Our deepest condolences to the team at @bartocador on the loss of owner and local bartending legend Dale Styner, whose warmth, charm and sense of hospitality will forever cast long shadows and be fondly remembered.

As the team at Tocador put it best in their most recent post: “Goodbye my friend. You were the heart of this place. Your beautiful laugh is in every corner and crack of this restaurant. This place will never be the same without you. You were one of the best.”

Our hearts go out to Dale’s friends, family, colleagues and coworkers near and far and past and present. We all have lost one of the greats. ❤️

Stand tall. Stay strong. Show love. Support local.

Ah, Anthony, you wicked, wise man of many words. How could we not post something from him on this, June 25, a.k.a. ‘Bourdain Day’?

This comes directly from the recently published posthumous tome ‘World Travel’ from the celebrated chef, world traveller and critic who passed away in 2018. In the book — which was completed with the help of his longtime assistant Laurie Woolever — Bourdain takes his ardent fans on one final tour of the world and some of its noted culinary destinations, including Vancouver, Toronto, Montréal and Québec.

When it comes to Vancouver, Bourdain shows his love for the city, calling it a ‘Chef Town’ and talks about his time spent with such local renowned talents as @chefvikramvij of @eatdrinkvijs and @my.shanti, Hidekazu Tojo of @tojos_restaurant and Pino Posteraro of @cioppinosyaletown, as well as a shout-out for the venerable downtown street food fixture Japadog.

A bittersweet read, and a very Happy Birthday to Bourdain, who would have turned 65 today.

As his fellow chef and longtime friend @ericripert advises, the best way to celebrate Bourdain Day is ‘…lift your beer or glass of wine or tea’ and wish his spirit well.

To Anthony! 🥂

Stand tall. Stay strong. Show love. Support local.

Don’t know what the temps are like in YOUR neck of the woods, but out here in Vancouver it is HOT!

Luckily, the teams at West End plant-based hotspot @beetboxveg and beloved ice cream joint @rainorshineyvr have teamed up for a great way to (ahem) ‘beet the heat.

Feast your eyes on this new dairy free vegan ‘ice cream’ sandwich now available for pickup at Beetbox — it’s a coconut-base ‘ice cream’ with a mango swirl sandwiched between a Beetbox ginger coconut cookie and available NOW for $6 per sammie.

And that’s just the start — new collab flavours will be added to the menu throughout the summer months, so stay tuned!

Stand tall. Stay strong. Show love. Support local.