This May the list of the top 100 restaurants was unveiled with 18 Vancouver spots cracking the list. That is an impressive number as the culinary world gets more and more competitive on the West Coast and continues to climb up the national ranks. With five restaurants being named in the top 25, I will be digging into each of them over the next couple of weeks to help you decide if you want to dive in and see for yourself why they made this prestigious list.
Coming in at 25 is Hawksworth, located in the stunning Rosewood Hotel on West Georgia Street. The menu created by chef David Hawksworth is foundationally traditional bold flavours that have been modernized to suit a wide demographic of palates. Today, I will be chatting about their current lunch prix-fixe menu which packs a ton of flavour.
Experience a 𝑻𝑨𝑺𝑻𝑬 𝑶𝑭 𝑯𝑨𝑾𝑲𝑺𝑾𝑶𝑹𝑻𝑯 and beautiful British Columbia with our newest, seasonally inspired Prix-Fixe lunch menu.
Available Monday to Friday from 11:30a to 3:00p while quantities last, now through September 9th pic.twitter.com/CCtnjpQmfY
Starting with feta and fresh Okanagan peaches, this dish pops with bright contrasts of the fresh herbs and caper vinaigrette against the rich feta and sweet peaches. The pork loin is rooted in summer tones with chantarelles and local North Arm Farm nectarines. The star of the show is the finisher with a sweet corn gelato. Don’t let that throw you off, as a spongy almond cake and beautiful BC apricots balance each other so nicely in each bite. The most innovative and captivating element was the corn husk meringue. The meringue flavour was so unique and left me wanting more on my plate.
I loved the dishes on the lunch prix-fixe menu, and I will be going back for the full dinner experience. I cannot wait to try chef David Hawksworth’s take on “KFC”, a Korean-fried cauliflower. As well as the salmon crudo which features a garlic scape vinaigrette. Crisp plating and immaculate flavour balance were on full display at Hawksworth, which lived up to the hype.
Consider me one of the many people who were shocked to see the Canucks lock up JT Miller on a 7-year 56-million-dollar extension. The rhetoric surrounding the new management regime was that they wanted cap flexibility. They didn’t want to pigeonhole themselves with bad contracts in the long term, as they build around this young and exciting talent pool. Priority was keeping the options open for future trade deadlines or summer transactions. This patient trajectory made sense to me, as the Canucks watched their rival Calgary Flames ink 32-year-old Nazim Kadri to a massive 7-year deal that probably won’t look very good for those last couple of years. Fools! I thought to myself. There is no way the Canucks are going to travel down that path after everything said to the media this summer.
Think again.
Much to my chagrin, they decided to quietly pivot and sign a 30-year-old forward to a deal that has many wondering if it will be the contract anchor that was feared in a few years. All current Canuck media statements make it clear they want JT as a part of this franchise for the full eight years. Can we trust those quotes after what transpired with this signing?
The reality is Miller does not have a no-trade clause as he plays out the final year of his current contract, even though the Canucks could have negotiated one. With a fresh contract that is fairly movable to the right market, is there a scenario where the club signs and then trades Miller at the deadline? It seems far-fetched, but I won’t take management’s word that they won’t. If they are telling the truth and Miller plays out most of his front-loaded contract, the buyout options in years six and seven are palatable, especially with the cap expected to go up in a couple of years.
The fact of the matter is: I love the player. What I don’t love is how it seems like management felt cornered enough to do what they said they wouldn’t all summer. Colour me intrigued with how this plays out before Miller starts playing on his new deal.
We have playoff baseball in Vancouver for the first time since 2017! Excitement levels are high as nothing beats meaningful baseball this time of year. If the weather is cooling, and the bright lights are coming on a little earlier at the ballpark, it means it’s been a good season. The Canadians will have some fall playoff ball at Nat Bailey Stadium having enjoyed a solid campaign this year with a 67-62 record between both halves of the season. Their efforts have bought them a ticket to face off against the first-place Eugene Emeralds (81-48) in a best-of-five series. First pitch gets rolling on the road tonight at PK Park in Oregon at 7:05 pm.
And we go!
Game 1 of the Northwest League Championship Series. @Abdiel1943 on the mound. First pitch at 7:35pm.
The Canadians will have their hands full taking down a very well-rounded Emerald’s ball club. I attended one of their last games of the season against Eugene, and I was impressed with the Emerald’s approach at the plate. Their bats frustrated Canadian’s pitchers all night, taking a lot of pitches and working them deep into counts before capitalizing on the pitch they were waiting on. One of the keys to the Canadian’s game plan must be getting ahead in the count. Eugene’s patient approach at the dish puts a lot of pressure on the opposing pitcher to come into the strike zone as they don’t chase a lot of junk off of the plate.
The Canadians will be relying on some hot bats staying that way in the postseason. First baseman PK Morris has been sizzling down the stretch. In the last two weeks of the season, his average is sitting around .330 with 4 home runs and 11 RBI. Third baseman Rainer Nunez has also been a steady presence in the lineup for the playoff push, and the Canadians will be relying on them to provide some pop at the plate now that they are in the tournament. Here’s hoping this trip to the postseason is as successful as 2017’s when they went all the way and won the Northwest League championship.
Few positions in professional sports have the same impact on their team’s trajectory as a quarterback. Having a signal caller who can command the offence has an effect that transcends all areas of a locker room. The offensive coordinator can dial up his best plays with confidence and set them up with savvy play calling. The defence can rest up on the sidelines and know the offence will move the chains a couple of times to keep them fresh for the next series. And most of all…the fans can’t wait to watch dynamic play at the most important and exciting position in football.
Remember when that’s what we were treated to every week with Lions football?
The current product is a stark contrast to the unit that we saw with Nathan Rourke under center, and serves as a harsh reminder of what losing a starting quarterback to an injury can do to a football team. With the depth chart completely decimated, the Lions turned to further replacements and started Antonio Pipkin against the Alouettes Friday night. Let me be clear there is no fault, blame, or judgment towards these athletes who deserve a ton of credit for taking to the field while very much still learning the majority of the playbook. After eight series, Rick Campbell thought he would see what Vernon Adams Jr. could do but ultimately switched back to Pipkin after three series. Neither inspired much confidence or gave fans a glimpse of hope in a rough 31-10 loss.
Instead, we are left to keep counting down the days to Rourke’s return to full health next season. It’s a difficult pill to swallow considering the quality product the Lions put on the field this season when he was healthy. Having that excitement snuffed to an injury is part of sports…but it doesn’t make it any more fun for a consumer of the product. Get better Rourke! And keep bringing back this brand of CFL football I can get behind.
It is that magical time of year again where the air becomes a crisp refreshment for your lungs every time you step outside in the morning. The scent of fresh dew welcomes you to your day, as golden bronze leaves start to leave their home and fall to the ground. I love the vibes of summer dearly, but fall brings with it a new set of things to enjoy. This enduring season shift is a great time to set your garden up for winter success! Here are three quick tips to have your garden flourish as the rain approaches.
Nourish your soil for the winter by mulching around the base of your trees and shrubs. Using wood chips, bark, or leaves to create a layer over the soil will keep that soil as notorious as possible for your garden!
If your lawn is torched after a hot summer (like mine is), September is a prime time to use the best ORGANIC slow-release fertilizer on your lawn. Doing this prior to the wet weather will allow for the roots to build strong root systems to help your lawn recover and come back stronger. The slow-release aspect is important, as the heavy rains will not wash it all away before it has finished helping your lawn.
Don’t forget about your houseplants! Be sure to get them outside to clean them up before repotting them with fresh fertilizer. This is a step that I have skipped in the past with poor outcomes for those dear roommates. This “fall cleaning” will have your plants ready for a happy winter after some TLC.
This is one of the best times of year to still get out into the garden and make sure the back-end work is done so your garden can prosper this winter. Maybe more importantly it will be ready for your next gardening challenges comes the spring. Here are some more great tips if this wasn’t enough for you!
In a recent Vancouver Sun article, Brian Minter shares some tips and tricks for this year to transition your garden and keep your veggie patches going into the fall 🍂
On this episode of My Favourite Interview, I will be telling the story of a veteran—the story of a man whose role in World War two deserves to be told. The stories of this generation are becoming more and more distant. Yet in the current international context, war and conflict are at the front of our minds.
This is the story of Ezra Fox, and his role on the first ship into the mine-infested waters of Omaha Beach, on D-Day.
On this episode of My Favourite Interview, we will dive into the stories that shape a big transition for any bro: fatherhood. We will hear short stories about identity shifts and…some of the surprises along the way. Welcome to Dudes to Dads.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers have been writing and releasing music for the entirety of my existence. I was born in 1989, and their initial self-titled album was released in 1984. They have been a big influence on me as a musician and a soundtrack to my life. This dates all the way to their (admittedly disappointing) 2022 release Unlimited Love. Almost every major moment in my life can be attached to a certain RHCP song or album that I was listening to or performing at the time. I have a Bachelor of Music majoring in performance and am by no means an expert. I do, however have an extensive musical background which guides my opinions on the subject.
The RHCP’s music has undergone many evolutions since they started on the LA scene writing songs grounded in funk.
On this day in 1984, Red Hot Chili Peppers’ debut, self-titled album was released! Produced by Andy Gill.
Like any iconic rock group, they managed to adapt enough to stay relevant despite some incredibly disruptive personal struggles within the band. This was also a factor that fascinated me about them. The storylines away from the music are the kind that only rock and roll can procure.
Tragedy and drug abuse have marred the creative process at times for the Peppers. Original guitarist Hillel Slovak died of a heroin overdose in 1988. Both singer Anthony Kiedis and bassist Flea come from immense childhood trauma and have used drugs for most of their lives. While drummer Chad Smith seems to have had a more benign life in comparison, he has had his brush-ups with the law. These storylines are not necessarily rooted in good and positivity, but throughout all this turbulence they managed to create an incredible career and a deep archive of songs that drew me into their eclectic universe.
After Slovak’s passing, Jon Frusciante joined the band as the next permanent guitarist. Unfortunately, Frusciante also struggled with addiction over his career. He left the band in 1992 and entered an incredibly fast and detrimental downward spiral of heroin and cocaine usage. By the time he re-entered the Peppers in 1998, he had amassed 5 overdoses and needed a completely new set of teeth. The musical product suffered in his absence, as Dave Navarro just did not offer the same stylistic taste or songwriting capabilities.
Yet, the main element of the band that keeps me so close to the music is Frusciante. Being a guitar player myself, I have always admired how he weaves his own style into their music. There is something whimsical and effortless about the melodies he crafts. Kiedis is so busy lyrically that there is not always a lot of space for Frusciante to work, especially in their earlier material. But he always makes the most of the windows that he has.
He treats the guitar like another voice in the band, and his lines are often rooted in establishing harmony when the rap-rock style lyrics cannot. This ability to give the guitar a distinct melody is also evident in how he creates his solos. Instead of being flashing and showing off his chops, Frusciante always elected to focus more on the melodic structure and unique ways to use his pedalboard to elevate his solos. This can be seen here in Californication, where the solo is an expressive new voice in the ensemble that you could hum along to just as easily as the main vocal hook.
Some of the best RHCP moments are when Frusciante adds his backup vocals to the mix as well. His warm vocal tone sits naturally in a tenor range which allows for his harmonies to lightly float over the lead part. He does not possess the energy or traits to be a frontman, but he can deliver some of the best background vocals in modern rock. These harmonies are challenging to sing and pleasing to the ear. When they are added to the more relaxed and free-flowing writing of his guitar section, it results in a cacophony of harmonies (which is when the band reaches its greatest heights). Jon Frusciante’s creative stamp on the RHCPs is a major reason their music remained relevant to me for so many years.
One song I must mention is Can’t Stop, because of my high school band’s connection to it. I used to play in a small three-piece band in high school called Burning Light Out. A wave of nostalgia as I type that. We would perform at house parties and do cover sets, and this song was one of the best ways to get a crowd fired up. Right from the initial build-up of the guitar hammer on section, I can recall the blurry living room setting in front of me and red keg cups in the crowds’ hands. We would often open with the set with this one and that build-up to the main guitar hook will forever take me back to dropping into those performances. As soon as I hear the song start, I am transported to the glow of my pedalboard as I start to play the riff. I would lock eyes with my drummer, who would lead the crescendo and give the final nod before chaos ensued. We would all hit the main hook and start jumping around like idiots, bumping into the crowd, and getting the party going. It is fun to think of those old high school sets, and this song will always bridge me to those times.
I would also be remised if I did not mention the most influential and impactful album in their catalogue. Stadium Arcadium was released when I was in high school, and it was a massive deal. This double-sided album is the peak of their discography. Paying homage to their funk roots but fully embracing the modern pop and rock tunes that had been gaining momentum from the success of Californication. This album was one of the few I can still listen to cover to cover, just as I would driving home from high school. Hard to Concentrate is a tune that will always stick with me as it was on the wedding playlist that I curated. The Peppers are often thought of for their energy and pizazz, but this is the softest moment that they hit out of the park. It is the whimsy of Frusciante with the best vocal tone that Kiedis has to offer. The result and context of the lyrics will forever take me to my wedding – the soft drum line bobbing along to the happiest evening of my life.
It is astounding to me that these guys have been churning out quality music for as long as I have had air in my lungs. They are not the most talented band ever, but something about their sound always had a place on my airwaves. Do you have a similarly influential artist in your life? Perhaps even one that has been creating for your entire time on planet earth?
Have you moved away from where you were born? Or, have you remained in the same location for your whole life? What is it that you miss most about where you grew up? Is there a smell or a specific song that takes you back there?
We all have unique connections with our hometowns that mean something to us. Whether you have lived in the same city for your entire life or been all over the world, everyone has an origin story. It is something that you have no say in but is a part of us forever. Some people do not spend much time where they were born before their family moves somewhere new. For others, where their story started is where it will end, and it is a huge part of their identity.
For me, the streets in northwest Calgary will always be home. I spent the first thirty years of my life there. I never associated with the “cowboy” rhetoric that surrounds the city. And while Alberta accounts for nearly a quarter of all Canadian farms, I did not fall into a “Cow-town” stereotype of growing up on a ranch and eating a steak every night for dinner. Like most places, the general stereotypes that are generated are not accurate depictions of the people living there. The reason I will always be connected to the city is that those were the streets I cut my teeth on – where buddies were made, and trouble was caused. Those experiences could have been anywhere really, and the impact would have been the same. But it was in NW Calgary where these were experienced for me, and that is why those streets will always echo with memories.
Although I have moments where I miss my roots, moving away from my hometown was the best thing I have ever done. Not because there are scars there or problems that I am running away from. Quite the opposite in fact. I have friends and family there that I miss dearly, and those strong connections are what still make it a challenge to be away at times.
The reason it was so good for me to move and get out of my comfort zone was, essentially, change. While that word can have a range of connotations, I am talking about foundational shifts in routine. What your eyes see every day. The typical weather systems you endure. The colour of the road signs that direct you where you need to go. I had no idea how desperately I need to alter my environment. Sometimes you are in a funk, and you do not even know it. How could you? Especially if the reason is just some deep-seated feeling in your gut that something needs to shift. Something you cannot quite put your finger on until you jump into the unknown of such a life-altering shift and realize you needed it all along.
This is not to say that moving away from all you know is easy. I still struggle with living in a different city from my parents with whom I am very close. The big things like the people you care about will always be there regardless of distance. What is comforting is I can always take my mind (or my physical self) back to the streets I spent 30 years on, for a little hometown cooking.
It is the small things about your hometown you miss once you move away. For me, it is the prairie summer sunsets. There is something to be said about “big sky country” and the colours it can produce when the sun is in transition. If it is a rainy, overcast stretch here in Vancouver, I transport myself to cruising down John Laurie Boulevard in Calgary in a 1993 Jeep Cherokee. I would rumble around in that old red beauty with the windows down cranking tunes. Something about dusk in the prairies brings out the fresh aromas as the temperature cools. The scent of fresh-cut grass wafts through the air as oranges, pinks, and reds create a warming hue that hugs its surroundings. I love how during those summer months the sunsets last forever. The last tinges of colour are still distant on the horizon as the navy-blue curtain of darkness suppresses those warm tones. You wait so long for those summer nights as the winter storms rage on during the winter months. They make you earn it through the ice and cold, but they are worth the wait. If you can stop and admire how special those nights are, you can almost convince yourself it is worth another freezing winter.
Being able to go back to visit is a perfect way to keep these emotions in a time capsule that I can open every now and then when I am back. As I write about what I remember and miss, I find myself asking “if those memories are so important then why did I leave?” The new life experiences I am forging here in Vancouver are captivating and energizing. New people and challenges have kept me on my toes. I love that feeling of not being totally comfortable, but I sometimes feel like I am still just a visitor here. The lush greenery and foggy mornings I am growing to love still do not feel like my natural environment. That is what is captivating about it, the sense of potential and adventure.
I guess the core sentiment is – what are you doing to push yourself out of your comfort zone? This can could be attempted in many areas in life, but have you stopped to evaluate how comfortable you are in your current routine? Moving across the country might not be the answer for you – it would be hard to convince anyone to move away from beautiful BC – but that kind of tectonic shift injected my life with a lot of good.
My journey took me to Winnipeg before finally settling here on the west coast. And I may end up with the itch to drive different roads again. But for now, my aura is settling into this amazing spot.
You, like many others, have contemplated how wonderfully beautiful it would be to hike the West Coast Trail. It is an incredible adventure to embark on, and one that should not be taken lightly. The trail is a wonderment to the human eye. Forest walks in the foggy, dense foliage of the rainforest. Long beach stretches along the Pacific Ocean’s rugged coastline. Campsites by towering waterfalls that serenade you to sleep. Some cliffside vantage points from the rocky escarpment above the water can make you almost feel as though you are on another planet. The raw power of the ocean crashing against the isolated coastline is a natural symphony of splendour.
I was fortunate enough to hike the West Coast Trail with my dad at the age of 14, and it was a life-changing experience. I was on the younger side for that kind of hike, and it was an amazing challenge and bonding opportunity with my old man. Some of the visuals from that trip still stand out in my mind. Particularly, the feeling of the sun breaking over the ocean as you hike along the beach. It can be a wet, slog of a hike at times. So, when you get a nice sunny stretch, it opens a whole new perspective of the trail. I can still feel the warmth of the sun contrast with the cool ocean breeze on my face. The dew sparkling from the trees like diamonds glinting in the sunlight. The sound of the oceans roar as the sand crunches beneath my feet.
These are the moments that draw people like my dad and me to the West Coast Trail. The kind of backpacking trip that is truly once in a lifetime. It was many years ago that I put on my pack and hiked the trail, but I have since chatted with people who hiked it more recently. I am here to give my take on what you should expect if you are thinking about booking the journey for yourself.
Hazards
If you were planning on slipping on your Vans and crushing this hike like you do your walk to work, then you have a lot to learn from this article. The West Coast Trail is not for the faint of heart. It is a 72km trail that runs from Bamfield to Port Renfrew. The trail was built to allow access to the “graveyard of the Pacific” for rescuers aiding shipwrecks. That tidbit should paint a picture of the kind of terrain you will be trekking during the 6- to 10-day hike, depending on how hellbent you are on destruction. I say that tongue in cheek but completing the trail in 5-6 days is an intense endeavour for an accomplished backpacker.
On May 3 2022, a CH149 Cormorant from 442 Squadron conducted an extraction of an injured hiker on the West Coast Trail near Cullite Cove, 14 kilometers west of Port Renfrew. The patient was transported to Victoria General Hospital. pic.twitter.com/uqOulKYHOd
— MARPAC-JTFP / FMARP-FOIP (@MARPAC_FMARP) May 5, 2022
As you get into the meat and potatoes of the trail, you will come across a few unique elements to help you navigate the landscape – log bridges, and lots of them. These slippery suckers are a lot of fun to traverse as they can make you feel like an early explorer. The keyword there was slippery. If it has rained remotely recently when you are hiking, these need to be taken slowly and with caution. Hiking poles can help with balance, and some even opt for studded attachments to their hiking boots for extra traction.
Don’t look down! You will also find some wildly tall ladders you must climb to proceed. These are safe if you take your time and take it step-by-step. The biggest piece of advice is to keep your pack weight forward. It can be kind of nice having the leverage of your pack pushing you toward the ladder. Just keep that core tight and eyes up, and you will be good with any ladder of any height! The other cool trail element you will encounter is cable car crossings. Here you will manually pull you and your fellow adventurers over river crossings as you can see in the video below. Take me back! This part of the trail is super cool.
What to Bring (Beyond the Obvious)
I am going to assume you have done some backpacking before and know the core essentials of how to backpack in the woods. If you are just starting out, here is a good resource to get the foundational knowledge for success. For those of you who have done this before but are looking for items unique to the West Coast Trail, you are in the right spot.
Camping beachside offers its fair share of challenges if you are used to high-elevation settings, or just have not spent much time on the west coast. First things first; always have your backpack cover on. Even if it’s sunny, that could change in an instant and you do not want to be pulling out the cover once the damage is already being done. Keeping your items dry makes for a big difference in enjoyment. In that same vein, always wear your gaiters. Even the best of the best can take one misstep into the mud, and you have got one foot that is heavier than the other for the rest of the day!
Do not skimp on the quality of the water filter you purchase. Fresh water sources are not as ample as you may think, and the water can have a dark colour to it in spots due to the tannins and silt in the water. It’s money well spent on knowing your water is clean no matter what it looks like.
Print off the tide charts for the timeframe you will be hiking. This was very new to us, but it is a big safety issue. There is one crossing you must do when the tides are safe. So, make sure this is done beforehand, as guessing if it is a safe time to cross could be a perilous mistake.
— News Is For Everyone (@Newsis4Everyone) April 27, 2022
Bring extra tarps if you can, as again the more equipped you are to keep your stuff dry the better (including the holy grail of items, your sleeping bag!). And lastly, embrace the mud and sand. They will be there with you no matter how hard to try to avoid them. Just invite them to the party and get used to their vibes.
Stop and Smell the Roses
Here are a few locations along the trail that you MUST stop to admire. The first is Tsusuit Falls. These majestic falls are unquestionably one of the top campsites thanks to their grandeur. You will be hard-pressed to find a better backpacking campsite. Waking up to the falls and opening your tent to the ocean is something that calls me back to the trail.
The next major campsite is Nitinaht Narrows, where you can stop and enjoy some must-needed rest after a long day. Here they sell some snacks and cold beer (also a must), and you can enjoy the emerald, green waters of the channel. Something about this spot was my favourite nook of all the West Coast Trail crannies. Lastly, is the jaw-dropping views from Carmanah Point Lighthouse. The classic red and white colour palette of the lighthouse coupled with the sights it offers makes it an easy top three spots to stop…and smell the roses.
Hopefully, you are as excited as I am after reminiscing about my experiences on the West Coast Trail. It is enough to make me start planning my next attempt, as it is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque experiences our province has to offer.
