We love out-of-town guests.

Just not when they’re crashing on our couch. From now on, we’re sending our family and friends straight from YVR Arrivals to check in at the Burrard Hotel. The Vancouver staple has been a landmark since it first turned on its neon sign decades ago, but its brand new look earns it a spot in the hearts of the economically minded jetset. With an inner courtyard filled with palm trees and pastels, it hardly feels like Vancouver.

Huh. Maybe we’ll book a night there and leave our friends at our place instead. —Kelsey Dundon

The Burrard, 1100 Burrard St., Vancouver,  604-681-2331, www.theburrard.com

For a shoe that dates back to the 13th century, the espadrille has done a remarkable job at staying in vogue summer after summer.

It may have been popularized by Spanish peasants, but this shoe is undeniably the chicest summer flat. The simpler, the better: the espadrille is at its best when it remains true to its classic shape. Enter Soludos, the ultimate classic. Whether exploring the markets of Barcelona, lounging in the French Riviera, or simply strolling about Vancouver, we’ve found our summer essential. —Anya Georgijevic

From US$25.91 at Shopbop.com.

Now that chef David Hawksworth is back in the kitchen, it’s a whole different culinary ballgame.

The highly anticipated and newly opened Hawksworth creates playful, elegant and delicate dishes, presented in the most beautiful manner. The Foie Gras Parfait ($20) with sculptural cotton candy and the Dungeness Crab Salad ($18) with intricate lemon foam, other than being-beyond belief delicious, could hang in an art gallery. The bacon consommé that accompanies the Grilled Sturgeon ($24) redefines the way we look at bacon (it's not just for breakfast anymore). And a sampler of macarons ($12) makes for a truly happy ending to a spectacular meal.

Hawksworth's dining area may just be the chicest room in town. Watch as the staff breeze around the restaurant with such poise, as if they’ve been open for years. —AG

Hawksworth Restaurant, 801 W. Georgia St., Vancouver, 604-673-7000, www.hawksworthrestaurant.com

He was at the helm of Lumière and is currently a judges’ darling on Top Chef Canada. So when we heard Chef Dale McKay was opening his own place, we just couldn’t wait to get in!

Ensemble's lively bistro-style room is ideal for casual gatherings and its shared plates concept makes it easy to sample as many dishes as possible. It would have been a crime not to order the Dungeness Crab Spiced Melon Soup ($9), a dish that dazzled the Top Chef Canada judges. Other triumphant dishes included the Herb Risotto ($9), a rich and flavourful little serving, the buttery Beef Shin with fries ($12), and the Pulled Pork sandwich ($8.50) that was a divine companion to a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon.

So that’s what being a Top Chef means…. —AG

Ensemble, 850 Thurlow St., Vancouver, 604-569-1770, www.ensemblerestaurant.com

Have we got a surprise for you!

Ever since friends floored us with an out-of-the-blue birthday bash, we’ve loved surprises. Our latest obsession? The Never Surprise. Singing sweet harmonies reminiscent of Elliott Smith and Wilco, the Vancouver-based duo has perfected the art of the mellow melody. With folksy tunes that beg for backyard BBQs, they have us longing for warm summer evenings. But we’d happily listen to them indoors too. Lucky for us, The Never Surprise will be performing tomorrow (May 5) at the Railway Club in celebration of their self-titled debut album.

And when they become Canadian folk heroes, well, that won’t be a surprise at all. —KD

See more here.

The royal wedding day is declared a holiday in Britain, so why not treat it like one in British Columbia?

Book the day off work and check into the Shangri-La Hotel, where they’re offering the Princess Package ($355) in celebration of William and Kate’s nuptials. Designed with princesses and queen moms in mind, it includes tiaras, high tea and an early morning wakeup call to catch a live screening of the big event.

Don’t forget to sign the guest book. —KD

See more at www.shangri-la.com

When out-of-towners visit, you're the first to tell them the best places to stay, shop and play. But when they ask you for a downtown upscale sushi spot, you're left more stumped than a fanny-pack wearing tourist.

Put down the Zagat and head to Hapa Umi, grown-up sibling to the fantastic Hapa Izakaya restaurants. Decidedly adult in both look and feel (think dark wood decor and large lounge area), the Japanese menu is both fresh and inventive. We stopped in for lunch and tried the featured bento box (grilled lamb, homemade potato salad, crab sunomono, beef tataki and vegetable roll) served with miso soup and rice with mixed mushrooms ($19). We meticulously made our way through each compartment and left nary a grain of rice behind.

'Cause that's how we roll.

Hapa Umi, 110-909 W. Cordova St., Vancouver, 604-420-4272, www.hapaumi.com

As January fitness resolutions turn into February reality, even the most motivated can use a little pink-me-up.

Joe Fresh Style's new 42-piece health and wellness collection, Jogi, comes in a peppy pink-and-grey palette and has plenty of pieces to keep us sweating till spring. For the all-around athlete, the cardio kit has push-up bars, weights and a jump rope ($25), while posers will love the non-slip hot yoga towel ($25) that goes over yoga mats to wick away moisture.

Although a cute workout ensemble is not included, it is just an aisle away.

At Real Canadian Superstore, www.superstore.ca

You’ve gleaned all the inspiration you can from the sound of silence. Now tap into the “Sound of Conversation.” 

Wednesday night at the new Satellite Gallery, a 3-in-1 space shared by the Belkin Art Gallery, Museum of Anthropology at UBC and Presentation House Gallery, artists, curators and even a Feng Shui practitioner gather to share seven minute stories from their careers.

The event is in conjunction with their latest exhibit No Windows, which challenged graduate students with achieving the Trading Spaces of art shows—they had two months and a small budget to open an exhibition.

And if that isn’t inspiring, we don’t know what is.

“Sound of Conversation”, 7 p.m.-9 p.m. (view exhibition 6 p.m.-7 p.m.), Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at Satellite Gallery, 560 Seymour St. (2nd floor), Vancouver, 604-681-8425, www.satellitegallery.ca

The first week back at work in the new year is always the most trying, which is why you reward yourself with pasta.

The new Q4 al Centro, downtown sister resto to Q4 Ristorante in Kitsilano, is the place to collect your prize for slipping into professional pumps again. Whine about working with a glass of the same and twirl your fork into the fresh clams, herbs and pepperoncino of Linguine alle Vongole ($18) or a perfect panini ($12-$14). In the cozy, contemporary 70-seat space, an original work by Jason Gogo commands attention and encourages you to use wine in your work (he used Napa Valley grapes in the red paint).

It’s a personally-sanctioned Italian siesta.

Q4 al Centro, 780 Richards St., Vancouver, 604-687-4444, www.q4restaurant.com