SUNDAY CARNIVALE
Zingy chimichurri is reason enough to snare a table in the Garden Terrace for the Four Seasons’ new La Bouqueria Sunday buffet brunch ($45, $22 for kids under 12; 791 West Georgia Street). Guava barbecue ribs, Cuban roasted pork, and Peruvian snapper ceviche push the spice on the muy caliente Latin-inspired menu from Cuban-born chef Rafael Gonzalez. Live classical Spanish guitar, too. Reservations are at 604-844-6716.

FEEL LIKE A WAG
That’s the acronym for “wives and girlfriends”, usually those of U.K. footie players and exemplified by Posh, wife of squintillion earner David Beckham. Why we’re wandering into Hello! country here is that the Opus Hotel (322 Davie Street) gives you the chance to win a Beckhams-style weekend retreat in the penthouse if you dine in the hotel’s Elixir bistro February 14 to 17. Menus at www.elixirvancouver.ca/ .

FOOD MEETS FASHION
On Sunday (January 28), Chris Radunz wheels his Jaca Innovations hot-dog cart complete with freshly made sausage and whole-wheat buns to the city’s burgeoning fashion market, Portobello West (The Rocky Mountaineer Station, 1755 Cottrell Street). Also easing cravings: Blackberry Hill’s pies and baked goods and, for energizing javas, Bean and Gone. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; entrance is free.

TEQUILA NIGHTS
Belly up to the bar at newly opened Zocalo (2515 Main Street) for an impromptu tequila tasting. Not your thing? Have a cerveza and explore the “contemporary” Mexican menu with fine renditions of chicken mole, flank steak, and purée con chili ancho (slow-cooked pork with chilies and oranges).

DRAM-ANTICS
If aromatic single malts make you swoon, then Tuesday’s (January 30) Bruichladdich Women and Whisky tasting at the Vancouver Museum (1700 Chestnut Street) is a must, with the distillery’s kilted smoothie Andrew Gray leading the way. Reserve at 604-269-9040. Cost is $29 and includes nibbles from Vij’s.

VINO LESSONS
There’s an excellent op for 20 Italian citizens living in Canada to get some serious vino-centric learning, gratis. The catch? Deadline for applications for Wine Tourism: The Good Practices is Wednesday (January 31). Vancouver-based, this culinary and wine tourism course provides 800 hours of food and wine training, including a 100-hour stint in Italy. Contact CNIPA Puglia at 604-432-7790 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or visit www.turismoevino.com/ .

SAKE TO ME
Scoot those taste buds pronto to Tojo’s posh new digs at 1133 West Broadway, gape at the architecturally impressive, vaulted-ceilinged space and splashy sushi bar, then veer left to the sake bar—the city’s first—and try a few of the 40-or-so selections, many exclusive to Tojo’s. Kanpai!