he winter rains have arrived, but there's still cause to celebrate. Wine drinkers (nee cork dorks) can hit vino-themed dinners both in the city and at Whistler; scotch sippers can check out the Hopscotch Festival; and homebody epicureans can flock to the first Winter Market. Your favourite booze or grub awaits; bring an umbrella.

Musical chairs news: Mike Mitchell, formerly of Cin Cin, is now GM at the fledging Metro Restaurant. Though the place is fantastic it's speakeasy-hard to find. Once again, here's the address: 200 Burrard, just off of Cordova. The recently launched new menu is an added draw, so exorcise your laziness, get your coworkers together, and go on a resto search.

Hey altruists, if you have a favourite charity, let Bistrot Bistro know. Each Tuesday, the popular French eatery donates 5% of its sales to a different charitable organization. This week, the coin goes to BC's Big Sisters. If you have a worthy cause, call Valerie or Laurent Devin at 604-732-0004. A personal empty stalking fund is not an acceptable suggestion.

Summer produce is long gone but, every second and fourth Saturday from November to May, the local Winter's Farmer Market (1882 Adanac Street at Victoria) offers plenty of fresh fare, including BC beef, lamb, poultry, vegetables, fruit, as well as cheese, bread, and preserves. Perhaps you'll decide against flying south after all.

For action cravers, Yaletown's Glowbal encourages you to "unleash your inner urbanite" and take a culinary tour of New York. From Nov. 8 - Nov. 14, go uptown with Oyster's Rockefeller, Manhattan Chowder, the Waldorf-Astoria Salad, and, of course, New York Steak.

BC wine fans should rejoice at the partnering of Aurora Bistro's Chef Jeff Van Geest and Sandhill Winewaker, Howard Soon. The two will hold a spectacular dinner on Nov. 12. Try the Sandhill Viognier with spot prawn ceviche; the Small Lots Syrah with Polderside Duck; and the Barbera with Nicola Valley Bison and Chocolate pate. At $125 for stellar local cuisine and wine, why bother with an import?

From Nov. 12 - Nov. 17, the Hopscotch Festival hits Vancouver. Participants can take part in beer, whiskey, and food pairing classes. Brewery tours, whiskey dinners, and the Grand Tasting event (Nov. 16) are also available. You don't have to hop home, but definitely don't drive. For more info, go to Hopscotch Festival.

For indecisive diners, Camera Lights Action solves your Hamlet-style dilemmas. To raise money for the Firefighters Burn Fund and Hope International, local celebrities and chefs at our favourite restaurants have teamed up. Culinary artists from Bishop's, West, C Restaurant, Beyond, and The Ocean Club will come together at the Terminal City Club on Thu. Nov. 14 for the sure-to-sell-out event. Remember to pose pretty for the paparazzi.

Also this week, it's your last chance to indulge in the blur of Cornucopia. From Nov. 8 - Nov. 12, Whistler hosts one hell of a party: The Whistler Cornucopia. There may still be a few tickets left, and you know that the bars will be packed after everyone indulges in some wine sampling. You know where I'll be.

It could be a killer week for you epicureans, so get organized. Just remember to use your spittoon; you can have too much of a good thing. Your head will thank you in the morning. -C.A.