Tacofino Gastown is celebrating their one-year anniversary by selling half-price fish tacos on Saturday, Jan. 30. All proceeds will be donated to Potluck Café Society, a Gastown-based non-profit organization that helps create jobs for people with barriers to employment and provides healthy food options. In addition, Tacofino will also donate one dollar for every use of the hashtag #tacoversary shared to Instagram and Twitter on the 30th. Tacofino.com/Gastown
Blue Water Café’s Unsung Heroes menu is back for the 12th year in a row. The special collection of à la carte dishes are available Feb. 2-29 and celebrate lesser-known but highly sustainable – and local – seafood items like red sea urchin, periwinkle, jellyfish and more. Expect to see limpets added to the menu this year. Ten per cent of proceeds are donated to Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise ocean conservation program. BlueWaterCafe.net
Les Dames d’Escoffier BC Chapter is once again offering scholarships for BC women interested in beginning or continuing training in the culinary, beverage and hospitality fields. All scholarships are awarded based on merit, ability, commitment and passion, and may range in value from $300 to $2,000 depending on funds available, program requirements and approved candidates. Find more information at LesDames.ca/Scholarship-Program
Following last year’s successful San Sebastien experiment, Salt Tasting Room is launching the “Italian Gas Station Experiment” for the month of February. Partnering with Urbani Foods, Salt will be offering complimentary samples such as Venetian tea sandwiches, arancini and fresh sausages sous vide (all popular gas station snacks in Italy) to guests who purchase any glass, flight or bottle of wine. Available daily, 4pm-6pm. SaltTastingRoom.com
Okanagan Crush Pad has added to their spirits line with the introduction of a special gin created for Vikram Vij and wife Meeru Dhalwala. Vij’s Bolly Water is a grape-based spirit in the classic London Dry style, with a flavour based in juniper berries. Available at Vij’s Restaurant and the winery. OkanaganCrushPad.com
The Valentine’s deals are here…Royal Dinette is hosting a special multi-course dinner on February 14 that includes poached oyster, ling cod with clams and winter chanterelles, beef rib eye, and barley ice cream. Tickets $65 per person, optional wine pairings available for an additional $45. RoyalDinette.ca
L’Abattoir’s four-course menu for lovebirds includes Pacific oyster and black truffle, smoked duck breast with blood orange, chicory and carrot, 48-hour braised short rib with salsa verde or ling cod with clams, crispy pork and fennel, black forest cake, mignardises, and wine pairings. Available only on Feb. 14. Tickets $145 per person, including tax and wine pairings. Labattoir.ca
Cibo Trattoria’s five-course tasting menu on Feb. 14 includes local oysters, black pepper tagliatelle with venison ragu, Coho salmon, grilled rib-eye, and optional wine pairings. Tickets $65 per person, plus tax and gratuity. CiboTrattoria.com
Beach Bay Café is offering both their regular à la carte menu, as well as a special four-course Valentine’s dinner for $49 per person. The tasting menu includes seared albacore tuna with carrot escabeche, scallops with sea urchin and apple, duo of duck with lentils, mushroom ragout and kale, and coconut sorbet with apples and raspberries. Optional wine pairings also available. BeachBayCafe.com
Thomas Haas has unveiled his line-up of Valentine’s offerings, including “Love Birds” (a handcrafted pair of ornately-decorated love birds, with a selection of chocolates and truffles, for $55), and “Valentine’s Flowerpot” (edible chocolate flowerpot with selection of chocolates and truffles, $45), available at both the Kitsilano and North Vancouver stores. ThomasHaas.com
Sick of Valentine’s Day? Café Medina is holding an Anti-Valentine’s Day communal feast for singles, couples, friends and families, for $69 per person. The five-course dinner includes foie gras torchon, spiced duck breast, and vanilla-cardamom cake. A glass of sparkling wine and live entertainment is also included. MedinaCafe.com
