You’ve Gotta Try This in June

As I write, Janeuary is in full swing and even the thought of sitting on a patio is quite laughable; I want a few more bites of winter food: a slow-roasted chicken, or a warming cup of something broth-y. But as soon as that sunshine is out, I’m hoovering up those glorious first sweet baby strawberries and still revelling in asparagus-and-spot-prawn-everything, please and thank you. The clouds will soon scud from the sky and we’ll be reminded why BC is the most beautiful (and often expensive!) place to be, so head out to your nearest owner-operated restaurant and support local! 

VANCOUVER: Hurrah! Happy Hour is back at one of my all-time favourite spots in Vancouver, Pidgin, and it’s no miserly dollar off, nope, this is a steal of a deal from a Michelin-recommended spot: daily sake selection at $10, 25% off bottles of sake, Katsu on milk bread for $10. DROOL… See you there!! 

RICHMOND: Restaurants in Richmond are offering special deals on that most seasonal superb BC treat, the spot prawn, until 16th June! Celebrate the sweetest prawn in partnership with Steveston Fishers who work incredibly hard in this short, super-sustainable season. Saturday 8th June is Spot Prawn Day at the Steveston Wharf, and the party this year is gonna be huge with activities for all ages happening between Fisherman’s Wharf and The Gulf of Georgia Cannery.

WHISTLER: After a season of over-indulgence, rebalance with Whistler’s Nourish Wellness series which takes place throughout June with some 30 different culinary events designed around nutrition and sustainability. Sober-curious? Check out the Soulstice: Fresh Beginning event on June 21 with DJs, drag performance, aerial dancers, and immersive interactive art spaces. This alcohol-free event offers mocktails and snacks, all included in the ticket price! Nourish Brunch happens on 8th and 15th at Alta Lake offering a serene brunch experience over four courses with chefs sharing their secrets for nourishing dishes. 

COQUITLAM: I’ve told you before how great oysters pair with scotch, right? Indulge in that most wonderful treat at ScotsfestBC, the BC Highland Games and World Music Festival with briny oysters and peaty scotch aplenty! Come for the sounds of the pipes, fife, drums and canon, and stay for an exciting, tutored tasting through Macaloney whiskies with chef Jon Merrill (Bar Bravo) and the Macaloney Distillery Team. Tickets are $45, and there are two sessions at 6pm, and 7:30pm. 

LANGFORD: Oh dang! A bacon, beer and bourbon festival? Be still, my beating heart! (And hush up, my furred arteries!) This sounds like a cracking good time: chefs, brewers and bartenders collaborate to create delicious seasonal beers, craft cocktails, and pork-tastic eats at this one-day-only event from 4-8pm at the Starlight Stadium, just 30 minutes’ drive from downtown Victoria. Your ticket buys two food sample tokens and two drinks tokens, and of course, you can buy more on the day. Dress code: backyard bbq vibes. Cheers, Langford!

ROSSLAND: Wineries who pour at the Red Teeth Wine Festival up at the RED mountain resort tell me that this one-day event is one of the most fun in the calendar. It’s certainly one of the better priced wine festivals (just $49.99 including taxes and fees which buys you three wine tokens, snacks, appies and a shuttle to and from town) so make a note for June 15th up at the RED deck, Rossland. Live music comes this year from White Lightning, and there is a pre-festival winery dinner on Friday 14th at the Josie Hotel. 

OKANAGAN:  Corks are popping across the Okanagan and Similkameen valleys this summer, so don’t miss out on the fun, and please support small growers this year as times are tough! The Spring Wine Festival creates a brace of fun events, and I always love the annual Grand Sommelier Express in Summerland at the Kettle Valley Steam Railway which takes in a scenic three-hour train trip through the various wineries and cideries along the Bottleneck Drive (check for returns as this always sells out!). There are oh, so many different events to check out from long table dinners amongst the vines, to rosé parties and region-specific events such as Lake Country’s Scenic Sip, so stay over for a couple of nights and explore BC’s wine country! 

VANCOUVER: You know I am constantly on the hunt for a bargain in the city, and DAMN, if the Happy Hour at Miso Taco isn’t an absolute scorcher! I’d been hearing excellent things about their magnificent culinary blend of Japan-meets-Mexico and can confidently say that their chashu-style carnitas taco is one of the most delicious things I’ve eaten all year thanks to meltingly tender, just-fatty-enough pork and a zippy pineapple relish. You can score a single taco for just $6 and a mezcal cocktail for $9 through Happy Hour (daily, 4-6pm) but I would urge you to visit for their unmissable Birria-Dilla and of course, add on some instant ramen to that birria dipping sauce. MMmmmMMM.