didn’t stay in for dinner all that much this year. Perhaps it was the boredom of having roast chicken night after night, or maybe I just lost my mojo for Food Network offerings; maybe I just got thirsty; who knows? But uncovering some of the city's hottest spots to eat and drink was more than a tasty learning experience. And, with this year coming to an end, it's time to crown some worthy spots with a sought-after tiara or, you know, crown.

Lolita's
Just sneaking in ahead of my favorite tapas house, this land-locked answer to beach-side Mexicasa proved that it's capable of anything. Even though it's wedged between a hardware store and a flower shop, Lolita's still drew the crowds. Its wooden seating could have suffered an outcry of "pain in the ass" from guests, but no one seemed to mind. The menu, a fusion of Mexicasa-esque and contemporary, could have intimidated, but its cleverness and appeal made it award-worthy. Lolita's multiple tequila offerings are down-right tastily brilliant. The joint's easy ability to transport patrons out of Van makes it truly impressive, especially considering its relative food/booze-spot youth. – B.J. 1326 Davie Street, Vancouver, BC Full Story



Hapa Izakaya
So close to being the year’s big winner, this Japanese tapas house will have to settle for a very close second (which ain’t bad considering it's one of the hardest hot spots to actually find). Over the last few months, the easiest way to discover this hapa house has been to look for the massive line-up leading to its doors. Popularity equals points when it comes to being a hot spot; so do taste, decor and drink; and this very intimate, very elegant, very tasty eatery takes top points on all three, impressing every visit without really trying (trying is for dorks). From the hapas to the sake, this Izakaya stands out. – B.J. 1479 Robson Street, Vancouver, BC Full Story



Cafe Barney
Breakfast is like an extension to your night of partying, so not including at least one late-morning egg establishment on our hot list seems just down right wrong. And the winner of the early morning riser is…Café Barney. Its lack of pretension in an area rife with faux-pomp and quasi-splendor makes Barney a hit, while an impressive array of Guinness-infused drink options sufficiently souses the crowd. If you like your eggs over-easy 'til late in the morning, Café Barney is for you. And, if you like a casual vibe and a place that lets you hammer back a couple at night and offers you breakfast come morning, you're in the right spot. – B.J. 2975 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC Full Story