Artist Carson Ting invites us into his West End home workspace.
These chic straw bags are the picnic basket’s cool, modern sister.
Slice of Life is an art gallery with the heart of a community centre.
SO FUN CITY
Our monthly events roundup features So. Much. Music. Turn it up this summer.
Pamela Card’s perfectly imperfect jewellery takes inspo from ancient times.
We can’t tell you why silverfish are gross... but we can tell you why they’re here.
Rolling around with the best food trucks in town.
BEST THING I ATE
We fell in love with a pasta dish at an oyster bar, oops.
THE WINE LIST
The best portable wines for outdoorsy oenophiles.
SECRET RECIPE
A spectacular salmon flambée from Blue Water Cafe.
GET OUTSIDE!
Comedians Ronald Dario and Kerri Donaldson (also an editor here—what a talent) provided representation for “indoor kids” everywhere with this cover shoot, featuring clothing and gear from MEC and a bike from West Point Cycles.
27 THE OUTSIDER’S GUIDE
We get just a few weeks of great weather here in Vancouver—don’t waste it. Hit the bike trails, try a new hike, splash around in some swimming holes or find a hidden-gem camping spot with the help of our insider’s guide to the great outdoors.
40
SPECIAL FEATURE : OKANAGAN VALLEY
A spotlight on Quails’ Gate Winery, a winery with a rich history in the Valley— and accolades from around the globe.
45 REAL WEDDINGS
Ready for some wedding-planning inspo? Dive into the details of a creative and personal wedding from two high-school sweethearts, and a breakdown of all the hot wedding trends for 2024.
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editors - in - chief Stacey McLachlan ( Vancouver ), Nathan Caddell ( BCBusiness )
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assistant editors Kerri Donaldson, Rushmila Rahman
wine and spirits editor Neal McLennan
contributing editors Frances Bula, Melissa Edwards, Amanda Ross
editorial interns Sandrine Jacquot, Arijit Joshi, Grace McLeod, Tia Sacks email mail@vanmag.com
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art directors Stesha Ho ( Vancouver ), Edwin Pabellon ( BCBusiness )
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Sometimes, after coming home from a long run or another afternoon at the beach, I’ll find my husband and toddler on the sofa, right where I left them, under “cozy blanket” and watching Monsters Inc. for the 900th time. (Side note: Billy Crystal’s best performance.) I’ll drop some not-so-subtle hints that maybe she should get outside and enjoy the day, and Max will look at me—kindly not mentioning how sweaty and/ or sunburned I am—and make a gentle suggestion: “You need to prepare yourself that your daughter might grow up to be an indoor kid.” (And then he usually adds something like “Why are you covered in sand?!” or “Can you please brush the sand off before you come in here, you’re getting it everywhere,” but I’m too busy laughing at Sully and Mike’s crazy antics to listen. They think they’re scary but they’re the ones getting scared! Ha!)
I don’t disagree that my gal loves to nest. But I also believe that outdoorsiness is a spectrum, not a binary—one that all of us Vancouverites exist on. Some of us mark the beginning of summer with a backwoods backpacking excursion while others hit the patio, but whether you’re getting outside to raise your heart rate or to revel in relaxation, a little sunshine and fresh air brings joy to us all... even to the couchiest of potatoes.
Our Get Outside feature (page 27) offers a guide to the wide world of outdoor activities so you can make your perfect summer plan. An all-day bike ride with your buds? A game of tennis at a hiddengem court? An afternoon on a blanket at Kits Beach, watching Monsters Inc. for the 901st time on your iPad? We’ve got you covered. Yes, it’s a package informed by experts and enthusiasts who exist on the far end of the outdoorsy continuum—the ones who seek out off-the-grid climbing spots and swimming holes, or wake up at 5 a.m. to snag that prime campsite reservation—but it’s also one designed to welcome anyone, at any level, to embrace their inner outdoor child.
If you’re finding all the hikes and golf courses on our list to be overwhelming, here’s a more entrylevel way to connect with nature: slap on some SPF, pick up this magazine and find a park bench to read on. We’ve got stories about non-outdoorsy things in this issue, too, don’t worry: a tour of artist Carson Ting’s home studio (page 11), the solution to a silverfish mystery (page 24) and a profile of Vancouver’s coolest crafting club (page 18). Life is short, and so is summer. Don’t let labels hold you back, indoor kids.
STACEY McLACHLAN
editor - in - chief smclachlan @ canadawide com | @ stacey mclachlan
Home Sweet Home
We knock on the doors of some of Vancouver’s most interesting people (like Kendall Gender, above) for a peek inside their personal spaces and a tour of their favourite treasures and most delightful design details.
Wisdom
Wine columnist Neal McLennan doles out the advice (and the bottle picks) with a super-sized wine recommendation spectacular designed to solve all your vino conundrums.
Let’s Get Brunch
Got an afternoon at the beach planned? Fuel up first with sky-high pancake stacks, can’t-miss breakfast sandos and more from Kitsilano’s best brunch spots.
PERSONAL SPACE
Artist Carson Ting’s West End condo is a vibrant, creative happy place.
In 2007, Carson Ting moved from Toronto to the West Coast with a plan: he’d work for his dream marketing agency for two years, then head back to the 6ix. “But I fell in love with Vancouver,” he says while sipping green tea in his West End home nearly two decades later. Looking around the whimsical, climbing condo (count five small sets of stairs zig-zagging up to the top level), flooded with natural light and splashed with colourful artwork, it’s easy to feel that love.
by Alyssa Hirose photography by Tanya GoehringOpen Gallery
One of the prints hanging above the work desk is Masquerade by L.A.-based artist James Jean. “There is a lot hidden in this piece, and it feels like I can always find something new if I stare at it long enough,” says Ting.
Ting’s advertising days are behind him, too—he’s now a fulltime artist and designer creating bright, playful illustrations that embrace both fine detail and abundant movement. You’ve likely seen Chairman Ting art around the city (a panorama dressing up the former Nordstrom space, custom badges for Christine Sinclair’s retirement celebration, intricate murals in the Nicola Wealth and BCAA offices), and the walls of his family home serve as a personal gallery of curated favourites. How does he pick which works to display? “It’s usually up to her,” Ting answers, nodding to his wife, Denise. After all, he credits her for many of his wins— she tracks down the marketing teams of global brands (ever heard of Adidas?), leading to the collaborations and commissions that have skyrocketed his career.
While the artist has always had the same workspace—a skylit nook on one of the upper levels— the rest of the home has adapted as his family has grown. Thanks to the couple’s two children, Audrey and Quinn, fine art lives among doodles, play food and stuffed animals. Ting spends most of his work time at the computer, but his home’s angled, open architecture allows him to stay connected to his family and take in all the sun he can get. “I think in my previous life I was a solar panel,” Ting jokes. “Sometimes I work with my shades on.”
Star Power
These 3D-printed Space Buns were part of an exhibition at the Dr. Sun YatSen Classical Chinese Garden in early 2023. “We commissioned a guy in a basement in East Van to do the printing,” Ting says with a laugh.
In Store
“This one is actually from Ikea,” Ting notes, explaining that, in 2017, the flat-packed furniture brand commissioned artists (like Brooklyn-based Kevin Lyons, whose work is pictured here) to create limitededition posters.
Bun for All Rabbits are all over Ting’s portfolio—he was inspired by the family’s two pet rabbits, Bella and Siu Fok. Siu Fok (“little fortune”) was rescued from the streets in Toronto. “And Bella was crazy... she lived to be 14,” says the artist.
Sketchy Business
There’s large-scale artwork galore in their home, but this framed doodle happens to be Denise’s favourite. It’s from the first-ever Chairman Ting solo art show, which took place at Walrus Home on Cambie back in 2012.
Mini Me
Nine-year-old Audrey’s artwork is displayed alongside her dad’s—and she’s moved into the digital space, too. “She was using paper like nobody’s business,” Ting remembers. “When I got a new iPad, I had to give her my old one.”
Pedal to the Metal Ting says his work with Adidas was one of his big breaks. This hand-painted fixed-gear bike (donated by Bikes on Robson) was part of a Hong Kong art show sponsored by the brand.
Face Off
The random cartoon eyes and mouths on this piece come from Ting’s Billion Buns NFT project, which used the parts to create algorithmgenerated characters.
The Mini Shirley raffia tote bag by Staud goes from day to night in one fell square handle. $330, holt renfrew.com
Summer days call for light, textured bags ready for poolsides and patios.
Women in rural Kenya supplement their family income by handweaving Kiondo baskets in sisal fibre, like the extra-large Simba tote. It’s sourced at fair trade prices and takes up to three weeks to craft before arriving at Granville Island’s Boostani. $189, boostani.ca
Carry all the essentials (and a few non-essentials) in Michael by Michael Kors’s Townsend straw messenger bag with its bucket shape, silver hardware and leather strap and base. $284, michaelkors.ca
Channelling an upscale residential European flat, the re-imagined 1,858-square-foot Weekend Max Mara boutique at Metrotown—the first of its kind in Canada—showcases the Italian brand’s breezy ready-to-wear and outerwear collections set against blue trim, cement tiles and vibrant wallpaper. Try it all on for size in the new selfie changeroom. 4700 Kingsway | ca.maxmara.com
Circle up with the 100-percent straw-paper circular bag with fringe and cross body straps by Montreal-based Melanie Lyne. $58, melanielyne.com
Handwoven with sustainable palm leaves by Obakki’s design collective from the Sierra de Guerrero region of Mexico, this large structured palm tote generates initiatives for artisans from over 80 families in the region. $115, obakki.com
Paris-based Petite Mendigote’s lined Serion purse in black raffia has a detachable gold chain, so you can choose between a clutch or carefree crossbody. $148, muchandlittle.com
From the 2024 Coco Beach collection, Chanel’s woven raffia-effect tote with white leather and gold chain straps moves the humble beach bag from basic to beautiful. Price upon request, chanel.ca
Slice of Life serves up community and culture for artists and arts lovers on the east side.
by Stacey McLachlanAllegedly, it’s an artists’ studio, gallery and gift shop. But in practice, Slice of Life is more like a networking hub for East Van’s most interesting people— because there’s much more than art-making going on here.
“Speed dating is so perfect. And pinball nights are so fun, too,” says Sheena Botelho, creative director and founder of the brightly coloured arts hub on Venables Street.
It’s a space that’s come to defy categorization over the past nine years. For instance, it’s also a school—you could take a linocut-printing workshop here, or sit in on a life drawing class. Or, you could make the argument that it’s a theatre, thanks to the comedy events you’ll find on the sched. Or maybe we’ll see you there, laptop out, for a co-working session.
The multifunctional space that’s here today is a swerve from the shop’s original identity as a screen-printing studio, a business that Botelho ran in 2015 with then-roommate Ben Knight, a sign maker and selftaught screen printer. Botelho grew up in Toronto loving textile arts (“I practically gave myself scoliosis as a teen from leaning over crocheting and rug-latching,” she says) but also brought an event and logistics background to the operation— her resumé includes stints
working for LiveNation, the NHL and the NBA.
The printing business didn’t go as smoothly as the pair had hoped. “We honestly sucked,” says Botelho. “The printing was good but we sucked at dealing with the commercial clients. We were just dragging our own name through the mud and I said, ‘I
don’t want anything to do with this anymore and I don’t think you do either.’” The two went their separate ways, each keeping a screen-printing press, and Botelho looked around at the studio space—and the local artists who rented their own workshops within it—and tried to figure out what would come next.
“My vision was ‘radical inclusivity,’” says Botelho. At first that manifested itself in a too-wide spectrum of gallery shows: anyone who wanted to display their work was welcome. But other artists suggested that the lack of curation was ultimately hurting the scene, and Botelho pivoted the open-door policy. Today, she’s still practicing that radical inclusivity, but in a broader way.
“I want everyone to get a ‘yes’ in some way, even if they’re not ready to do a show. Maybe that’s teaching a workshop, or selling in the gift shop, or selling at our Mini Mart [pop-up market].
Everyone gets an opportunity if they want it.” Now, more than 400 artists sell out of her shop, and 30-plus members use the studio spaces and co-working option in varying degrees.
She gets hundreds of applications to participate in some way or another—applications that are low-barrier by design. Botelho doesn’t charge for folks to apply for gallery shows or space in the gift shop, and she keeps the writing requirements extremely minimal. “I saw the way so many artists are beaten down by the industry and its elitism,” she says. “I wanted to make this accessible and free.”
That accessibility extends further once you’ve finished the application process. Studio members pay $50 to $700 a month (or as low as $15 for a drop-in day), have access to a tool library and supplies, and a kiln and woodworking space are available for those with safety certifications. Artists who sell their wares in her shop (which
is open until 8 p.m., seven days a week) don’t pay for their shelf space like at other market shops. And once an emerging artist gets a little more confident, frequent gallery shows offer plenty of opportunities for a first exhibiting experience.
It’s become a hub for a community of artists who either exist outside of the traditional gallery system or are just cutting their teeth, but it’s also radically inclusive of non-artists, too. Yes, you’ll find sculptors, garment designers and painters working on their latest projects in the back, and patches, prints, shirts and pins from local illustrators in the store, but Slice is really for everyone. You might pop in to check out a friend’s exhibition opening, and come back the next day for the monthly fashionand-thrift focused pop-up Mini Mart that features vendors from around the city. You might get some insight as you chat with someone new at a screen-printing workshop later that week, or try your hand at life-modelling. Come back to use the drop-in coworking space to really focus on your big work project, and then shake off the day by losing badly to the pinball obsessives who gather for tournaments on Thursdays and Sundays. (Or, if you’d prefer to fall in love at a “Single Slice” speed dating event, that’s great, too.)
So maybe Slice isn’t that hard to define after all. It’s not a gallery or a shop or a classroom or a hot dating spot or an arts collective—it’s a community centre. “We want artists to discover the freedom of doing something fun for a living,” says Botelho, “but we also just want people to meet and hang out.”
Welcome to Which Craft Club, a new monthly meetup where the cozy nostalgia of childhood crafting meets grown-up fun. by Kerri Donaldson
If you’re seeking a way to have fun that doesn’t require getting the bartender’s attention, Which Craft Club is here. Introverts, start your engines.
“I would like to meet people, but not in a party environment,” says Ali Mroz, who started her relaxing, craft-filled social club back in October. “I wanted something to do in the evening from time to time that wasn’t going to a show or the bar. I realized I couldn’t possibly be the only one.”
The debut event at Subject Studio featured pumpkin painting and a screening of the nostalgia-packed Practical Magic (and, yes, a drink or two). “It was super casual,” says Mroz. “We watched the movie
on a big projector, painted pumpkins and it was just really fun.” Movies are a core part of the magic, paired to suit their crafting counterpart: Wes Anderson’s The French Dispatch served as muse for collaging, while nostalgic beaded bracelets and necklaces accompanied Mean Girls Crossroads was ostensibly projected onto the wall to accompany some painting, but people kept putting their brushes down to just watch. “People even started singing along,” says Mroz—a
Club Night, Reimagined Focus on your project, watch the night’s movie or (if you’re brave) strike up a convo with a new friend.
true testament to the unifying power of both crafting and Britney Spears.
All the supplies you need are provided (you can leave your scissors at home for once), including bevs. Crafters can enjoy canned cocktails and wines—along with non-alcoholic versions—and Kindred Cultures kefir water as they create their works of art in a charmingly decorated studio space. Mroz takes care to set the mood with candles, flowers and snacks. “I genuinely don’t
see myself ever doing these events in any other space; it’s just so cozy in there,” she says. The tables are arranged in a U-shape so everyone can see the movie and chat as they work on their canvas and cutting-and-pasting skills.
Over the months, Which Craft’s reach has grown. But the club remains filled with low-key kindred spirits who are happy to be mingling at a table instead of the dance floor. “I kind of forget that adults like sitting,” Mroz laughs.
Heat up your summer plans with this hit list of sizzling to-dos. by Kerri
INSERT AIRHORN NOISE: VANCOUVER CRAFT BEER AND MUSIC FESTIVAL
WHEN July 6
WHERE PNE Grounds
COST From $65
Gear up for a festival dedicated to everything you love—except all your ex-boyfriends, who will also probably be there.
OLD MAN YELLS AT CLOUD: NEIL YOUNG AND CRAZY HORSE
WHEN July 22 and 23
WHERE Deer Lake Park
COST $127
Back on Spotify after a Joe Rogan-fuelled hiatus, the “Old Man” singer (and actual old man) reunites with his pals Crazy Horse to serenade you under a harvest moon (well, not quite, but you get the idea).
IN THE DON-KEY OF C: SHREK 2 IN CONCERT
WHEN July 3 and 4
WHERE The Orpheum COST From $21
Join the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra for a magical evening with Shrek and friends—perfect for families, nostalgia-seeking millennials and Gen-Zers into Shrek raves.
WHEN July 18
WHERE The Hollywood Theatre COST From $42
Becky Hill, the powerhouse from The Voice UK, is set to energize Vancouver with her infectious electro-pop beats. Get ready for a night where the dance floor feels just like home (but don’t forget to leave after).
WHEN July 28
WHERE PNE Grounds COST $55
It’s like a garden soirée met a dance floor and decided to throw the most charming party of the summer—and it’s the perfect excuse to wear your floral-est frock.
Donaldson
FEELING HOT HOT HOT: CARNAVAL DEL SOL
WHEN July 5 to 18
WHERE Jonathan Rogers Park COST From $17
Sizzle into summer with Latin beats, treats and VIP vibes at Carnaval del Sol. DJ kickoff? Check. Flamenco night? July 11. Soccer tournament? July 12 and 13. It’s fiesta o’clock all summer long.
’00S
WHEN July 19
WHERE Plaza of Nations Marina COST $78
Set sail on this DJ’d boat bash pitting the ’90s against the ’00s. Whether you’re Team Spice Girls or Team Britney, this throwback dance party on the open seas is sure to float your boat.
WHEN July 27
WHERE PNE Grounds COST From $30
Tacos and cocktails come together for an all-day happy hour offering
WHEN July 4
WHERE Rogers Arena COST $104
Get your freak on with rap matriarch Missy Elliott alongside special guests Ciara, Busta Rhymes and Timbaland. This is set to be the biggest summer dance-a-thon of the year, so we suggest you start stretching now.
WHEN July 7
WHERE PNE Grounds COST From $55
Grab your Stetson and don your tightest Wranglers for the next best thing to the Calgary Stampede (but with just as much whiskey).
FOLK YA: VANCOUVER FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL
WHEN July 19 to 21
WHERE iy'a'l'mexw Jericho Beach Park
COST From $200
Globetrotters: Stay home and let your ears do the travelling. From Appalachian banjos to zesty zithers, this fest features over 40 acts from more than a dozen countries—way cheaper than airfare.
WHEN July 29
WHERE Queen Elizabeth Theatre COST From $51
The early 2000s called—the Decemberists are back! With their new album, As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again, these indie rock literati (yep, the pre-TikTok sea shanty trendsetters) are set to reignite millennial nostalgia.
SPREAD THE LOVE: QUEER AS FUNK!
WHEN August 2
WHERE Commodore Ballroom COST From $54
Ain’t no party like a queer as funk party because a queer as funk party has pride (and dancing into the wee hours of the morning).
COOL FOR THE SUMMER: ST. VINCENT
WHEN August 11
WHERE Orpheum Theatre COST From $62
Her new album, All Born Screaming, is out now, and the U.S. guitar great and indie darling is coming to remind everyone that she is way cooler than us and that’s okay.
TIGER BEAT: WAXAHATCHEE
WHEN August 16
WHERE The Orpheum COST From $68
Join the entirety of Vancouver’s indie music scene to worship at the altar of their beloved moody melody maker, Waxahatchee—fresh off her latest album, Tigers Blood.
For our full list of fun to-dos around town this month, check out our online So Fun City events calendar at vanmag.com
EASY BREEZY: NORAH JONES
WHEN July 30
WHERE Queen Elizabeth Theatre COST From $226
Come away with Norah Jones and special guests Hurray for the Riff Raff for a night of soothing serenades—like auditory melatonin, but the only side effect is good times.
IDOL WORSHIP: AN EVENING WITH MINK STOLE AND PEACHES CHRIST
WHEN August 3
WHERE The Rio Theatre COST From $40
Calling all John Waters fans, Divine devotees and cult movie lovers: don’t miss this night of cult cinema, scandalous stories and endless glitter.
WHAT A CHARACTER: COMEDY BANG! BANG!
WHEN August 18
WHERE The Vogue Theatre COST From $40
This unique podcast-turned-TV show is coming to town, bringing hilarious character-based improv silliness (and probably Paul F. Tompkins).
WEIRD BEARDS: JJUUJJUU WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
WHEN August 1
WHERE The Pearl COST $20
Plunge into psychedelic rock with JJUUJJUU, helmed by the bearded, L.A.-based Phil Pirrone and his eclectic crew. Spend the evening swaying trippily in your baggiest poncho.
RAINBOW ROAD: PUBLIC DISCO PRIDE BLOCK PARTY
WHEN August 3
WHERE West 3rd Avenue and Ontario Street COST From $23
Featuring DJs Shaun J. Wright and Sappho, an industrial laneway turns into a rainbow-hued dance floor for a day of pride partying and dancing in the streets.
WATER WERKS: MEET ME IN GASTOWN
WHEN August 15
WHERE Water Street COST Free
On Gastown’s iconic Water Street, local food stalls line the cobblestones and the Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra fills the air with enchanting sounds—plus the occasional chime from a certain steam clock!
I’M SO EXCITED: THE COMMODORES WITH THE POINTER SISTERS
WHEN August 27
WHERE PNE Grounds COST From $40
Dust off those bell-bottoms (they might be cool again) for a blastfrom-the-past dance party at the PNE. Come for the funk and soul hits, stay for The Beast—with full access to the fairgrounds.
Here’s what Indigenous author, poet and scholar Billy-Ray Belcourt has on his pop culture radar.
Don’t Forget Me by Maggie Rogers
I’ve been listening to Maggie Rogers a lot these days. Her whole oeuvre is in my rotation, but “Don’t Forget Me,” which is the title track on her latest album, is my favourite song of hers. It so beautifully captures the ambivalence of being in your late 20s, watching people solidify into coherent selves around you, missing people who haven’t left you yet (à la Toni Morrison).
I’m still grieving the loss of the FX show
Reservation Dogs, which so tenderly and humorously depicted the contours of life as a young native on a reserve (in this case, in Oklahoma). A tragicomedy for the 21st century, both an articulation of the long aftermath of history and a love letter to the possibility of Indigenous joy.
Rachel Cusk
Rachel Cusk is an icon, the G.O.A.T., et cetera. Her books, which dispense with the usual narrative conventions, tackle existential questions with a deep commitment to the beauty of individual sentences. Every new book is an auto-buy for me.
Belcourt’s latest collection of stories, Coexistence, is in bookstores now.
Bygone eras inspire contemporary jewellery in Pamela Card’s local studio.
by Alyssa HirosePamela Card doesn’t seek perfection. The Railtown-based jewellery designer travels across the world to find inspiration in ancient European artifacts, revelling in the storied history of it all. “Their jewellery isn’t perfect because it was all done by hand, and some of it was lost underground for many years—it’s lived a long life,” she explains.
Instead of being drawn to the pristine, clean-lined silhouettes common in modern jewellery, Card looks to art from all the hottest empires (Greek, Roman, Ottoman, Byzantine—you get it) and uses lostwax casting to create her molten, heirloom-esque aesthetic. “I like to make the jewellery look like it’s been broken, buried and excavated,” she says. After snapping film photos and jotting down notes on her trips abroad, she heads back to her Vancouver studio to translate her findings into handmade, wearable art. A stunning Amalfi Coast lookout point inspired a necklace with textured links twisted into the infinity symbol, and Italy’s glam ’50s era influenced a flashy, elegant set of asymmetrical earrings.
Card’s latest collection, launching this summer, is a love letter to Greece (look for subtle nods to ancient deities, mythology, talismans and iconic buildings like the Parthenon). She’s solidified a
style that’s almost as distinct as the artifacts that inspire her: “I want my designs to be very unique and specific to the brand—I want people to see it and say, ‘Oh, is that Pamela Card jewellery?’”
INTRODUCING POPLAR GROVE’S FIRST EVER
These creepy crawly critters invade our homes—but definitely not our hearts.
Silverfish don’t bite or sting or drink your beer without asking, so they aren’t the worst roommates to have. But there’s something unsettling—nay, suspicious!— about the way they scurry under the baseboards whenever you turn on the bathroom light. What were they up to?
Much like your struggling monstera plant, these shimmering, slithering bugs have tropical
origins and are a staple of the Vancouver home. But unlike that sad, cold plant, they were never explicitly invited into your living quarters. These sneaky squatters travel on books, old clothes or cardboard boxes. Maybe you thought you were expanding your mind by bringing home the novelization of Honey I Shrunk the Kids from the library, but really you were insect trafficking. I don’t want to victim blame, but that’s what you get for reading books instead of the latest issue of Vancouver magazine, a publication I am proud to say is never full of yucky bugs. (Note to self—idea for new tagline?)
on LinkedIn given the chance! These scavengers are big into simple carbs and delicious paper and paste, but can live without food for up to a year— another characteristic I find impressive, given that I personally needed to take six snack breaks over the course of writing this story alone.
by Stacey McLachlan illustration by Byron EggenschwilerThe Government of Canada website has a whole page dedicated to silverfish, which I guess they’ve been working hard on and that’s why they’ve been ignoring my calls asking if I can just skip my taxes this year, please. “Silverfish are harmless to humans, but are considered pests because of their appearance,” it says. This is disappointing to read, because I really thought the #bodypositivity movement was making an impact on society. And yet here we are, judging an innocent little insect on its horrible, revolting looks and its gross abundance of legs. Shame on all of us. Get these silverfish in a Dove ad already.
Silverfish are nocturnal and love humidity. They survive in Canada by seeking out dark, moist environments, which is why you’ll find them living outdoors under rocks or treebark, or indoors in bathrooms, basements, kitchens and attics. (We need to tell these guys about saunas.) But as hardy and adventurous as they are, silverfish can’t climb smooth surfaces. If you’ve ever found them scuttling around your tub or sink it’s because they went to hang around the drain and then couldn’t get up again, like the time our assistant editor Kerri Donaldson got trapped in a water slide that she’s asked me to please stop talking about.
Got a question for Know-It-All? stacey.mclachlan@ vanmag.com
I think there’s a lot about these li’l rascals we can admire. For example, the no-nonsense way that silverfish just disintegrate into dust when you squish one. Efficient! Effective! The sort of skill you would endorse
So while the official, government-sanctioned advice for getting rid of silverfish is, to paraphrase, “vacuum more [you friggin’ slob],” or to ventilate and keep countertops clean, those aren’t necessarily the only solutions. You could also cover every surface of your home with fibreglass for a smooth, ungrippable finish. That sounds like a lot of work, though... so maybe just stop your filthy book-reading habit instead? Or better yet: get your silverfish roomies to start chipping in on rent.
As any Vancouverite knows, summer is a limited, special time—the days are long but our sunny-day to-do list is always longer. So how do you make the most of every bike ride, forest hike or tennis date? You ask the experts. That’s why we grilled our outdoorsiest friends to get all the insider’s tips we could cram into our metaphorical all-weather hiking backpack. BY THE EDITORS
There are people who cycle to get around, and then there are Bike People, for whom biking is about the journey, not the destination. These are the folks who plan their weekends in kilometres and always have a pannier packed and ready to go—and they’re also the experts* we turn to for the best routes when we’re ready for a little twowheeled adventure.
*Special thanks to bike-thusiasts Amanda Fentiman, Kody Huard, Jeff Leeder and Kim Sicoli
Bike buds say: “The absolute jewel of Vancouver riding.”
Ideal if: You’re dreaming of a pedal-powered forest jaunt.
Distance: 20 kilometres there and back.
If you’ve got a car and you don’t want to cycle over the Ironworkers Bridge, start this beautiful ride right from the parking lot of the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve. (Braver souls with stronger calves can bike themselves to the starting line, of course.)
Either way, Conservation Road is worth the trek: it’s paved and closed off to vehicles, so you’re just gliding along a tranquil path of punchy hills and smooth descents. (One
a spin on
of our biking correspondents described it as “hilly but not too hilly.”) The route winds through towering trees, over trickling creeks and past quaint picnic areas, so please: pack snacks. It’s easy to do an out-and-back ride here, but if you want to turn things into a loop once you get to the Seymour Dam at the end, you can take the gravel road down the other side of the river (see page 30 for more on this gravel ride!)—watch out for vehicles, though, and make sure your bike is up to the challenge.
Bike buds say: “The perfect weekend ride.”
Ideal if: You’re looking for a long Sunday morning jaunt that ends with fish and chips.
Distance: About 40 kilometres there and back.
Hop on the Arbutus Greenway at 10th Avenue to avoid the construction and pedal south: you’re pointing yourself toward the thrilling Canada Line Bikeway Bridge, which runs underneath the Skytrain over the Fraser River (ooh la la!). Hop on at West Kent Avenue and Ash Street to get yourself over to North Richmond. There’s an admittedly not-great chunk of the ride here as you manoeuver yourself to the Richmond West Dyke Trail, but once you’re on it, you’ve got four breezy, traffic-free kilometres of river views. At McCallan Road, take the smooth, straight 6K stretch of the railway bike path to Steveston. Snag a bite to eat and kick it at Garry Point Park before hopping back on the saddle for the journey home.
Bike buds say: “A moderate introduction to a multi-day ride.”
Ideal if: You’re looking for something to brag to your coworkers about on Monday and love to take the ferry.
Distance: 230-plus kilometres from Stanley Park and back.
Your weekend getaway starts with some sweat. Get yourself across the Lions Gate Bridge and take Marine Drive (“slower traffic, better views”) up to the Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal. Enjoy the natural beauty of the ferry ride—and the sweet savings you get by not bringing a car—and then pop on to the E&N Rail Trail, which runs the length of Nanaimo and is a beautiful, breezy cyclist-safe road. At Lantzville, exit the trail and be wary: this is a less-than-pleasant 6K stretch on the Island Highway shoulder. But then you’ll take the Northwest Bay Road through some rural ’hoods, take a quick jaunt on East Island Highway and arrive at your destination: beautiful, beachy Parksville. Set up for the night at the B&B of your choosing and rest up, because you’ll do it all in reverse tomorrow.
Bike to the ferry, bike around the island, bike back, stop for coffee at Bowen’s Tell Your Friends at some point along the way.
A triple-threat ride: up to the peaks of Grouse, Seymour and Cypress in one sweaty go.
You’ll cross the border and follow a network of farm roads that guide you past idyllic cornfields and cows toward Bellingham’s breweries.
The surge in popularity of so-called gravel rides—literally, bike rides on gravel roads instead of traditional trails or pavement—is perhaps surprising. (Wait, you want to make the ride harder?) But paired with a gravel bike—sturdy and geared for tough hills thanks to new tech from bike manufacturers—a gravel road gets cyclists into wilderness that you just can’t access via traditional roads or trails. And as gravel ride evangelist Phil Alma notes, “B.C. is really blessed to have so many of them—literally tens of thousands of trails exist throughout the province. Just look at a map and say, ‘I want to go there.’”
The Why Great for beginners
The Where Seymour Lake to Rice Lake
Fisherman’s Trail is an easily accessible ride from transit if you’re without a vehicle—the bus will get you almost to the trailhead at Rice Lake. It’s a north-south route that has the benefit of being a net uphill if you start from Rice Lake, and net downhill back from Seymour Lake— but you can cheat that a bit by warming up on the nearby paved Lower Seymour Conservation route to Seymour Lake, and then heading into the trail back to Rice Lake from there. You’ll also notice how different the trail feels to that manicured paved path—it will seem like you’re miles from the city in a remote little forest. And if you want a detour— take a gravel spur over to a very warm little lake known as both Lost Lake and Rolf Lake for a quick dip before you’re on the trail again.
The Why Test your tech skills
The Where North of Whistler
This is part of the Trans Canada Trail that runs parallel to Highway 99 up to Whistler, but parts of it are on highway, too. If you want to avoid the asphalt, pick up the Valley Trail in Whistler Village near the Audain Museum’s fourth parking lot. You’ll be on the east side of the highway and should expect a fair bit of up and down—be prepared to hop off and push your bike up a few hills. But it’s a wonderfully remote, very well-maintained trail. You’ll pass rivers and waterfalls—and also hit a few hairpin turns too, so it’s not a trail for first-timers. Remember that the trail runs in both directions, so keep your wits about you if you’re coming around a blind corner.
ROCKY ROADS
The right bike can take you anywhere: (clockwise from top) down the Sea to Sky Trail, to Pitt Marsh or up Fisherman’s Trail.
The Why Bonding with birds
The Where East of Pitt River
Take the Lougheed until you cross the Pitt River Bridge, and then park somewhere around the Old Dewdney Trunk Road exit. The trail is on the east side of the Pitt River and it’s another part of the Trans Canada Trail—a wonderful series of gravel rides that head north all the way to Pitt Marsh. You’ll see Pitt Lake and the mountains of Golden Ears Provincial Park (and it’s also an excellent spot for birding). Ride to the peak of the marsh and then southeast into more trails, where you’ll pass through tall grass and won’t spot a soul... save for a few ducks.
In the U.K., swimming in natural bodies of water is known as “wild swimming,” and that’s a beautiful, feral vibe we recommend chasing this summer. Vancouver has no shortage of great outdoor pools (if we could vote for Kits Pool for mayor, we would), but there’s something special about a swimming hole. Most swimming hole lovers are tight-lipped about their favourite spots, but we got one outdoorsy insider to spill the beans after a glass of wine.
CYPRESS FALLS IN WEST VANCOUVER is the winner on a hot summer day (and it's quieter than Lynn Canyon and Capilano). Drive to the end of Woodgreen Place and follow the dirt road to a parking lot. From there, follow Cypress Creek for 40 minutes or so until you reach the dreamy, crystalline pools awaiting at the base of the waterfall.
It probably goes without saying, but these spots are unmonitored and are maintained by nature—swim at your own risk!
GRANNY’S COVE IN CAPILANO CANYON
It’s an ice-cold dip in this secluded pool, but if you’re daring enough to try cliff-jumping (we know we just warned you to swim at your own risk, but jump at your own risk, too, please), the adrenaline might keep you warm enough. Climb down the hill by the second Suspension Bridge parking lot for a more civilized descent.
Hike two kilometres into Whyte Lake Park in West Vancouver to find the picturesque body of water that gives the area its name. Though it’s seen better days, the dock makes for an ideal spot for a post-walk or pre-dip beer.
MYSTERY LAKE
Where does a swimming hole end and a lake begin? We don’t really care, as long as we can splash around in this crystal-clear body of water on Mount Seymour. (The rocky “islands” at its centre make for an ideal touchstone for swimmers.)
35% Seawall
7% Pacific Spirit
7% Arbutus Greenway
7% UBC Endowment Lands
7% Central Valley Greenway
15% Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve
22% Inside Stanley Park
“We’re spoiled for choice with our municipal courses,” says Haley Hnatiw. She should know: she started life on the links as a Kelowna kid, played varsity for UBC, pals around with golf pros and now runs a Scottish golf tour company called East Sands Golf Co. with her husband, Nick. Some call her obsessed—we call her for expert-level intel.
What’s the best course for a total beginner to tackle?
Langara is a great intro if it’s your first time on a course—it’s short and it’s right on the Skytrain line, making it very accessible if you don’t own a car.
What’s your favourite local course?
For the views alone, Capilano is hard to beat. It’s nestled into the British Properties in West Van and offers views of the Lions Gate Bridge, Stanley Park, downtown Vancouver, even Mount Baker. As far as public courses go, Fraserview is a big, majestic parkland course in East Van. It’s arguably one of the best layouts in the city, public and private combined.
What’s the most underrated course in the Lower Mainland?
Might be a hot take, but I would choose to play Squamish Valley Golf Club over just about anything in Whistler. The views are just as good, and the course is extremely fun—plus it’s half as far from the city (and about half the price).
What’s the biggest surprise about the golf scene in Vancouver?
Our pitch and putt courses are sneaky good!
The Queen E Park course was designed by the same golf course architect who built courses like Shaughnessy and Marine Drive.
A trio of local brands driving hard into the competitive golf market.
1 Vancouver-based Haywood is giving Titleist a run for its money with high-tech titanium goods, like its slick, low-spin, lightweight driver head ($399). haywoodgolf.com
2 Not ready to invest in waterproof golf shoes? Vessi makes an affordable, locally designed alternative... and the Stormburst low tops ($160) look great with a pair of classic plaid golf pants. vessi.com
3 When you’ve really caught the golf bug and are ready to start personalizing your gear (“It’s a thing,” shrugs Hnatiw), Golf (from $80) are a cult favourite. rawhidegolf.com
3
25% Squamish
25% Whistler
14% Alta Lake
12% Bowen Island
12% Davis Bay Beach (Sechelt)
12% Steveston Village
If you’re intimidated by rock climbing... don’t be, says Amanda Kao, founder of the Bad Climbers Club. “Join groups and go out with people who know what they’re doing,” she advises. “The climbing gym is a great place to meet people.” Kao’s own club is one great starting point (she’s introducing a Gym to Crag course this summer), but there are plenty of beginner-friendly, inclusive groups around town—from the Gen Z-run Balancing Act to Van Queer Climbers and the South Asian Climbers Coalition. And once you’ve learned the ropes (har har har), Kao recommends Sully’s Hangout near Lynn Loop in North Vancouver: “It’s a cool spot—temperature and popularity-wise—with easy-going, accessible climbing.”
HANG IN THERE
Sully’s Hangout is the place to put your climbing-gym skills to the test.
CHEK CANYON RECREATION SITE (SQUAMISH)
Secret sources say: “It’s a bit of a Disneyland for climbers. There are free tent pads and spots, or you can sleep in your car on the lot. It’s at the end of a forest service road so it’s a fun drive and a dead end—there are only climbers there. People chat with each other, there are dogs and kids. There are many different areas and routes so there’s a bit of something for everybody.”
PET WALL IN MURRIN PARK (SQUAMISH)
Secret sources say: “It’s a very imposing cliff with very famous routes. After you climb you can jump in the water at the lake! But get there early to get a parking spot.”
CYPRESS FALLS PARK (WEST VANCOUVER)
Secret sources say: “This is great for bouldering! You don’t need a rope, harness and all the gear— you’re set with your climbing shoes and a mat.”
There is no shortage of great tennis courts in Vancouver. Besides the private clubs (we see you, Jericho!) there are a whopping 174 public courts available across the city, meaning there’s always going to be a spot out there somewhere for you to smack a ball around. Some feature ocean views; others are a little, uh, grittier; but none are quite as special as the hidden tennis courts on top of a parking garage at 600 Moberly Road. Five courts are surrounded by a very tall fence, so there’s no risk of overshooting into traffic below, but the thrill of swinging your racquet around above it all can’t be contained.
If you’re tired of slogging up Squamish’s Stawamus Chief trail while looking at the backsides of the 100 other people in front of you who decided to rise and grind on a Sunday morning, it’s time to consider some alternative weekend hikes. And there’s no better person to ask than Stephen Hui, author of Best Hikes and Nature Walks with Kids in and Around Southwestern British Columbia, who has an encyclopedic knowledge of all the region’s best hiking routes. Whether you’re a fair-weather forest-walker or a hardcore hike afficionado, Hui’s got your next great hike covered.
Whistler’s Blackcomb Burn boasts more elevation gain than any other lift-serviced ascent trail in southwestern B.C. Make sure to dress for sweat-cess, because Whistler Blackcomb engineered the Burn to provide a virtually continuous uphill climb. Along the way, you’ll enter an alpine snow forest with cedar trees that are hundreds of years old. Take time to savour the valley views and colourful wildflowers from the snowless ski runs. Before downloading on the Blackcomb Gondola, celebrate with a pint at the Rendezvous Lodge.
THE HILLS ARE ALIVE Get out to (clockwise from top left) the Blackcomb Burn, Flora Pass, the Bowen Island Ferry or Three Bears.
While the turquoise waters of Lindeman Lake are the big attraction for hikers in Sx̱ótsaqel/Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park, nearby Flora Pass is just as worthwhile a destination. Starting from the same busy trailhead, you’ll climb to meadows bursting with bright flora. In open terrain, earn sweeping views of Chilliwack Lake. From your ridge crest destination, peer down at gleaming Flora Lake and enjoy the peace and quiet, far from the hustle and bustle of Lindeman.
HAPPIER TRAILS
Looking for a hiking buddy? Wanderung is an email-based Vancouver social network that connects folks for group hikes and cycling trips. wanderung.ca
An island day trip can feel as invigorating as a week away. The ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Bowen Island (Nex̱wlélex̱wm) takes only 20 minutes. Foot passengers can scale the island’s tallest peak and be back in Vancouver for dinner. From the ferry dock, a pleasant stroll in Crippen Regional Park leads to the foot of Mount Gardner. Navigate the web of forest trails to surmount the north summit. Bask in the big Salish Sea views from the helipads up top. Back at Snug Cove, reward yourself with ice cream before boarding your return ferry.
You may not see Goldilocks in the Chilliwack Community Forest, but you’ll find Three Bears. Like a river on a floodplain, this delightful path meanders through lovely woods, offering a relaxed grade and plenty of opportunities for snack breaks. Interpretive panels will engage inquisitive young minds. The forest lies in Stó:lō territory, and a few of the trails have names in the Halq’eméylem language.
50% Whatever Park Is Closest to Your House
21% Jericho Beach
14% Queen Elizabeth Park Rose Garden
14% Spanish Banks
1% Other
“7 a.m.
“Walking along the beach from Kits to Granville Island”
“Kayaking”
“Walking when the tide is out with my dog (always) and a friend (sometimes)”
“Swimming”
“Beach picnics with out-of-town friends” “Forest bathing”
“Biking to a park with friends and a six-pack”
Torn between our bounty of beautiful beaches? Let our flow chart make the decision for you.
Do you have access to a bathing suit?
Are you willing to journey to the West End?
Do you need to be within 15 feet of a Cactus Club at all times? Does the rhythm of a drum circle move your heart and spirit?
Do you want to find out if you're immune to swimmer’s itch?
If you don’t have a big log to set your towel in front of, do you feel unmoored?
Were you traumatized by the dismantling of the Barge?
Do you want to play Spikeball with my Australian boyfriend?
Do you insist that the volleyball scene in Top Gun was the peak of cinema?
DISAGREE? I’LL FIGHT
Surrey resident and irrepressible camper Shannon Gibbs has been running her blog, Camp That Site, for a decade now, and has filled it with hundreds of recommendations from her journeys into the woods—at first with her two kids and a tent-trailer in tow, now parking in luxury with her husband and a 25-foot RV. (Full disclosure: she’s also the aunt of Vanmag’s editor-in-chief.) With competition for provincial park sites at an all-time high—demand is up 200 percent from 2014—there’s no better person to ask for wisdom about snagging a hot spot to pitch your tent in peace.
If you’ve got any flexibility about your dates, Monday to Friday camping is your best bet. “Weekends are almost impossible to book,” says Gibbs. “If you want a weekend, you really have to plan to arrive on a weekday.”
Provincial campgrounds are the deluxe accommodation option— easily accessible, staffed with caretakers—and highly competitive to book. “Recreational Sites,” meanwhile, are also provincially managed, but are a little more rugged (and a
lot less busy). They’re typically first come, first serve, and sometimes even free. Often, though, they’re off the beaten path, so you might need a hardy vehicle (or even a boat!) to get there.
“The hidden gems are all on the Island,” says Gibbs. The cost of taking a ferry over can be prohibitive for car or RV campers, so if you’re willing to take the hit, Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast offer a smorgasbord of spectacular sites (Bella Pacifica Campground in Tofino, for one).
INTO THE WOODS
Even if you’re a capitalism-hating Marxist, you have to admit: sometimes, the free market delivers. Private campgrounds are there to fill in the gaps when provincial parks let you down—like the oceanfront Cluxewe Resort and Campground outside of Port Hardy. “You can usually book private sites a year out, and often get first right of refusal to keep your week, year after year,” adds Gibbs.
Maybe it feels like less of an adventure to camp in the Lower Mainland, but when Osoyoos is all booked up, Langley’s Edgewater Bar Campground—operated by Metro Vancouver—is there for you with a sparkling (though unfortunately un-swimmable) riverside spot.
Stikine’s portable packrafts take up minimal space in your front hall closet when folded closed, and expand to carry you gracefully over the open waters. (The smallest is only 2.7 kilograms, so you won’t work up too much of a sweat before you get your paddle on.) From $800, stikinepack rafts.com
Pacific Spirit Park
Runners Up: Garibaldi; the Endowment Lands; Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve; Diez Vistas
While a resourceful individual probably could make do in the woods without much, Naked and Afraid-style, for a memorable long weekend, most of us find that the right gear is what turns a camping trip from tolerable to when-can-we-do-this-again fun. And yet, acquiring or storing all the necessary stuff for #camplife can be an obstacle for many camping-curious Vancouverites. Luckily, a slew of community resources and businesses are out there, eager to lend a helping hand (and tarps—don’t forget the tarps).
PACKLIST Camping essentials are delivered right to your door and picked up when your big adventure is over. Select products à la carte (a two-person tent is $30) or grab a pre-set package, like the $105 Backpacking Essentials kit, which includes a compact cooking system, a lightweight sleeping pad, trekking poles and a big ol’ backpack to carry it all. packlist.ca
RENT A TENT Customize your perfect package (maybe you know you’re going to get into a fight with your partner if you have to share a tent) or grab one of the standard sets: the $40-a-day Small Tent package includes self-inflating mats, folding chairs, a lantern and a propane stove, along with pots and more essentials. rent-a-tent-canada.com
SPORTS JUNKIES Need to travel light? Sports Junkies’ hiking kits (from $65 a night) have everything you need to venture into the wilderness by foot. Car camping kits (from $80 a night) include a more robust set of supplies, including a cooler, chairs and a two-burner stove. sportsjunkies.com
BUY NOTHING GROUPS Facebook may be a bit quiet these days, but the Buy Nothing groups are still alive and well over there. Find your neighbourhood chapter and see what previously loved pup tent or needs-a-new-home stove you might be able to adopt. buynothingproject.org
The Quails’ Gate heritage did not start with decanters, corks, and wine barrels; instead, it started with the soil. For over a century, the rich, fertile soil and unique climate of the Okanagan Valley has been home to four generations of Stewart farmers.
Their love affair with the soil dates back to 1908 when Richard Stewart Sr. settled in the area. Richard was a horticulturist who had a deep understanding and respect for the land and its regenerative abilities. Through hard work, he established one of the valley’s most successful
nurseries. Six decades later, his son, Dick, switched over to growing grapes, planting their first vines in 1961.
With the help of Dick’s eldest son Ben, Quails’ Gate Winery was founded in 1989. Over the next three decades, the entire family helped Quails’ Gate become a prominent figure in the Okanagan Valley’s wine scene, now farming 160 acres of vineyards. Ben worked on promoting the wines and spearheaded the opening of Old Vines Patio in 1999, expanding it into Old Vines Restaurant in 2005. Even here, the Stewart
family’s connection to farming continues with a menu inspired by seasonal local farms. It has become one of the finest restaurants in the Okanagan Valley, and was
recently named OpenTable’s “Top 100” restaurants in Canada.
Ben’s brother, Tony Stewart, later joined the family business in 1992 and excelled as CEO, taking the leading role in vineyard management and wine production, with his son Rowan adding his experience to the winemaking team in 2020.
Ben & Tony Stewart
The original store and tasting room were in a heritage building rich in character. It is still there to this day. Now called The Market, it sits on the corner of Boucherie and Sunnyside Road. It’s a charming seasonal destination where you can pick up a full selection of Quails’ Gate wines, a fresh brewed espresso, a wide selection of artisanal cheeses, breads, charcuterie, or even a wood-fired pizza.
The Globe and Mail:
“Over
the years, the family’s attention to other varieties of tender fruit gave way to its increasing interest in tending vineyards for wine production, especially Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vines
that have given Quails’ Gate an enviable position as one of the most consistent and convincing producers of those bottles in Canada.”
On June 20, 2023, Quails’ Gate Winery hosted a unique event aimed at recognizing the remarkable quality of Okanagan Valley Chardonnay. A panel of esteemed wine journalists and industry professionals were invited to partake in a blind tasting, meticulously evaluating and benchmarking
Visitors to the winery enjoy the large tasting room, where you can sip with spectacular views of the vineyards and Okanagan Lake. Explore and sample premier tastings including award-winning wines from their Estate Selection, Reserve and Distinction Collection, or the Founders’ Collection. Favourites
include the smooth & rich Boswell Syrah, the graceful & refined Rosemary’s Block Chardonnay, and the velvety & enticing Richard Block Pinot Noir. And, of course, who can visit without being wowed by the renowned Stewart Family Reserve premium Pinot Noir and sumptuous gold-winning Chardonnay.
Okanagan Chardonnay from the 2019, 2020, and 2021 vintages against some of the finest examples from around the globe. Included in the list of Okanagan Chardonnays were Quails’ Gate’s own Stewart Family Reserve Chardonnay and Rosemary’s Block Chardonnay.
The purpose of this tasting? To stimulate discussion, exchange ideas, and ultimately put Okanagan Chardonnay into a global context. Master of Wine, Geoff Moss, chose leading Chardonnay from
around the world based on reputation. Top producers from Chablis and Côte de Beaune in Burgundy, Margaret River, Australia, and Napa Valley, USA were included. How did Quails’ Gate fare? Their Chardonnays achieved scores from 90–94 and stood its own against these notable competitors.
“It was easily evident to all that participated that Quails’ Gate Chardonnays can compete at the highest levels and deserve their share of the global spotlight,” commented
Jeff Del Nin, Senior Winemaker at Quails’ Gate Winery. The most surprising fact was that, compared to the other wines, the Quails’ Gate Chardonnays were also the most affordable.
As a relatively young wine region, this experiment provided some great learning for future vintages and helped reveal what our local industry knew all along: Okanagan Chardonnay can stand up to the best in the world!
Wine shop & tasting room
Triple-action, tri-layer tablets for immediate and gradual release
• With
• Contains sleep botanicals passionflower, and hops
5-HTP and calming L-theanine : valerian,
• Promotes falling asleep quickly and improves sleep quality
The new wines have garnered fantastic
reviews,
showcasing their quality and potential. However, the question of how well the wines age is equally interesting.
As the compounds in wine develop over time, new and subtle tastes start to emerge –tertiary flavours that come to the fore and allow the wine to reveal their true nature. Wine can also take on different textures and viscosity as they age, giving some wines a smoother or gentler mouthfeel.
Just how well does Quails’ Gate wine age? We were fortunate to connect with an individual who held a deep and enduring affection for Quails’ Gate wines over the years, and who possessed
Yes, you can enjoy their wine at home, but Quails’ Gate is a must-see destination for wine tasting. Why? Wine enthusiasts will tell you
a collection of 2004 Family Reserve wines.
Of course, we were eager to sample them and began our tasting journey with the Chardonnay. While opinions varied with some noting hints of over-maturation and slight maderization, everyone agreed that it was delicious. Remarkably, this 20-year-old white wine demonstrated great longevity, indicating its ability to age for at least a decade.
Next, we savoured the Family Reserve Pinot Noir.
Its hue displayed a touch of brick at the edge, yet it offered a beautifully textured mouthfeel. Quail’s Gate Pinot
Noirs, notably the acclaimed Richard’s Block, have truly evolved into exceptional expressions of the varietal.
about terroir – the unique combination of factors that shape a wine through altitude, climate, soil, and the natural environment. Terroir is a sense of place. And Quails’ Gate is an unforgettable, must-see place. The wine and the place are inextricably linked.
There’s no better place to sip on these superlative wines then in the Old Vines restaurant. Visitors can enjoy farm-to-table food while overlooking the vast vineyard and its stunning views of Lake Okanagan. It doesn’t matter in what season you visit, it’s a wonderful
experience year-round: beautiful in the summer but just as enchanting in the winter.
In upcoming editions, we will spotlight the Quail’s Gate Old Vines restaurant, where Chef Roger Sleiman will graciously reveal one of his favourite recipes. Stay tuned!
The City of Burnaby features some extraordinary venues with catering packages that are perfect for meetings, corporate events, workshops, conferences, staff parties and weddings. With many locations to choose from and a range of packages to fit your budget, let us make your event one to remember.
BOOK A TOUR OF OUR VENUES TODAY!
Email us at food@burnaby.ca
An artsy couple throws a creative celebration over a decade in the making.
by CAROLINE MITCHELLWho marries their high school sweetheart anymore? “I do,” jokes Alyssa Hirose (pun intended, as always). The writerillustrator-comedian—and outgoing managing editor of this very publication—tied the knot with filmmaker Chris Girard this past fall at the Nikkei Japanese Cultural Centre, locking in a romance that had been in bloom since 11th grade drama class. Despite the relationship’s classic teenage-romance beginning, the creative pair were determined to defy old-school clichés with their celebration, planning a wedding with personal, meaningful details at every turn.
ALL DRESSED UP Hirose’s tiger-lily-printed wedding dress is from Truvelle, and Girard’s navy suit is from Andy Yuen , a Kits-based designer. But it’s not all bespoke and couture—Girard sourced his shoes for $8 at a thrift store.
SURPRISE ME The couple didn’t feel picky about flowers, so they just asked the team at Garden Party Flowers in East Van to create something playful with yellows and whites—and they really delivered with roses, brilliant dahlias, whimsical feverfew daisies and Italian ruscus greenery.
grandmothers
kick off the ceremony. The trio of “Flower Grammas” sprinkled white petals down the aisle... and onto the heads of unsuspecting guests.
c With help from friends and family, Hirose and Girard folded 1,000 origami cranes; Japanese legend says that folding that many paper cranes will grant you wishes. They also make for some very beautiful (and affordable) reception decorations.
Cocktail hour charcuterie platters were catered by Dip and Sip by Unni Pastries , and a sushi buffet was done by M Sushi Private Catering .
cA TRUE GEM The rings were custom made by Ethos Myth , a local jewellery designer Hirose interviewed for this magazine back in 2021.
THE SCORE Music from local violinist Kurt Chen made the procession feel ethereal but fun—the Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun,” Queen’s “Somebody to Love” and Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream” scored the outdoor ceremony.
PRINT LIVES In place of a traditional program, the couple made a wedding magazine (“What can I say? I love print media,” says Hirose). Inside was the event timeline, seating chart, info about the wedding party and, of course, ads from the wedding’s generous sponsors (their parents).
SWEET STUFF Neither bride nor groom is a fan of cake, so they opted for cinnamon buns from Grounds for Coffee and pies from Langley’s Krause Berry Farms instead. Dance floor popsicles were also served.
Wedding season is in full swing, bringing fresh trends down the aisle.
Dior brought the delphinium to the spotlight, and it continues to shine as 2024’s flower for weddings. Like other trending changes to the traditional wedding, the delphinium is graceful but bold, with spikes and a profusion of blooms, which Liting Chan, creative director of Paradise Events, says “adds drama and dimension, elegance and impact to arrangements.”
Another summer of love is upon us, which means Wedding Trend Watch 2024 has officially begun. While weddings come loaded with tradition, they’re also ever evolving. So, we’ve grilled a few expert sources from across Vancouver’s wedding industry to help us all stay in the loop. Whether you’re planning your own special day or gearing up to be the best wedding guest in town, here’s what’s hot in the wedding world right now—from rowdy receptions to fresh and flavourful food stalls to eye-catching colour galore.
The days of genderdivided wedding parties may be coming to a close as brides and grooms eschew expectations about who a BFF can be. “Having a mixed gender wedding party is growing in popularity, leaning more toward involving authentic friendships over traditional expectations,” says Sandy Hoong, associate planner with Dream Group Planners.
Maximalism is in, according to Smitten Events co-owners Jordan Maxey and Devon Dunn. Couples are moving away from pastels and all-white weddings to
embrace bold colours and textures... and going all out on flowers in the process. Expect bold, saturated colour themes: think blue, fuchsia or coral with a pop of yellow. “Vibrant and daring colour palettes inject energy and personality into every aspect of the wedding, from decor to florals to attire,” says Chan. “It’s super tasteful when done right.”
Forget about the age-old “chicken or fish” question as couples move away from the sit-down, five-course menu and toward hosting multiple food stalls; this set up
Delighting your guests comes down to the details. Think (clockwise from left) bright, bold florals by Paradise Events; curated cocktails from local spirits or food stations by White Table Catering.
gives guests a chance to get out of their seats, mingle with each other and choose what they’re in the mood for. White Table Catering reports a rise in comfort food across stations—popular options include tacos with margaritas, burgers and local craft beer, and chicken and waffles alongside mini mimosas. The Westin Bayshore, meanwhile, frequently sets up freshshucked oyster stations.
Sustainability is top of mind for many couples in 2024. Menus are focused on local, fresh food that’s high quality and ethically sourced (Westin’s sustainable seafood spread is one hot ticket item). Cocktails made from local spirits—like CopperPenny gin or Long Table Distillery vodka—are also on many a wedding wish list, notes Maxey.
Keep the party going with an influx of “latenight snacks” this wedding season. Treats like doughnuts, grilled cheese stations or a special delivery of McDonalds burgers and fries at 11 p.m. are sure to please (and help soak up some of those custom cocktails your guests have been sipping). “Couples
are opting for fun, nostalgic options for late night,” says Carlyanne Pruger of White Table Catering. “This can be cotton candy, a noodle bar or ice cream sandwiches... or even a candy bar that opens late as another form of entertainment.”
It’s not always out with the old and in with the new. When it comes to wedding cake, more and more couples are loving the traditional, vintage piped look, according to Pruger. The buttercream Lambeth cake—adorned with cherries and elaborate piping—is back from the 20th century and is a total showstopper at trendy weddings.
The espresso martini is the drink du jour at bars across the country—is it any surprise that Chan has been seeing it swapped in for bubbly in a champagne tower?
Don’t let your cousins cause all the drama at your wedding. Surprising details like (clockwise from left) a towering buttercream Lambeth cake by Cakes in a Box, a fresh fruit table setting by Myrtle et Olive or a chic statement veil by Jane Rhyan can get your guests buzzing, too.
The parental first dance is a classic moment, but more couples are including their family in other ways on the big day. Kristen Ryan of Blush Photography has spotted moms and grandmas in the flower girl role (see page 46!), or grandparents right up beside the happy couple as maid of honour or best man.
The photobooth has become a staple at weddings at this point, so naturally the time has come for the format to evolve: according to our experts, unique photo experiences (like black and white portraits or 360-degree video clips) are now popular ways to celebrate guests at the event. Live illustrations are a fun alternative, too, for a guest activity and keepsake.
Contrasting to maximalist decor and florals, the wedding gown is becoming bolder and more structural in 2024, but even for brides trending toward satin and silk dresses with sleek lines, more is more: “Sheer long gloves and dramatic veils are popular additions to the look,” says Genève
McNally, founder of Dream Group Planners. Oversized bows and floral appliqués are a playful enhancement, too.
Though today’s trending coloured suits (think blush, rust or green) may seem like a “one night only” choice, rentals are less and less common for a modern wedding; instead, grooms are taking the opportunity to splash out for a perfect suit—custom, of course, and often in a signature hue. “More priority is being placed on the significance of the groom on the wedding day and, with that, the willingness to spend more on the groom’s attire,” notes McNally. Custom suits can range from $1,000 to $2,500 and up, with businesses such as Bespoke Suits, the Tux Store and Ferruccio Milanesi stitching them just right.
The groom isn’t the only person making a style statement this wedding season: the bridal party is getting more colourful, too. McNally points to “vibrant and striking hues and styles that make a statement.” Hot pink, orange, bright cobalt blue, black satin... “Pretty much sky’s the limit,” she says, “but the emphasis is on honouring individuality.”
Forget white and ivory tablecloths and add vibrant coloured linens for an added pop of fun to your traditional table setting. Fresh fruit place settings and personalized props from the couple (think vintage books or sentimental trinkets) are popular additions to decorate the space, notes Chan.
Bridal hairdos and makeup are most influenced by the current trends outside of the big day, according to McNally, so for 2024 we’re seeing “romantic natural loose curls, loosely swept back styles and old Hollywood inspired styles”—but also “chic and clean” classics such as the bridal chignon and elegant ponytails. Chan adds that more brides are switching up their hair and makeup between the ceremony and reception, allowing them to match the moment just right—transforming natural makeup to a bold statement eye for the dance floor.
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Sun-soaked weather calls for casual food truck fare, cans of wine at the beach, happy hour patio hangouts and all the al fresco eating and drinking we can handle. Turn the page before those summer days slip away.
THE TRUCK: Burdy
THE PARKING SPOT:
By Container Brewing on Franklin St. TRACK IT DOWN: @burdyfoodtruck j
We dare you to find a spot with more impeccable vibes than the Container Brewing parking lot on a sunny day. High-spirited friends gather around picnic tables and barrel-shaped high-tops sipping IPAs, pilsners and sours out of mason jars. Joyful shouts can be heard from the Good Sauna, the pop-up hot-and-cold therapy spot that lives in the lot. And, of course, there’s the heavenly smells coming from Burdy, the cheery yellow truck slinging chicken parm sandos (and eggplant parms, too).
We’re on a roll: thanks to a flood of food truck nominations in the Readers’ Choice division of our 2024 Restaurant Awards, we had a rich database of incredible eateries that we couldn’t fit in one magazine. So, instead, we’re recognizing some of your favourite mobile foodies here. This is your stop for top trucks: what to order and where to find them... most of the time. Hey, that’s the nature of the biz—great food is always on-the-go. Truck yeah.
by Alyssa HiroseBurdy’s hefty fillings require a strong foundation, a challenge that Tall Shadow Bakery’s brioche buns are happy to take on. The chicken parm sandwich ($14) holds a gloriously crunchy fried chicken thigh topped with tomato sauce and mozza—and parm, obviously—a small, if mighty, ingredient lineup. What’s even more shocking than the cold plunge across the lot is that Burdy’s add-ons (arugula, serrano peppers, pickled fennel and onion) are all under $1 each. Why not load it up with some bitter greens and crunchy tang to balance out that kickass fried chicken?
THE TRUCK:
Rosie’s BBQ and Smokehouse
THE PARKING SPOT: Farmers’ markets around the city
TRACK IT DOWN: @rosiesbbqsmokehouse
It’s hard to miss this truck—in part because Hank, the 15-footlong “big ole smoker,” is about as conspicuous as it gets, and in part because the smells of said smoker attract passersby of both the human and canine variety. Excited people and wistful dogs make up the line at Rosie’s, the Texas-style BBQ truck serving sandwiches, brisket, ribs, poutine and more.
Meat-wise, the thick, juicy cuts of the “4 a.m. brisket” are the low-andslow winner here. It’s served in a bun ($17) alongside ribs and slaw ($26) or on a platter (starting at $45 for two meats and two sides). But speaking of sides, here’s a hot take (we think the grill gods can handle the heat): the cornbread ($6) here is so good that it outshines everything the smoker dishes out. Indulgently moist, surprisingly sweet and with just a hint of chilies, this side does not deserve to be treated as an afterthought. The bread’s the real smoke show.
THE TRUCK: Planted Love
THE PARKING SPOT: Cambie St. and West 8th Ave.
TRACK IT DOWN: @plantedlovefoodtruck
Most of the other trucks on this list have set up shop on busy downtown streets, but Planted Love has, well, planted itself on Cambie just north of City Hall. It’s a neighbourhood well suited to Planted’s unique (but delicious) food truck fare: think fried oyster mushroom sandwiches on challah bread; sabich and falafel bowls; and house-made pita.
The classic falafel bowl ($17) bursts with vibrance: deep purple pickled cabbage, cucumbers and tomatoes provide a concert of crisp colours, and the delicious green falafels are just as bright. That said, take your photos before you dig in, because that pickled cabbage mixed with generous helpings of sauce (hummus, tahini, shifka pepper and zhoug, a cilantro sauce) will turn everything purple. While burgers and fries have a special place in our heart, it’s worth noting that the vibrant freshness of Planted Love is a welcome change of pace from other trucks: this is where you go for an energizing pick-me-up, not a pre-food-coma chowdown.
Pizza Party Via Tevere won Best Pizza in the Readers’ Choice division of our 2024 Restaurant Awards, and its sandwich truck Il Saltimbocca proves that the food is just as good on-the-go.
THE TRUCK: Il Saltimbocca
THE PARKING SPOT: Downtown at Burrard St. and W Pender St. TRACK IT DOWN: @saltimboccayvr
When rolling out a food truck, you have to accept that your wheels can’t possibly carry all of the equipment you’d have at your disposal in a traditional restaurant... right? Well, that’s not the case at Il Saltimbocca, the truck that hauls a massive red-tiled, wood-powered oven wherever it goes. The team behind east-side legend Via Tevere won’t settle for less. But Il Saltimbocca isn’t slinging pies—instead, hot Neapolitan sandwiches are served wrapped in unfussy brown paper. One could argue that the saltimbocca has basically the same genetic makeup as a pizza (dough, meat, cheese, tomatoes, arugula) but these flavourpacked, delightfully transportable sandwiches have their own unique charm. The fan-fave piccante is filled with spicy-salty cuts of soppressata and capocollo, melty fior cheese and a homemade basil mayo that goes perfectly with that charred fresh bread. At $13, it’s a lunch deal that has downtown suits lining up at noon and ordering sandos for the whole office—or, at least, for the coworkers they like.
THE TRUCK: Disco Cheetah
THE PARKING SPOT: Downtown at Robson St. and Howe St. TRACK IT DOWN: @discocheetahyvr
An extensive menu is a sign that an eatery isn’t focused—sorry, Cheesecake Factory—and Disco Cheetah’s options are exactly the opposite. Pick a protein (there are only two choices), pick a base (rice, salad or fries) and drizzle on some sauce. Done. Instead of trying to be a jack of all trucks, Disco Cheetah is a master of two: Korean fried chicken and gochujang-glazed tofu and cauliflower. The hefty pieces of juicy chicken are crave-worthy, but don’t sleep on the vegetarian option—the sweet and spicy tofu and cauli mix will challenge even the most loyal of carnivores to go plant-based.
Disco Cheetah’s menu may be limited, but the flavours and colours aren’t. The rice bowl presents a rainbow of hue and texture (corn, edamame, pickled red onion) and even the fries are dusted with a spectacular zing. Oh, and the portion sizes are impressive, too—there’s regular ($17) and large ($20) size options, but if you ask us, even the regular has more than enough to share with the friend who “didn’t want any.”
Fry, Fry Again
The Frying Pan also serves teriyaki rice bowls and “dirty hot chicken fries,” and the latter is as delicious as it is humiliating to order.
THE TRUCK: The Frying Pan THE PARKING SPOT: Downtown at Burrard St. and W Pender St. TRACK IT DOWN: @thefryingpan604
inside a food truck? If you’re the Frying Pan during lunch rush on a Tuesday, the answer is five. And despite the lack of elbow room, the team moves like a well-oiled (fried chicken pun intended) machine.
The Frying Pan’s chicken is hardly sandwich-regulation—instead of being patty-shaped and sized, this battered behemoth is more meat than bun (and we know that most of the $14 price tag goes toward that free-run local chicken breast). Available in four different spice levels—“no heat” to “911 hot!”—these chicken sandos are worth lining up for. And odds are you will have to queue. This is one popular truck. Crunchy pickles and a light, fresh coleslaw round out the burger, which we confess can be a bit tricky to eat. If you’re planning a lunch date with someone who won’t be able to handle bits of cabbage and fried debris occasionally escaping the adorable picnic-printed packaging, this might not be the truck for you. The Frying Pan is parked in a judgment-free zone.
THE TRUCK: Mom’s Grilled Cheese THE PARKING SPOT: Downtown at Robson St. and Howe St. TRACK IT DOWN: @momsgrilledcheese
Mom’s Grilled Cheese has a lot to prove
The minty green, retro-checked truck specializes in a dish that anyone with a stove and a few brain cells could make at home for a buck or two. Why would we spend roughly 15 times that to have someone else do it?
Because mom knows best, that’s why. Lasting 14 years in this industry isn’t luck, and Mom’s Grilled Cheese truly does bring it when it comes to levelled-up comfort food. The “So Gouda” ($16) is perhaps the best example of this: essentials aside (fresh sourdough bread that’s perfectly grilled golden brown and crispy, oozy gouda that makes for a very Instagrammable cheese pull), this sandwich brings balanced sweetness and umami to the table thanks to slices of caramelized apple and a savoury eggplant jam that has a spicy little kick. Served with a handful of chips and a spear of pickle, it’s probably the most delicious “I told you so” you’ve ever had.
TASTE // new and hot
Fanny Bay Oyster Bar’s crab-onara ($32) is an ocean in disguise.
It’s a given that the oysters at the newly expanded Fanny Bay Oyster Bar are delicious: when the supplier and the restaurant share a name (and you’re slurping shells from a fifth-generation oyster farmer) you know it’s going to be good. That said, chef Tommy Shorthouse acknowledges that seafood can be intimidating for folks who haven’t grown up eating it. So, he aims to make all of the dishes at Fanny Bay as approachable as possible—and the glorious, green “crab-onara” is about as fresh and fun as it gets. Vibrant housemade spinach noodles are tossed in an impossibly light vin blanc sauce, allowing the smoky scallops and delicate chunks of Dungeness crab to really shine. And the salty, rich pop of trout roe on top? Chef’s kiss. Even the least adventurous eaters can get on board the crabonara ship… and you better believe it’s a gateway to soy-marinated sablefish collars, tomato provençale mussels and, yes, those slippery, spectacular oysters. 762 Cambie St. | fannybayoysters.com
A fresh sheet uncovering the city’s newest restaurants.
Ciao, Cambie Village
“Ciao” as in hello, because Elio Volpe (from the dream team behind Savio Volpe) has officially opened… and prime-time dinner resos are booking up weeks in advance. Plan ahead or sneak in a cheeky nightcap to get your hands on Elio’s Southern Italian fare. Grilled branzino with artichoke tapenade, per favore. eliovolpe.com
Opened March 2024 | 540 W 17th Ave.
Go for Dough
We can wipe away the tears that have been flowing since Don’t Argue closed on Main Street in 2019, because the New York-style pizzeria has reopened inside Commercial Drive’s Caffè Soccavo. Brothers Dom and Frank Morra (of the iconic Via Tevere) offer superior slices like vodka pepperoni and pancetta pineapple. instagram.com/dontarguepizza
Opened March 2024 | 1321 Commercial Dr.
Zero Chill
Can ice cream get any cooler? Mister thinks so—the local creamery makes their frozen treats using liquid nitrogen, adding an impressive cloud of drama to the process. The new downtown digs mark Mister’s third location, so there’s plenty of lavender brûlée, salted caramel crunch and Nanaimo bar ice cream to go around. madebymister.com
Opened April 2024 | 1193 Robson St.
Having a civilized drink in public should not be a source of shame. How many of us have returned from a European sojourn and marvelled at how our Italian counterparts don’t suddenly erupt into mass chaos because they can have a glass of verdicchio while strolling on the Via Corso? And thankfully, with the swiftness of Franklin (the turtle, although I suppose the Arctic explorer would work, too), our city council has been gradually loosening the reins such that this year, from July 1 to August 31, there are now a record 47 parks in which you can legally have a drink. And as a wine lover, it’s your civic duty to help normalize the idea that a glass of syrah with friends en plein air will not turn Vancouver into a modern-day Gomorrah. The city “requests” that you refrain from glass bottles, which in 2024 poses no problem thanks to wineries—like the three below— adopting innovative and environmentally friendly options. 1
Birch Block Endless Summer Rosé (can, $8)
Our natty producers have been headscratchingly slow to embrace the new medium, so this can from low-interventionists Birch Block is a double treat with its portability and electric, crisp, zippy notes of just-ripe tiny little strawberries.
Haywire Pinot Gris (1.5 L pouch, $50)
At first blush, half a c-note for a two-bottle pouch seems steep, but Haywire is committed to the idea that enviro packaging shouldn’t be contained to the realm of ordinary wine. So they fill this silver wonder with juice from the acclaimed King Family Vineyards above Summerland, then knock a few dollars off bottle retail to entice.
Scarpetta Lambrusco Frico (can, $22 for 4)
And then we have the reigning champ of park wines: a lowalcohol (9.5%) wine with acidity enough to pair with everything from burgers to ice cream sandwiches. It’s great when cold and not that bad even when the ice in the cooler has melted a bit. A necessary companion for a Spikeball jamboree.
NO STEM, NO SPILL Now that we’re on board with this grown-up drinking, perhaps we can elevate above the Solo cup to round out the cultured vibe. These thoughtfully colourcoded stemless numbers from Williams Sonoma ($102 for a set of 6) are made of something called DuraClear, a huge step up from clunky acrylic in feel but with similar throw-’em-inthe-backpack durability. will iams-sonoma.ca
For a laidback take on pizza, Blue Water Cafe’s executive chef, Frank Pabst, is sharing his signature recipe that tips its hat to Alsatian cuisine and is easy as pie. With a creamy base, smoked salmon, tangy capers and fresh, peppery arugula, his smoked salmon tarte flambée is a dream for seafood lovers and pairs perfectly with your favourite sparkling summer bevvy... and a sunny patio.
SERVES 2
250 g all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
½ tsp baking powder
3 tbsp canola oil
150 ml warm water
1 cup sour cream (or equal parts sour cream and ricotta) Nutmeg, salt and pepper to taste
½ cup thinly sliced sweet onion
10 slices smoked salmon, cut in halves
2 tbsp drained non-pareil capers
Large handful arugula leaves
2 tbsp ikura (salmon caviar)
METHOD
1. Place a pizza iron or stone (if you don’t have either, use a baking sheet) in the oven and heat to 425 degrees.
2. If using pre-baked tortilla shells, proceed to step 7.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk to combine flour, baking powder and salt.
4. In a separate bowl, combine canola oil and water. Add to dry ingredients, using a fork to combine until it creates a shaggy dough (lumpy yet well-mixed).
5. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 1 minute, until the dough is uniform and elastic. (Flour your hands as necessary to keep the dough from sticking.) Cut in two pieces.
6. Roll out each piece of dough into a 12-inch round. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for a brief period— about 10 minutes. (This will make the next step easier.)
7. In a medium bowl, combine sour cream with salt, pepper and freshly grated nutmeg to taste. If using ricotta and sour cream, add ricotta and use a hand blender to create a smooth mixture. Set aside while you prepare the dough.
8. Using a small offset spatula or the back of a spoon, spread the sour cream/ricotta mixture evenly over the frozen dough disks (or pre-baked tortilla shells), leaving a ¼-inch border along the edges. Then, sprinkle raw onion slices evenly over the sour cream.
9. Slide the tart directly onto the pre-heated pizza stone in the oven. Bake until the top begins to brown and the sides are golden and crispy (about 20 minutes, or 10 minutes if using tortilla shells).
10. Remove from the oven with a wide spatula and place on a cutting board. Top the hot tarte flambée with smoked salmon slices, capers and arugula leaves. Garnish with salmon caviar. Cut into eight wedges using a heavy chef’s knife or a pizza wheel and enjoy with a glass of riesling or pinot blanc.
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