The Dishes asks Vancouverites to walk us through a map of their ideal day and night on the town. We’re talking breakfast, lunch, happy hour, dinner and late night cocktails. Tax and tip included.

For our latest edition of The Dishes we ask Christina Cottell, co-owner of Dixies and Gringo, to take us on a personal culinary tour of Vancouver…

Good morning! What’s for breakfast/brunch?

I’m really not a big breakfast or morning person, and the thought of waiting in line for eggs makes me cranky, so I’ll either just make a quick omelette at home, or skip it all together. I’ll openly admit that if the night before was spicy, I’ll Uber a McD’s Sausage McMuffin combo. There, I said it. If a hair o’ the dog is required, Blarney Stone has a perfectly decent all-day breaky.

Where should we meet for coffee/tea?

Milano or Di Beppe. The little Amaretto biscuits are addictive. Milano always has perfect morning music and good wifi for laptoppery.

Now we’re hungry again. What’s for lunch?

This depends heavily on the schedule of the day, but I’m a Guinness drinker, so the fish tacos at Rodney’s or the ABCLT sandwich at Blarney Stone are highly probable. For fancy business meets or celebratory day time fun, Jules Bistro for Steak Frites or a Croque Madame.

For simple comfort and value, half block from my place is Gain Wah on Keefer. Best childhood-memory-inducing Chinese and a crispy cold Tsing Tao. Neon poster board specials, local characters galore, cash only!

Who has you figured out at Happy Hour?

You got Guinness? You got me. Rodney’s, Irish Heather, Blarney Stone. Maybe one stop, maybe all…

Whose wine list never lets you down?

The Sardine Can, for what glass of wine isn’t made better by the loving abuse of Ben and Michel? Pidgin, also, for solid fun new bits to try and commiseration with Brandon.

What’s for dinner?

See all of the above, but for old school dinner dates, Mackenzie Room for everything, Hy’s for meats, or Autostrada (Pender) for perfect pasta.

What’s for dessert?

I rarely eat dessert, but a sticky something at The Sardine Can happens on occasion. If you have Pineau Charentes on your list, DM me. I will cross the city for it.

Where are you taking us for late night cocktails?

Pidgin. Proper gin martini and morning-saving rice bowls for snacks…or Clough Club for GnTs and a seriously kickass burger, plus live tunes and Joey’s Maritime grin. Then maybe a sneaky 2am Guinny at Blarney…maybe.