In case you’ve been living in a cave and have never heard of it, the annual Dining Out for Life fundraising event is back on March 10, and it is a huge deal. What started as a single event in 1991 in Philadephia has since grown to include more than 60 cities throughout the United States and Canada.
Each year, participating restaurants donate 25 per cent of their food sales for that day to a local HIV/AIDS service agency. Why is this so important in Vancouver? Look at the numbers. More than 71,000 people are currently living with HIV/AIDS in Canada, according to the Public Health Agency, with more than 25 per cent of those based here in BC. The Downtown Eastside has the highest prevalence of HIVS/AIDS in the Western world, reaching as high as 27 per cent of the population. When you count the families and caregivers of these individuals, the impact is massive.
Thankfully, we have some stellar organizations in the city that provide a wide range of support services. A Loving Spoonful provides free, healthy meals to men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS in Greater Vancouver and the surrounding areas. Last year, they provided over 100,000 meals. Friends for Life, another registered not-for profit, is an integrated wellness centre that provides complementary and integrative therapies to people living with life-threatening illnesses, including HIV/AIDS, as well as their families and caregivers. Treatments range from massage and yoga to naturopathic and traditional Chinese medicine, home care, and meal programs.
So, here’s where you come in. On March 10, you get to do what you do anyway (e.g. dine out at a restaurant), except this time your meal will directly send funds to these organizations. How? Simple. Go out and eat at a participating restaurant. That’s it. Whether it’s for breakfast, lunch or dinner, take your friends, chow down on a good burger or beet salad or sushi or whatever, and you’ve done your bit for humanity for the day.
To help you out, here are some of my top picks for Dining Out for Life. You can see the full list of participating restaurants from White Rock to Whistler at DiningOutForLife.com/Vancouver.
Breakfast
The Gallery Café, 750 Hornby
It always amazes me how often this little gem is overlooked. Located inside the Vancouver Art Gallery on the second floor, it boasts a bright and beautiful room, classical music in the background, and a garden setting. Start the day right with a shrimp and asparagus quiche and an espresso.
Southside Diner (Whistler)
It’s a Creekside institution for hungry skiers and early-bird families alike. Massive portions, retro prices, and the best brie-stuffed French toast anywhere.
Lunch
Beach Bay Café, 1193 Denman
Located right on English Bay, this clean, contemporary room serves up casual seafood with panache. Fish and chips, albacore tuna with carrot escabeche, or a classic seafood chowder with lardons all await your pleasure.
Maenam, 1938 West 4th
It just keeps getting better and better at this popular Thai eatery in Kits. Don’t miss the grilled Thai sausage, fermented in-house, with crispy rice salad. Or the halibut green curry.
Dinner
Homer St. Café and Bar, 898 Homer
The rotisserie chicken is justly famous, but I wouldn’t skip the baked ricotta gnudi or the slow-cooked bison shortribs, either.
Timber, 1300 Robson
Brand-spankin’ new, the Canadian comfort food here is both sustainable and delicious. Elk tourtiere, mushroom “poutine,” bison burger, it’s all perfect for a rainy spring night.
