Belly’s Budget Best

12 Newbies in 2012 That Made Vancouver’s Dining Scene Even Better

December 18, 2012

One of the hazards of writing “Best of” / “Year End” lists is that you’re guaranteed to miss one (or more)—even more likely if you’ve been waging a kleenex demolition derby against the lurgy sweeping through Vancouver these days. That said, here’s a greatly expanded version of our best dining newcomers column that ran in […]

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Eight Perky Sparklers to Get You in the Holiday Mood

December 17, 2012

Thinking of buying some bubbles in the next few days? You’re not alone. By far the majority of Champagne quaffed during the year is consumed during the holidays—and the same goes for sparkling wine. Here in the swank surroundings of Hired Belly corporate HQ, while we relish the taste of Champagne as much as anyone, […]

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In Vancouver’s Yaletown, this Pig is Still Flying High

November 30, 2012

One spot that’s an easy lure for lunch—particularly when it’s raining cats and dogs—is Yaletown’s The Flying Pig (1168 Hamilton St, 604-568-1344). There’s just something about this place, from its easy going ways and cosy room with a great buzz to the quality that comes out of the kitchen at very fair prices. They refer to […]

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Belly’s Best: A Bevy of (Well) Under $20 Portuguese Table Wine Deals

November 29, 2012

Three reasons propelled me to this week’s Wines of Portugal Seminar and lunch at Vancouver’s Wildebeest: 1. Portugal’s table wines still don’t get the respect they deserve. 2. Barb Philip MW and husband Iain are not only some of the nicest people in the wine biz but also kick-ass presenters. 3. Wildebeest—including its new, downstairs wine […]

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Great Value Bites and a Smart New Wine at Edible Canada

November 15, 2012

A few weeks ago we dropped byEdible Canada at the Market(1596 Johnston St. 604-682-6681) for a post theatre, late night bite. (Somehow a trip to Chile in between derailed our good intentions to post about it sooner.) It’s also been a while since we wrote at length about Edible Canada but there have been more than a few meals and […]

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Colour Me a Cab: Winelover Louise Wilson’s Crayons Come in Handy

September 12, 2012

When time (between wine) permits, The Hired Belly does like to dabble in the odd book review. But it’s been at least a couple of years since he pulled out his crayons for a colouring book. What have crayons and Cabernet in common—Aside from indigo? You might well ask. The Wine Lover’s Coloring Book, by […]

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Vancouver’s Fat Dragon Bar-B-Q to Close

September 1, 2012

December 12, 2012. Sad news, but Fat Dragon has announced it will close Dec 23rd. It seems the location may have just been a bit too edgy for some folks. Too bad because this casual BBQ spot had a lot going for it—but obviously not enough. If you’re looking for good holiday shopping sustenance or […]

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Where Will You Dine Out on Earth Day? Green Table Can Point the Way

April 21, 2012

Earth Day, April 22nd, arrives tomorrow. But how Green are we, really? Year round, that is. If you’ve sifted through these pages you probably know by now that we’re fully behind most things sustainable—and are committed to the notion that we all need to change our behaviour a whole lot more. Ultimately, though, that pressure […]

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Vancouver’s upstairs Gurkha Himalayan Kitchen adds a different dimension to West End dining

April 10, 2012

Upstairs restaurants (i.e. those without any significant street level presence) can be notoriously challenging. In a business where ‘location, location, location’ is everything, you can count one hand those in downtown Vancouver that are successful—starting with CinCin as arguably the most enduring. In fact, part of CinCin’s very success—beyond impeccably executed wood fired dishes and a […]

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Gastown’s Bitter: Sweet Destination for a Perfect Pint

March 23, 2012

If there’s one thing the Hired Belly finds hard to resist it’s a decent pint, particularly when it’s properly poured, and at the right temperature. I’m sure it’s one of the many very sound traits inherited from my dad—who I still sorely miss. Growing up, beer was very much a church and state kind of thing—literally. […]

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