The Terminal City Club was buzzing on February 6 as more than 400 of Vancouver’s most influential figures joined the Vancouver magazine editorial team to make the 2025 Power 50 an evening to remember.
Engaged discussions filled every corner as leaders in politics, arts, business, and activism found moments to connect and celebrate their collective impact on the city, all while enjoying top-tier wine, cocktails and innovative culinary stations.
When honorees took the stage during the awards ceremony, each brought their unique perspective, sharing inspiring words that captured both their passion and vision for Vancouver’s future. Guests celebrated the 50 Vancouverites who made the Power 50 list, as well as this year’s Hall of Fame recipients and the Ones to Watch.
The evening culminated in the unveiling of the latest Vancouver magazine Power 50 issue, which guests eagerly collected as they continued their celebrations into the night. The 2025 edition demonstrated once again why this annual gathering remains an essential moment for recognizing and celebrating those who shape Vancouver’s future.
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Inside the colourful New West home of content
creators Nina Huynh and Dejan Stanić.
SHOP HOP
Suze is an ode to the owner’s stylish mother.
SO FUN CITY
The $50 Dinner Club offers a well priced meal–and an opportunity to turn strangers to friends.
ON THE RISE
Fashion label Briiskie Bobbins weaves orangepeel satin into magic. THE HAUL
A few of shoe designer John Fluevog’s favourite things.
DISRUPTOR
Ninety-year-old drag queen Bill Monroe has been ruling the West End for decades.
What’s with those stone obelisks on Ontario Street?
29
On the cover: Cartal wears a Casablanca overshirt, Robert Barakett t-shirt and Acne Studios denim pants.
Interior shot: Cartal wears an Acne Studios overshirt, Robert Barakett t-shirt and Sacai pants. Clothing provided by Holt Renfrew.
2025
58 // NUMBER 3
Behind Closed Doors
Reason to Love Vancouver #19: Because secret bars—like the luxe speakeasy Laowai, pictured here—are hidden in plain sight.
29 REASONS TO LOVE VANCOUVER
We love our city for much, much more than just the great Japanese food and the ability to hit the beach in May. Here are 32 reasons why we’re crushing on Vancouver right now.
45 DOES DATING IN VANCOUVER HAVE TO SUCK?
While app-based dating horror stories abound, a few brave Vancouverites are working to create the opportunity to meet-cute in the real world.
49 REAL WEDDINGS
Our special feature section spotlights a wedding with 17 different caterers, and a countdown of inspiring ideas to make your special day extra-special.
62 60 57 REVIEWS
Chef Vish Mayekar’s new Elem takes inspiration from the elements.
directors Stesha Ho ( Vancouver ), Edwin Pabellon ( BCBusiness )
advisory council
Angus An, Maenam; Patrick Barron, Telus; TC Carling, North Shore Winter Club; Victoria Emslie, Nicola Wealth; Peter Jackman, Terminal City Club; Carol Lee, Vancouver Chinatown Foundation; Carol Liao, UBC Peter Allard School of Law; Matt McClenaghan, Edgar Devlopments; Jennifer Murtagh, Maturn; Gary Pooni, Pooni Group; Jen Riley, Bosa Properties; Ken Tsui, Telus Originals; Greg Zayadi, Rennie Group
sales representation
vice president , sales Anna Lee
senior media specialists Brianne Harper, Mira Hershcovitch, Sheri Stubel
u s sales specialist Hayes Media Sales tel 602-432-4868 email lesley@hayesmediasales.com
production / administration group vp ,
and administration Jane Griffiths
director of operations Devin Steinberg
of circulation Tracy McRitchie
manager Rebekah Ho executive assistant and producer, events Hannah Dewar
manager / digital ad coordinator Kim McLane
associate Natasha Jayawardana
support technician Ina Bowerbank
Terri Mason, Eileen Gajowski
LOVE TRAIN
Our original plan for this issue was to shoot the cover in an outof-commission SkyTrain car—a contained, controlled environment where cover star Felix Cartal could have a bit of privacy and we wouldn’t have to worry about rush-hour traffic. (Actually, to be honest, my originaloriginal plan was to have a cover image of Cartal hosting a party with beloved Vancouver Canadians mascot Chef Wasabi, but we can’t always get what we want, can we?) But for a variety of boring administrative reasons, the closed-set idea didn’t pan out... and so art director Stesha Ho, critically acclaimed fashion photographer Evaan Kheraj, Vancouver’s most beloved DJ and the rest of the shoot team found themselves lugging lights and bags of outfit changes from Holt Renfrew and camera equipment out to Waterfront Station on a cold January night to wait alongside the rest of the city’s late-night commuters for the most photogenic train to pull up.
The team at TransLink was there to help corral the other passengers out of the way, but as the train stopped at stations up and down the line, our shoot collected a bit of an audience. Over Kheraj’s shoulder, the other riders watched, curious at first about what was going on. And then, one by one, they looked away again, back to their phones. A glamorous magazine photo shoot on the train—or a DJ changing on the platform into his second look—isn’t the weirdest thing any of us have ever seen on public transit, after all.
There are of course plenty of good reasons to be absorbed by your screen as you move from point A to point B: a message from a friend about where to find mochi doughnuts, or, better yet, an intriguing article on vanmag.com. But I think we’ll agree that we could benefit from looking up and around us a bit more. So, our Reasons to Love Vancouver feature (page 29) is here with more than 30 reasons to do just that. The pages spotlight the people, places and things that have us so excited to be living here right now: hot neighbourhoods to explore, architecture to admire, surprising country jamborees to attend, speakeasies to seek out... you get the gist. There are so many fun, compelling and inspiring things happening in this city—the inside of your SkyTrain car is just the start. Not to get all Ferris Bueller on you, but if you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you just might miss it.
Speaking of missing things: as we go to press with this issue, we’re about to say goodbye to the editor-in-chief of our sister publication, BC Business, Nathan Caddell, who has done so much to inspire me with his thoughtful, funny, community-building coverage of B.C.’s business world two cubicles over. He’s off to become my friendly competition at another publication, and as much as he’ll be missed here, maybe that’s one more reason to love Vancouver we can add to the list—local media’s not dead yet.
STACEY McLACHLAN
editor - in - chief
smclachlan @ canadawide . com | @ stacey mclachlan
Coming Up Next Issue
The Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards
It doesn’t get any bigger than this. Our 36th annual Restaurant Awards carries on a very proud, very delicious tradition of honouring the best restaurants in the city, this year with more than 50 categories, including the coveted Restaurant of the Year award.
Why Can’t Offices Become Housing? We need places to live; vacant offices pepper the downtown core. It seems like an obvious opportunity for a little switcheroo... but as with most things development-related, it’s more complicated than that. Our Know It All column investigates.
On the Web
Love for the Local This on-and-off trade war is scary. Distract yourself from the tariff turmoil with a little retail therapy—from local brands, of course. Find our guides to everything from madein-Canada pantry staples to locally produced fashion over on vanmag.com.
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EAT AND WIN A trip to hawaii
Win a trip for two to Kā‘anapali Beach Resort—including roundtrip air transportation, airport transfers, a four-night stay at the OUTRIGGER Kā’anapali Beach Resort and two tickets to the Hawaii Food and Wine Festival’s Saturday night event (October 25, 2025)—by eating your way through Vancouver magazine’s 25 Things To Eat and Drink in Vancouver list.
CULTURE
Paradise
Inside the colourful, deeply personal New West home of
Pastel
creators Nina Huynh and Dejan Stanić.
by Kerri Donaldson photography by Tanya Goehring
In Nina Huynh and Dejan Stanić’s eclectic New Westminster home, you’ll find pastelpainted doors, nostalgic neo-pop art (think childhood cereal mascots in Supreme hoodies) and an undeniable DIY spirit. It’s hard to believe they’ve only been here for three years—save for a brief L.A. detour—because the place feels like a long-established creative playground.
Huynh (@yourgirlneens) started building her online following with thrift hauls and candid day-in-the-life vlogs on YouTube before blowing past 100,000 subscribers. “She was internet famous when I met her,” Stanić says. Huynh’s channel (now with more than 180,000 fans) and Instagram (nearly 70K strong) help support the family—Huynh and Stanić have two little boys, Blu and Lucky. “I want this girl to chill,” jokes Stanić, acknowledging his wife’s ever-busy schedule. (“We were in Tokyo, then I had to head straight to Paris for Pharrell Williams’s Over the Moon Lego launch,” recalls Huynh. “I literally came home for two days for Lucky’s birthday before flying out again.”)
The couple’s home also doubles as a creative workshop.
“We start a lot of projects and businesses,” says Huynh. “Whenever we have an idea, we just go for it, successful or not, it’s all a learning experience.”
Case in point: the two of them launched a custom tissue box company called Chuck Me a few years back; today, Stanić is building his own fashion brand. “I’ve been really into sewing,” he says, referencing half-finished workwear pieces he hopes to
Our Song A framed disc is a memento of the first vlog the content creators did together. “My Jaguar could only play CDs... we just, like, closed our eyes and picked one,” recalls Stanić—an enduring symbol of early adventures.
Car Phone
Stanić has two vintage Jaguars... and a landline phone shaped like a jaguar, too, which the couple uses to buzz in visitors. “Its eyes light up,” says Stanić with a laugh.
The Little Things Kitsch treasures abound, from a corn-on-the-cob stool to a Garfield phone. “Most of our home is thrifted, secondhand, passed down from family or from small local brands,” says Huynh. “A lot of the artwork was also gifted by artists who follow me on Instagram, which is pretty cool.”
Treasure Hunters Huynh and Stanić are self-described thrifting addicts—the table and the rainbow quilt are both recent finds. “We basically live on Marketplace,” says Stanić. “It’s part of the thrill.” The big squiggly mirror was a Marketplace find that was, as he puts it, “difficult to bring here.”
Mini Matisse The couple’s child Blu has his own painted Bearbrick figurine alongside a larger toy collection. “We love displaying Blu’s artwork and he tells us how happy it makes him for us to put it up,” says Huynh. “Sometimes he will make something and hand it to us and say, ‘Frame it, please.’”
Finders Keepers Proving that one person’s trash is truly another’s treasure, this large artwork was rescued from the trash near their old place and now crowns the fireplace mantel.
release under the label DayOff (his Serbian name is pronounced “Day-On”). His own popular Instagram account, @dejansdayoff, tracks his fashion journey and their DIY projects: he’s painted skateboard decks and recently (as in, the day before this photo shoot) tried to sand down a once-blue dining table by hand. “I had no idea an electric sander was that cheap,” he laughs.
From the dumpster-rescued painting crowning the fireplace to a framed to-go bag from Nemesis Coffee, nearly every object decorating the cozy condo tells a story. Even a random CD from the couple’s first vlog together—chosen blindly at a Value Village in Seattle— earns a spot in a frame. “Art for us is less typical,” says Stanić. “It’s personal memories, found objects, that sort of thing.”
Something Special
Lifestyle shop Suze celebrates the beauty in the little moments.
by Stacey McLachlan
Yes, every mother’s dream is to have their child grow up to be happy and successful. But a secondary, less talked about maternal wish? Having your child grow up to open a boutique dedicated to your great taste. And Lily Cameron, proprietor of Suze—named after Mom, of course—has done just that.
“My mom has always made everything beautiful; it’s her superpower,” says Cameron, who opened the doors to Kitsilano’s sweetest new lifestyle shop in October. Her mother is the kind of person who hosts every holiday dinner and birthday—a woman who rocks hotpink lipstick every day of the week. “She makes everything special, and that’s the whole idea of the store: put effort into the little things, because they can make your life special and full of joy.”
Cameron designed and renovated much of the store herself (with the help of a carpenter for the tricky stuff), and took aesthetic inspiration from Southern France and Paris. There’s the dramatic mossgreen hutch, and shelving with sleek arches at the top—two design details that make the store feel like it’s got some history. “I want it to be beautifully designed yet comfortable,” she says. “I love things that are old and have character and tell a story.” At the centre of the shop is Cameron’s family’s old dining room table—the same table that hosted all those family dinner parties as Cameron was growing up.
On that table and displayed on those shelves, you’ll find a carefully
curated selection of products: linens from a century-old French manufacturer, dreamy candles, fresh florals, hand-picked silverware. “Everything is so intentional and researched. Everything is on purpose,” says Cameron. Looks like making life beautiful and special runs in the family. 2525 W Broadway | shoppesuze.com
TRACEY AYTON
Like Mother, Like Daughter Cameron has had the retail bug for years, since working at Misch two decades ago. She briefly opened a baby store in Kits 10 years back, before closing up shop to spend time with her kids. With Suze, she’s back in that happy place.
Best Bets
What Suze’s Lily Cameron and Our Editors Are Loving Right Now
CAMERON’S PICK
Garnier Thiebaut Tablecloth ($296)
“This company started in France in 1833, and the linens are printed with these insanely gorgeous artworks, painted by French artists. The fabric is next level, and so are the designs,” says Cameron.
CAMERON’S PICK
Antique Platter from France ($175)
“It’s so amazing that people have been serving meals and sharing love through meals on these dishes for decades,” says Cameron.
CAMERON’S PICK
Fresh Flowers (from $45)
EDITORS’ PICK
The Carafe ($54)
The mark of a thoughtfully planned dinner party? A carafe of water on the table. This humble, handfinished Portuguese stoneware decanter is the ticket.
EDITORS’ PICK
Flamingo Estate Roma Heirloom Tomato Hand Soap ($62)
Yes, the silky avo cado and olive oil base is a dream for your skin, but the slightly spicy, herbaceous scent is what has us keen to scrub up.
In addition to homewares, the shop sells bouquets. “I love fresh flowers,” says Cameron. “I can never not have them in my house.”
CAMERON’S PICK
Caroline Frances Canyon at Midnight Candle ($96)
This L.A. brand makes its candles from organic essential oil. Canyon at Midnight features notes of blood orange, sweet basil, crackling embers and black cedar. “I’ve never smelled a candle I love so much,” says Cameron.
EDITORS’ PICK
Joseph Linen Full Apron ($85)
Even if you’re just heating up a frozen pizza, this charming striped linen apron will make you feel like the chicest chef in town.
Be Our Guest
Good Finds Club is serving up low-cost dinner parties and a new way to find friends in Vancouver—and they’re really making a meal out of it. by
Kerri Donaldson
Like all good ideas, sometimes if you want it done, you’ve got to do it yourself. “I’ve been inspired by supper clubs on Instagram,” says Good Finds Club founder Alice Francis, “and I’ve always wanted to do it.” So, after moving from the U.K. to Vancouver, she did.
“It began as something personal,” Francis admits. “I wanted to meet people.” She hosted the first dinner, which eventually grew into the $50 Dinner Club. The concept is simple yet brilliant: the host provides the space and cooks, while Francis handles the rest (decorations, groceries, printing out menus, marketing, any rentals needed—she’ll even assign the seating so strangers sit next to each other). Tickets are $50, covering a welcome cocktail and a homecooked meal; the BYOB policy has no corkage fees (cheers to that!). The community host lovingly plans the theme and menu: one meal might be a love letter to British fare with tea and crumpets and fish and chips, and another might take
inspiration from that host’s time living in China. You can expect to meet new people and try something new—two things we could all do more of in our overly routinized lives.
There’s also Girl Dinner, a pre-loved-clothing-meetsdining event and cocktail hour that Francis runs with her friend Scarlet Hunter in a bigger, rented studio space (most recently, Mount Pleasant’s Kou Studios) to accommodate the pre-dinner perusing of curated racks of
vintage and local brands from cool local vendors like Naura Thrift and Nillionaire, all while soaking up the cocktails and validation from women fuelled by said cocktails. (And enjoying food from caterer Thumn’s Dinner Club.) “It’s more of an opportunity to dress up,” Francis says.
The appetite for the $50 Dinner Club is real (no surprise, with the cost of food these days). Dinners sell out fast—sometimes within hours of posting. “Strangers reach out on Instagram asking to host,” Francis says. “You can try something in Vancouver, and people will show up.” Turns out, in a city with a reputation for being a hard place to meet people, all you need is a table and a few open seats.
A Seat at the Table Alice Francis (bottom left, in the black dress) is turning strangers into friends with her super social pop-up dinner parties.
THE DEETS
Follow @good_finds_club to be the first to know about the next $50 Dinner Club or Girl Dinner
Spring Fling Things
Your go-to guide for events, parties and all the fun stuff to keep your spring vibes alive and thriving. by Kerri Donaldson
DANCE REVOLUTION: CAMBODIAN ROCK BAND
WHEN March 6 to April 6
WHERE Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage
COST From $29
It’s your classic tale: Khmer Rouge survivor returns to Cambodia after 30 years. Family secrets intertwine with a war crimes trial set to a soundtrack of Cambodian oldies and modern hits.
EMERALD MILES: ST. PATRICK’S DAY 5K
WHEN March 15
WHERE Stanley Park Pavilion
COST From $55.76
Don your green gear and race through scenic Stanley Park this St. Paddy’s Day. While everyone else is puking green beer, you’ll be spewing “self-satisfaction.”
THE HOT SEAT: THE PHIL LIND INITIATIVE PRESENTS ZIWE
WHEN March 13
WHERE Chan Centre for the Performing Arts
COST Free
Comedian, writer and all-around cultural provocateur Ziwe takes the stage for a sharp, hilarious and unfiltered conversation that’s anything but shy. She’ll be an iconic guest.
RUNWAY
RHYTHMS: AFRICAN FASHION WEEK VANCOUVER
WHEN March 22
WHERE Newmont Stage at the BMO Theatre Centre
COST From $81
Celebrate African fashion, culture and art through live music and showstopping designs—come for the couture, stay for the party.
PUNK’S NOT DEAD: PUNKSTRAVAGANZA
WHEN March 14 and 15
WHERE Rickshaw Theatre
COST $36
It’s two days of high-energy punk bands that refuse to turn down the volume. Put some spring in your step and hit that mosh pit.
THE LEG MASTER: TINA: THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL
WHEN March 25 to 30
WHERE Queen Elizabeth Theatre
COST From $108
It’s the life and songs of the great Tina Turner in this critically acclaimed musical that’s sure to be simply the best... sorry, not sorry.
CUT TO THE CHASE: SLASHER
WHEN March 27 to April 6
WHERE Studio 58
COST $20
Step into a 1980s horror set where on-screen screams meet off-screen drama in this thrilling multimedia piece that blurs reality and fiction.
BAND OF SISTERS: HEART’S ROYAL FLUSH TOUR
WHEN March 13
WHERE Pacific Coliseum
COST From $35.50
Rock legends Heart are back on tour after Ann Wilson announced she’s on the other side of her cancer treatment. Get ready to belt out “Barracuda” and feel those ’80s vibes. Big hair optional, but encouraged.
WHEELIE GLAM: GLAM-O-RAMA ROLLER DISCO
WHEN March 22
WHERE Rollerland at the PNE COST From $27
Lace up for a night of glam on eight tiny wheels! Expect retro anthems, neon vibes and giving smooth moves until you’re using the wall to brake. (Honestly, is there any better way?)
PETALS AND PEDALS: BIKE THE BLOSSOMS
WHEN April 5
WHERE Starting at Queen Elizabeth Park
COST Free
Combine your love for cycling and cherry blossoms on this guided bike tour through Vancouver’s most scenic routes. It’s the wheel deal for nature enthusiasts.
ROUND OF APPLAUSE: CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH
WHEN April 13
WHERE Biltmore Cabaret
COST From $50
Get ready to clap your hands and feel old (but in a fun way!) to celebrate 20 years since the band released its landmark self-titled debut album.
CAN’T GET HER OUT OF YOUR HEAD: KYLIE MINOGUE’S TENSION TOUR
WHEN April 26
WHERE Pacific Coliseum COST From $84
Everyone’s fave Aussie pop princess is bringing dance vibes and some serious padam padam to Vancouver... along with an excuse to wear sequins.
SCOT ROCK: MOGWAI LIVE IN CONCERT
WHEN April 24
WHERE Commodore Ballroom COST From $65
Scotland’s post-rock legends are here to blow your mind (and maybe your eardrums) with their epic, cinematic soundscapes. Earplugs are probably a good idea. (Safety first!)
WAND WAVING: HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER’S STONE IN CONCERT
WHEN April 24 to 26
WHERE Orpheum Theatre
COST From $26
Relive the magic as the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra performs John Williams’s iconic score live alongside the film. Wands optional, but gasping at the flying letters is mandatory.
SHOP, DROP, REPEAT: PORTOBELLO WEST SPRING POP-UP
MARKET
WHEN April 5 and 6
WHERE Roundhouse Community Centre
COST $5; kids 12 and under free
Local vendors, handmade goodies and a shot at a $50 spree? It’s giving shop till you pop!
CRAFT SERVICES: MADE IN THE 604 POP-UP
WHEN April 26 and 27
WHERE Heritage Hall COST Free
Support local artisans and find unique treasures at this seasonal craft fair. From handmade jewellery to quirky home decor, it’s Etsy come to life.
ART ATTACK: ART VANCOUVER
WHEN April 24 to 27
WHERE Vancouver Convention Centre
COST From $19
With 100-plus local and international galleries under one roof, it’s like speed dating for art lovers... without the awkward small talk.
THE PLAYLIST
Brock Pytel is one-quarter of guitar-heavy power-pop quartet The Slip-Ons. Here’s the pop-culture content that’s keeping him powered up right now.
THE ALBUM Future Now
I’m really excited about Ian Blurton’s new Future Now record. I’ve heard the first two songs on Bandcamp and it sounds like Uriah Heep if they recorded The Magician’s Birthday in the present day but with Ian singing.
THE PODCAST Chris DeMakes A Podcast Chris (from Less Than Jake) has tons of episodes with songwriters breaking down their bestknown recordings. It’s pretty good for inspiration, and if you leave it on, you’re bound to gain some new respect for songs you might not have thought twice about before.
THE MOVIE Dead Man
The soundtrack is epic. Basically, Neil Young making everything from train noises to mournful refrains on electric guitar. It’s kinda dark and gritty, but also goofy. The scene with Billy Bob Thornton, Iggy Pop and Johnny Depp is pretty great IMO.
Volunteer With Us
Become a volunteer with The Salvation ArmyIt's a great way to give back to your community. -Serving meals - Packing hampers - Kettle campaign roles - �omm�nity �o�ncils
For more information contact BCinfo@salvationarmy.ca Or apply online at salvationarmy.ca/volunteer
The Slip-Ons latest single, “Graystone,” is available through streaming services now.
Plant Powered
Enter Briiskie Bobbins’ garden of eco-friendly delights.
by Celine Simpson
In Briiskie Bobbins’ downtown boutique, there’s more to the metallic corsets and sumptuous blouses than meets the eye. Those corsets are crafted from pineapple leather, and the blouses are sewn from orange peel satin. The concept is a compelling, leading-edge rarity, and the brand not only offers luxurious clothing, but also a meaningful experience.
Briiskie founder and designer Iryna Steller’s Fruits and Flowers collection is all made with unexpected, natural materials. Though the shop has been open for two years, this sustainable rebrand is relatively new—the collection rejects the traditional seasonal format and stems from Steller’s near-encyclopedic (and largely self-taught) knowledge of technical fashion design and natural materials. “I opened the door to an enchanting world of alternative materials,” she says. “Briiskie now isn’t just about garments, it’s something more philosophical and that has more legacy to it.”
Steller first honed her skills in the film industry, working for a fast-paced costume department. It was during a 2019 show-wrap in which she was asked to dispose of unused materials that she had a life-altering epiphany about fashion industry waste—and then sought to find an alternative to the status quo.
The designer’s search for cruelty-free, plant-based materials yields a list worthy of a still-life painting:
orange peels, rose petals, eucalyptus, corn and lotus root, to name a few. The orange peel satin, made from the peel’s cellulose extract and spun into fibres, has a rich weight to it and even maintains nourishing vitamin C traces. Such experimental fabrics take patience to master. “I get inspiration after I start talking to the material,” Steller says of her process. “When you work with sustainable materials, they will tell you what to make from them.”
“Sustainable fashion can be versatile,” says
Waste Not, Want Not
Briiskie founder and designer
Iryna Steller (left) sources materials that are made from industry by-products of household goods such as juice and perfume that would otherwise go to waste.
Steller.
The pineapple leather bustier ($320) is made from a by-product of the fruit industry, and features chic pearl detailing.
1. Comandante Coffee Grinder
It’s a beautiful little gadget. I love the process. I grind away and count the number of turns: I do 75 turns each morning. It’s pleasant, I enjoy doing it. $375, cafune.ca
The Haul
John Fluevog may spend most of his days dreaming up wild and wonderful shoes for other people to buy (this year, Fluevog Shoes celebrates 55 years in business), but his latest, greatest purchases go far beyond the footwear realm. Here are a few of the iconoclastic footwear designer’s favourite things.
2. Anian Modern Melton Wool Shirt
It’s not really a shirt; it’s more like a jacket-shirt. Truth be told, it’s a bit straight-up for me—I normally like more interesting or funky things—but it’s the jacket I put on a lot because I’m going out to grab lunch and it’s practical. $215, anianmfg.com
3. Pedersen Bike
It’s a bike first built in 1893, and then they got
made in the U.K., and then they got bought by a company in Christiania, Denmark, and these hippie people started rebuilding them and they’re super cool. I sit up quite straight on it. I was tired of leaning over. Vintage
4. SodaStream Terra
I’m trying to drink more water in my old age. And this is the only way I’ll drink the appropriate amount. I mix it with unsweetened cranberry juice, disgusting things like that. $65, london drugs.com
5. StriVectin Cream
I’ve been using this for a few years. I’m 76 years old and people tell me I look pretty good, so
I’m just going to keep doing it. $65, shoppers drugmart.ca
6. WaterRower Classic Walnut S4 Rowing Machine
Most exercise equipment is all metal and steel. But this is all natural looking. You pull on it, it goes swish, swish... it somehow feels more natural. I’m going to say I do it three times a week. $2,199, northernfitness.ca
7. Fluevog Rigby Crossbody Belt Bag
My keys, my phone and my wallet are in my crossbody bag at all times. I’ve been known to lose things, but now I can just roll in, roll out, and I don’t lose anything. $339, fluevog.com
8. Husqvarna 415X Self-Install Automower
I travel quite a bit and could never have a lawn without this little automated lawnmower. I call him Harold. Harold’s marvelous. I tell Harold what to do, and he does it. It can be pouring rain, a blizzard, whatever. He just goes out, even at 10 at night. He’s rolling around, scaring the dogs. I love him. $1,500, canadiantire.ca
9. Kubota 2T Mini Excavator I take any excuse to just get on and dig with my little excavator. You know how they give little kids diggers at the playground? Same thing. $21,550, capitalauto equipment.com
Long Live the Queen
At 90, Bill Monroe has been performing—and singing live—for over seven decades, and doesn’t plan to quit anytime soon. by
Anicka Quin
It’s a chilly December night just before Christmas, and a couple hundred regulars are packed into the Fountainhead for Coco’s annual Holiday Show. Coco herself, the legendary drag queen and alter ego of Vancouverite Derek White, has been running the annual fundraiser for charities like A Loving Spoonful and Out in Schools since 2002, and the mainly Gen-X audience seems likely to have been in attendance for most of those shows over the years.
The 23 queens and kings performing tonight range from seasoned veterans like Pride Parade emcee Joan-E and Coco’s own drag mother, Carlotta Gurl, to up-andcomers still finding their lip sync and working through the odd costume fail. It’s an on-their-side crowd—tips are held high, cheers are at the ready for death drops and gags—but one queen carves a different swath. Bill Monroe, the self-proclaimed Oldest Performing Drag Queen (we dare you to challenge that statement of fact), takes an offered hand to climb up on stage. Dressed in a made-forthe-event purple caftan, he breaks into a rich baritone of
“You’re Nobody Till Somebody Loves You”—no lip syncing for Monroe—while the crowd offers its deference (and an overflowing beer pitcher of tips). As he finishes, he turns back to address the crowd: “Thanks everyone, and don’t worry—you haven’t seen the last of me.”
At 90 (soon to be 91 in April), Monroe is both a living legend and a walking history book. And at a time when we’re short on gay elders—many of Monroe’s friends and peers succumbed to the AIDS epidemic of the ’80s and early ’90s—and when the very nature of drag as an art form continues to be challenged in our current political climate, his continued presence (paired with his own brand of cheeky attitude on stage) is both heartwarming and an inspiration to those performing and in the crowd.
One of his very first drag performances was back in 1959 in Toronto, eight years before our current Trudeau’s dad declared that there was “no place for the state in the bedrooms of the nation” and decriminalized homosexuality. “The only time you could be out in drag was Halloween night,” says Monroe. “The rest of time you could be picked up on the streets for soliciting.”
But Monroe and a few friends were attempting to build a private club for the gay community in Toronto, and a show was one of the best ways to fundraise—they wanted to apply for a liquor licence for
a coffee shop that was above a laundromat on Yonge Street. “There was no place you could dance together,” says Monroe. “Men couldn’t dance together—it was against the law. Women could, but men couldn’t. So a whole bunch of us decided to put on a drag show to raise money, and apply for a liquor licence.”
The show was a hit, until it wasn’t: everything came to an abrupt halt when the makeshift club was raided by police officers. “We all went to jail in drag,” he says. “They told us to plead guilty, and we’d be charged $10 because it was an illegal show, because the guy didn’t have a licence to have a dance production.”
Monroe didn’t feel he was in a position to argue, but wasn’t happy about pleading guilty, either. “It was a couple of my friends in the show, so we pleaded guilty,” he says. “But then they changed the
Queen of the North One of Monroe’s most beloved impersonations is as the Queen of England. “I never made fun of the Queen,” he says. “I made fun of everybody around her.”
charge to an immoral one without letting us change our plea, and fined us $250.”
Before the authorities had a chance to collect, he bought a one-way ticket to London, England. “There was a warrant out for my arrest for 20 years,” Monroe says with a laugh. “I wanted to be somewhere I didn’t know.”
He danced with Arthur Murray Dance Studio over the years—in New York, L.A., Philadelphia—and in 1965
found an opportunity to get back to Canada through a friend: “He was opening up a studio in Winnipeg, and I thought, well, nobody will ever look for a drag queen in Winnipeg.”
Dancing helped him put himself through hairdressing school, and then a teaching degree, landing a job at a community college in the city. And by 1980 he’d found his way to Vancouver, and eventu-
ally, a position as an operator at Telus, where he worked until retirement—even performing at the company’s anniversary party in one of his most-requested roles as the Queen. “I was fortunate.
I’ve been told I have stage presence—I walk on the stage and it’s mine, and it’s still that way. You know, you either have it or you don’t. And you can’t buy it,” says Monroe.
While Monroe is now known for his live singing, he lip synced when he was starting out. “But when tracks started coming out in the disco era, disco was a saviour,” he says. “Everybody put out those great big 33 records with one hit and it played forever with the singer on it, Donna Summers or whoever it was. And then to save money, they just put the tracks on the back without her.”
Monroe and his late partner, Chris, “bought every instrumental record ever made,” he says. “I still use one, ‘That’s Life.’ I’ve been singing that for over 40 years.”
He still performs a couple of times of year, and follows his own set of rules: shows start on time (“I’d say to the audience, I’ve been asked to hold the show for half an hour. And you know, I’m never late, so we’re starting now”), and dressed to the nines (“I never hit the stage with the same outfit twice,” he says. “I’ve changed as much as 13 times in a night.”)
But it’s more than just the rules that keeps Monroe’s popularity strong, seven decades into his career. “He just lights up when he’s performing—you see it in his eyes, he just loves what he’s doing,” says longtime friend and fellow drag performer Derek White. “Long live the queen!”
What Are These Strange Obelisks Doing on Ontario Street?
Those ominous granite pillars are actually there for a practical reason.
When you discover a mysterious obelisk in your travels, it’s usually a sign that you are actually a character in some sort of sci-fi movie:
perhaps one called Starblaster X: Escape to the Plortox Dimension; definitely one that takes place on a dust planet because they all take place on a dust planet (why can’t space be wet?). But look around and collect some more data before you take up arms against Space Emperor Gorbezz-lor. Are you travelling with a wacky-yetwise robot sidekick? Are you speaking with an English accent for no good reason? No? Then you’re probably just on a walk down Ontario Street. At ease, space soldier.
that a vengeful crow swoops down and takes your smartphone, and then doubles back to snag your map book from your hands, and then comes back a third time to peck your eyes so you can’t read the street signs anymore, you’ll be glad you had this backup to the backup to the backup option. You can never be too prepared when it comes to remembering that you’re at Ontario and 8th! I’ve always said that.
by Stacey McLachlan
Ane Arzelus
Got a question for Know-It-All? stacey.mclachlan@ vanmag.com
There are a dozen of these strange markers along the Ontario Greenway, installed by the city in 2002 between SW Marine Drive and Olympic Village. They were designed by landscape architect Alexandra Steed, who repurposed granite rescued from the original curbs in the area. Maybe this isn’t as mystical an origin story as for other stone-based wonders of the world, but, to be fair, we don’t know for sure that Stonehenge isn’t the work of an ancient, ambitious landscape architect. (Would explain a lot, honestly.)
The markers have some rudimentary wayfinding functionality—lines and dots carved into each obelisk indicate where along the greenway one is currently standing. You might not think this is very helpful, given that maps exist, but in the event
But more than providing orientation, the intended goal of these obelisks is to “spark curiosity and social interaction,” according to an official City of Vancouver spokesperson. Sure, if I were handed a bunch of raw granite and tasked with provoking passersby, I might’ve gone for something more titillating (nudity), but for 20-plus years, the obelisks have offended no one, which is more than we can say for that poodle statue on Main and 18th.
And should you crave an alternative way to admire some taxpayer-funded recycled granite, there are other examples around town of old curbs being given new life. Seating along the Ridgeway Greenway, west of Nanaimo, is made from curb granite; ditto water fountains at Killarney and East 45th, and a chess board at Ontario and 18th Avenue. The Stonehenge architects could only dream of this sort of breadth.
illustration by
We’ve been chatting with our BC community, and here’s what we learned
DINING HABITS: DID YOU KNOW THAT 72% OF VANCOUVERITES DINE OUT 1-2 TIMES A WEEK ?
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES:
We love the great outdoors! WALKING is Vancouver's favorite outdoor activity ( 87% ), followed by HIKING ( 53% ) and PICNICKING ( 39% ).
WHAT MATTERS TO US:
Vancouverites are passionate about the cost of living , healthcare , and affordable housing . Are these topics important to you too? Now we have a question for you! What generalizations or stereotypes do people make when they find out you're from British Columbia?
FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN 1 OF 5 $100 VISA GIFT CARDS
LOVE REASONS TO
There are plenty of obvious reasons to love Vancouver—mountains, sushi, social permission to wear stretchy pants to a gala, et cetera—but our affection for this beautiful city runs deeper than the surface... and we don’t care who knows it. Here’s what keeps us swooning for the greatest city on earth (sorry, New York!), even after all these years.
By Kerri Donaldson, Stacey McLachlan, Jenny Rubé, Celine Simpson and Dani Wright
Because A DJ Took Over The 1
Skytrain
Sweaty bodies were packed together, swaying and bouncing, as DJ Felix Cartal deftly whisked his hands across the sliders and glowing buttons of his deck. The bassline was thrumming, the rhythm was pulsating and his shaggy mop of hair bobbed above the controls as he prepared to mix in a track he knew would drive the crowd wild: the SkyTrain door chimes.
It was a sample that might not have hit in any other venue, but it did with this specific audience: superfans crammed into a neon-lit SkyTrain car for a surprise Cartal show November 2023. It crushed. “It was a little Easter egg,” says the artist, who grew up in New West and spent many a night riding the rails downtown to gigs.
Though the SkyTrain show brought him a specific flavour of Vancouver notoriety, it wasn’t Cartal’s first pop-up. His album Into Sunsets first inspired him to think beyond the club. “I wanted to play somewhere with a sunset. There wasn’t really more of a thought to it than that,” he says. He set up an impromptu show on Third Beach, DJing right by the ocean. More people showed up than he’d expected, and it ignited a curiosity for more alternative venues—from an abandoned clothing store show with collaborator Lights, to the SkyTrain set. “The reason pop-ups are fun is because everyone is like-minded with their intentions,” he says. “In the club, people might be there for different reasons, like just there for the bottle service, but with a pop-up, everyone is dialled in. It kind of created this ripple effect of trying something new.”
The pop-ups are intended to be positive, not disruptive, of course. Cartal was careful to run the SkyTrain show post-rush hour, but also before it got too late and rowdy. “I didn’t want to be reckless or renegade,” he says. “People want to have fun and do cool things, but there can be a lot of red tape and licences, or venues being shut down.” Everyone was on their best behaviour, and SkyTrain staff was accommodating and helpful, making sure everyone got on and off safely.
Months after the fact, Cartal is still astounded at what he pulled off—but don’t expect to find him partying in a train car the next time you’re waiting at Stadium-Chinatown. “I don’t want to push my luck,” he says. “It was very special and I can’t believe it worked as well as it worked, and we got away with it. I can’t believe we did it, and that’s enough.” —Stacey McLachlan
Because glutenfree folks can go to town on pork buns now
Hong-Kong-style cafe Saan Saan opened quietly in Chinatown last summer, offering the gluten-free set an opportunity to feast on treats that have long been off the table. Find char siu BBQ pork and curry beef puffs ($6.75 each) on the menu alongside mochi brownies ($4) and black sesame caramel cookies ($5); Hong Kongstyle hot drinks like milk tea ($4.50) and yuen yeung (coffee, tea and evaporated milk, $4.75) are available to wash it all down.
227 Main St., saansaan.ca—S.M.
Because even the northern lights can’t resist us
Earlier this decade, if you wanted to see the northern lights, you’d need to book a flight to the Yukon. (Please pack a jacket more substantial than your Super Puff, you West Coast weakling.) But these days, the aurora borealis will occasionally put on a show much closer to home, as you’ll know if you looked up at the sky this past January. It’s happening because we’re at a sweet spot in the sun’s 11-year solar cycle, with more coronal mass ejections plunging into the Earth’s upper atmosphere with enough punch to spread beyond the polar regions. Soon, this very special time in the sun’s life will come to an end, so soak up the colours while you can... though if you miss out on seeing the real thing, there’s always Instagram.—S.M.
Because sauna culture keeps heating up
We just wrote about the saunaand-cold-plunge spa trend in our February 2024 issue, but here we are, a year later, with a multitude of new saunas to acknowledge—so it’s clear this practice isn’t cooling down any time soon.
HOT NEW SAUNAS
Gatherwell hosts super-social community sessions (125 W Broadway, gatherwell.ca); Tality Wellness is now in Mount Pleasant, still with all-you-can-drink kombucha (107 E 3rd Ave., tality wellness.ca); Kolm Kontrast features a 50-person sauna and essential-oilinfused snowballs (101–525 W 5th Ave., kolmkontrast .com); Aether Haus looms mysteriously in the West End (1768 Davie St., aether haus.ca).—S.M.
Because our restaurateurs know how to share
It’s no secret that commercial real estate carries a hefty price tag, so we’ve been loving how the savviest of Vancouver’s restaurateurs are splitting the rent and dividing one location’s operation into multiple restaurants (giving us even more tasty locales to frequent). Take Chinatown’s Hunnybee Bruncheonette (789 Gore Ave.), which transforms after 5 p.m. into Taqueria Chicatana on Mondays and Tuesdays and Thank You Pizza on Wednesday through Saturday. Or Birds and the Beets (54 Alexander St.), whose back space becomes Bar Tartare at night. Or how Dear Gus (2040 Quebec St.) acted as a staging point for Cowdog Coffee, operating out of the restaurant two days a week until eventually it opened in a new brick and mortar location (3720 Oak St.), proving that sharing really is caring.—Dani Wright
Because our Vancouver Specials are really, well, special
Our region may be celebrated for its West Coast modern architecture, but Vancouver Specials are an equally prominent part of our built environment. More than 10,000 of these humble, stucco-clad family homes were constructed between 1965 and 1985, but clever renovations continue to keep the typology relevant.—S.M.
(DEAR GUS) STUDIO SANTIAGO
DEAR GUS
BAR TARTARE
MIDCENTURY MARVEL
One Seed Architecture and Interiors
“In honour of the things that make Vancouver Specials so identifiable, we kept the brick cladding on the lower level and painted it and the stucco a slate colour to tie the stucco and brick together, while emphasizing the textural difference between materials. The bold material palette includes corrugated steel siding in a charcoal colour; bright merlot-red powder coated steel plate panels; white-washed horizontal cedar siding spaced to create dark reveals between boards; and guardrails made from industrial metal grate panels, which provide privacy.”—Allison Holden-Pope, principal
CLASSIC CHARM
Jamie Banfield Designs
“We painted the house white, which worked well with the different materials, like stucco, siding and brick. We typically mix textures, finishes and colours, but for this project, we wanted to embrace the texture while maintaining a light, bright and timeless look—so one solid colour was the fix. Gone are the frosted brown glass door and outdated balcony. We replaced the former with a sleek, classy door and transformed the balcony with new glass railings to bring in a modern touch.”—Jamie Banfield, principal
MINIMALIST GLAM
Kalu Interiors
“We wanted to achieve definition of spaces while not forfeiting sightlines, light and visual connection. A slatted wall was used to partition the dining room and hallway, helping to define these areas while not closing them from one another. Custom millwork and built-ins maximize the use and storage within the space, such as a built-in banquette at the back of the home on the upper level, creating the perfect area to work as a family.”—Aleem Kassam, principal
EFFORTLESSLY ELEGANT
AK Design
“The overall layout of the home remained largely intact, with a few minor tweaks that made a world of a difference. The star of the show, as it pertains to the original structure, was by far the curved staircase. The existing staircase was preserved but received updated railings and finishes to align with the new design.” —Annaliesse Kelly, principal
Because the Dominion Building is always bumping 7
The Dominion is a Gastown landmark, and though the 13-storey, Beaux Arts-style tower is more than 115 years old (and no longer the highest building in the British Empire), she’s still full of life. The small offices inside attract a rotating cast of independent businesses and creatives; right now, a new wave of cool-girl fashion boutiques (many of them vintage-focused) are ruling the roost. Here are the collectors and curators calling the Dominion home right now.—S.M.
COLLECTIVE WILL
Pre-loved pieces hang alongside “re-worked” ones, like cropped vintage blazers. shopcollectivewill.com
VINTIQUE
The cult-fave luxe consignment shop has a big collection of men’s pieces. vintique consignment.com
SIISTA Latinx-owned and
focused on “affordable luxury” with brands like Favorite Daughter and Em and May. siista.com
THE FIND
LUXURY
High-end consignment; source vintage Chanel and Valentino here. thefindluxury.com
BIG AL’S VINTAGE
An eclectic mix of goodies (fur coats,
leather pants, pirate-y tops) and personal styling. bigalsvintage.ca
LE CELLIER
Handbags, accessories and shoes from big names are the focus; think Prada heels and Ganni flats. lecellier.co
ONCE TWICE
HIRE
Rent high-end gowns and slinky dresses for your next big soiree. oncetwicehire.com
You can always tell when Stoney Paradise Farm is at the Trout Lake Farmers Market because the lineup of tomato hounds stretches out into the park. Milan Djordjevich is known as the Tomato Man, a legend for his eccentric devotion to his Sungolds and San Marzanos and widely considered to be the purveyor of the best in the province. If you can’t wait 45 minutes to get your hands on a basket of his perfect red gems, never fear: you can get a taste of the good stuff at pretty much any one of your favourite restaurants (Livia, Magari, L’Abattoir, Elisa et al.).
The Trout Lake Farmers Market re-opens this April, eatlocal.org—S.M.
Lee’s Donuts isn’t the only spot to get a little pick-me-up on Granville Island. Arts Umbrella’s mini gallery showcases work from the young artists taking classes in the handsome, modernist facility. The (free!) rotating exhibition might display models from six-year-old architecture students, tween photography, mixed-media sculpture from the toddler set or charcoal still lifes from fourth graders. Everything is impressive or adorable—take that, VAG. 1400 Johnston St., artsumbrella.com—S.M.
ALORA HORN
MIKAYLA DACOSTA
Because we have a film fest for everyone
REASONS
12 10
Vancouver is a cinephile’s paradise, and not just because dozens of movies are filmed here each year. The sheer number of film festivals that run through town means that you pretty much never have to settle for a screening of Smurfs 3 at Tinseltown—indie cinema constantly awaits at a theatre near you.—S.M.
Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival
Get an adrenaline rush without leaving the theatre.
Vancouver Jewish Film Festival
The longest-running Jewish film festival in Canada.
Doxa Documentary Film Festival
It’s good to get a dose of reality every once in a while.
Run N Gun
Filmmakers have 48 hours to put these shorts together.
Vancouver Short Film Festival Movies but, you know, not very long.
Vancouver Queer Film Festival
2SLGBTQIA+ film in the spotlight.
Vancouver Latin American Film Festival
Latin-Canadian and Indigenous filmmaking are part of the celebration, too.
Vancouver International Film Festival
The big show!
Vancouver Asian Film Festival
The diversity and depth of Asian culture and identity, on the big screen.
European Union Film Festival
The Cinematheque showcases the best of contemporary European filmmaking.
Vancouver International Black Film Festival
In 2025, it’s back for its fifth year of amplifying Black filmmakers.
Because women’s sports are having a moment
Rogers Arena was packed to the brim on January 8 with fans screaming at the top of their lungs. But they weren’t there to cheer on the Canucks (sorry, guys): they’d assembled to pledge allegiance to the athletic prowess of the Toronto Sceptres and Montreal Victoire, two of the Professional Women’s Hockey League teams currently on a takeover tour of North American cities. Between the fervour in the stadium that night, the news that the WBNA’s new Toronto Tempo will be playing regular-season games in Vancouver in 2026, too, and the announcement of our very own pro women’s soccer team, the Rise FC (president Sinead King, co-owner Christine Sinclair and sporting director Stephanie Labbé pictured above), women’s sports are finally getting their moment in the spotlight. And that’s something worth cheering for. The Rise kicks off as part of the Northern Super League’s inaugural season this April.—S.M.
Because Gastown is now comedy central
There weren’t a ton of reasons to laugh in the aftermath of 2020’s lockdowns—and thanks to a rash of comedy club shutdowns around that time, not a lot of places to laugh, either. The two duelling standup clubs, Yuk Yuks and the Comedy Mix, both closed up shop before the pandemic hit; beloved indie rooms like the Kino Cafe and Little Mountain Gallery shuttered in the ensuing years, too. But from the comedy ashes, a new slew of venues is arising, including a trio of exciting rooms within blocks of each other in Gastown. Laughter lives!—S.M.
LITTLE MOUNTAIN GALLERY COMEDY
Beloved alt-comedy clubhouse LMG has been reincarnated in a bigger, shinier Water Street space, now with two theatres and a central bar all dedicated to providing affordable space for up-and-coming comics and all-stars to do standup, sketch, improv and curious comedy experiments (like dog-friendly shows). 110 Water St., littlemountaingallery.ca
UNDERGROUND COMEDY
The speakeasy-style club is hidden underneath a British-style pub, The Hoxton, with stand-up shows running Wednesday through Sunday. Josh Romyn’s True Enough show gives comedians a theme each week to ruminate on, and is a highlight. (Full disclosure: he’s also married to our digital manager.) 120 W Hastings St., ugcomedy.com
COMEDY AFTER DARK
The comedy bar and kitchen is run by longtime standup comic and producer Suzy Rawsome, and the 12-plus weekly shows run the gamut from new comic showcases to Taco Tuesday all-ladies standup nights. 117 W Pender St., comedyafterdark.ca
Because
Carol Lee is bringing Foo’s Ho Ho back to life
Vancouver Chinatown Foundation chair Carol Lee is the perfect person for the Sisyphean task of revitalizing the iconic, long-shuttered Foo’s Ho Ho restaurant in Chinatown. She’s got plenty of restaurant experience under her belt already, thanks to her critically acclaimed, always buzzing Chinatown BBQ, but more importantly, she has experience in patience—the community housing project her foundation finished last year, Bob and Michael’s Place, took 13 years to complete thanks to red tape and a funding slog. The Ho Ho is unfortunately shaping up to be a long-haul project too: seven years into the restoration, Lee has been delayed by flood after flood after flood and an opening date remains elusive. We know, though, when it does finally open, that it’ll be a boon to the neighbourhood: something that fuels the community with more than just (very tasty) wontons. Here’s hoping the neon chopsticks are lit up again soon.—S.M.
Because we’ll be able to 3D print a kidney any day now
There’s a lot of exciting stuff happening in the B.C. biotech sector that, to be honest, is way over our heads (what is a stem cell, exactly?), but Aspect Biosystems is making moves that even our liberal arts brains can understand: its 3D printing technology can create synthetic tissues of living cells to repair organs. Pop one of these into someone with an impaired pancreas or liver, and organ functions resume within minutes. For anyone waiting for a transplant, this tech will be a gamechanger, and obviously investors think so too: Aspect has recently received $72.5 million from the provincial and federal governments for a new manufacturing plant, and a $115 million USD from U.S. investment firm Dimension Management.—S.M.
Because
A ticket to Vietnam from YVR is upwards of $1,200. A bus trip up Kingsway? Just a few bucks... saving you cash for your crawl of some of the best Vietnamese food in the city.—S.M.
CRAB HOT LAU A perennial Restaurant Awards finalist. 2141 Kingsway, crabhotlauvancouver.ca
BA-LE BANH MI Crushing the banh mi game for 30 years. 701 Kingsway, balebanhmi.com
CAFE XU HUE The bún bò huê dâc biệt packs a fiery punch. 2226 Kingsway, @cafexuhuevancouver
DO CHAY A modern vegetarian take on Viet classics. 1392 Kingsway, dochay.ca
THU HIEN DELI AND SANDWICH SHOP Crepe rolls are the specialty here. 1388 Kingsway, 604-874-9243
BUN CHA CA HOANG YEN OK, it’s not on Kingsway, but the pho here slaps. 5155 Victoria Dr., bunchacahoangyen.com
Because we can take the ferry from downtown
Getting to the Tsawwassen or Horseshoe Bay ferry terminals can sometimes be as big of a trip as whatever Island journey you’ve got planned on the other side... and if you’re bringing your car, prepare to pay almost as much as you would to fly. The launch of the Hullo passenger ferry right from downtown brings a veneer of civility to the whole Island-travel affair—walk on from Canada Place, access free wi-fi, and get off 70 minutes later in downtown Nanaimo, all for a $40 ticket. The downside, of course, is that there’s no Passages gift shop or cafeteria, but we’re sure there’s somewhere else you can source your soft serve and starfish earrings. hullo.com—S.M.
17
Because Derek Gerard does a world-famous podcast in the VPL
We thought it would be easy to profile someone who does a podcast out of the Vancouver Public Library’s downtown branch. But it turns out That Library Show content creator Derek Gerard, with his 474,000 YouTube subscribers, one million Instagram followers and 3.5 million TikTok fans, is the sort of internet-famous person who requires layers of L.A. agents to get through and also was impossible to lock down an interview with. We just wanted to ask him why people like to watch him talk to a variety of oddball characters at a table in the stacks, but we guess we’ll just have to observe him grill (and shush) his own high school teacher and guess for ourselves. Our tax dollars pay for your podcast set, sir. Call us back.—S.M.
18
Because roving bands of toddlers have taken over the forest
If you’re a Vancouver parent, you know full well that finding daycare for your kids can be competitive. But have you considered another option: leaving your child in the woods?
We don’t mean this in a “child endangerment” sort of way: we’re merely reminding you that there are more than a few outdoor daycare options out there that immerse your little one in the wonder of nature and basically never get shut down for norovirus like all the indoor daycares do.
Forest and Friends, Woods and Waves, Muddy Boot Prints, Little Nomads, Bayview Nature Program and others wrangle MuddyBuddy-clad toddlers for hours on end. It’s a West Coast dream come true: an education in chasing frogs and picking blackberries. The only downside to this alternative pre-school system? Grownups aren’t invited.—S.M.
Because secret bars are hidden in plain sight 19
Speakeasies of yesteryear were all about not being seen—but Vancouver has turned the trope on its head with an abundance of not-so-secret bars with passcodes, hidden entrances and fun themes. Like Gastown’s tarot-themed Arcana Spirit Lounge (238 Abbott St.), where you can have your palms read while sipping a Fallen Angel (it’s bourbon-based and arrives in a faux Bible). Or Chinatown’s Indian train car-inspired Bagheera (518 Main St.), where you enter through a faux bookie’s office (don’t forget the password) before you can order a cocktail or a plate of pitch-perfect pakoras. We’re also fans of 1920s Shanghaiinspired Laowai (251 E Georgia St.), which is hidden behind a functional dumpling shop (don’t sleep on that, either), and is where you receive a tome of a menu in which each cocktail is more enticing than the last (we recommend the Purple Butterfly: it contains buttered popcorn syrup). We can’t forget Main Street’s Key Party (2305 Main St.), where drinks are adventurous (like the Blood Hound, which includes beet, mezcal and a smoke bubble) and party-worthy (like the Kir Royale Jello shot), or its precursor, the one to start it all: the Narrow (1898 Main St.). The dimly lit, easy-to-miss spot has been a go-to for bargoers looking for a place with both an ice-cold PBR and a perfect Paper Plane for years.—D.W.
Our celebratory dish of choice, Linh Cafe’s beef wellington ($85) is a stunning take on the British classic. Substituting black forest ham for the traditional prosciutto adds a punch of flavour (and structural integrity), while the creamy peppercorn sauce brings bite and the buttery puff pastry delivers technique-driven crisp. We’re not forgetting the star, though: the tenderloin itself is executed to perfection, meaning your first bite will be as good as your last—because, really, we’re not leaving a single morsel on the table. linhcafe.com
Because our slow fashion scene is growing fast
Slow fashion focuses on quality over quantity, puts an emphasis on ethical and environmentally gentle production practices and promotes conscious consumption. It encourages us to build style around enduring classics and hold onto treasured statement pieces for years to come. With a surge of talented creatives pushing for much-needed change in the fashion industry, the slow fashion scene here in Vancouver is at a crest. The need to reflect on consumer habits is at an all-time high, and with a bold range of genres to choose from within the slow fashion sphere—from plant-based couture to high streetwear—there couldn’t be a better time to turn toward local, sustainable brands.
VESTIGE
What happens when an English literature major with visually poetic sensibilities creates a slow fashion label? Aileen Lee brings narrative clothing made with conscious textiles. The label’s made-to-order pieces are both boldly elegant and quietly enchanting: lifestyle artifacts you’d wear in a sun-dappled pottery studio or dusky garden.
HARLY JAE
These feminine, multi-season silhouettes are inspired by a sense of nostalgia and an appreci ation for well-made vintage fashion. See: sweet gingham nightgowns and prairie plaid blouses. Sometimes made from deadstock fabrics, Harly Jae garments give that same feeling of discovering that your mom’s loveliest piece from the past now fits you perfectly.
JAMES COWARD
REASONS TO LOVE VANCOUVER
This collaborative project crafts subtle, well-proportioned, gracefully masculine wearables. Produced in small batches and carried by select stockists, James Coward is the skillfully cool antithesis to mass-produced menswear.
OUTLAWS
Slow fashion isn’t often associated with high streetwear, but Outlaws is a rebellious brand that fits the bill. Limited edition, unisex collections with names like “To Whom It May Concern” and “Last Night in Paradise” feel enigmatic, like being in on a secret, and have gained a local cult following. Expect bomber jackets with futuristic undertones and bandit-emblazoned ball caps.
Because Indigenous artists brought downtown alleys to life
We’re not delusional: we know that things are a little, um, rough downtown these days. But nothing warms the heart more than watching the Downtown Business Association stepping up to try to correct course. Pedestrian-ifying part of Robson Street is one way they’re bringing back some vibrancy; events like the Granville Street block party and public movie screenings at Lot 19 have been welcome (and licenced!) community-builders in the ’hood, too. And with last fall’s Immersive Perspective AR Art Walk, DTVan embraced both public art and reconciliation efforts—who says capitalists can’t do nice things? The free augmented-reality experience, designed by Josh Conrad, founder and art director of Slow Studies Creative, layered the work of 10 Indigenous creatives overtop of the streetscape, allowing visitors to see both Indigenous art and the downtown core come alive.—S.M.
23
Because there’s a collab dinner every night of the week
Like seeks like, as they say, and Vancouver’s top chefs have taken to collaboration rather than competition when it comes to building creative one-off menus. From local Michelin-starred chefs finding common ground to internationally recognized industry stars, Vancouver’s local restaurant scene has been abuzz with noteworthy collab dinners that have us hungry for more. Here are some faves from the year.
—D.W.
BOTANIST’s Taste of the West dinner, which welcomed chefs from Marilena, Published on Main and L’Abattoir.
MEO hosting Los Angelesbased Thunderbolt bar and local pop-up Basta Barbecue.
PUBLISHED ON MAIN’s collab dinner with San Francisco’s Michelin-starred Kiln.
SUYO’s collab with chef Warren Chow of Wildlight.
HAWKSWORTH’s collab with chef Jonathan Gushue, currently of Ontario’s The Gate.
Because artists are living together in style
24 Because death is bringing people together
The West End’s Performing Arts Lounge opened back in 2006 as a new nonprofit housing model that gave artists a place to call home— and an in-building black-box theatre—with below-market rent. (Artists, the PAL Vancouver Society notes, have an income that’s 56 percent lower than the general employed population on average.) Residents are actors, directors, painters and musicians, many senior citizens or living with disabilities, but it’s also a community of Vancouverites who now can spend their time creating instead of hustling on a second or third job. PAL opened another location last fall in New West, but for those who want to keep their art-making happening in Vancouver, there’s the newer nonprofit on the block: 221A Artist Housing Society, which now operates five different properties for art-makers that each include a production space and heavily subsidized rent. If that’s not enough to inspire you to pick up a paintbrush, what is?—S.M.
We love Vancouver for its breathtaking mountains, its sushi scene and now—thanks to local artist Angela Fama—its unexpectedly vibrant conversations about death. Enter the Death Conversation Game, a deck of cards designed to help people actually talk about the one thing we’re all guaranteed to experience (but rarely acknowledge).
Fama, a transdisciplinary artist and trained end-of-life doula, created the game 10 years after surviving a near-fatal car accident at 30. Realizing there wasn’t a casual, open way to discuss death, she developed this deck to spark meaningful conversations—whether with friends, family or even strangers. The response was overwhelming. Turns out Vancouverites are dying to talk about death.
She first launched the deck in 2019, but the death cards have continued to have a life. “It is available for hard-copy purchase through my website, alongside a digital app version, if that’s preferred,” says Fama. “This is the first year that I’ve been able to have it also in brick and mortar stores.” The Death Conversation Game has also expanded into live, community-driven events across the city, including monthly facilitated conversations at Poke Community Acupuncture. Whether you’re dealing with grief, preparing for the inevitable or just macabre-curious, these talks offer a safe (and surprisingly uplifting) space to explore mortality.
You can pick up the deck at local indie bookstores like Massy Books, Blim and Banyen Books, or rent a deck at Emily Carr University Library, Spartacus Books or Poke (“I want it to be really accessible to everyone,” says Fama). On the go? Download the digital version and tackle that existential dread as you run along the seawall; let’s call it running for your life. —Kerri Donaldson
PUBLISHED ON MAIN
Our celebratory dish of choice, Linh Cafe’s beef wellington ($85) is a stunning take on the British classic. Substituting black forest ham for the traditional prosciutto adds a punch of flavour (and structural integrity), while the creamy pep-
Because a concession stand is now the coolest outdoor bar in town
Nothing against the City of Vancouver’s hot dog game, but we’re much happier to hit the Kits Pool concession stand now that they’ve outsourced things—namely, to the folks behind Batch, the always-bumping shipping container bar that popped up a few years back in the Plaza of Nations. With Batch’s takeover of the concession stand on the west side, craft beer, local wines and ciders are on the menu; pair ’em with a smash burger from Monarch for the ideal modern picnic. Dogs are allowed, live music is always on the schedule and the only thing that can distract you from the sparkling ocean views are the charms of the swing dancing club having an ad-hoc rehearsal down on the Showboat. 2305 Cornwall Ave., batchvancouver.com—S.M.
REASONS TO LOVE
YAMA CAFE Homestyle Japanese food; the breakfast set is the best. 2007 E Hastings St., yamacafe.ca
INNOCENT ICE CREAM The ice cream sandwiches here are unreal (and somehow gluten-free?). 2103 E Hastings St., innocentice cream.com
THE RED WAGON CAFE
The perennial breakfast go-to does dinner now. 2128 E Hastings St., redwagoncafe.ca
DACHI Natural wines by the glass and creative small plates; a bumpin’ summer patio. 2297 E Hastings St., dachivancouver.com
IT’S OKAY A neighbourhood watering hole (curly fries!) you wish was in your ’hood. 2481 E Hastings St., itsokay.ca
LAKSA KING Hearty Malaysian soups, lots of neon lights. 2546 E Hastings St., laksaking.ca
SELENE AGEAN BISTRO
The nouveau Greek hot spot is destination dining. 360 Penticton St., seleneagn.com
TAMAM This Palestinian restaurant is always a finalist for Best Middle Eastern. 2616 E Hastings St., tamam.ca
Because HastingsSunrise is the place to be
Mount Pleasant and Commercial Drive have long fought over who gets the title of East Van’s coolest neighbourhood—on the one hand, breweries; on the other, breweries and old Italian men—but a new contender has quietly entered the ring. The HastingsSunrise main drag is jam-packed with fun stuff and great eats... and locals who are happy and easygoing thanks to semi-reasonable rents in the area. To the east! —S.M.
Because
we can’t stop speculating about what will take over the
Nordstrom building 28
Nordstrom closed in June 2023, but the time since the glamorous fashion retailer shuttered has flown by because we’ve all been busy speculating wildly about what’s going to take its place. The odds seem highest that it’ll be converted into a vape shop, but we love that, in the meantime, Vancouverites are daring to dream.—S.M.
The Commodore may be the city’s most famous music venue, but the favourite spot to play for local musicians might be someplace with a little less glamour: an old autobody shop. Green Auto, with an ethos of inclusivity and prioritization of marginalized musicians, has become the de facto clubhouse of the indie music scene (it even has its own zine-y newsletter), with everyone from shred-metal darlings Cindy Lee to Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard taking a spin on the ramshackle stage. One glance at the posters for upcoming shows (Shoecraft! Hazel Blackburn! The Corps!) and it’s clear that live music in Vancouver isn’t dead—if anything, Green Auto has got it revving its engine. 1822 Pandora St., @greenautomusic—S.M.
Our celebratory dish of choice, Linh Cafe’s beef wellington ($85) is a stunning take on the British classic. Substituting black forest ham for the traditional prosciutto adds a punch of flavour (and structural integrity), while the creamy peppercorn sauce brings bite and the buttery puff pastry delivers technique-driven crisp. We’re not forgetting the star, though: the tenderloin itself is executed to perfection, meaning your first bite will be as good as your last—because, really, we’re not leaving a single morsel on the table. linhcafe.com
Because we believe in print media!
Obviously, the editors here love print: publishing is both how we earn our living and is our reason for living. So it’s nice to know we’re not alone in our passion for the printed word. Cool indie bookstores abound around these parts, staffed by book nerds who are happy to point you toward your next great read. —S.M.
UPSTART AND CROW’S PICK:
Bread and Milk by Karolina Ramqvist, translated by Saskia Vogel, Coach House Books (2025)
“We love translated works; this devourable and beautifully honest memoir by Swedish writer Karolina Ramqvist is about being a woman who’s consumed with food. While delivered in fragments, this memoir is so firmly glued together it feels effortless to read.” 1387 Railspur Alley, upstartandcrow.com
NOOROONGJI BOOKS’ PICK:
Black Futures, edited by Jenna Wortham and Kimberly Drew, Penguin Random House (2021)
“‘Black Futures’ as a term invites a reframing and reimagining of Black history, power and possibilities. This title highlights a dazzling array of emerging and established Black artists and cultural producers, but also ties in with Women’s History Month, as contributions by Black women to culture and progress are so often undersung. We can imagine the love and dedication editors Jenna Wortham and Kimberly Drew poured into creating this gorgeous and important book.” 6–1666 Johnston St., nooroongji.ca
CROSS AND CROWS’ PICK:
Private Rites by Julia Armfield, Flatiron Books (2024)
“This novel richly updates King Lear, bringing together three estranged queer sisters to untangle their shared history after the death of their tyrannical father. The late Carmichael embodies patriarchy in multiple curious ways and still looms over the climate-wrecked world he helped build. His daughters have to figure out how to live in spite of him. Atmospheric, involving, thoughtful, well-crafted.” 2836 Commercial Dr., crossandcrows.com
REASONS TO LOVE VANCOUVER
Because even city slickers love a country jamboree
Sweethearts and lonely hearts are all welcome at Santi Henderson’s annual Valentine’s party at the Russian Hall, a country fair orchestrated by someone who admittedly has never actually been to a country fair. But the loosely interpreted hoedown is a charming fever dream of an event, featuring both a kissing booth and a head-shaving booth; friend speed dating; a petting zoo of performance artists dressed as cows; duels; and, of course, Palestinian Dabkeh line dancing. There’s always music, too, with live tunes from Henderson’s honkytonk bad, Santi and the Hanky Tanks, and a rotating cast of Western-ish musical guests and other surprises. If this is what going country looks like, sign us up. @santidream—S.M.
Because the sobercurious scene is popping off
Whether for health, financial or personal reasons, not drinking is so hot right now—Nielsen IQ even reports that the market value of non-alcoholic bevs grew by 24 percent in 2023. Contributing to that impressive market share are a trio of local booze-free bottle shops, each worth raising a glass to.—Jenny Rubé
MOCKTAILS
Located across from Grandview Park on the Drive, the store elicits a warm familiarity, with retro bar carts, funky vintage glassware and artful owl figurines (of course) nestled about. But besides an old-school vibe, you’ll find an impressive selection of alcohol-free wines, beers, spirits, cordials, ready-to-drink mocktails and nootropics, which incorporate active ingredients like adaptogenic herbs and mushrooms, vitamins and amino acids. 1250 Commercial Dr., mocktails.ca
THE DRIVE CANTEEN
The canteen is chock-full of innovative and hardto-find products, as well as noteworthy local libations like Meadows, a lightly effervescent delight from Pamplemousse Jus in collaboration with Dominion Cider Co. Not in a rush? Post up at the snack bar with a Chicago dog and nachos, washed down with a Dry Goods West Coast IPA. 111 Commercial Dr., thedrivecanteen.ca
BEVEES
If you’re game for a journey out of Vancouver proper, you’ll find Bevees in Port Coquitlam, just east of Coquitlam Centre. With dozens of open bottles of spirit-free liquors and liqueurs, the staff will happily pour whatever it is you wish to try. Given the novelty of zero-proof spirits, tastings are an opportunity to learn how best to incorporate alcohol alternatives at home—what better way to discover new favourites and sip on boozy classics without the buzz? Manhattans, martinis and margs await... and you’ll be safe to drive back to the big city even after a few. 203–2748 Lougheed Hwy., Port Coquitlam, bevees.ca
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Does Dating in Vancouver Have to Suck?
There are a million bad-date stories out there. But a ragtag group of hopeless romantics might just have you convinced that Vancouverites shouldn’t give up on love just yet. By Sara Harowitz
Dating in Vancouver
Georgia Zeray was excited for this first date. She’d connected with the guy on a dating app and the banter had been great. She was looking for a relationship, and maybe this would be it! As moms everywhere love to say, “It only takes one.” But when Zeray got to the restaurant to meet her suitor for lunch, things took a sharp wrong turn.
“He pushed to see naked pictures,” she recalls. “And then wanted to go have sex in his truck after our lunch. When I said no, he pushed and suggested I come watch him get off instead.”
Getting physical on a first date is, of course,
completely chill and cool—if it’s what both parties are into. But for 50-year-old Zeray (who’s using a pseudonym to protect her privacy, because the dating world is #cruel), it was just another example of why trying to find a partner in Vancouver is so damn hard.
The city has long carried a reputation for being unfriendly and flaky among those who are new to town and trying to make friends. Enter the dating pool, however, and those unfavourable traits seem only to amplify. There’s the pen pal problem, for one thing: the people you meet on dating apps who seem happy to chat back and forth, forever, without meeting up. Or there’s the ever-growing epidemic of ghosting, when everything seems to be going well and then one day, poof! They disappear from your matches or stop answering your texts, never to be heard from again (until perhaps they circle back six months later with a poetically aloof “Heyyyy”). Then there are the people who will make a plan, but right before it’s time to meet, they’ll bail—or worse, just not show up. For Vancouver singles who are actually looking to make a connection, it can feel like excruciating work to find someone who’s equally committed to the process.
“I have a love-hate thing with dating apps, because I’ve had some great experiences on there and met some wonderful men,” Zeray says. “It’s the ratio of what I have to deal with in order to find them that’s so exhausting to me, and why I’m hesitant to go back on. It’s really a numbers game.”
Part of the problem, says Vancouver-based dating coach Amy Chan, is
the way the apps—Bumble, Hinge, Feeld, Raya if you’re fancy—have changed our views on not only the act of dating, but also on the actual humans we interact with along the way.
“Something happens, I think, on a very subconscious level, when you’re constantly swiping on the apps,” she says. “The act of doing this on a regular basis turns people into objects.”
Spending so much time on our phones, she argues, has also caused us to lose some of our most important skills when it comes to dating: reading physical cues, approaching someone in public and carrying on a conversation with a stranger.
“Social skills have atrophied,” Chan says. “Many people deeply want connection, but the fear of rejection and emotional vulnerability holds them back. This anxiety can lead to self-sabotaging behaviors—they may claim they want a relationship while unconsciously creating barriers to prevent real intimacy from developing.”
Chan, who has lived (and dated) in other major cities across North America, thinks that a lot of these problems are not actually Vancouver-specific at all.
“I’m hearing the same thing, whether I’m talking to people from Vancouver, L.A., or New York,” she
“I think the con is that we have so many choices, and we know people are kind of disposable because they’re a swipe away, or you can go to another bar and meet someone else.”
—Amy Chan
says. “There are pros when there’s an abundance of options and you have condensed areas where people can meet, and you can meet a lot of people—and different people. I think the con is that we have so many choices, and we know people are kind of disposable because they’re a swipe away, or you can go to another bar and meet someone else.”
There are still, of course, some specific Vancouverisms when it comes to dating, and they were recently encapsulated in a viral video by content creators Jonas Gillespie and Veronica Skye. The satirical clip features Skye across the table from Gillespie, grilling him on his viable partner potential: Does he own more than one pair of skis? Does he have an Epic Pass? Does he wear Hokas? Does he have a Salomon trail run vest? And perhaps most importantly, does he have a Subaru Outback?
“It’s obviously an exaggeration that everybody’s like that, but a lot
of people are just so in your face about their hobby,” says Gillespie, who currently lives in Calgary but previously spent a year living and dating in Vancouver.
“It’s like, ‘Cool, yeah, you have some money to spend on Patagonia.’”
Jokes aside, there are plenty of people in the city who are committed to helping others find connection. Skye, for example, noticed that her popular Mondays Run Club (covered in this magazine’s previous issue) had a matchmaking opportunity.
“As a newly single girl in Vancouver, I realized there was a serious gap in how we meet potential partners,” she says. “Beyond bars and dating apps, there weren’t many natural, low-pressure environments to spark connections.” So she launched Sole Ties: an offshoot of Mondays specifically designed for singles, who are all united by a shared love of running. Over 100 people show up to each one.
Then there’s Meet Cuties: an event at Mount Pleasant’s Chill x Studio that has single comedians go on real dates onstage with available audience members.
“I’ve been single for a year and a half, and I’m a fourth-generation Vancouverite, so I know Vancouver well, and the dating scene here is, and has always been, terrible,” says studio founder Talie Perry. “But with my business I get to meet a lot of people, and I was trying to think of a way we could have a dating show that could also be entertaining, and take away the awkwardness of dating.” It’s become one of Chill x’s most popular shows, inspiring the studio to host dog-friendly speed dating events, which are due to start in March.
There are a growing number of events specifically for the queer community, too, including Lips’ lesbian mingles; My Cheeky Date’s speed meet-ups for gay men and women; and Lez Hookup’s sapphic speed dating parties.
“We create a space where everybody starts off with one thing in common, which is that they’re all there to meet someone else,” says Lez Hookup’s Dionne Tetangco. “So already they feel safe when they walk in.” These events have been running for 15 years, and boast many relationship (and friendship) success stories— including a few marriages.
So while it may be rough out there at times, hope is far from lost for those who are looking for love in Vancouver. And, really, when it comes down to it, a life can and should be well lived regardless of your relationship status.
“While I do have hope, if I end up just having lovers or not having a live-in partner, that would be OK! I made this peace with it that, yes, of course, I would love someone to share a life with— and I’m also not going to chase it endlessly,” Zeray says. “I want to have a good life, regardless of if anyone’s in it.”
Dating in Vancouver
From the editors of magazine
EAT, DRINK AND GET MARRIED
One of Vancouver’s most prominent foodies marks a special day with—what else?—a feast.
by
CAROLINE MITCHELL photos by ELLEN HO OF HONG PHOTOGRAPHY
The way to Mijune Pak’s heart is through her stomach, so is it any surprise that her wedding to now-husband Romain Rey was practically a food festival? Though the restaurant critic and television personality (she’s a judge for Top Chef Canada and Iron Chef, as well as for our own Restaurant Awards) initially didn’t want a big wedding, the opportunity to bring loved ones together and demonstrate her love for the Vancouver food scene overpowered her desire to keep things low-key. “News got out that we were engaged and people started reaching out and I realized it was a chance to support the Vancouver community and small businesses,” she says.
So, plans for a 50-person beach reception were scrapped in favour of an all-out, multi-day affair with 270 guests and over-the-top details at every turn. The weekend kicked off with a welcome party for the out-of-towners at Sula; the next day, to honour Pak’s Chinese heritage, the couple held a tea ceremony at the private Enrich Estate, Rey in a French queue-de-pie tux and Pak wearing a modern-Chinese OuMa dress inspired by the Tang dynasty and European haute couture. Later, a Western-style ceremony took place at the Radisson Blu Vancouver Airport Hotel and Marina, where 17—yes, 17!—different caterers served everything from sushi to bubble tea. Former Vanmag Chef of the Year Gus Stieffenhofer-Brandson served up his signature candied smoked salmon while Botanist pastry chef Kate Siegel crafted three different Asian-inspired French desserts. “I’m an all or nothing kind of person,” laughs Pak.
DOUBLE DRESSES Instead of a traditional red dress for the Chinese tea ceremony, Pak went with black. “The space was already so Chinese, and I’m Canadian-born Chinese so there’s a way I identify that’s a little different and I wanted to showcase that side of myself,” she says.
PARTY TIME Pak changed into a third dress for the party: a feathered OuMa Bambi dress, which she paired with a pair of Valentino Garavani heels embellished with Swarovski crystals. Anita Lee of Helmet Salon did all three hair and makeup looks. Jewellery is from Elsa Corsi of Jeweliette Jewellery.
cTHE MANE EVENT Lion dancers made a surprise appearance during the ceremony, to the delight of guests. “I wanted that big cultural aspect,” says Pak.
DAZZLING DECOR Floral design and the bridal bouquets were ordered from Stephanie Lee of Balconi Floral Design Studio, who created a floral arch and a semi-waterfall tear-shaped bridal bouquet featuring orchids, roses, ranunculus, dahlias and other delicate flowers in soft pastels. Pak also carried an Asian bouquet with red orchids and florals for the Chinese tea ceremony. Candle displays and designs were from Caviar Candles .
PLAYING
DRESS UP For the tea ceremony, Pak wore a custom modern-Chinese OuMa dress inspired by the Tang dynasty and European haute couture. The dress was black and paired with Yves Saint Laurent L’Entracte satin slingback pumps and and emerald set from Elsa Corsi . For the Western reception, Pak had another handstitched custom dress from Vancouver’s OuMa, this one handpainted with flowers from the South of France (laurel and lavender) to represent Rey’s background, as well as lillies and bamboo as a nod to Pak’s own Chinese heritage. A sustainable overskirt was crafted from over 500 hand-cut handkerchief squares.
CHEESE, PLEASE Flute and Fromage created a six-tiered wedding cake made of French and Swiss cheese rounds... as if the trio of desserts from Botanist wasn’t enough to satisfy.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
One of the challenges in Top Chef was to design a canape for the wedding. Season 11 champion chef Chanthy Yen won the challenge with a white rabbit candy-inspired bite featuring zephyr and toasted rice ganache and jasmine and elderflower gel.
cRICE, RICE, BABY Both Miku and Tetsu provided sushi, while Sula brought Indian food and Torafuku made rice bowls.
ccBITES ALL NIGHT Arc
Iberico Imports handled the live carving station, featuring Ibérico ham and charcuterie.
Top Chef Canada finalist Mark Singson ran a Filipino-inspired Effingham oyster bar.
BOX STEP For a food-focused event like this, takeout boxes made for the perfect party favour. “People took home like seven boxes each,” laughs Pak.
TUNED UP Violinist Thomas Beckman, pianist Ray Alegria and singers CJ Li and Charles Johnson entertained the crowd at the reception, while DJ Kal took things up a notch for the afterparty.
IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS
Fifteen unique ways to make your special day into your extra-special day. by ALYSSA HIROSE
Engaged couples in 2025 are about as obsessed with having a unique wedding as they are with each other. But when being different is a trend in itself and many once-quirky wedding elements are now a tad overdone (we’re looking at you, signature cocktail named after a dog), it’s tough to find those truly distinct details that will make your wedding better than everyone else’s—which, as we understand, is the secret goal. We asked florists, photographers,
wedding planners and more for the most outside-the-box ideas they’ve seen at Vancouver weddings. Bookmark these pages for reference, and share it with no one.
1 TIE ONE ON WITH PERSONALIZED CHAMPAGNE
GLASSES
Genève McNally, founder and principal planner of DreamGroup Weddings and Events, suggests printing guests’ names and table numbers on ribbons tied around a glass of welcome champagne ahead of the reception. “It’s stylish, unexpected and, most importantly, efficient.”
2 MAKE THE AISLE CURVY AND COLOURFUL
“Curved aisles are so lovely but still elegant,” says Soha Lavin, wedding planner and designer at CountDown Events. “The added drama lengthens the bridal entrance, and the whimsical blooms add a garden-like and fresh vibe.”
3 PRINT OUT A YEARBOOK-STYLE GUESTBOOK
Instead of the traditional blank guestbook, Kristy Yiem of Blush Wedding Photography suggests creating a memento featuring pics
The Little Things Clockwise from top left: A curvy floral aisle by CountDown Events; make your guests feel special with personalized notes; add these bow gloves by Tempete for a modern look; pressed and framed bouquet by Bloomist; rethink your seating chart with these personalized printed ribbons.
of all of your guests. “It’s more interactive, and you can get very creative with giving shout-outs to your loved ones for Best Dressed, Most Helpful, et cetera.”
4 USE A VESTABOARD FOR OUT-OF-TOWNERS
According to Audrey Wong, one of Peake Catering Events’ wedding clients had loved ones who couldn’t attend the wedding send messages directly to a vestaboard. “It reminded us of a train station board, flipping in real-time with real-time messaging,” says Wong. “We love how it bridged the distance, enabling guests who couldn’t attend the reception to still feel connected and be part of the couple’s special day.”
5 SPRITZ ON A SIGNATURE WEDDING FRAGRANCE
Coco He, bridal hair and makeup artist at The Love Team, notes that a custom or be-
spoke perfume can create a scent memory. “It’s something the couple can revisit for anniversaries or special occasions, evoking the emotions of their big day.”
6 TRADE THE VEIL FOR A NON-TRADITIONAL ACCESSORY
“I think we’ll see brides adding cool pieces like scarves, gloves or small headwear this year,” says Julianna Iacobelli of JulesMarie Design Studio. She adds that choosing a bridal set as a dress alternative is a stylish way to personalize an outfit during the wedding and beyond.
7 USE ELEMENTS OF A MEANINGFUL VINTAGE DRESS IN YOUR OWN
“So many people save their wedding dress in order to one day pass it down to their child or grandchild,” says Iacobelli, “but sometimes these dresses just aren’t modern enough to appeal to the brides of today.” She suggests using the antique lace or beading (with the original owner’s blessing, of course) to create a new piece. “It’s a great way to honour your family while still being completely unique to you.”
8 MAKE A CUSTOM LOGO AND BRAND EVERYTHING
Andy Wang, stationery designer at Jrnl Studio, loves when couples use monograms liberally. “From invitations to ‘day of’ stationery; from the bar to the dance floor; from welcome signs to washroom signs—everything is consistent,” he says. “It makes me feel the wedding is well-designed and put together.”
9 SCREEN A SAME-DAY EDIT OF YOUR ELOPEMENT
“By eloping somewhere epic—like the top of a mountain—you get to savour those private ‘I do’ moments without the pressure,” says Shawn Miller, founder of Young Hip and Married. Clients of his have eloped on a mountaintop, then taken a seaplane or helicopter to join guests at their reception and screened the ceremony as a highlight of the party.
10 GIVE EDIBLE FAVOURS
a crowd-pleaser. “One of our couples had their favourite bakery make morning baking in boxes for each guest,” shares Kevin Mazzone of The Lazy Gourmet. Guests can enjoy the goods for breakfast the next day (or chow down in the taxi home).
11 PEN A HANDWRITTEN NOTE FOR EACH GUEST
If you’ve got the time, personal notes are a gamechanger (and tear-jerker), says Jordan Maxey of Smitten Events: “It immediately makes guests feel special to sit down and not only see their name, but to read a personalized message from the couple.”
12 HAVE A COLLABORATIVE ARTWORK STATION
Get the paintbrushes (and aprons) out and let your guests create a masterpiece. “We had an art-loving bride place a large canvas as a welcome—each guest contributed to the painting and the bride completed it,” shares Rajbir Grewal, creative director at Lux Affairs.
13 DONATE YOUR FLORALS TO HOSPITALS OR CARE CENTRES
Bloomiér offers end-of-night flower donation as part of a wedding package. “This thoughtful gesture extends the joy of your wedding beyond the celebration itself,” says Bloomiér creative director Kamila Alikhani. “It’s an elegant way to reduce waste while making a lasting, positive impact.”
14 GET YOUR BOUQUET PRESSED AND FRAMED
Jennifer Schafer, owner and wedding planner at Umbrella Events, suggests preserving your (usually very expensive) wedding flowers and creating a piece of art for your home. “Choose the right vendor to preserve it for you,” she advises. “It’s a nice little keepsake to hold on to.”
15 DITCH THE DIAMONDS
The idea that diamonds are the one-andonly gemstone that represents love? It’s over, explains Zadel Jewellery Studio owner Adele Van Tonder. “You’ve got an opportunity to mix shapes, colours and stones for your rings,” she says. “Sapphires even come in a rainbow of colours, like purple or green for something really unique.” 14
Most industry vets will tell you that impractical wedding favours are out—many get left behind or trashed. But food is always
The Health Channel
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TASTE
Sticky Situation
Elem’s lamb skewers are a must-try: rich and charred but perfectly balanced with a sweet date glaze and zesty ginger labneh.
We’re exploring how nostalgia can elevate a menu and dining experience. Read on for our review of Elem, plus, our fresh sheet of the city’s newest restaurants and our guide to island wines—because we could all use a getaway.
Earth, Wind, Fire (and Food)
The menu and room may be inspired by earthly elements, but the hotly anticipated Elem is out-of-this-world good.
by Dani Wright
The inspiration of elements reveals itself before you’ve even had your first bite at Elem, the new Main Street room from supergroup Hassib Sarwari, Winnie Sun and chef Vish Mayekar. The space itself is divided by vibe. There’s the “wood” room, which feels warm and grounding; the “air” curtain room (blue, breezy and wistful); and the largest of the three spaces: the “water”inspired concrete room. With its white textured ceiling (that’s more expansive loft than office park popcorn), white stone walls and sleek marble tables, there’s a chance the room could feel cold. But velvety booths soften the space and two parallel kitchens bring a buzzing energy, making it feel like the hottest spot in town.
One of the kitchens is helmed by Sun, former bar whiz at Zarak and the brains behind Elem’s cocktail lab. Like the room itself, the bar program she’s devised is inspired by opposing elements (in this case, water, air, fire and earth). The reason Sun’s workspace is a kitchen and not just a bar is that Elem also employs a zero-waste program. Here, fruits, vegetables and even chocolate scraps that would usually be discarded by the kitchen are instead transformed into the restaurant’s signature (and show-stopping) beverages.
Take the melon cocktail ($21), part of the water-inspired menu: a soy milk clarified mix of taro rum, lacto-fermented honeydew and curry leaf, which is one of Sun’s many repurposed ingredients. The resulting drink has notes of honeydew so concentrated it’s like biting into sun-ripened melon, yet it’s balanced: the curry leaf is never bold
enough to overpower, and instead adds an almost lemongrass-like complexity. Equally intriguing is the not-too-sweet butternut squash old fashioned ($23), made of butternut squash bourbon, shiitake mushroom, maple syrup and house-made nasturtium tincture (which you receive a drop of on your hand as well to try in its concentrated form). Upon hearing my excitement over this unique use of the seasonal gourd, our server promptly brings two delicate glasses filled with butternut squash liqueur to taste as
It’s Elem-entary (Clockwise from top left) Elem’s interior; Elem’s chic all-white bar; yellowfin tuna bhel; Vish Mayekar, Winnie Sun and Hassib Sarwari; Loong Kong chicken; the balanced melon cocktail; a butternut squash cocktail that’s not too sweet; smoky, spiced barbequed carrots.
well—it’s a thoughtfulness that immediately spotlights the elevated environment (and calls to mind the scene in The Bear season two, when Richie delivers a surprise deepdish pizza to his customers). There’s luxury here, but it’s not pure decadence.
Similarly to Sun’s cocktail program, Vish Mayekar (formerly of Pepino’s) has designed an exploration of seemingly disparate elements—all tied together by his personal travels. From California to Spain to Bangkok and beyond, flavours and spices from all over the world are distilled into bold yet refined dishes. Take the centrepieceworthy lamb skewers ($38); lacquered with a sticky sweet medjool date glaze and featuring pickled radish, crispy buckwheat and punchy ginger labneh, they seem to pull inspiration from the Levant. The marbled lamb itself is masterfully prepared, with a texture more akin to a braised short rib than fast-grilled meat, and—through the expert layering of sauces—achieves an each-bitebetter-than-the-last effect.
The yellowfin tuna bhel ($24) delivers a similar impact via a luxurious amount of texture: perfect cubes of mango, jewel-like pomegranate seeds, puffed rice and a topping of sev (a popular Indian snack food made from chickpea flour) practically beg you to take just one more bite. The dish, which is inspired by Mayekar’s favourite childhood treat, is bright and herbaceous thanks to the cilantro-mint chutney—a fantastic foil to the almost earthy, shatteringly crisp semolina crackers you scoop it up with.
While the bhel is a study in texture, the rabbit and chestnut cavatelli ($36) is one in subtlety. Here, the simple joy of buttery sauce on chewy, house-made pasta marries with braised rabbit that melts on your tongue—this is no small feat. The notoriously lean protein takes a deft hand to master, and Mayekar has it; he also highlights the dish with simple adornment: thinly sliced maitake and roasted chestnuts. That simplicity makes this dish scream nostalgia in a way that feels like coming home.
Though at Elem, home can take many forms: the bavette ($54), too, tastes like memories to me. Marinated for two days in salsa borracha (or, drunk salsa, often made with tequila or beer), the steak is spicy in the interior in a way that takes me back to thinly sliced carne asada I used to pick up from my local Vallartas back home in California. But this is no thin steak—it’s juicy and rich, with a punch of spice that kicks through it with ease.
Just as strikingly spiced are the barbecued carrots ($18), whose centres taste of the Sichuan spice they were marinated in. When served atop smoked yogurt brightened with mandarin kosho and topped with tiny crispy pearls called bubu arare, this dish is both a conundrum and deeply addicting.
Dessert doesn’t hold back either. The Japanese pudding ($15) jiggles like a pitchperfect flan, but with a caramel that’s taken just over the edge, scorching it until the sugars taste toasty and almost bitter rather than cloying; when paired with the Vecchio Amaro that’s poured overtop, it becomes the ideal vessel for the sharp anise and orange notes the drink is known for.
Already, Elem seems to satisfy the ultraVancouver equilibrium of chic coolness and warm generosity. In a restaurant as buzzy as this with a kitchen defined by community (the back of house almost entirely comprises past Caffe La Tana staff), it tracks that the dishes would find that same balance of opulence and subtlety— between what feels like a once-a-year treat and a daily craving. Though it’s new in town, Elem feels elemental to the city’s dining scene.
// new and hot
BEST THING I ATE
by Dani Wright
’Wiching Hour
On weekdays, I can’t bring myself to be a breakfast person, despite its reputation as the most important meal of the day—but that all changes once the clock strikes 10 on a Saturday morning. That’s when I’m suddenly compelled to start the day off right... which means heading across town to Livia on Commercial Drive.
Livia’s morning offerings are wide-ranging (yes, you can get carbonara before noon), but I’m here for the breakfast sandwich. The ratio is the key to success for any sandwich, and Livia knocks it out of the park with soft, creamy scrambled eggs piled high on a housemade bun (they’re Martin’s Roll-esque and famous in their own right) along with slightly tangy scamorza cheese and just enough pickled onions to add a punch of acidity. You have the option to add mortadella, and as a morty-d devotee, this is what takes the ’wich from delicious to outstanding. Sure, there’s no re-inventing of the wheel here, but this sandwich doesn’t need bells or whistles: each ingredient is prepared (and layered) with expert precision. Whether eaten on the covered patio with a bellini in hand or picked up to-go for a road-trip meal, it’s equally satisfying. 1399 Commercial Dr., liviasweets.com
A fresh sheet
city’s newest restaurants.
Gastown’s newest late-night spot, Breeze Bar, combines what it calls “classy and trashy” to hit all types of comfort food cravings. Think popcorn made with Flavacol (the secret ingredient in the movie theatre version!) and wagyu hot dogs topped with caviar and creme fraiche. @breezebaryvr
Opened November 2024 | 213 Carrall St.
Everything Old Is New Again Much loved restaurant Hanoi Old Quarter is officially back in business—this time in Kits. Brought to you by the couple behind longstanding Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Award-winner Mr. Red Cafe, you can expect Northern-style Vietnamese dishes like bun cha ha noi (grilled pork belly and patties with spring rolls) and beef in betel leaves with vermicelli. 604-327-6789
Opened October 2024 | 3105 W Broadway
Share the Love
The team behind beloved Heritage Asian Eatery’s new concept Heritage Restaurant and Bar brings a robust menu to Main Street. From dishes like Peking-style duck with house-made crepes to delicate siu mai, the menu encourages sharing while vibing out with a classic cocktail (or two.) eatheritage.ca
Opened October 2024 | 4242 Main St.
Livia’s breakfast sandwich, $14
THE WINE LIST
by Neal McLennan
For many of us, the first bottle of local island wine we experienced came from this Pender Island gem, whose low-price, high-quality rosé attracted a feverish following pre-COVID. They still make a version of that wine (and at $22, it’s still priced at pre-pandemic levels), but this easygoing white—made from siegerrebe and ortega—captures the seafaring feeling: herbaceous and salty with just enough tropical notes to keep it nailing the flip-flop vibe. Perfect post-paddleboard wine.
Island Time
From the sun-baked sand of Santorini to the craggy, windswept peaks of the Azores, island wines are definitely having their moment. Their calling card is vines that live under stress: tough, often volcanic soil and consistent, challenging winds produce grapes that have to work to get ripe. And they’re frequently made with less well-known grapes, as well—assyrtiko in Greece, arinto in the Azores, palomino in the Canary Islands—and the resulting wines are frequently low in alcohol, high in acidity and have an ever-present savoury salinity—exactly the type of wine you’d want when gazing wistfully out to sea. Our Southern Gulf Islands came about through tectonic shift, not violent eruption, but the best of our island wines still channel the focus and clarity that define the genre and have oenophiles spouting euphemisms like a sea captain.
Kutatás Estate Pinot Noir 2022, $45
Located just north of Ganges is Kutatás (koo-tah-tash) where winemakers Mira Tusz and Daniel Dragert (formerly of Averill Creek on that other, much bigger island) are digging deep into the terroir of Salt Spring. This estate pinot may be the most serious of our island wines: made in small quantities, it has a tension that alludes to the struggles to ripen in a vineyard that sees very few heat spikes but plenty of cool evenings. The result feels like a wine from a different time— less polished and more crunch, but plenty of tart complexity and ageability.
A Sunday in August Island Vibes, $39
What is an island anyways?
Many Vancouver Island wines are grown in inland valleys, so this is not exactly “island wine” in the coastal sense that we’re talking about here. But natty wine pioneer Michael Shindler sources the majority of grapes for his beloved label A Sunday in August from the more maritime Saanich Peninsula, and has planted grapes on Salt Spring that will be coming online next year. Until then, there’s the perfectly named Island Vibes, a punchy mashup of the marechal foch grape and the peachy ortega, which combine to hit like a wave crashing over a clipper ship.
LIVING THE ISLAND DREAM
We had wanted to highlight that if you love Sea Star, you could buy the winery. Then, before press time, someone did just that. But fear not, because (sadly) an unprecedented number of wineries are for sale in B.C. Big wineries, small wineries, natural wineries, hobby wineries. Go to okanagan realestatesearch.com, enter the keyword “winery” and voila. Often the name won’t be public for fear of stigma (but no shame here, it’s a tough business these days) but enter the address into Google and you’ll see who they are. Even if you’re not a winery buyer, be a winery supporter and snag a few bottles of their wine—people don’t sell vineyards when everything is going well, so support if you can.
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Sea Star Vineyard Salish Sea, $24
grape GOODS
How to foster a Pet in Vancouver
Expert recommendations for caring for your new (temporary) furry friend.
by Alyssa Hirose
If you’ve reached that special time in a Vancouverite’s life where you’re allowed to have a pet in your home, you’ve probably considered fostering a cat or dog. Instead of drowning yourself in an incendiary Reddit thread, we suggest taking advice from some local pet-rescue legends: Lauren Wilson, volunteer for Straight Outta Rescue Society; Jenni Baynham, founder of Fur Bae Dog Rescue; and Christina Florencio, a veteran pet fosterer.
how well an organization screens its adopters speaks a lot to their overarching programs and the support you will receive as a foster family.”
Ask yourself the hard questions. In addition to regular pet responsibilities, fostering often requires more specialized care. “Ask yourself what behaviour or medical issues you are open to working with,” says Wilson. Florencio stresses that fostering is a serious commitment, and Baynham notes that it’s not just about having a new cuddle buddy. “You need to want to help a pet that is likely struggling, not to have the pet fill a hole in your life,” she insists.
Watch for fostering red flags. Some fostering organizations are better than others. Baynham asserts that rescues should not be willing to drop a pet off without talking to you on the phone or doing a home visit. Wilson agrees: “Often,
great for extra toys. “There are a lot of generous pet owners who are willing to lend a hand,” she says.
Pet-proof your home. “Toxic plants should be identified and removed, windows should be screened and yard access should be contained,” says Wilson. Baynham adds that it’s important to be realistic about the messier parts of having a pet: “Are you okay with pee on your floor, some chewing or some uncomfortable elevator encounters?”
Get access to accessories. Wilson notes that reputable rescues will provide the basics (food, litter box, leash, crate and so on) for you, and, in Florencio’s experience, Buy Nothing Facebook groups can be
Do your homework. Florencio got ready for firsttime fostering by watching pettraining videos on YouTube and following pet trainers on social media. “If you’re able to do prep work beforehand, it will feel less overwhelming,” she says.
Allow for decompression time. “We recommended for the first three weeks that the dog is not put in any situation that could stress them out,” advises Baynham. That means no hikes or dog parks—it’s essential to build trust in those first few weeks. “Keep their world small and manageable,” she adds. “It’s your job to make sure they feel safe.”
Keep visitors to a minimum. “While friends and family (and furry friends) may be excited to share in the journey, prioritize time for your rescue to settle in with your household before any further big introductions,” says Wilson. So, tell Mom she has to be patient to meet her new “grand-dog.”
“Sucking up at your local grocery store for cheap roast chickens at the end of the day isn’t a bad move," she says.
Treat your pet. Florencio says that high-quality treats are worth the investment when it comes to training (or even just getting your shy foster to come out of its crate). Baynham notes that roast chicken is a winner for even super fearful dogs.
Know it’s OK to cry. In most cases, you’ll eventually have to say goodbye to your foster— and Florencio, who has been fostering for years, says that the farewells still make her emotional. “A stable mindset of knowing your foster dog will go to a better home is key,” she says. “Your gift to them is to give them the love and stability they need while finding them their forever home.”
THE 3-3-3 RULE
Our experts suggest keeping this prevalent fostering theory in mind.
It will take three days for a pet to start feeling calm and to get over the initial fear of a new environment.
It will take three weeks for a pet to start exploring, setting in and adjusting to their new space.
It will take three months for a pet to be fully comfortable, trust people and show their true personalities in a new home.
RESTAURANT AWARDS 36TH
Come celebrate with the restaurant industry and the editors of Vancouver magazine as we announce the winners of our 36th annual Restaurant Awards!
MONDAY, MAY 5 TH , 2025
FAIRMONT HOTEL VANCOUVER 900 WEST GEORGIA ST., VANCOUVER
2:00 PM TO 5:30 PM
70 Years of Expertise: An Approach Only We Can Deliver
Since 1954, Beedie has built a reputation for trust, quality, and innovation. Over the decades, we’ve shaped a unique approach which sets us apart. Our in-house teams are hands-on with each project— from land acquisition, architectural design and construction to the handover of homeowner keys, we manage each stage to maintain the high standards of Beedie Living’s quality and consistency.
Our independence gives us the strength to act with agility and deliver on our promise, while our versatility allows us to create modern townhomes, thoughtfully designed low and high-rise condominiums, and master-planned communities to meet the evolving needs of homeowners.
As one of Western Canada’s most trusted and fastest-growing developers, we continue to expand with over $1 billion in active construction and 11,000 homes in planning and development, ensuring we seamlessly shape homes, retail, and gathering spaces for today and the future.
