Imagine going to university and getting a degree in ice cream. That’s what James Coleridge, co-owner of Bella Gelataria, did at the Gelato University in Carpigiani. His studies weren’t just an excuse to spend an easy semester in Italy; the fruit of his labour is some of the best gelato in the city. Bella Gelateria’s creamy delights are made from fresh, raw ingredients using a 12-hour flavour-infusion process. This is the place to cool down while the sun is still hot.

1001 West Cordova Street, 604-569-1010, bellagelateria.com

It’s no wonder the Vancouver-based fashion label Lily & Jae has found fans in celebs like Sarah Polley and Lily Allen – the brand is known for compromising neither comfort nor elegance. While its duds are stocked in stores around town, the shop has a new pop-up store at One of a Few. The store-within-a-store features samples from the past six seasons, a vintage rack and the autumn 2010 collection.

354 Water Street, 604-605-0685, lilyandjae.com

They might be known to sting but, boy, are they ever beautiful. The latest exhibit at the Vancouver Aquarium features jellyfish – translucent wonders common in B.C. waters but often overlooked (literally) by us land crabs. Come get lost under the sea with this ethereal show, all while staying completely dry.

845 Avison Way, 604-659-3474, vanaqua.org

We know not to wear white after Labour Day, but how about drinking pink before it? Until September, Diva at the Metropolitan Hotel is featuring four dishes created to compliment their extended list of rosé wines. Fresh-shucked Vancouver Island scallops and clams and grilled Fraser Valley quail are just some of the locally-sourced dishes on the menu. You’ll be tickled pink.

645 Howe Street, 604-602-7788, metropolitan.com/diva

The Fish House, the aptly-named seafood restaurant in Stanley Park, has a summer menu dedicated to the ingredients and cooking techniques of the Klahowya native people. The special three-course menu, which is available until September, celebrates the Klahowya First Nations Village set up in the park for the summer. The bison carpaccio starter is cold smoked to concentrate the meat flavour and the wild sockeye salmon main is cedar-planked. The meal is complimented with wines from Okanagan winery Nk’Mip Cellars, North America’s first aboriginal owned and operated winery. Bon appétit, or should we say, muckamuk—Chinook for “a feast.”

8901 Stanley Park Drive, 604-681-7275, fishousestanleypark.com

PHOTO: JACKIE CONNELLY

Not like we needed another reason to go for a walk in the park, but having the edible garden at Teahouse in Stanley Park at our disposal doesn’t hurt either.

A staple for wedding receptions and romantic dates, we love the patio’s sunny vibe in the summer. Try the Ferguson, a refreshing “lemonade” stuffed silly with their fresh garden-grown mint. If you’re a garden-gawker, take a peek at the rows of rosemary, sorrel, artichokes and blueberries that will eventually end up decorating Chef François Gagnon signature dishes.

Some flavour highlights you don’t want to miss? Get your rooftop patio heirloom tomatoes while they’re in season (and under the messy bits of crumbled feta cheese of course.) The brown butter Dungeness Crab Benedict, sprinkled with the garden’s chives, is a great choice. As is the halibut—especially when the golden-brown fish is served with grilled peaches, candied walnuts and drizzles of white gaspacho.

If you’re like us, you’ll find room for the freshly-picked field strawberries and cream-and-chocolate mousse Pavlova delight. If you can manage the post-meal weak knees, you’ll be walking it off in the park in no time.

Ferguson Point, 604-669—3281, vancouverdine.com/theTeahouse0experience.aspx

If you thought summer cocktails and gourmet meal aboard a cruise ship was cool, wait until you catch this drift. At the School of Fish floating boat restaurant, it’s sustainability that floats their boat—literally. That’s because this 12-person floating dining room is made entirely of renewable, recycled, reclaimed and re-purposed materials. The base of the boat is made of 1,700 donated two-liter plastic bottles that would have otherwise found their way to the garbage. $215 buys you a seat on this unique dining adventure – the first of its kind in the world – and a six-course of sustainable seafood meal made by Chef Robert Clark of C Restaurant. And to think we were just happy to be on a boat.

Runs July 21 to the end of September, False Creek Yacht Club, 778-997-6977, schooloffishfoundation.org

PHOTO: RICHARD WOLAK

Planning and strategy are great for your next business merger, but is that how you want to decide what to eat on vacation? Fear not. Spontaneous food adventures are our (and the VanCity’s foodie blog scene’s) specialty.

Why not start where local food-blogger Sierra of Beyond Robson left off? Let your urbane and sophisticated side out graze at Teahouse Restaurant’s edible garden. You could also follow Vancouver Foodster’s lead to the city’s new favourite old gem in the West End, Adesso Bistro. Our tip? Dunk the homemade focaccia into the warm mozzarella antipasti and finish off with the slow-braised Berkshire pork ribs.

Craving something out of the ordinary? Blogger Secret Eden loved the Swallow Tail Secret Supper Club underground restaurant near Main Street. The BYOB long-table dinners are served in the garden or the cellar. Also worth the nod is the prawn toast and duck gnocchi at “night dim sum,” as tested by Good Life Vancouver.

Does your burger need a little extra something? Take a cue from Edible Vancouver who added blue cheese butter to their patty from the Corner Suite Bistro. If you’re still keen on protein, tweet the Original Sausage Co. guys to find out the secret location where @gourmetfury gobbled up their house-made pork jowl prosciutto.

So, ready to do as the Vancouverites do?

-VICTORIA REVAY

PHOTO: KATIE HUISMAN

A few things you should note about L’Abattoir, the newest addition to Gastown: it’s in a building that was Vancouver’s first jail and its name is French for “slaughterhouse.” Allow these points to intrigue rather than frighten because this new venture into French-inspired West Coast dining is impressive. The seasonal menu offers dishes like poached halibut with mussels and spinach dumplings and the staff aint half bad either: Head barman Shaun Layton was named Bartender of the Year 2010 by Vancouver Magazine.

217 Carrall St., 604-568-1701, labattoir.ca

PHOTO: GLASFURD AND WALKER

JewellerBau, once an atelier/shop run by Dina González Mascaró, has recently re-launched as jeweller collective. Bringing together some of the most buzzed about local crafters ensures a treasure trove of finds. Members include Jacqui Kerr, whose unique pieces are made of reclaimed silver and gold, and Shira Laye, whose recent collection of pendants resemble German bisque dolls.

2408 Main St., 604 872-7759, jewellerbau.blogspot.com

PHOTO: SHANNON MENDES