Night before Christmas
There’s still time—just—to get your tourtií¨re order in at La Baguette et l’Echalote (1680 Johnston Street). The Granville Island bakery sells frozen, eight-inch pork versions ($19.50) of the French-Canadian pie that’s traditionally eaten on Christmas Eve. Call 604-684-1351 before Sunday (December 21) to ensure you get one. Mental note: the public market is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (outside shop hours vary) on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, and closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day.

Beefing up
Join the migration down to False Creek–side restaurant Ocean 6 Seventeen (617 Stamps Landing) for its Sunday night $11.95 prime rib and Yorkshire pudding dinner. It’s also a prime viewing spot for the Carol Ships Parade of Lights, looping past on December 22 and 23 at about 7:45 p.m.

Yaletown region
Many months in the making, r.tl—aka Regional Tasting Lounge (1130 Mainland Street)—opened its doors last week, in sync with a raft of Christmas parties. An unmarked, automatic door leads to a NYC–styled, chocolate-toned room that’s anchored by a bar and a hideaway lounge. Seasonally focused, r.tl’s menu currently features dishes and wines from B.C., Spain, and the Middle East.

Fancy fetes
Fine-dining options on New Year’s Eve include stalwarts Bishop’s (2183 West 4th Avenue, 604-738-2025) and Le Gavroche (1616 Alberni Street, 604-685-3924). The five-course set menu at Bishop’s features choices such as terrine of rabbit, leek, and truffle; and venison escalopes. It’s $130 per person, including a glass of Champagne. Le Gavroche’s six-courser is $80, or $130 with wine pairings, and includes options of chestnut and black truffle soup and mustard-crusted rack of lamb. Both restaurants are taking reservations for multiple seatings.