A very vegan Xmas
No Tofurkey will be killed at next Sunday’s (December 14) holiday cooking class at Radha Yoga & Eatery (728 Main Street). Participants will learn to prepare a vegan—and tofu-free—Christmas dinner. The class costs $40; register at 604-605-0011 or e-mail radha@telus.net

Hot tickets
Easily the best gifts for wine lovers are tickets to the 31st annual Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival, March 23 to 29, 2009. Best bet: the Festival Tastings ($75), where 183 wineries from 15 countries including theme region B.C. will pour more than 1,600 wines. Attach tickets to a bottle of B.C.’s best and you’re done, unless Blasted Church Winery’s Midnight Service—gospel, wine, and BBQ—at Christ Church Cathedral tempts too.

Bon Noël
French-Canadian goodies like créton and tourtií¨re will be on offer at the Christmas market this Saturday (December 6) at the Vancouver Francophone Cultural Centre (1551 West 7th Avenue). The fair runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and admission is $2 (free for kids under 10). The centre’s Salade de Fruits Café is also serving a Christmas dinner at 7 p.m.

Sweet sib
There’s no wine, nor colour co-ordinated menu at Dolcetto (2967 West Broadway)—“the sweet little one”—as at big bro Cru Restaurant. This compact Italianate coffee bar (formerly Land of Green Ginger) serves hearty panini, pastries, and 49th Parallel coffee.

Zakkushi times three
Following the success of its Denman Street and 4th Avenue locations, a new Zakkushi has opened at 4075 Main Street. It has a menu similar to the Kits restaurant, but with more sushi and sashimi options.

Doggie treats
Kitsilano’s Smoking Dog Bistro (1889 West 1st Avenue) features wine and food tastings (6 to 7:30 p.m.) the first Monday of each month beginning December 8. The deal? Flights of wines paired with regional foods for $30. First up, a sit-down affair with Saffire Wines’ famous Flame Eadie and wines from the Similkameen and Okanagan. Reserve at 604-732-8811.

Nibbles and sips
You gotta love that you can sample stellar wines, spirits, and beers paired with bites from top restaurants for free at the 39th & Cambie Liquor Store. Take in Thursday’s (December 4) Crown Royal tasting, and Corona and Las Margaritas on Saturday (December 6). There’s plenty more December imbibing, including Tommasi wines with snacks from Glowbal, Great Estates Icewine martinis, and Pommeroy Champagne.