By Anya Levykh, Westender. Image: Royal Dinette head chef Jack Chen | Photo: Dan Toulgoet
Dine Out Vancouver is back January 15-31 with a record 288 restaurants taking part this year. In addition to the great $20, $30, and $40 dining options around the city, there are more than 100 special culinary events taking place at some of Vancouver's best restaurants. Here's five events you can't afford to miss!
Gastronomisk Innovation + Royal Dinette
Another collaborative chef dinner, this time between Royal Dinette’s David Gunawan and Denmark’s Rasmus Leck Fischer. It’s a true meeting of the minds between these two leaders of locally-sourced and sustainably procured farm-to-fork cuisine. Includes six-course dinner and beverage pairings. $119.
Craft Beer and Food Pairing Tour
Let Vancouver Brewery Tours take you on a guided tasting tour of three local breweries and the foods that pair well with beer. You will visit Postmark Brewing/Belgard Kitchen, Main Street Brewing and Big Rock Urban Brewing. Each brewery will prepare a sample dish designed to complement the beers you’ll be drinking. Knowledgeable guides will also walk you through how to properly pair beer with food. Transportation between locations is also provided. Multiple dates available. $79.
Urban Tea Merchant is known for their highly knowledgeable tea sommeliers. Enjoy this unique evening where every course and cocktail is infused with tea. Taste dishes like Imperial Keemun tea-encrusted tuna tataki and Jade of Africa tea-infused pork belly with pan-seared scallop, red and gold beet purée, and Moroccan mint tea-infused lamb chop. Evening includes tea-infused cocktail pairings, tea pairings, and five-course tasting menu. Multiple dates and times. $86.
Back for its fifth year, this is free to attend, but make sure to bring an empty stomach. Open daily throughout the festival, the rotating collection of more than 20 of the city’s best food trucks and carts gather together at the North Plaza of the Vancouver Art Gallery, along with tents, tables and live music, for a perfect winter picnic. Each vendor will have special creations and Dine Out pricing available.
Let’s face it, Vancouver has a major addiction when it comes to coffee and sweets. Go on a “wake-and-bake” tour with Off the Eaten Track as you explore two local coffee shops and bakeries like Cadeaux, Purebread, and Cartems. Multiple dates. $45.
Dine Out Vancouver 2016 by the numbers
288: The number of Vancouver restaurants taking part in this year’s Dine Out, a new record!
17: The number of days the event runs: January 15-31.
100,000: How many Vancouverites and visitors are expected to take part this year.
20, 30, or 40: How many dollars you’ll spend for a three-course dinner at some of Vancouver’s best restaurants.
100+: The number of special food-themed events planned for this year’s festival.
21: How many hotels are participating with special rates this year.
For full festival details, visit DineOutVancouver.com
