The results are in from the Eighth Annual Chinese Restaurant Diners’ Choice Awards, with over 34,000 votes received. Some standouts include Landmark on Cambie for Best Hotpot, Peninsula Seafood at Oakridge for Best Fine Dining, and St. Germain for Best Bakery. The Critics’ Choice winners will be announced on March 2. Full results from the Diners’ Choice awards can be seen online. ChineseRestaurantAwards.com
Bodega on Main has announced that, starting this month, it will donate 15 per cent of every Monday’s food sales to Rethink Breast Cancer, an advocacy, education and community building organization geared at women 40 and under going through breast cancer. The move comes after owner Paul Rivas’ sister was diagnosed and went through treatment for breast cancer, and became involved with the organization.
Chef Tret Jordan of Homer St. Café & Bar has been promoted to executive chef of both this and sister restaurant Tableau Bar Bistro. Chef Garett Blundell, former sous chef at Homer St., is the new Chef de Cuisine at Tableau.
Edible Canada is extending their Dine Out menu for a limited time. Take advantage of the $30 three-course menu that lets you choose one starter, one main and one dessert off the regular menu.
Ganache Patisserie has re-created a childhood favourite just in time for Valentine’s Day. The Saint Valentin Chocolat S’more cake ($28.95) is composed of dual layers of hazelnut graham cracker crust sandwiching layers of Bailey’s chocolate mousse, moist chocolate cake, vanilla guimauve centre, with caramelized Italian meringue marshmallow topping. Available by pre-order, for pick-up February 12-14.
The Uncommon Café is holding a special Valentine’s cooking class on Feb. 13 at 6pm featuring tarte flambée, aumoniere de saumon, and lava cake. Learn how to create romantic dinner or just enjoy an evening of fine French food with other couples. Tickets $70 per person.
Marquis Wine Cellars is launching a series of tutored tastings beginning mid-February. Hosted by wine educator Pamela Cohen, the classes will each feature five or six wines from a specific region. Each class will begin with education on culture, heritage, grape varieties grown and wine making process for that region. Each 90-minute class starts at $25 and also includes same-day discounts should you wish to purchase wines tasted during the event.
On March 3, the Chefs’ Table Society of BC’s third annual Curry Cup returns to Heritage Hall on Main Street for a fun evening of competition, curry, cocktails, wines and brews. Chefs competing this year include Clement Chan from Torafuku, Justin Cheung from Longtail Kitchen, and Josh Gale from Nicli’s Next Door, among others. Tickets ($60) include samples of curry from each competitor, wine from Evolve Cellars, beer from R&B Brewing, and cocktails (and mocktails) from Lauren Mote.
Sai Woo is introducing a new brunch menu as of Feb. 14, available every Sunday 11am-2pm, as well as a “Late, Late Nite” dim sum menu every Friday and Saturday night from 11:30pm to 1:30am. The brunch menu includes cashew pancakes with cashew cream and Szechuan peppercorn syrup, eggs benedict on scallion biscuit with Chinese sausage and daily housemade congee. The dim sum menu includes sticky rice wrapped in lotus leaf, vegetarian bean curd rolls, mushroom dumplings with truffle oil, chicken and cloud ear mushroom dumplings, and more.
The 22nd annual Dining Out for Life is back on Thursday, March 10, once again raising funds in support of individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS. This year, over 100 participating restaurants between White Rock and Whistler will donate 25 per cent of that day’s food sales to local not-for-profits Friends for Life and A Loving Spoonful.
BC Distilled, Canada’s premier craft and micro-distillery festival, will take place on March 26, with multiple locations and events throughout the city. Approximately 26 distilleries will be participating, pouring samples of their locally-made gin, vodka, whiskey, liqueurs and more. Proceeds from the festival will go to support the Pacific Assistance Dogs Society (PADS). As well, Legacy Liquor will have a pop-up shop on site, selling more than 100 products from participating distilleries. New participants this year include Sheringham Distillery, de Vine Wine & Spirits, Okanagan Crush Pad, and Woods Spirits Co.
