Even though it’s been open a few years now, Hawksworth is still the buzziest—and busiest—restaurant in Vancouver. It’s a flat-out gorgeous space in a prime location on the main floor of the Rosewood Hotel Georgia, right across from the art gallery. It’s worth dropping by just for a drink in the bar—it’s an intimate space with rock star sofa seating, quite possibly the city’s best spirits selection, and supremely talented bartenders. Try the ethereal Hotel Georgia cocktail, a long-lost recipe that was rediscovered right before the 2011 opening. The dining room is split into two spaces: The first is known as the Pearl Room and has a lovely cream-colored leather banquette and a massive, dazzling crystal light fixture; the second features a stunning custom wall art installation by BC-born artist Rodney Graham. It’s a perfect setting for chef David Hawksworth’s spectacular food. He mixes high and low, formal and comfort with aplomb—beef tenderloin with braised short rib, for instance, or elk strip loin with bacon and cabbage. The menu is ever changing, depending on what’s in season. And his bar snacks are irresistible, especially the KFC—spicy, crispy, lightly caramelized Korean fried cauliflower. Plus, with five sommeliers on staff and an award-winning wine list, there are some spectacular choices when it comes to wine.