Hastings House-37

The culinary countdown for Tourism Vancouver’s 12th Annual Dine Out Vancouver Festival has officially begun. Kicking off on January 17, 2014, Dine Out Vancouver’s the perfect excuse for locals to rejuvenate after the post-holiday slump by indulging in a culinary staycation.

Raspberry Sorbet

Presented by Tourism Vancouver, Dine Out Vancouver is a city-wide celebration of eating out, attracting tens of thousands of local and visiting foodies to Vancouver’s exceptionally diverse collection of restaurants for 17 days.

Now entering its 12th year, Canada’s largest restaurant festival allows diners to sample menus from hundreds of restaurants around the city at a prix-fixe cost (set at $18, $28, and $38 per person), many with suggested BC VQA pairings (at an additional cost).

Jackson-Triggs Riesling Icewine ready to go

With event tickets and hotel bookings available for purchase this week, diners can start building a personalized experience guaranteed to satisfy tummies, pique the palate, and create unforgettable Dine Out memories. The full list of participating restaurants and their menus will be released to the public on January 6, 2014. 

This year’s menu of festival events is packed with out-of-the-oven experiences crafted by Vancouver’s top chefs, restaurateurs, and food experts.

forage Vancouver: hearty squash soup

The carefully curated mix of brand-new events and returning favourites includes: 


Soup Project (Untitled)
At Dine Out’s kickoff event, 50 of Vancouver’s top chefs will each toss an ingredient into a boiling pot – and the entire city is invited to taste the result. Talk about a food-fueled adventure! 


Six Course Discourse
Curated and emceed by popular local blogger Mijune Pak of Follow Me Foodie, this delectable discussion features six of Vancouver’s top chefs – including Vikram Vij, Hamid Samilian, and John Bishop – chewing the fat about all things culinary. Reception and wine tasting included.

Braised lamb shank, carrot pavé, Meyer lemon marmalade

Film Feast: Jiro Dreams of Sushi
Grab your gourmet popcorn and journey to Japan during the Shangri-La’s exclusive screening of this foodie film classic in the hotel’s private 36-seat theatre – then settle in for a Jiro-inspired four-course feast at MARKET by Jean-Georges. 


Snowshoe Fondue tour @ Mt. Washington
[Snowshoe Fondue tour photo by John Biehler on Flickr]

The Snowshoe Fondue
There’s nothing cheesy about this cozy snowshoe and fromage-focused fondue at Grouse Mountain. 


La Baguette & L'Echalote smoked salmon at Plated and Paired
[La Baguette & L’Echalote smoked salmon at Plated and Paired, 2012]

Plated & Paired at the Public Market
A rare, after-hours opportunity to taste the best of Granville Island paired with BC VQA wines. This is by far one of my favourite Dine Out events and sells out quickly!


Guanaco Salvadoran cuisine/Ayote pupusa
[Food truck heaven: Guanaco Salvadoran cuisine’s Ayote pupusa]

Street Food City III
Third time’s the charm for this lunchtime assembly of Vancouver’s diverse collection of food carts, which will congregate at the Vancouver Art Gallery plaza.

Throughout the festival, diners can participate in the Best Bite Awards and vote for their favourite Dine Out experience by rating restaurants in a variety of categories, including Best Menu (for each price category), Best Service, Best BC VQA Wine Pairing, and Best Restaurant Experience. Stay tuned for more information on the newly-revamped Dine Out For a Year contest.

Opus Hotel Revamped/Billy Room
[Opus Hotel’s “Billy Room”]

Hotels taking part in the 2014 Dine Out Vancouver Festival feature rooms priced at $78, $108, and $138 (per room, per night), and many have also developed palate-pleasing culinary packages that include three-course dinners and luxurious accommodations with handy amenities such as valet parking and late check-out. Dine Out room bookings are available for stays taking place January 17 through February 2, and can be reserved online.


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