A no messing around guide to the coolest things to eat, drink and do in Vancouver and beyond. Community. Not clickbait.

Five Years Ago This Week, Inside the Mess That Would Eventually Become ‘The Arbor’

It's been five years since they first broke ground on The Acorn's casual cousin. Take a look inside its messy beginnings.

Exactly Five Years Ago, One of Vancouver’s Best Restaurants Softly Opened in Chinatown

These photos were taken the night of the Japanese-Italian inspired restaurant's first friends and family service in late April, 2016.

Five Years Ago in East Van, Patiently Awaiting the Arrival of Really Good Pie

The new Pie Shoppe address allowed for more room and natural light, not to mention the ability to actually seat guests.

Five Years Ago Today, Inside the Beginnings of Nightingale Restaurant

I remember being floored by the sheer size of the project, which loomed more like a cathedral ruin than a restaurant.

Seven Years Ago Today, Awaiting the Launch of Gastown’s Short-Lived Blacktail Florist

I remember this walkabout very well, mostly because of how convinced I was of the likely success of the place. Alas, no.

Twelve Years Ago Today, Taking Truly Terrible Photos Inside Bin 941 Tapas Parlour

These images were taken in 2009, the popular restaurant's 11th year, arguably towards the very end of its long heyday.

Five Years Ago This Week, One of Vancouver’s Best Restaurants Was Just Taking Shape

When news broke of Kissa Tanto's coming, its success was seen as about as sure a thing as a thing could possibly be.

Five Years Ago This Week, When Ramen Gojira First Debuted Its Huge Noodle Bowls

They invited me down to participate in the staff tasting on the day before launch. I was so excited that I skipped breakfast.

Five Years Ago This Week, When the West Side Landed Its Best Vietnamese Restaurant

A year in the making, the new West Side location of an East Van favourite was immediately welcomed by the neighbourhood.

A Look Back and Last Call for Gastown’s Peckinpah

Selling a restaurant can't be easy, especially in the midst of a pandemic and in a neighbourhood that's having a hard go of it.

Five Years Ago Today, Inside the Second Coming of R&B Brewing Company

The brewery's new operation - complete with Pizza & Ale House - would not launch for another six months.

Five Years Ago This Week, Inside the Messy Beginnings of a Mt. Pleasant Diner

It didn't take long for Fable Diner to find a groove by serving up quality diner fare and some of the best milkshakes in town.

Six Years Ago Today, Inside the Dusty Beginnings of a Chinatown Reincarnation

Sai Woo would launch in 2015 as a slick homage to the original Sai Woo Chop Suey, which operated here from 1925 to 1959.

Five Years Ago This Week, Inside the Beginnings of a Great Local Brewery

Scout published these photos one day after receiving a back-of-the-napkin breakdown from The Parkside's co-founders.

Five Years Ago This Week, This Vancouver Salad Company Was Just Getting Started

Field & Social has since grown to three locations (with a fourth on the way), but the Fall of 2015 is when the ball started rolling...

Exactly Ten Years Ago Today, the Iconic Waldorf Hotel Was About to Be Born Again

The iconic building, together with its legendary Tiki Bar, would reopen as a 'cultural incubator' in just a few days...

Five Years Ago Today, Juke Fried Chicken Was Starting to Take Shape in Chinatown

Five years ago today I met Cord Jarvie, Justin Tisdall and Bryan Satterford outside what would eventually become Juke.

10 Years Ago This Week, Inside the Launch of Lucy’s Eastside Diner

So much change has come to the neighbourhood since Lucy's opened (24 hours a day), but it has remained a reliable constant...

Five Years Ago Today, This Short-Lived Wine Bar Was Getting Ready for Opening Day

This #TBT is a reminder that it would be great if we could support the little guys if/when we can. The chain restaurants will be fine. 

PHOTOS // Ten Years Ago, Inside the Last Day of Training and First Night of Service at L’Abattoir

Many of the faces have changed, but the Gastown restaurant remains as reliably excellent a place for drinks and dinner as ever.

Six Years Ago Today, Inside the Delicious Night Before Gyoza Bar’s Opening

There's typically only ever one day like this in the lifespan of a restaurant. I was glad to catch this one and even sneak a few bites...

Five Years Ago This Week, Inside the Second Act of a Legendary Vancouver Restaurant

For this week's #TBT we go back exactly five years to when I toured what would eventually become Bodega on Main Street.

Take a Look Inside the First Day of 33 Acres, Seven Years Ago This Week

"Their new tasting room is an unusual touch of elegant Swedish cafe in the otherwise burly man-cave-esque brewery scene."

Five Years Ago This Week, When Vancouverites Crushed Thousands of Dumplings Outside

For this edition of Throwback Thursday we return to the south shore of False Creek in search of the Golden Dumpling...

This Much-Missed Vancouver Beer Parlour Deserves a Better First Birthday

It's been a year since the launch of The Magnet at 309 West Pender. It might as well have well been an eternity.

Five Years Ago Today, Inside What Would Become a Popular Gastown Hangout

55 Powell St. was an address folks in the neighbourhood knew previously as Mark Brand and Alex Usow's casual Sea Monstr Sushi.

10 Years Ago Today, Inside the Construction Site of One of Vancouver’s Best Restaurants

I remember walking through the old address brought up strong memories of the previous tenant, the original Irish Heather gastropub.

THROWBACK THURSDAY // Pink Wall Ice Cream Hangs at La Casa Gelato

These two girls were living in a completely different world three Springs ago, and I bet they're missing it right about now.