Sad news: Barbara-jo (sic) McIntosh, owner of Barbara-Jo’s Books to Cooks, has announced that her well-loved and much-acclaimed cookbook store will be closing on Feb. 28 after 20 years in operation. The store has hosted culinary luminaries including Ferran Adria, Anthony Bourdain and many more. Stop in to say goodbye (and to buy a book!). BooksToCooks.com
On Monday, Jan. 30, Bauhaus Restaurant hosts a special Spanish wine dinner. The multi-course menu is $130 per person, and wines are available by the glass at cost plus 20 per cent. Bauhaus-Restaurant.com
David Hawksworth’s Nightingale is launching its first Dine Out experience with something a little different. Every night of the festival (which runs to Feb. 5), the restaurant is offering its Chef’s Table Experience for 14-18 people. Chef Phil Scarfone will craft a unique multi-course dinner each night, and the table is yours for the evening. $63 per person. HawkNightingale.com/DineOutVancouver.com
On Monday, Feb. 6, West Restaurant, as part of the BC Truffle Festival, hosts a gala truffle dinner in partnership with the Truffle Association of British Columbia. The five-course meal includes dishes featuring a wide variety of BC truffle species, including Mediterranean Perigord, Oregon Black and White Winter. Tickets $175 per person, with optional wine pairings an additional $69. Email [email protected] or call 604-738-8938. WestRestaurant.com
Blue Water Cafe will be offering its annual Unsung Heroes menu during the month of February, celebrating unique and sustainable seafood. In the past, the à la carte menu has included such rarely seen items as red sea urchin trifle, stir-fried jellyfish, and sturgeon liver pâté. BlueWaterCafe.net
WildTale Coastal Grill is currently offering a Surf & Turf Sunday dinner featuring a classic roast beef dinner supplemented with your choice of seafood. Each dinner includes slow-roasted beef au jus, mashed potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, and seasonal vegetables, plus your choice of lobster tail, jumbo prawn skewer, scallop skewer, or prawn and scallop combo. $24.95 per person. WildTale.ca
The fourth annual BC Distilled Festival, Canada’s premier craft and micro-distillery festival, returns Apr. 8 to the Croatian Cultural Centre. More than 30 BC distilleries are participating this year, as well as various restaurants. Proceeds from the event will support the Pacific Assistance Dogs Society (PADS). BCDistilled.ca
Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar will be offering a special Valentine’s Day dinner service. Chef Alex Chen’s four-course menu includes slow-poached oyster with Northern Divine caviar, pâté en croute, butter-poached lobster tail or New York striploin, and dessert, plus a box of petits fours to take home. Shaved black truffles, seared foie gras, a cheese course, and a caviar serving are available for additional charges. Tickets $99 per person (optional wine pairings $59). BoulevardVancouver.ca
Don’t miss Street Food City, the annual pop-up food-truck festival that’s part of Dine Out Vancouver. This year (until Jan. 29), more than 25 trucks will be lined up along Howe Street between Georgia and Smithe. Partial Proceeds will be donated to A Loving Spoonful. DineOutVancouver.com
