Vancouver: Chill With Just The Right Amount Of Attitude

Late August came and went, and I never got around to writing about it. Which is a shame, because my jaunt to Vancouver deserves more than a passing mention. Consider this my belated postcard.

 First things first: crossing the border. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous. The political rhetoric and economic tensions have been bubbling for months, and I expected a frosty reception. Instead? A warm embrace. And I mean warm. The staff at my hotel, the very chic and colorful OPUS, greeted me with a sparkling glass of rosé the moment I wheeled my bag through the door. Hospitality with bubbles? Yes, please!

 Politics did come up while I was there, and while conversations were frank, they were also respectful. Vancouverans (Vancouverites? Vancouverians? Unclear on the nomenclature…) seem to favor a blend of candor and grace. It set the tone for my whole visit.

 And then there was the visit itself. The scenery was striking at every turn. Walking through Stanley Park offered one beautiful view after another. In Chinatown, I stepped into a peaceful Chinese garden that made the city outside seem far away. Out on the water, I joined a whale watching trip where both orcas and humpbacks swam startlingly close to the boat. At one point, I even caught sight of a blowhole just a few feet away. (Will refrain from being saucy here!)

 Of course, food played co-star to the scenery. Vancouver’s culinary scene isn’t messing around. At Kissa Tanto, I twirled genius stuffed pappardelle, Japanese-Italian fusion that felt undeniably right once it hit my tongue. At Good Thief, a spot prawn ceviche stole the show: BC spot prawns with pomelo, pineapple, jalapeño, cilantro, a pour of clarified tamarind water, and cilantro oil. A riot of flavor – and breathtaking presentation…

And then there was a Chinatown walking tour that featured a platter of glistening Chinese barbecued meats that made me forget all sense of portion control…

 And the bars? Oh, the bars. Vancouver’s cocktail scene is equal parts glam and grounding. Case in point: Botanist Bar. With its ethereal glow, lush greenery, and cocktails that double as edible theater, it could easily intimidate. Yet there I was, perched on a stool sipping a decadent “Duck Duck Goose” – Japanese whisky fat-washed with foie gras (yes, really), sweet vermouth, pear, date, saline, bitters – feeling like a regular. Bonus twist: the Vancouver influencer I religiously follow on Instagram? Seated right next to me. Pure coincidence. Pure delight.

Balance that with Mount Pleasant Vintage & Provisions, where the vibe leaned relaxed irreverence. I ordered a spot-on glass of wine, a plate of tater tots with a bottle of Heinz at-the-ready, and swapped stories with bar manager Soren Schepkowski. A different kind of chic – chill with just the right amount of attitude.

 Which, in the end, is Vancouver itself. Chill but stylish, with Michelin stars on the plate, whales in the harbor, and tater tots served with pride. I’ll happily raise a glass of sparkling rosé to that.