What The Glowbal Group (owners of Glowbal, Italian Kitchen, Sanafir, Coast) recently unveiled their new, drinks-forward room. Why Experience the scene that has officially surpassed George in the plucked, primped, and plumped category. Yaletowners sip cocktails in shadowy booths under electric-pink chandeliers.

1257 Hamilton St., 604-629-8800, society-grg.ca

What South Main’s favourite low-slung retro-cool restaurant has reopened after a fire shuttered it earlier this year. Why The design is still 70s rec-room chic (chocolate leather button-back booths, red orange Eiffel chairs, a wall of shag), the menu still features simple comfort food reimagined, but the drink list is where things get wonderfully loopy: a list of 21 Canadian whiskeys, plus classic 70s cocktails (like Blue Hawaiian and Tequila Sunrise) served in a bento box with a mini shaker, ice, glass and all the ingredients portioned out. DIY cocktails!

2610 Main St., 604-877-8582. habitlounge.ca

What An adorable little shop right out of Chocolat. Why Confections are made using pure French chocolate and grouped and sold by the cocoa’s single origin (Ghana for milk chocolate, Mexico for bittersweet, Venezuela for dark). Petit squares are delicately flavoured with fleur de sel, lavender, chilies, or fennel.

198 E. 21st Ave., 604-566-1065. chocolaterienouvellefrance.ca

What Gastown’s fine men’s store Roden Gray recently launched a shop-in-shop dedicated to master shirt makers Gitman Bros. Why The Gitman Vintage collection, pulled from their shirting archives and updated with slimmer cuts, is well represented – look no further for a de rigueur yet grown-up take on plaid.

231 Cambie St., 604-689-7302, rodengray.com

What LuLulemon’s new space at Broadway and Cambie is a glass-walled studio that offers voyeuristic access to their creative process. Why Watch designers create new sample pieces, or play designer yourself and create bespoke Lululemon pieces by choosing colourways for your favourite form-fitting gear.

511 W. Broadway, 604-708-1126, lululemon.com

What Holt Renfrew’s killer beauty department gets an added boost with the city’s first Benefit eyebrow bar. Why Boys and girls can get an instant, Hollywood-approved, eye-opening brow treatment (perfect for tired, jet-lagged faces), no appointment necessary.

737 Dunsmuir St., 604-681-3121, holtrenfrew.com

What A hotly anticipated Gastown gastro-pub from bartender Jay Jones and pedigreed chef Chris Irving. Why The room features deep booths and crushed velvet wallpaper, the bar is built from 120-year-old Douglas fir beams and lit by Edison bulbs from antique chandeliers and the menu features haute comfort food like grilled cheese with roasted tomato soup ($10) and foil-wrapped campfire trout ($16), all within steps of the tourist-friendly steam clock.

162 Water St., 604-568-7022, pourhousevancouver.com

What Okay, so a new downtown yoga studio is hardly news… except when it’s seductively spa-like with additional rooms for massage and acupuncture Why It offers 150 classes per week and covers multiple styles and disciplines (including a yoga-spinning hybrid class called YRide).

888 Burrard St., 604-682-3569, yyoga.ca

What The international steakhouse chain has opened a new $11-million space – what recession? – in Yaletown. Why The four-level marble fireplace is impressive; ditto the ambitious art collection (including pieces by Vancouver artists George Vergette and Pamela Masik), but it’s the stunning rooftop patio, with its own bar, multiple fireplaces, and voyeuristic views into the neighbourhood’s glass towers, that elevate it beyond its chain-resto status.

1011 Mainland St., 604-633-2534, thekeg.com

What Legendary chocolatier Thomas Haas is opening a new café and retail store next door to Daniel Boulud’s Lumière and DB Bistro Moderne in Kits. Why Mouthwatering (and award-winning) chocolates, pastries, cookies, and cakes, minus the commute across the Lions Gate to get them.

2539 W. Broadway, thomashaas.com

 Related story: My Vancouver