What to Eat and Drink Around Vancouver This June

I took a walk in the sunshine this morning through Nelson Park and made the fatal mistake of checking my weather app: Junuary is upon us. Honestly, this column should probably just recommend soup and dumplings for the next two weeks. It’s gonna be rough. But keep the faith! Summer is coming, but first… rain. Oh, so much rain.

You know the drill: grab napkins, it’s gonna get messy.

Just One Last Word on the Time Out Market

There have been more than enough column inches on the new mall at Oakridge, but I wanted to say just one thing in its support: the folks in the Time Out Market are all small business owners; it’s not massive chains—it’s what we SAY that we want: small, local and unique. Folks like Pidgin, Espana, Ask For Luigi, Bar Bravo and Lunch Lady have been at the heart of their communities for years. This opening is a huge leap for them all, and truly, they deserve our love and support. I’m thrilled that they get to do something exciting and showcase what they do in a new setting. Let’s show up for them.

Bar Supernova Is Coming

 

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Vancouver’s most hotly anticipated cocktail bar is coming. Max Curzon-Price and Andrew Kong will be opening Bar Supernova in the new space next to the Keefer Bar very, very soon. Details are scarce right now, but I’m hearing whispers of a pop-up situation throughout July, so get on it right now and follow Bar Supernova to make sure you don’t miss out.

Drinking Less With Purpose

 

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I’m always on the hunt for a decent non-alcoholic alternative. But oftentimes that’s a sugary pop, which is also not what I want.

Enter, ONES, a non-alcoholic Okanagan winery from Tyler Harlton, who used to make my absolute favourite cab franc. ONES is sugar-free, made with grapes that have been fully fermented. The alcohol is removed via reverse osmosis, leaving just 0.5 percent alcohol behind.

On a hot day, I love a sparkling wine.  These days, I don’t want to get tipsy in the sun, but I do want that experience. I really love the aroma of the Sparkling Plus White—zippy citrus and tropical pineapple notes, fresh and bright on the palate and no chance of a next-day hangover. I also love the little 200ml bottles, perfect for picnics or hikes.

Up on the Roof

I’ve enjoyed a couple of terrific rooftop experiences over the past few weeks. So, save these recommendations for the sunny weather.

Lavantine above the Azure hotel is such a good time: think eastern Mediterranean cuisine, so fire-kissed grilled skewers, silky hummus and the best halloumi you ever ate. Cocktails are fun, and there’s a great happy hour, too.

Want the vibes of an upscale resort without leaving the city? Head for The Victor’s rooftop, which is truly impressive in the sunshine and offers shockingly excellent (in this economy) prices. The happy hour burger is wagyu, which comes with fries, an apple pie, a toy AND a Grey Goose tiny martini for $39. That’s an absolute steal of a deal. They do a solid $68 brunch buffet, too, and a deliciously decadent Veuve Cliquot-sponsored Surf & Turf deal for $75.

Looking for a year-round garden vibe? Then make your way to Reflections The Garden Terrace above the Rosewood Hotel Georgia to luxuriate in their leafy terrace and enjoy their retractable all-season roof. It’s a terrific space and yes, it’s a little on the pricey side, so enjoy the golden hour prices from 4 to 5 p.m. and don’t skip the dumplings. SO good.

Eat Mango Everything at T&T Supermarket

Are the mangoes better than usual this year? I cannot get enough of them. T&T’s mango festival is the place to indulge: mango mochi puffs, mango chiffon cake, mango coconut cream bun and, my morning ritual right now, the mango parfait. Don’t miss this super-sweet seasonal treat.

Summer Solstice at LaSalle College

 

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Dive into all that is delicious for an extra early Vancouver International Wine Festival pop-up at LaSalle College (across from Renfrew Station) on Thursday, June 25, for a food and wine walkabout on the rooftop terrace. They’ll be serving food-friendly wines from Argentina, British Columbia, France and Italy, paired with a culinary creation from the truly delightful Chef Julian Bond. “Think scallop ceviche with an Alsatian Gewürztraminer, burrata and beets with Prosecco, and albacore tuna with a B.C. rosé.” Yes please. Tickets are available online.

Smokey Dokey

We can’t make mezcal here in B.C., we simply don’t have the agave for it. But we do make an absolutely delicious smoky gin which gives immaculate mezcal vibes. Meet Copperpenny’s Ember Gin, made with B.C. pine-smoked juniper. It recently won a gold medal in London and it deserves to win many more. Try it tall over ice with lime, mango and a slash of sparkling water (or wine), or in a negroni to make a wonderfully complex spirit-forward confection. My new favourite thing. Give it a whirl!