Friday, we suggest you duck out of work and be sure to pay a visit to Two Chef and a Table’s for their 2nd Wine Drinker Dinner. They’ve returned for another series (they usually sell out) and this Friday’s event is certainly shaping to be an exceptionally tasty one.
The theme is ‘Dishes our Grandparents Taught Us’, so we’re pretty certain it will include a lot of delish comfort food favourites perfectly paired with wines to wash it all down. Cost is about $65 and it’s recommended that you book in advance.
Post dinner in Railtown, we think you ought to duck over to neighbouring Gastown cocktail-hot spot The Diamond for a festive cocktail (or two).
Feel like mixing things up a little? Then perhaps a trip to the swanky Xi Shi lounge at the Shangri-La Hotel is more your style. It’s definitely a place to kick back and listen to some live music coupled with a bit of people watching.
Once Saturday rolls around, it’s all about embracing the ‘hair of the dog’ mentality by heading out to a boozy brunch (that is, if you aren’t heading up one of the local mountains for a bit of boarding). Some of our casual go-to breakfast spots worth checking out: Main Street’s popular Locus Restaurant (for their awesome omelettes and wild boar poutine!). Another option that will have you out the door in no time, pay a visit to the Red Wagon Cafe for a tasty and affordable fuel-up. If you’re into a breakfast with a view, cruise down toward the Vancouver Convention Centre and pop into the newest De Dutch restaurant overlooking the North Shore mountains, Stanley Park’s Seawall and inner harbour action.
After you’ve had your pancake or crepe fix, we suggest you go get crafty at Got Craft! Holiday Edition taking place at the Croatian Cultural Centre. It’s Vancouver’s largest indie craft fair features that features more than 80 artists who make everything from clothes to cards to chocolate (and everything in between). You’re guaranteed to get ahead on that holiday shopping – and to sweeten the deal, the first 50 people will score a swag bag each day!
After you’ve shopped up an appetite, we suggest you beeline it home to freshen up and then make your way over to the latest hot-spot to open up in YVR: L’Ufficio (brought to us by the same owners behind the award-winning culinary hit La Quercia). Conveniently located next door to the aforementioned, L’Ufficio is a quaint land cozy spot offering a plethora of wines by the glass, small plates and more. Enjoy a selection of charcuterie as you sip on Syrah and relax in this classy West Side setting.
If you’ve got energy after dinner, celebrate the launch of another awesome festive season at the VanDusen Gardens as it kicks off a month-long holiday display featuring millions of twinkling lights throughout the sprawling botanical oasis within the city. Grab a hot chocolate and make your way down Gingerbread Lane as you take in the decorations and music.
Take it easy Sunday and catch up on some quality R&R, head out for a run or bike ride (weather permitting), and prep for a few evening events we’ve sourced out. Sunday night, wind things down and skip on kitchen duty by heading over for a bit of pizza at Campagnolo’s on Main before heading next door to catch some jazz at Vancouver’s Electric Owl. Starting just after dinner, you can catch The Charlie Hunter and Scott Amendola Duo at this intimate, funky East Van venue. Tickets and more information can be found here.
Another option taking place on Sunday for those YPs who are musically inclined (or just not ready to call it a night) is the screening of Freestyle The Art of Rhyme 2.0 (extended director’s cut). The lights go down at 6pm at the Rio Theatre and viewers will be privy to top-notch remixed performances captured over a span of 15 years. Notable appearances by Questlove, The Last Poets, KRS One, Mos Def and more make the cut.
Photo courtesy De Dutch