"Ella Bakh and her son, Nico, opened this charming space in downtown Vancouver to share food from Ella’s hometown, Tbilisi, Georgia. Their parklet mirrors the modern European-style of their restaurant with horizontal slats of wood, plants, and strings of honey-colored lights that flutter in the breeze like fireflies. Eastern European soul food like a warm Lobia pot (bean stew), boat-shaped khachapuri (cheese bread) warm from the oven, or tender knot-topped khinkali (dumplings) with beef and pork or mushrooms provide sustenance against the cold of winter. Mason jars of hot kompot (fruit tea), fresh fruit bobbing on the surface, or a glass of amber-hued Georgian wine complement the food. Reservations can be made by phone or through OpenTable. Happy hour runs everyday from 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays." - Rachel Pinsky
