Just opened: Tapas 23 (3941 Main Street)
The next time you’ve got a hankering for some Latin fusion cuisine with an international kick, head to this new Main Street hot spot that just opened its doors at Main and 23rd in Vancouver. Look for seasonally influenced meals with an inspirational draw from global dishes. The menu showcases plenty of share plates with offerings such as Bombas, Cebolla Fritos, Saffron Prawns, Charcuterie platters, salads and more. As expected, Sommelier Robert Stelmachuk has dialed up a wine list to perfectly complement the cuisine.
Circle Craft Christmas Market (1055 Canada Place)
Always a huge pre-holiday hit, be sure to head down to the Vancouver Convention Centre this weekend for the return of Circle Craft Christmas Market. Peruse the goods of more than 300 artisans from coast to coast. Get set to celebrate the 40th anniversary of this annual market featuring a diverse selection of items from crafters of all disciplines, including pottery, wood, glass, metal, fibre, fashion, jewellery, and more. Save $2 by purchasing tickets online here.
Coming up: Hopscotch Festival (various venues, November 11 to 17)
One of the city’s most popular and boozy festivals is set to celebrate its 18th anniversary and plans to do so by being even bigger and better than ever. Plenty of events are taking place around town with Satellite Dinners, Master Classes, a huge signature-tasting event (at the Grand Tasting Hall) and more. It’s your chance to learn all about hundreds of products including beer, tequila, vodka, gin, and whisky too. Bone up on your bourbon knowledge and be sure to score tickets to what’s been rated one of the 10 best drinking festivals in the world by MSN Travel UK.
The Vancouver Jewish Film Festival (Fifth Ave Cinemas, November 7 to 14th)
The 25th Annual Vancouver Jewish Film Festival is back for another extraordinary year of multi-cultural interaction and high quality entertainment. This year’s festival will feature an even more diverse selection of comedies, feature dramas, thrillers, hot and timely documentaries and whimsical shorts. The VJFF selects unique interesting films that are not in general distribution or may never reach North American cinemas. Serious film buffs can attend a variety of panels for some Q&A with actors, directors and cinematic creatives as well as take in the opening and closing galas. Find more info and full panel details here.
Coming up: Sam Sullivan’s Public Salon 17 (November 13th, 600 Hamilton Street)
Take in an evening of thought-provoking insight and ideas at the 17th Public Salon. There will be eight short presentations from some of the city’s top movers and shakers including adventurer Steve Curtis, Telus Chair Brian Cranfield, CBC personality and author Grant Lawrence, indie musician Hannah Epperson, artist Henry Tsang and many more. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door – or you can opt for the $120 Premiere Circle Ticket that includes a pre-salon dinner.
Vancouver Asian Film Festival (various venues, November 7 to 10th)
VAFF is back and it brings 40 different films from local, American and international filmmakers. Gear up to take in a diverse collection of cinematic thrills including Andrew Chung’s MILLIONS, a cop thriller with Those Asian Guys from “Dexter,” Sun W. Kim’s dark crime thriller Innocent Blood, as well as a North Korean comedy (you read that right) about a trapeze artist and a flick about an Asian serial killer with an unusual angle. Find all the details, schedule of films and more here.
Top photo courtesy Tapas 23