Sea Cider: Crafting Exceptional Artisan Ciders Set on a (mostly) sunny orchard on the Saanich Peninsula, Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse has built a reputation for producing some of British Columbia’s most thoughtful and food-friendly ciders. As a Sea Cider Brand Ambassador I am proud to represent these deliscious artisan ciders and luckily my contract includes a bottle a week of there alcoholic or none alcoholic cider so I’m often enjoying a glass. Founded with a commitment to organic farming and traditional cider-making methods, Sea Cider works primarily with heritage apples grown on-site and across the province. The result are…
Author: cassandra
Vancouver Bars Dominate North America’s 50 Best Bars 2026 There’s been a certain “little sibling” energy to Vancouver’s cocktail scene for years—a sense that we were doing great work, but always in the shadow of New York or Mexico City. This week, that narrative officially died as the Vancouver bars 50 Best 2026 list was revealed. At the 2026 North America’s 50 Best Bars gala, Vancouver didn’t just participate; it dominated. With four spots in the Top 50—including a massive Top 10 finish—the city has reached a tipping point. We aren’t “up-and-coming” anymore. We’re the benchmark. More on Drinks. The…
BC Chefs Presidents Gala 2026 The BC Chefs Presidents Gala 2026 brought together one of the most dynamic and generous communities in the province, gathering chefs, industry leaders, and supporters for an evening that was as meaningful as it was memorable. The event celebrated culinary excellence, mentorship, and the people who continue to shape British Columbia’s hospitality industry and I was so lucky to be there. Moments like these are a reminder of what this industry is truly about: connection, generosity, hard work, and a shared commitment to excellence. The Menu: Elevated, Thoughtful, and Deeply Canadian From the first bite…
50 Best Bars Vancouver Events: Fairmont Pacific Rim Hosts Global Cocktail Stars Vancouver’s cocktail scene is about to get a serious injection of global talent. As North America’s 50 Best Bars returns to the city this April, Fairmont Pacific Rim is turning its bars into an international stage, hosting a lineup of acclaimed bartenders from around the world for a series of limited-time guest shifts. Running April 21 to 23, 2026, the programming will take over both Botanist Bar and The Lobby Lounge & RawBar, offering Vancouverites a rare chance to experience some of the most celebrated cocktail destinations without…
Provisions Italiana opens in North Vancouver’s Shipyards with Roman-style pizza, brunch and happy hour If your ideal North Vancouver outing involves Roman-style pizza, handmade pasta, a good spritz and a stroll through the Shipyards, there is a new spot to put on your radar. Provisions Italiana is now open inside the Seaside Hotel at 125 Victory Ship Way, bringing an Italian countryside-inspired restaurant to the heart of North Vancouver’s bustling Shipyards District. The new concept leans into simple ingredients, regional recipes and the kind of warm, inviting atmosphere that suits everything from date night to group dinners. Open for breakfast,…
Spring Dining at The Westin Bayshore Vancouver: Easter Brunch, Secret Garden Domes and Afternoon Tea Spring has officially arrived at The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver, and the waterfront hotel is celebrating with a lineup of seasonal dining experiences that feel tailor-made for brunch lovers, afternoon tea fans, and anyone ready to lean into a little spring magic. From a lavish Easter brunch buffet at H2 Kitchen + Bar to the dreamy return of The Secret Garden dining domes and the final days of the imaginative Around the World in 80 Days Afternoon Tea, there is plenty happening at this Coal Harbour…
Sakura Season at Miku and Minami in Vancouver 2026 Vancouver’s cherry blossom season is one of those fleeting, magical moments that feels almost too beautiful to be real. And this year, two of the city’s most iconic Japanese restaurants are leaning all the way in. ABURI Restaurants Canada is marking sakura season at Miku in Coal Harbour and Minami in Yaletown with a series of limited-time menus, elegant bentos, and seasonal features designed to capture the spirit of hanami, the Japanese tradition of gathering under cherry blossoms to eat, drink, and celebrate spring. If you needed an excuse to slow…
Sheri Paynter of Off the Grid Organic Winery on Organic Wine and Sustainable Farming The Vancouver International Wine Festival is underway, and we’re highlighting some of the people shaping the wine industry today. In this edition of Conversations in Wine, we spoke with Sheri Paynter of Off the Grid Organic Winery, one of the Okanagan’s most unique and sustainably focused wineries. Located in West Kelowna, Off the Grid Organic Winery was built from the ground up with sustainability at its core. The family-run winery produces organic wines while also practicing permaculture farming, raising sheep and chickens among the vines, and…
Tanya Martin Blasted Church: A Vine Journey The Vancouver International Wine Festival is underway, and we’re highlighting some of the people shaping the wine industry today. In this edition of Conversations in Wine, we spoke with Tanya Martin of Blasted Church Vineyards in the Okanagan Valley. Tanya’s career in wine stretches back to the early days of BC’s modern wine industry, beginning with her first role at Hester Creek Estate Winery in 1994. Over the decades she has built a deep connection to the people, vineyards, and wines that make this industry so compelling. When and how did you know…
Vancouver International Wine Festival 2026 winners The Vancouver International Wine Festival recognized some of British Columbia’s most influential wine professionals and hospitality leaders on March 13 during the 22nd Annual Celebrating Excellence Awards Lunch, part of the festival’s Trade Days programming. Held at the Vancouver Convention Centre and presented by ContainerWorld, the event honours individuals and restaurants that contribute to the region’s exceptional wine and food culture. Guests enjoyed a multi-course lunch prepared by Vancouver Convention Centre Executive Chef Nandakishore Rangan, paired with 19 wines from around the world, before this year’s award winners were announced. More wine stories on…
BAM BAM A New Culinary Adventure A new all-day concept from the team behind award-winning Nemesis is arriving in downtown Vancouver this spring, and it is built around the food many of us grew up loving. Opening April 1, 2026 at 160 West Georgia Street, BAM BAM brings together fried chicken, donuts, coffee, cocktails, and design in a playful new space inspired by what the team calls “future nostalgia.” Created by Nemesis founder Jess Reno, BAM BAM takes familiar comfort food classics and reimagines them through a contemporary lens. “BAM BAM has this future nostalgic feeling,” says Reno. “It’s a…
Converstaions In Wine – Christa-Lee McWatters on BC Wine, Mentorship and Sparkling The Vancouver International Wine Festival is underway, and we’re highlighting some of the inspiring women shaping the wine industry today. In this edition of Conversations in Wine, we spoke with Christa-Lee McWatters, whose roots in British Columbia wine run deep. As the daughter of BC wine pioneer Harry McWatters, Christa-Lee grew up immersed in the world of vineyards and cellars. Today she continues that legacy through her leadership roles at Gate 22 Winery and Adega on 45th Estate Winery in the Okanagan Valley, helping guide two wineries while…
Chef Jay Park’s Championship Menu at Boulevard Kitchen Vancouver For a limited time this March, Vancouver diners can taste the dishes that earned Chef Jay Park of Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar the title of Canada’s Culinary Champion. Beginning March 12, Boulevard is presenting a special tasting menu featuring the award-winning dishes Park created for the 2026 Canadian Culinary Championship, one of the country’s most prestigious culinary competitions. The menu will be available for a limited run and served while ingredients last. For Vancouver food lovers, it’s a rare opportunity to experience the exact dishes that impressed judges at the…
Violeté Opening on Commercial Drive | New European Bistro in Vancouver Commercial Drive has always been one of Vancouver’s most character-filled neighbourhoods, known for its mix of independent cafés, trattorias, and long-standing local favourites. This April, a new restaurant will add another chapter to the street’s evolving dining scene. Opening at 1380 Commercial Drive, Violeté is a European-inspired neighbourhood bistro from Vancouver restaurateur Reuben Major and the team behind Van Urban Hospitality, the group responsible for popular spots including Havana, The Flamingo Room, Vancouver Urban Winery, and Belgard Kitchen. While Major’s portfolio spans a range of dining concepts, Violeté is…
If you needed a reason to head to the South Okanagan early this season, this is it. The Osoyoos Oyster Festival is back April 17–18, 2026—and if you’ve been before, you already know this isn’t just another wine event. It’s one of those rare weekends that actually delivers: fresh-shucked BC oysters, strong wine lineups, and that easy, sun-soaked Osoyoos energy that makes you want to linger longer than planned. I’ve been—and it’s exactly the kind of low-key, high-quality experience worth building a weekend around. The festival kicks off Friday night with Sip & Shuck at the Osoyoos Golf and Country…
Conversations In Wine – Kerri Wyse-McNolty from Burrowing Owl Estate Winery The Vancouver International Wine Festival is underway, and we’ve been speaking with some of the women shaping the wine industry who you may encounter at the 2026 festival. In this edition of Conversations in Wine, we chat with Kerri Wyse-McNolty of Burrowing Owl Estate Winery in Oliver, BC, about her journey into wine, family legacy, sustainability, and what she loves most about the industry. You can find more of my musings on wine festival on Vita Magazine, and read my guide on how to survive the VIWF tasting room…
One of Vancouver’s most inventive cocktail programs is back with a new sensory-driven concept. Botanist Bar at Fairmont Pacific Rim has unveiled the third edition of its immersive Botanist Experiential Cocktail Series, titled Exploration of Microclimates. The spring collection is the latest evolution of the bar’s celebrated Cocktail Lab program, where science, nature, and artistry come together to create drinks that go far beyond the traditional cocktail experience. Led by creative beverage director Grant Sceney and lead bartender Justin Powell, the new menu invites guests to explore the Pacific Northwest through flavour, texture, and aroma. The cocktails draw inspiration from…
Chef Andrea Carlson’s late-winter tasting menu brings Salt Spring Island citrus, sea reforestation, and regenerative farming to the table in Vancouver – Burdock & Co Citrus Scented Rain Under a Snow Moon When winter lingers in Vancouver, citrus isn’t usually the first thing that comes to mind. Yet inside a 6,000-square-foot greenhouse on Salt Spring Island, more than 30 varieties of citrus are thriving — and now headlining the newest tasting menu at Burdock & Co. Regenerative Citrus from Salt Spring Island Chef Andrea Carlson introduces Citrus-Scented Rain Under a Snow Moon, a micro-seasonal tasting menu inspired by Jane Squier’s…
The Acura MDX Type S is not your typical three-row SUV. It’s Acura’s performance statement wrapped in quilted leather, precision engineering, and just enough edge to make every drive feel intentional. For those who want space and speed, comfort and control, the MDX Type S delivers something rare in the luxury SUV category: genuine driving engagement. In Vancouver, where city merges meet mountain highways, that balance matters. Performance That Actually Feels Different Acura MDX Type S Under the hood sits a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 producing an impressive 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission…
Mount Pleasant’s beloved family-run restaurant Anh and Chi is marking a decade in Vancouver’s dining scene with a one-night-only fundraiser dinner supporting Bocuse d’Or Team Canada — the international competition often described as the culinary Olympics. On Sunday, March 8, 2026, guests can expect a multi-course tasting menu featuring fresh B.C. seafood, thoughtful Vietnamese flavours, and a warm sense of community that’s defined Anh and Chi since day one. A family-led anniversary dinner (with a big purpose) This special evening brings together two culinary families. In the Anh and Chi kitchen, mother-and-son duo Chef Ly Nguyen and Chef Vincent Nguyen…
