Elevated pub food, casual Middle Eastern fare and more hot rooms now open in Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton.

1. Superbaba

1325 Blanshard Street, Victoria

Who Jason Sussman and Ryan Spong (Tacofino co-owners), Robbie Kane (Café Medina), Abdallah El Chami (the Dallah Menu) and Josh Carlsen and Mike Dawson (Tacofino Victoria)

Why we’re excited Purportedly a fresh and faithful take on Middle Eastern food with that Tacofino touch. Arch motifs, neon signage and bold colours are going to make for a cool room, too.

2. Foxtrot Tango Whiskey Bar

777 Douglas Street, Victoria

Who Rock star B.C. bartender Shawn Soole (Clive’s, Little Jumbo)

Why we’re excited It channels a 1950s L.A. lounge and will immediately rise to the forefront of the capital’s must-visit watering holes.

3. Bells and Whistles

3296 Fraser Street, Vancouver

Who James Iranzad and Josh Pape (Bufala, Wildebeest, Lucky Taco)

Why we’re excited Just up the street from Fraserhood central, get ready for a sports bar with seriously elevated food (and a wraparound patio).

4. Calcutta Cricket Club

340 17 Avenue SW, Calgary

Who Cody Willis (Native Tongues Taqueria, Two Penny)

Why we’re excited Oft-under-represented Bengali cuisine takes centre stage, with a cosmopolitan room from artist Maya Gohill  (her very first interior design project).

5. Die Pie

11215 Jasper Avenue NW, Edmonton

Who Brother-sister chef duo Neil Royale (formerly Westin Bayshore, Market by Jean-Georges in Vancouver) and Karuna Goodall

Why we’re excited Edmonton’s first plant-based pizzeria is serving up Neapolitan-style pies and sold-separately artisanal vegan cheeses like truffle brie and raw gorgonzola.