On the edge of Yaletown, this street brims with places to give your credit card a workout

By Sheri Radford

The Cross Decor & Design. Photo by KK Law

BEST BUYS
Discerning dogs lead their owners to Barking Babies for treats ranging from crystal necklaces to faux-fur beds to tuxedos—everything a pampered pooch desires. Bibliophiles flock to Book Warehouse for the local titles, current bestsellers and reference books, all marked down by at least 20%, plus the huge assortment of bargain books. Car buffs love to wander around Mini Yaletown, while geeks gather at Mac Station to ogle iPads and MacBooks. Everyone can find a reason to stop by Shoppers Drug Mart, which carries more than the usual pharmacy fare: groceries, DVDs and souvenirs, plus beauty brands such as Lancôme, Clinique, Clarins, Dior and Benefit. Bonus: the Homer location is always open until midnight.

HOME SWEET HOME
Before feathering your nest, first browse through The Cross Decor & Design. The well-edited collection includes elegant armoires, chairs, chandeliers, candles, bedding and bath linens. Find more fine furniture at EntreNous Interiors and luxurious lighting at Lightform. For a piece of artwork to tie a room together, visit Jennifer Kostuik Gallery.

Brix Restaurant & Wine Bar. Photo by KK Law

FINE FOOD
The building dates back almost a century but the menu is modern, with a focus on Pacific Northwest ingredients, at Brix Restaurant & Wine Bar. Ask for a seat on the heated, glass-covered, courtyard patio while you peruse the extensive wine list. If cocktails and martinis are more to your taste, head next door to Shakin’ Not Stirred.

The 1000 and 1100 blocks of Homer Street are a 10-minute walk from downtown. Or take the Canada Line SkyTrain to the Yaletown-Roundhouse stop.

Hot Dining: Tapas Redux

Bao Bei owner Tannis Ling enjoys the Pemberton beef tenderloin. Photo by KK Law

Small plates continue to surge, nowhere more so than at Bao Bei, a funky, flavour-driven Chinese brasserie. The plank board siding, long bar and bric-a-brac are 20th-century, but the food is very much 2010. Go for the petits plats Chinois—especially the impossibly tender stir-fried squid and pork belly, and the artfully conceived Pemberton beef tenderloin tartare with quail egg and lotus root chips. Potstickers, noodle soups and desserts (such as lime and coconut sorbet) round out the list. Beer does well with this kind of food but solid cocktails are here, too, sometimes with a different twist, such as a rye whisky sour with Chinese dried-plum syrup. Taste other worthy lighter bites at Gastown’s The Diamond and Granville’s The Refinery.—Tim Pawsey

Hot Dining: Suite Success

The fanciful room at The Corner Suite Bistro De Luxe. Photo by KK Law

Just off Robson, smart and sassy Corner Suite Bistro De Luxe lives up to its name with vibrant, Tiffany-blue, Louis XV-style armchairs; sexy, black, soft leather banquettes; and a bustling bar that boasts a gleaming, stainless steel Venus Century espresso machine. On the menu: variations on French classics, from Croque Madame with truffled chips to 48-hour cassoulet and a hefty fireman-size burger, in honour of Station 7 across the street. Upping the buzz in the room is The Genuine Article, an exhaustively researched cocktail list with contributions from several star shakers.—Tim Pawsey

Hot Entertainment: Party Time

Whistler nightlife is lively, with a range of places offering cool cocktails and tasty bites. Photo copyright EVGENYB/Fotolia

The après-ski scene here is almost as well-known as the stellar skiing and snowboarding. Locals and visitors alike flock to hot nightspots such as Buffalo Bills Bar and Grill, Garfinkel’s Whistler, Maxx Fish and Garibaldi Lift Company. Most years, a smattering of accents from around the world can be heard on the dance floor. Now, with the 2010 Winter Games here, foreign accents are guaranteed to be more plentiful than Canadian ones. Party on.—Sheri Radford

Weekend Bonus: Ice, Wine and Dine Festival

November 20 & 21 Fire jugglers, stilt walkers and strolling songsters take over Elm Street this weekend, as the Ice, Wine and Dine Festival transforms the relatively quiet downtown strip into a festive holiday block party.

Organized by local businesses, the event also features live music, fortune tellers, magicians and ice-sculpture carvers, while restaurants and cafés serve up delectable food and drink specials under heated patio tents—recently opened pub The Queen & Beaver offers mulled cider and warm gingerbread, Commensal has organic hot chocolate and a tasty $5 vegetarian sampling platter. Even the Elmwood Spa participates in the festive fun by handing out free Lindt chocolate goodies. Those who seek heartier fare can stop by the Duke of Somerset and feast on pot roast sandwiches and the miniature deep-fried Mars bars, or pop into the Wolf and Firkin pub for spicy chili served with toasted garlic bread.

Culture vultures are encouraged to peek inside the Arts and Letters Club—a heritage building that, this weekend, hosts visual artists, poetry readings, music performances and more—while party enthusiasts will want to stop by the impressive Ice Martini Lounge, a chic outdoor space featuring a frozen ice bar. Here, revelers can pose for photos beside large-scale ice sculptures and sip on signature cocktails like the “Yongetini,” made with crème de menthe, chocolate liquor and vodka, and garnished with chocolate rosebuds. This downtown neighbourhood event has something for anyone looking to catch a bit of early holiday cheer.

Elm Street (two blocks north of Dundas Street) between Yonge and Bay streets. 4 to 9 p.m, free (excluding food samples); for further information, click here.