Friday, grab some friends and head down to do a bit of tapas bar hopping in Gastown by hitting up The Sardine Can. Order up a plethora of share plates like their Diablos Espagnoles (smoked ham wrapped in prunes and stuffed with cheese) and their Piquillo peppers filled with roasted eggplant – and save room for the patatas bravas. A great selection of sherry, port and wines are available to help wash it all down.
Afterward, shift your way over to Salt Tasting Room in Blood Alley for a selection of cured meats, specialty cheeses and accoutrements. They’ve just added a stack of new events perfect for fall, so inquire about securing a spot for their Salt Tasting Series Wine Dinners while there.
Next stop, we think you ought to pop across to The Di6mond for a cocktail (you’ll be pretty full by now). One of the original hot spots to truly put Gastown on the map, The Diamond has a solid cocktail program that never disappoints. Our favorites: the Galt House and Colin’s Lawn. If you’re into Scotch, you’ll love their extensive selection.
Following the tapas tour, shake up the rest of your night by checking out Oktoberfest at the Alpen Club. Live music, plenty of raucous entertainment, DJs and a seemingly endless supply of German bier await.
We imagine you might be a little bit slow out of the gates come Saturday morning, so shake it off with a leisurely start and head out for some brunch and hair-of-the-dog mimosas at Earl’s Restaurant + Bar. They recently introduced an awesome selection of items suited to anyone seeking out a bit of morning comfort in the form of cinnamon buns, waffles or a savoury chorizo mushroom hash.
After regaining a bit of strength for the day, we’re thinking you might want to hunt down those last minute items you’ll need for the various Halloween festivities taking place around the city later in the evening (we gave you some ideas here earlier in the week).
Post shopping, we suggest you head downtown and check out the new Cartems Donuterie store that just opened this week (at 534 W. Pender). We suspect you might want to head down early to stock up on a stash of their tasty offerings (all 20+ of them) as they often sell out.
Come Saturday night, give the kitchen a break and make your way over to Farmer’s Apprentice for unique locally sourced eats. We love that they feature a rotating multi-course menu that’s heavy on organic, sustainable ingredients prepared with a decidedly French twist. Choose from three or five courses (depending on how you feel) and prep your tastebuds for a treat.
Come late night, we’re betting you’ll be ready to get geared up for a solid night of partying. Lots of events will have likely sold out, so if you do find yourself ticketless, don’t worry; the annual Parade of Lost Souls is happening and it’s free! Check in at midnight on the 26th to find out exactly where the parade will be taking place and join the hundreds of other Vancouverites dressed to the ghoulish nines.
Sunday, rise and shine and shake off the previous night’s excess for a cruise around the Seawall. Alternatively, head to a yoga class at one of the nine different YYoga locations around town. Choose from an extensive list of styles of practice (we mean extensive!) and score your first class free.
Next, grab lunch at Tractor, or indulge in a flight of cold-pressed organic juices at Krokodile Pear in Kits and refuel.
Looking for a bit of literary inspiration, or perhaps simply wanting to connect with creative young professionals out of your normal social crew? Why not use this weekend to check out the 2013 Writers Fest? There are various venues hosting seminars, readings and signings (including literary heavyweights Margaret Atwood, Anne Michaels, Eric Schlosser and Colin Mochrie).
Also on offer for Sunday, we think you ought to throw some culture into the mix and head to UBC’s Museum of Anthropology to check out their newest exhibit: The Marvellous Real, Art from Mexico. Partake in a guided tour and learn all about the more than 50 different pieces that have been curated especially for this showcase. Learn more here.
