Tourism Vancouver’s Dine Out Vancouver Festival starts Jan. 16, but reservations to restaurants and tickets to events are in full swing!
The standard prix fixe menu has been the root of the festival since it started, but sure has it grown. Over the last few years the festival has included culinary events to the celebration, which is a refreshing highlight.
It is no secret I have a love-hate relationship with Dine Out Vancouver. I feel strongly about the “Dos and Don’ts of Dine Out Vancouver”, and hope people keep them in mind.
On the other hand, there are restaurants doing it justice and if it gets people trying something new, it’s a positive thing. I just wish it would happen without the festival too.
Anyhow, I could be biased since I’m hosting an event myself, but the events are a unique component to the festival I truly enjoy. These one-off experiences are curated by local talent and are less about the bargain, but more about the experience…although there are some events for excellent value.
I haven’t attended these events (except for my own last year which I’m putting on again this year), and the others new to the festival, but here are three I’d be excited to attend.
Bittered Sling Bistro Pop-Up Dinner: Mexican Hat Dance
You’re bound to eat and drink well when these two team up. Partners in life and Bittered Sling, bartender/sommelier Lauren Mote and executive chef Jonathan Chovancek of Café Medina are coming together for a special pop-up dinner at Cibo Trattoria and UVA Wine & Cocktail Bar. The three-course dinner paired with Mote's tequila-driven cocktails will make you rethink tequila if you ever questioned it before. If you’re thinking shots…you better stop.
The Ultimate Mac & Cheese Dinner
Mac and cheese. Please…like this is a hard sell. It’s nostalgic comfort food. Everyone has a soft spot for it, and that spot may get softer after this five-course meal – three of which are different takes on mac and cheese. You still get a healthy salad to start, dessert to end (I’m guessing cheesecake) and wine pairings in between, so what’s there to lose? Maybe a bit of weight later, but let’s not think about that. Jokes aside, I’m happy to support culinary students and their events at Bistro 101 at the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts.
6 Course Discourse
C’mon! You knew it was coming right? Think TED Talks, but the culinary version. The event kicks off with a stand-up food and wine reception featuring 10 Vancouver restaurants (Hawksworth Restaurant, Cioppino’s Mediterranean Grill & Enoteca, Maenam, The Fish Counter, Savoury Chef, Thomas Haas Chocolates & Patisserie, Bambudda, No Fixed Address Catering, Nextjen Gluten Free, and Chocolate Arts) and six BC wineries. Chefs prepare food using sustainable meats from Two Rivers Specialty Meat and seafood from Organic Ocean. Following the reception is a series of culinary talks from Vancouver’s renowned chefs including David Hawksworth, Pino Posteraro, Angus An, Robert Clark, Taryn Wa, and Thomas Haas. Hear their stories, passions, and frustrations at this full on entertaining night…all hosted by me!
• Find out more about Mijune at FollowMeFoodie.com or follow her on Twitter and Instagram @followmefoodie.
