Vancouver is a spectacular city. Definitely among the top in Canada for culinary coolness. All that’s happening this fall confirms it.

Sunday, September 23 Vancouver’s bar stars competed for a chance to win a trip to Angers, France. Using the newest Giffard Pink Grapefruit Liqueur they concocted miracles in a glass. Brian Grant from Bogart's took first place with his “Old Dog, New Tricks”, a combo of vodka, Giffard Pink Grapefruit, Champagne and pink grapefruit sorbetto, and Giffard Muroise. Chambar's Josh Pape pulled in a close second with his “Toute Fin”, a libation filled with toasted cashews, gin, amontillado sherry, Giffard Pink Grapefruit, apple juice, gomme syrup, egg white and lime. How that all got mixed in just five minutes, I don’t know.

Chef movements, vineyard tours, restaurant openings, and club buzz.

Also last weekend, Urban Fare opened its doors in Coal Harbour at 305 Bute Street. Chefs Mark Perrier of CinCin, David Hawksworth from West and Frank Pabst of Blue Water Café were on hand to serve up appies to local media and VIPs. Wine agent Peacock and Martin poured some great BC Wine and fun was had by all. Stop in to load up on the fall’s bounty. Heirloom tomatoes and wild mushrooms are plentiful.

In West Vancouver both Marine drive’s Bistro 1734 and the short-lived
Westside Cafe in the old Beachside location are defunct. The former will become an Indian restaurant and the later the second Chill on the Waterfront (the first is in White Rock). Luckily we still have La Regalade, but their second project, Cote de Mer, across from the Thunderbird Marina, is no longer.

Monsoon on Main also shut its doors, but Main Street continues to beat on with the recent opening of The Cascade Room and Aurora Bistro's announcement that lunch and brunch will now being served. For vegetarians, there’s also Nyala at 4148 Main with its weekday veggie lunch.