You’ve Gotta Try this in October 2024

A cranberry plunge in Langley, a cocktail festival in Victoria and spooky Hallowe’en cocktails in North Vancouver, here’s everything you should be eating and drinking in the month ahead.

 

I did it. I had my first PSL this week (OK, it wasn’t a latte, it was a pumpkin cream cold brew) and it was freaking delicious. I also did a happy dance in the rain and faceplanted into a giant bowl of ramen over at Maruhachi in Vancouver because honestly, they are simply the absolute best. So yes, winter and rain is coming, but there is still Chilliwack corn to be enjoyed, the last of the gloriously sweet and aromatic concord grapes are here to be gobbled up, and there is still fresh salmon swimming onto menus across the province. As ever, grab napkins… it’s gonna get messy! 

 

VANCOUVER:

Slim pickings for new stars at the third Vancouver Michelin Guide awards on October 2^nd, with just one restaurant, the $230 omakase-only Sushi Masuda on W. Hastings joining the nine other restaurants in the city with a one-star designation. Gary’s on W. 12^th was the only pick to join the Bib Gourmand selection and Fraserhood neighbours, Bravo and Zab Bite – Thai E-Sarn Cuisine, joined the Recommended selection. I’m left wondering yet again, where are the Green stars, awarded for sustainability practices, for this most sustainable city? Maybe restaurants who regard sustainability as a basic in this green-leaning city need to shout more about what they do for the famously anonymous inspectors to notice? Congrats to all included on this year’s Guide, and good luck to anyone trying to make a reservation for any of the new picks!

 

LANGLEY:

There is only a short time to book this—the last date you can do it is October 12—but if you’ve ever wanted a photo session dressed in farm waders in a cranberry bog then now is your chance! The “Cranberry Plunge” is back at the Bog Riverside Cranberry Farm in Langley. Don’t feel like leaping into the bog? You can also book a farm tours or hit up the Farm Store, which is stocked full of cranberry goodies, including sauce, jelly, juice and even freeze-dried cranberries! 

 

VANCOUVER:

I can’t believe I’m fervently recommending you go and eat hummus, but here we are.  You guys, GO AND EAT HUMMUS (and everything else) at Bar Haifa. We went there for dinner recently and had to order seconds as it was so freaking silky-smooth and delicious. Of course, the pita that accompanies it is pillowy soft and fluffy AF. You will have to ask for seconds there too. Owned by both Palestinians and Israelis, Bar Haifa opens a window onto peaceful possibilities. And does so in truly the tastiest way. 

 

SQUAMISH:

This sounds like so much fun! Squamish is celebrating fall flavours with a self-guided Pumpkin Path site online, a collection of all things Fall from pumpkin spiced lattes and ice creams to butternut squash-stuffed ravioli and seasonal brews. There are events collected here too, such as the Sea to Sky Gondola’s mountaintop Trick or Treat event, or  Howe Sound Brew Pub and Locavore Bar and Grill’s Oktoberfest events! Go absolutely fall NUTS and see how many you can fit in.

 

NORTH VAN:

One of my favourite distillers, Sons of Vancouver, is back with their haunted tasting room, the Dark Manor Inn until November 3. Expect creepy décor, and superb themed drinks from their new bar manager, Amanda MacMullin (The Diamond, Arcana Spirits Lounge, Prophecy Cocktail Bar). On the menu drinks such as ‘Queen of the Damned’ ‘a stirred down sipper that will steal your soul’ and the ‘Pumpkin Pie Sour,’ made with pumpkin-infused SOV No. 82 Amaretto. The fan favourite ‘Blood Bag’ cocktails are back – punch-bowl style cocktails served tableside in the form of an I.V. bag. This year, options include ‘human’ and ‘monster,’ the latter being a neon green concoction featuring SOV’s Melon Liqueur. 

 

VANCOUVER:

Keeping on the haunted bar theme, Vancouver will play host to the award-winning Halloween pop-up, The Black Lagoon, masterminded by bar industry veterans Erin Hayes and Kelsey Ramage. One of 35 editions of the Black Lagoon popping up across North America and Mexico, the Vancouver site is at the Butcher & Bullock for the month and features drinks such as Siren’s Song and the non-alcoholic Blood Lust. Book a table here. 

 

VICTORIA:

The long-running Art of the Cocktail festival is back in Victoria on October 19th with more than 50 exhibitors shaking, stirring and mixing up incredible drinks to sample. All funds raised go to help the Film Festival. Dress to impress in 1920s Prohibition glamour for a chance to win the Best Dressed contest and VIP tickets to the 2025 (really? HOW is that next year!?) opening gala of the festival. 

 

KELOWNA:

Sure, when you think of the Okanagan, you think of wine… But maybe you should think of beer, because Kelowna Beer Week takes place from October 4 -12 with more than 20 breweries taking part. The fun for this inaugural event includes special brews (of course!) plus parties, bowling and golf! Find out more here.