Jessica Napier

Innovative chefs and restaurateurs are working hard to keep up with the city’s evolving culinary scene and the insatiable appetites of local foodies. From Angus An’s long-awaited noodle bar in Chinatown to Supermarine's super tasty seafood, here’s a round-up of Vancouver’s hottest restaurant openings. [Image courtesy of Supermarine]

White Elephant, Secret Santa, Yankee Swap – no matter what you call it, a holiday gift exchange can be a panic-inducing event. How do you find the perfect present that’ll impress any recipient and still come in under budget? Whether you’re looking for a quirky trinket for your colleague or a thoughtful present for your BFF, you’ll find plenty of goodies for less than $25 at these Vancouver shops.

Stumped on what to get your picky pal this year for the holidays? Why not treat your favourite foodie to a memorable dining experience at one of Vancouver’s top restaurants. From steak to sushi to spaghetti, restaurant gift certificates are a great gastronomic treat for friends, family and colleagues. Here are a few local culinary hotspots where you can pick up reloadable cards in various denominations.

Got stuck planning the office holiday party again this year? It can be a challenge to find a venue that’s fun, affordable and appropriate for everyone on your team. At these Vancouver restaurants, you can get in on the holiday spirit and enjoy the festive feast with your co-workers. Just remember to pace yourself with the spiked eggnog. [Image courtesy of Royal Dinette. Photo credit: Fred Fung]

Anyone who’s familiar with foodie photos on Instagram will be aware of the increasing popularity of toast. The once-humble breakfast food has experienced a trendy resurgence in recent years, and plenty of Vancouver cafés have jumped on the artisanal bread bandwagon. So why buy your own loaf at home when you can spend $10 on a gourmet slice topped with small-batch jam or smashed avocado? Get your camera ready; it’s toast time.

The key to enjoying winter on the West Coast is to be prepared. That means stocking up on seasonal outerwear, sporting equipment and other cold-weather essentials. When the mercury starts to drop and the snow starts to fall on the mountains, these outdoor stores in Vancouver have you covered.

In an age of swiping and typing, there’s something so enchanting about the hand-written word. After all, who doesn’t love receiving a personalized message inside an elegant greeting card? Simple and sweet, these Vancouver stationery shops stock pens, paper products and everything you need to keep the lost art of letter writing alive.

With the Pacific Ocean right on our doorstop, Vancouverites don’t have to go far to sample fresh-off-the-boat seafood. From casual neighbourhood fish counters to waterfront fine dining, these local restaurants have you covered for your next catch of the day. [Image courtesy of Fanny Bay Oyster Bar and Shellfish Market; Photo credit: John Sherlocke]

It’s officially sweater weather in Vancouver and these grey, rainy days make us want to stay indoors and snuggle up with a good book. From luxe cashmere sweaters to soft slippers to oversized blankets, you can stock up on all your cozy essentials for home and body at these local shops. Hibernating has never looked – or felt – so good.

The Yaletown Business Improvement Association hosts the 12th annual Taste of Yaletown event on October 13 to 27. Take a culinary tour along the cobblestoned-streets of this stylish downtown neighbourhood and enjoy special prix-fixe lunch and dinner menus from dozens of restaurants. Check out a few of the participating eateries below and call directly to reserve your table.

Want to enjoy a traditional turkey dinner over the holiday weekend but dreading spending hours in the kitchen? Why not enjoy a stress-free Thanksgiving this year and let someone else take care of all the cooking and (more importantly) the clean-up. Here are some local Vancouver restaurants that’ll be serving up turkey dinners with all the trimmings.[Photo of Railtown Catering courtesy of Jelger + Tanja photography]

If breakfast is the most important meal of the day then weekend brunch is arguably the gastronomic highlight of the week. Whether you prefer sweet or savoury, indulgent or inexpensive, carnivorous or vegan-friendly, Vancouver chefs are waking up early and flexing their culinary talents to create a wide variety of daytime dishes to suit every palate and price point. [Boulevard photo credit: Leila Kwok]