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Hot Dates: Happy Halloween

Halloween charms from Thomas Sabo

October 31
Celebrate Oct. 31—grown-up style—with autumn-inspired charms from Thomas Sabo. Sure, you’re no longer getting decked out in your ghoulish best, trick-or-treating from house to house, but that doesn’t mean you need to stop celebrating All Hallows’ Eve altogether. Pop by Thomas Sabo’s new Oakridge Centre store to choose charms of your own, or model your bracelet or necklace after the acorn and pumpkin combo shown above. Other options for ringing in this scary holiday: pints of pumpkin ale and creepy, festive decorations at HomeSense.—Jennifer Patterson

More information:

Thomas Sabo, Oakridge Centre, 650 West 41st Ave. 604-263-7226.

www.thomassabo.com

Homesense, 493 Robson St. 604-683-4406.

www.homesense.ca

Hot Shopping: Thirst Quencher

These fun water bottles from S'Well come in a rainbow of colours

Forget plastic! Cool down on a hot day with a swig from a colourful stainless steel S’Well water bottle ($35; purchase online at www.swellbottle.com). Each one of these sleek canteens comes insulated to keep icy cold drinks chilled for 24 hours or piping hot bevvies sip-ready for 12.—Jennifer Patterson

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: Authentic Mexican Cuisine

Enjoy the fun ambience at Pancho Villa.

On those dark days of winter, head over to Pancho Villa, a Mexican restaurant in the heart of bustling Elgin Street. The traditional fare is on offer, as are their signature dishes: mole enchiladas, arroz con pollo, and chile relleno. With mains ranging from $9 to $16, there should be change left over for a round of “Tropic daiquiris” (mixing together lime, strawberry, and banana) or one of their 40 kinds of tequila. Now that will have you shaking off the winter blahs in no time! 361 Elgin St., 613-234-8872.

Hot Dining: Bench Pressed

Laughing Stock wine

BC’s wine culture continues to boom, particularly on the sun-kissed, lakeside, southwest-facing plateau of the Naramata Bench. This is home to some of the Okanagan’s older plantings, as well as a few more inventive labels. Leading the pack in this year’s releases are Nichol Vineyard Syrah 08, Poplar Grove Cabernet Franc 07, La Frenz Shiraz 08 and Laughing Stock Blind Trust Red 08 (pictured)—a well-balanced blend that reveals its actual varieties only when you sneak a peek under the capsule. Look for them on better wine lists.—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

Hot Dining: Sake Secrets

Locally made sake makes for a tasty souvenir. Photo by KK Law

Down a small alley on Granville Island, discover small but remarkable Artisan SakeMaker, where Masa Shiroki set up Canada’s first sake maker. Stop by to sample a range of styles (including hand-pressed, premium Junmai and sparkling sake), as well as kasu (favoured by top chefs as a marinade), sauces and dressings, and even a cherry drink. Also available at several Japanese and other restaurants around town.—Tim Pawsey

Top Sipping Spots

Toronto’s hottest season is in full swing; after so much sightseeing, you’re no doubt in need of refreshment. Pull up a patio chair or stop by a swanky lounge for a sophisticated cocktail, local microbrew and a tempting taste of city life. Click the images below to discover our favourite patios, drinks and more. By Marisa Baratta

Hot Entertainment: Wicked Watering Holes

Enjoy Vancouver's nightlife to the fullest with this handy guide

Author John Lee sacrificed shoe leather and liver to come up with his list of favourite Vancouver bars: The Alibi Room, Au Petit Chavignol, Brickhouse, The Cascade Room, Corduroy Restaurant, The Diamond, Narrow Lounge, Railway Club, Six Acres, Stella’s, Three Lions Cafe and The Yale. Discover these hotspots and more in Drinking Vancouver: 100+ Great Bars in the City and Beyond (TouchWood Editions, $19.95), available at local bookstores.—Tim Pawsey