Vancouver Gaybourhood culinary delight

New on the #Vancouver culinary scene in the heart of Davie Village - the Gaybourhood, is a new tapas bistro called Exile.  The intimate space combined with the welcoming nature of the bistro staff make this a hidden gem in the midst of all the chain restaurants in the city. The mostly vegetarian menu makes this a rare treat where you can have a holistic and healthy dining options and feel good about what you eat! 

Exile's mantra is "hyper local, ethical + wild, and holistic" using locally sourced foods with some truly Canadian First Nations inspired culinary creations including Pemmica. Pemmica is sort of like home made beef jerky with wild berry, cured big game and cherry duck fat.  Yum!

We enjoyed a Vancouver Island rosé, from Unsworthy vineyards which paired perfectly with our light dinner.  We shared a beautifully crafted Borcht salad: beets, dill, creme fraiche ($10); Lentil Pâté: pickles, levain crakers ($13); thinly sliced wild mushroom in a extra virgin olive oil and sea salt with fresh lavender ($8); and Bison tataki: green onion ash, ginger-turmeric consommé wild wild fennel root ($16).

I really enjoyed the space and can see this will be a great place to come with a small group of friends or with someone special for a wonderful romantic night out.  Exile takes credit cards, however it is on a first come first served basis.  If the restaurant is full, enjoy a seat outside on the pedestrian tree lined lane and have one of their "Holistic" mock tails or add a couple ounces of spirits  for some of their delicious cocktails.

I can see that I will be returning often and look forward to see how the menu changes as different foods come into season.  

Atmosphere: intimate and friendly
Culinary Creations: healthy, fresh and delicious
Wine List:  Average
Cocktail List: need more time to work through the list!
Where: Exile - 1220 Bute St. Vancouver, BC

10th Annual Vancouver Pride Run + Walk to be the most inclusive with new Gender Variant category

Participate in Vancouver's most fabulous 10km run + 5km walk 

Vancouver Frontrunners to host 10th Annual Pride Run + Walk on Saturday, July 26th, 2014. Whether you identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, straight, transgender, gender variant, cisgender, or prefer to be free of labels ­ you're invited to celebrate diversity in your choice of running or walking 5km or 10km distances.  

10th Annual Vancouver Pride Run & Walk - Saturday, July 26, 2014 at Brockton Oval, Stanley Park.

"It's a unique run" says Jag Bilkhu, Vancouver Frontrunner's Community & Sponsor Liaison. "Aside from helping to kick off Vancouver Pride week, this year we're creating a new precedent for running races around the world."  

"We're excited to announce a gender variant category" Bilkhu explains. "As far as we can tell, this is the first gender variant category in North America, and it's about time! The run's theme is 'Be fit. Be fun. Be yourself', and this inclusion fits well with that vision in acceptance."  

Pride Run & Walk offers a fun running experience. "How many other running races can offer you a Disco & Glitter Water Station?" questions this year's Course Director, Gregg Ambrosi. "Unfortunately, we need to cap registration at 1,000, so register early and ensure your ability to participate in the most fun run Vancouver has to offer."  

Net Proceeds of the event are split evenly between QMUNITY's Pride Legacy Fund and Out in Schools. QMUNITY's Pride Legacy Fund helps fund programs for the LGBTQ community while Out in Schools funds programs to fight bullying and homophobia in schools throughout BC.  

If you want to get ready for the event, you can meet up with the Vancouver Frontrunners any Wednesday evening or Saturday morning for a group jog and running tips. Everyone is welcome.  

Prizes for top female, gender variant, and male categories.
Enter as a team: prizes for quickest team, the team with most members, and of course ­ the best dressed.  

Early bird deadline June 15, 2014. Register early and save. Registration and more information at vancouverfrontrunners.org 

Big Roger Pride Weekend - July 31st - August 4th, 2014

Looking for some of the hottest parties of the Vancouver Pride Weekend?  Look no further than the Big Roger Pride Weekend. The biggest party line-up for Vancouver Pride weekend (July 31-August 1st) features a  powerhouse line-up of talent including Vancouver favorite EDDIE MARTINEZ (NYC), breakout after-hours sensationTRISTAN JAXX (SF), House Music Legend DJ ABEL (Miami), Billboard chart toper IVAN GOMEZ (Barcelona) and ELIAD COHEN'S international hit PAPA PARTY WORLD TOUR comes to Vancouver for the first time.

SIN | Big Pride Weekend Kick-off Party
Thursday July 31 | Doors at 10PM

PAPA PARTY WORLD TOUR | International Hit Friday August 1st | Doors at 9PM

GLITTER | The Main Event
Saturday August 2nd | Doors at 10PM

TROUBLE | Post Parade T-Dance
Sunday August 3nd | Doors at 3PM

UNITED | Closing Party & Afterhours

Monday Morning August 4 | Doors at Midnight

Click here for Ticket Information

Need a place to stay?  Stay at Big Roger's Official Host Hotel:  Sheraton Wall Centre Click for more info. Book by July 7th - subject to availability. Rates from C$229/nt.