According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, humans cannot attain self-actualization without first tending to such basic physiological needs as water, sleep, and smoked pork. Achieve overall fulfillment with today's Groupon: for $15, you get $30 worth of gastro-pub fare at the Charlatan on Commercial Drive.

The Charlatan's rich, mahogany ambience complements the smoky, mesquite flavours and applewood-scented entrees that make this local pub one to top the to-do list. Hearty menu items such as the house-pulled pork ($14) assuages whiny bellies, while the chicken pot pie ($13) and mom's meatloaf ($13) satisfy a deeply rooted down-home hunger pangs. Fifteen beers on tap, 12 wines by the glass, and a creative cocktail list cure a homesick soul in one sip, whereas drinking the 911 wing sauce is not recommended unless you've gone and frozen your teeth to the flagpole again.

Reviews

The Charlatan has a mention in Vancouver magazine, a 3.5-star average from Yelpers, and an average of 3.5 owl eyes from three TripAdvisors:

• 17 shiny taps are front and centre at the Charlatan, where imported draft brews like Kilkenny, Delerium, and Strongbow are revered by beer-savvy patrons – Vancouver magazine
• The Charlatan is an excellent pub with really good food and a decent selection of beers. The service is good and due to the tiered layout is much larger than it would appear. Well worth checking out! – Dean P., Yelp