Pierre's (Yaletown) - Where Yaletown's top models head to pop their bottles.

Kranky Cafe (Main Street) - Top-notch (albeit tiny) bakery, teahouse, coffeeshop, and gallery with a prime sunny-weather patio.

Clough Club (Gastown) - Craft cocktail passion project named for 19th-century Gastown’s booze-addled, one-armed lamplighter/jailer.

It’s theoretically winter, even though most of us missed out on a white Christmas. But that hasn't stopped many travelers of looking elsewhere for their snow fix. And leave our neighbors to the north to bring the powder. The sporty city of Whistler, already home to some of the best skiing on the planet, has opened its new bobsled facility this week to the public. It's the same track used in the 2010 Winter Olympics, which is the steepest in the world. 

Black + Blue (Downtown) - A glittering incarnation, fusing classic service standards with present day gourmet excellence.

Dunn's Famous (Downtown) - Succulent smoked meat and poutine, just like back in Vieux Montreal. 

The American Cheesesteak Co. (West End) - Championing Philly cheesesteaks like Rocky himself, and racking up plenty of knockouts in a surprisingly sleek and trendy setting.

House Guest (Gastown)- What’s up in this supper club? Knockout cuisine and an even doper scene.

● Sense (Downtown) - Soothing the mind and body with treatments inspired by and unique to Vancouver.

● XiShi (Downtown) - Urban Shanghai chic by night, and traditional afternoon tea on weekends. ● Slickity Jim's Chat & Chew (Main Street) - Head to The Jim for a midday workout that'll leave your beltline bulging.