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Vancouver and Whistler 2011 Where to Dine Award Winners Revealed

By Tim Pawsey

Blessed with a happy marriage of abundant year-round fresh ingredients, a diaspora of ethnic influences and limitless culinary talent, Vancouver is hailed as a foodie’s paradise by critics and casual diners alike. A broad offering, from corner cafes to craft brew–fuelled pubs to edgy, contemporary regional rooms, means this city is never short of choice. The only challenge might be deciding where to go and what to order. Where’s well-travelled readers weigh in with their taste-filled finds in the 16th annual Where to Dine awards. (more…)

Hot Dates: Nifty for Fifty Sale

Local label Adhesif

April 22

Attention all bargain hunters: Nifty for Fifty, a Boxing Day–style blowout, returns to Main Street for one day only. Arrive early for deals on clothes and jewellery by popular local designers such as Adhesif (flora shorts, pictured), Erin Templeton and Toodlebunny, along with vintage labels, too. Find stuff for men and women, with everything priced at $50 or less.—Jennifer Patterson

Hot Dining: 3 Local Favourites

The Armview (Photo: Terra Ciolfe)

  1. The Armview on Chebucto Road: Reinvented neighbourhood diner; gourmet burgers, sandwiches, pasta, seafood, weekend brunch and more.

    2.  

  2. Dofsky’s on Brunswick Street: Varied menu offering pizza, pasta, seafood, plus vegetarian and gluten-free options.

    3.  

  3. Café Chianti on Barrington Street: Italian and Eastern European specialties for more than two decades; one of the city’s best wine cellars.

Spa Magic To Go

For spa goers who want to take a bit of that rejuvenating magic home, Lynn Kehoe, owner of Cream Body and Bath in Airdrie, offers aromatherapy sea salts, bath and shower gel, bath bombs and body mist.

Courtesy Cream Body and Bath

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Hot Dates: Handmade Heaven

A Cagey Bee necklace at Portobello West Fashion + Art Market

March 24 to 25

If you’re on the hunt for some locally made jewellery, fashion and art—aka, the perfect souvenir—look no further than the city’s über-popular seasonal market, Portobello West. Each show, held inside the Creekside Community Centre on picturesque False Creek, brings together over 50 artists displaying covetable crafts and wall-worthy art. A few favourites: whimsical necklaces by A Cagey Bee (pictured), graphic paintings by Michael Soltis and hand-dyed, vacation-ready swimwear from Daub + Design. Another hot spot for unique collectibles: the 21st Century Flea Market (Mar. 18). Scour more than 185 booths for retro furniture, kitschy decor, heirloom jewellery, china dolls, linen and lace.—Jennifer Patterson

Hot Entertainment: The Chuck Davis History of Metropolitan Vancouver

This coffee-table tome by renowned historian Chuck Davis is nearly 600 pages

“Fun, Fat & Full of Facts.” That’s how author Chuck Davis described The Chuck Davis History of Metropolitan Vancouver (Harbour Publishing, $49.95), which the beloved journalist and broadcaster spent more than two decades writing, right up until his death in 2010. Other writers, historians and friends then came together to finish the mammoth, almost-600-page volume, which is bursting with 125 years of history and countless archival photos. Arranged chronologically, the book covers everything from the great fire of 1886—which wiped out almost the entire city—to the Vancouver Canucks’ ill-fated Stanley Cup run of 2011. Find this one-of-a-kind souvenir at local bookstores.—Sheri Radford

Hot Shopping: Knitwear by Granted

Graphic knits by Granted

Winter Wear

Cut the chill with an oh-so-cozy knit by Granted. This local, family-run label hand-knits each sweater with pure, new wool. Get decked out in woolly vests, zip-ups, ponchos and toques all adorned with charming prints such as deer, anchors, waves and whales. Don’t forget to grab a piece from the canine collection for your pooch, too. Shop online at www.grantedclothing.com or head to Gastown boutique Lynn Steven.—Jennifer Patterson

More information:

LYNN STEVEN 225 Carrall St. 604-899-0808. www.lynnsteven.com

Hot Shopping: Crafty Creations

Glass jellyfish by Wayne Harjula, at Circle Craft Christmas Market

The always-popular Circle Craft Christmas Market returns for its 38th annual show from Nov. 9 to 13. You’ll find everything from eco-friendly clothing to handmade leather bags to gold and silver jewellery, thanks to the 280 vendors coming from across Canada. A conversation piece worth snatching up: the striking glass jellyfish (pictured) by Wayne Harjula of Mellon Glass Studios. After shopping, catch a glass-blowing demonstration then participate in a Ballz of Fire Workshop where you can design and create your own glass holiday ornament.—Jennifer Patterson

More information:

CIRCLE CRAFT CHRISTMAS MARKET W-F 10 am-9 pm, Sa 10 am-7 pm, Su 10 am-5 pm. $12, s/s $8, under 12 free. Save $2 if you buy tickets online. Vancouver Convention Centre West, 1055 Canada Place. 604-801-5220. www.circlecraft.net

Hot Dining: Araxi Alfresco

Araxi's long table

Local dining is all the rage, and it doesn’t get much more local than feasting in the field where most of the meal’s ingredients were grown. Whistler’s much-celebrated Araxi restaurant is launching the Araxi Longtable @ North Arm Farm outdoor dining series in Pemberton, 20 minutes north of Whistler. Join chef James Walt on Aug. 27 or Sep. 11 for a four-course menu of the freshest food you could ever hope to try. Tickets are $160. Email farmdinner@araxi.com to make your reservation—then get your taste buds ready.—Sheri Radford

Hot Shopping: Walk This Way

Dayton Boots

Way back in 1946, Charlie Wohlford started Dayton Boots to make tough boots for tough men (think loggers, fireman, oil workers and police officers). In the early ’60s, Dayton kicked it up a notch and began producing badass boots for cowboys and bikers. Today the standards and techniques remain the same, with each locally produced boot made by hand. This local brand has amassed a large cult following that includes celebs such as Johnny Depp, Cindy Crawford and Angelina Jolie. Stop by the new shop on Granville Island to purchase a pair.—Jennifer Patterson

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