Contributor: Talia Kleinplatz
Born and raised in Windsor, Ontario, Talia Kleinplatz fell in love with food at the apron strings of her mother and grandmother whose kitchens wafted the intoxicating aromas of fresh dill, homemade pies and painstakingly slow-cooked brisket. She completed her degrees at Concordia and McGill, graduating with a Master’s in Social Work in 2009. Her six years in Montreal taught her to eat well but it was her move to Vancouver in 2011 that taught her to drink well. In 2013 she launched her award-winning cocktail blog, Two For The Bar. She lives in South Granville with her husband and her three-legged, curmudgeonly cat.
On the Story of Angostura Bitters and Making Burgers the Old Fashioned Way
Your Monday morning read of the food and drink headlines includes new food words, bowls of pho and shots at the bar.
On Lost Rooftop Restaurants and Delicious Animals that Pleasure Themselves
This morning's read of the food and drink headlines reveals bad ideas involving whisky, the changing face of the dinner party and more.
You Need to Try the Smoked Bacon Old Fashioned at Gastown’s Wildebeest
The bacon is smoked in-house and the fat lives with the bourbon for a bit, leaving behind a delightfully rich and smoky base spirit.
On Goodbye to the Stupid Wine Ban and the End of a Silly Food Trend
In this week's read of the food and drink headlines, the Guardian falls for Tofino's food and beer scene and Deadpool drinks gin.
On Booze Making Us Meaner and the Presidential Pattern of Ruining Steaks
This Monday's read of the food and beverage headlines teases prison dining, the history of the Caesar cocktail, and much more.
Anh and Chi’s Vanessa Coupar Does The Dishes
A good bartender will always be able to recommend reliable food and drink establishments. This one gives you a map, too.
On 300 Year Old Restaurants and Living in Fear of Counterfeit Whisky
Today's read of the food and drink headlines reveals onions that don't make you cry, thieves trying to rob a food truck, and much more.
On Returning Michelin Stars and All the Sex Your Gluten-Free Friends are Having
A read of recent food and drink headlines reveals the existence of Hot Cheeto ice cream, the art of ramen crochet and much more.
On Smoky Wines, Social Media ‘Influencer’ Beatdowns and Bars That Don’t Serve Booze
A read of the food and drink headlines reveals KFC gravy cocktails, a study on the effects of wildfire smoke on BC wine, and much more.
Doing The Dishes with Royal Dinette’s Kaitlyn Stewart
The 2017 World Class Bartender of the Year makes us hungry by mapping out her favourite spots to eat and drink around town.
On Whisky Libraries, Tricky Reservations and Ripping Off In-N-Out Burger
In this week's round-up of food stories, we find NIMBYs raising hell and both The New York Times and Eater discovering Vancouver.
Catching Up with Jim Meehan, Spiritual Leader of American Cocktail Culture
The polymath was in town last week. We chatted about his new book and bar, plus the importance of socio-political awareness.
On Restaurants Wriggling Out of Bad Reviews and Gentrifying the Downtown Eastside
A read of the food and drink headlines reminds us that sexual harassment in the industry runs rampant and developers don't have souls.
You Need To Try This Delicious Riff on the Classic ‘Cuba Libre’ Cocktail at Vij’s
Olivia Povarchook stirs 8 year old Bacardi with Amaro Averna, Amaretto and Angostura Bitters in this updated take on the legend.
On Sexism in the Bartending Realm and the Media’s Annual Fixation on Food Predictions
A read of the food and drink headlines details rare spirits, the evolving etiquette of talking politics behind the bar, and much more.
On Making Dishes Go Viral and Taking Life Advice From a Parisian Waiter
A read of the food and drink headlines reveals a battery of year-end lists, round-ups, predictions, terrible restaurant reviews and more.
You Need To Try This Brandy-Amplified Eggnog in Chinatown
Eggs, cream and sugar combine perfectly to create the rich, smooth and luscious base. A bit of brandy kicks the nog into high gear.
On Straws Sucking Hard and Spotting Predatory Pigs in the Restaurant Business
A read of the food and drink headlines reveals more sexual harassment in the industry, Death Star raviolis and so much more.
You Need To Try This Delicious Local Twist on The Lemon Drop Cocktail
Lobby Lounge barman Sean McGuigan updates the once-tired, clichéd classic in remarkably delicious fashion.
On Booze Made With Tofu and Mario Batali Accused of Sexual Misconduct
The latest intel report details Trump's fast food habits, accusations against Batali, and Alexandra Gill's 2017 "Best Restaurant" picks.
On Servers Ripping Off Guests and Precarious Masculinity in the Kitchen
A read of the food and drink headlines this week reveals spit bucket delights and doing hard time in a prison-themed restaurant.
Bartender Mixes Scotch with Banana, Coconut and Sherry — World Doesn’t End
Cooper Tardivel's final cocktail for Hawksworth was an odd one, but the "Last Mulligan" tastes fantastic and you need to try it.
On Smoking Packs of Sugar and Sipping Cocktails Only Locals Could Love
A read of food and drink headlines reveals the truth about flies, people eating in the nude, perfume-inspired drinks and so much more.
You Need To Try the Emerald City Cocktail at Gastown’s Pourhouse
This apple-garnished, mule-inspired looker combines classic autumnal flavours like ginger and cinnamon with nutty Fino sherry.
On Ripping “The Rise” and Appreciating Chinatown’s Culinary Heritage
A read of the food and drink headlines finds UberEATS arrival, bad 80's fusion and the science of Wagyu's smell.
On Underwater Restaurants and Crossing Bridges for Tallow-Fried Beignets
This week's food media omnibus teases new concepts, exposes bad restaurant manners and eats a lot of butter.
Where to Sip the Inspired, ‘Nacho Medicine’ Cocktail on a Cold Vancouver Day
This delicious take on Sam Ross' famous "Penicillin" cocktail is a worthy smoke show. Best enjoyed with rain.
On Leaking Maple Syrup and Categorizing the Worst Kinds of Food Snobs
Our latest read of the food headlines will have you making good use of your leftover Halloween candy and asking if you're a Trend Humper.
