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Make a Dash for Dine Out 2019 Tickets

Since 2002 Vancouverites have been filling their winters and bellies with Dine Out Vancouver Festival’s prix fixe menu deals.  What started with just 57 restaurants has grown to become Canada’s largest food and drink festival, with 300+ restaurants, breweries, wineries, events and more to indulge.

Grand Tasting
photo: Carly Whetter

From January 18 to February 3, 2019 restaurants from South Surrey to North Vancouver welcome guests with $15, $25, $35 and $45 fixed price brunch, lunch and dinner menus.  The restaurant menus are revealed and reservations are open to the public today, January 10th,  visit dineoutvancouver.com to start your Dine Out planning.

In addition to a restaurant menus, a series of spectacular tasting events fill the days and evenings.  The events start off with The Grand Tasting, a preview launch event January 17th at Rocky Mountaineer Station. The World Chef Exchange brings chefs from San Diego, London, Sydney, Montreal and Dusseldorf to work with local chefs in their restaurants. Street Food City, the food truck fest is back for its eighth year.

Street Food City
photo: Carly Whetter

Secret Supper Soirees are are back for mysterious dinners. Food & Drink Tours of all kinds fill the festival dates. Many events are already sold out, so if you haven’t check out the Events listings and book soon.

Coming from out of town, or even if you’re local, why not make a night of it and book a night at the Dine Out Special Room Rates or a Dine & Stay package with one of the participating Dine Out Hotel Partners. 

Dine Out Vancouver Festival 2019 runs January 18 – February 3, 2019. For menu information, restaurant and hotel reservations and event tickets visit dineoutvancouver.com

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5 Places To Plunge Into 2019

New Year’s Day brings many traditions, resolutions, new taxes and for many a Polar Bear swim or Penguin Plunge into frigid waters to kick the New Year into motion. Whether you take the plunge on your own or at an organized event, enjoy the start of your 2019.

Here’s a few of the local Polar Bear swims taking place around Metro Vancouver:

Vancouver Polar Bear Swim – English Bay Beach 2:30 – 3:30pm : dress up, donate to the Greater Vancouver Food Banks and dive into the waters of English Bay for the 99th year.

North Shore Penguin Plunge – Panorama Park, Deep Cove 12:30 – 3pm : live music, food, and refreshments, proceeds support the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Station 2.

Delta Polar Bear Swim – Boundary Bay Regional Park 12-1pm : start 2019 off with the 39th annual plunge into the chilly waters of Boundary Bay.

Port Moody Penguin Plunge – Rocky Point Park Boat Launch 11:30 – 1pm : a fundraiser for the Pleasantside Community Association registration $5/person or $10/family

White Rock Polar Bear Swim – due to the recent storm damage to White Rock pier, this annual event is cancelled for this year. 

A Beach Near You – any time, any place with a shoreline can become a spot for a polar bear swim; take a solo plunge to find your 2019 zen or gather your friends for a group penguin plunge.

Whatever way or wherever you spend your New Year’s Day, I hope it heralds a healthy, happy and successful 2019!

 

 

 

 

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12 Days of Christmas Price Index 2018 – Inforgraphic

As you’re wrapping up your holidays shopping to fill the stockings and put under the Christmas tree, did you ever consider what it would cost if you purchased all the items on the 12 Days of Christmas?

The PNC Christmas Price Index is out to let you know what would it set you back if you were to buy each item in the 12 days.

This year the total has increased by 1.2% over 2017, hitting a hefty
$39, 094.93.  If you were to shop for the 12 Days online, it would add an extra $2,071.02, for shipping.

The Geese A Laying had the biggest jump in price this year, costing an extra 8.3%, while the Gold Rings reflected lower commodity prices in a 9.1% drop in cost.

While the individual pricing seems high, it’s nothing compared to the cumulative cost if you were to buy the total number of each item in the 12 days.  The total of 364 gifts would hit your bank account with a whopping $170, 609.46.

For a full breakdown of the PNC Christmas Price Index visit pncchristmaspriceindex.com and check out the DIY Craft Projects for each of the Days to create your own version of the 12 Days of Christmas.

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5 Neighbourhoods’ Spots to Shop for Last Minute Stocking Stuffers

Christmas is just days away, but there’s still time to pop into these neighbourhood shops for some great stocking stuffers and gifts.

Here’s a few of the places you might want to put on your list when Christmas Shopping;


GASTOWN

Old Faithful Shop : clothes, housewares, papergoods, and more

espace d. : furniture, art, books and jewelry

Orling & Wu : bed, bath, beauty, boardroom and beyond

 

CHINATOWN

Treasure Green Tea Company: premium and rare teas, gifts and accessories

Dalina:  treats, gadgets, and groceries from soup to nuts

Eight Treasures Shop at Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden: one-of-a-kind collectables, gifts, art

 

 

 

DOWNTOWN

Cook Culture: everything you need for the kitchen, cooking and culinary

Vancouver Art Gallery Store: unique art books & works, jewelry, giftware

Redfish Kids: baby, toddler, & children’s toys, clothes, and accessories


YALETOWN

Barking Babies: everything for the hip canine and dog lover

The Cross Decor & Design:  kitchen, bedroom, living, lifestyle

Masc:   face, body, hair care, products and advice, for the men on your list

GRANVILLE ISLAND

Circle Craft Co-op: works of 130+ local craftspeople

Craft Council of BC Shop: featuring products from council membership

Make Vancouver: design, print, engrave and make your own custom product

 

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Give a Foodie Gift from Vancouver Foodster

Perfect for the foodie on your holiday shopping list, Vancouver Foodster has a trio of great events coming in the New Year; 6th Annual Noodle Mania on January 16th, 7th Anniversary Tasting Plates Downtown  on February 6th, and Tasting Plates Mount Pleasant on February 27th.  Any or all of them will appeal to the friend or family member on your list who has great taste.

Noodle Mania – January 16, 2019 is a roaming tour in exploration of the city’s noodle dishes from Cambie Village, to Olympic Village, and Commercial Drive. Along the way, taste all sorts of noodles from chow mein to spaghetti to mac & cheese, pho, pad thai, ramen and more. Restaurants featured in Noodle Mania include; Mangia Cucina & Bar on Manitoba St, Hon’s Won Ton House on East 2nd, Viet House Restaurant on Cambie Str, Pami /Tseng Noodles, and more.

Tasting Plates Downtown – February 6, 2019 explores the neighbourhood restaurants in the downtown core of Vancouver including such locations as La Cantina Urban Taco Bar on Nelson St, Firecrust Neapolitan Pizzeria, and Mumbai Local on Davie St.

 

Tasting Plates Mount Pleasant – February 27, 2019 takes a tasting tour of the Mount Pleasant, Olympic Village, False Creek neighbourhoods to see what’s new and flavourful; like the new PappaRoti location on Columbia St. in Olympic Village.

On each of these Vancouver Foodster events, the participating restaurants will be serving up Tasting Bowls or Plates for guests to enjoy. Along the way the tasters will have a chance to visit many different types of restaurants across the events, meet some new food loving friends,  meet the chefs, and learn about each of the participating restaurants.

Find early-bird and advance tickets for all of these events on sale now. Visit vancouverfoodsterevents.com for links to purchase from Eventbrite.

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5 Hotel Restaurants to find Christmas Dinner To Go

There’s just one week until Christmas Day. On top of all the hustle and bustle of the season, you might not want to spend Christmas day prepping and cooking.  Why not leave the work to someone else and order your Christmas feast?

Here’s a few locations around Vancouver that will prepare your Christmas dinner for you, so you can just reheat, eat and enjoy the company of family and friends…plus the eventual turkey coma.

Globe at Fairmont Vancouver Airport:  $399 (8-10 guests)
Available December 24 & 25, deadline to order Friday December 21, 2018.
Turkey To Go includes:
Fraser Valley Slow Roasted Turkey
Sage Infused Gravy
Local Cranberry Relish
Traditional Yukon Gold Whipped Potatoes
Maple Bacon Brussel Sprouts, Orange Essence
Fresh Baked Dinner Rolls & Creamery Butter
Saje and Cranberry Stuffing
Pastry Chef John’s Pumpkin Pie with Candied Pumpkin Seeds and Cranberry Chantilly
Visit fairmont.com/vancouver-airport-richmond for details and ordering information

Notch 8

Notch 8 at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver: $399 (8-10 guests), including $25 gift certificate to Notch 8
Available December 24 & 25, deadline to order Thursday December 20, 2018.
Notch 8 Christmas Dinner Turkey To Go includes:
Whole Roasted Fraser Valley Turkey
Date & Turkey Sausage Stuffing
Honey Glazed Heirloom Carrots, Sautéed Brussels Sprouts
Creamy Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes
Cranberry Orange Relish
Pan Gravy
Artisan Bread, Creamery Butter
Spiced Pumpkin Pie & Madagascar Vanilla Chantilly
Visit notch8-dining.com for details and ordering information

Sutton Place Hotel Vancouver: $395 (10-12 guests)
Available December 23-26, deadline to order, noon Thursday December 20, 2018, while supplies last.
Sutton Place Christmas Turkey To Go includes:
18 lbs roasted turkey (whole or sliced)
Herb stuffing
Seasonal vegetable medley (baby carrots, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, zucchini)
Traditional mashed potatoes
Cranberry sauce and gravy
Assorted dinner rolls (12)
Cranberry cheesecake
Visit suttonplace.com for details and ordering information

H2 Restaurant

H2 Restaurant at Westin Bayshore: $200(6-8 guests) / $275(10-12 guests)
Available December 22-26, deadline to order, Thursday December 20, 2018.
Festive Turkey Take Out includes: 
Slow Roast Rossdown Farm Free Range Turkey
Fig & Brioche stuffing
Honey roasted winter vegetables
Buttered carrots and spouts
Buttermilk pomme purée
Sage pan gravy & house cranberry sauce
optional festive sweets are also available to add-on
Visit h2restaurant.com for details and ordering information

Copper Chimney at Executive Le Soleil Hotel: $32 / person
Available for pick up December 24, deadline to order Thursday December 20, 2018
Holiday Turkey-To-Go Package includes:
Turkey Roulade
Crispy Brussel Sprouts
Wild rice stuffing
Heirloom carrots
Whipped potato
Cranberry gastrique
Bourbon barberry gravy
Wild mushroom velouté with crème fraiche
Pear & Ginger spiced pudding
Visit Copper Chimney on Facebook for details and booking instructions

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Provence Marinaside celebrates The 12 Days of Bubbles

The holidays are a time for celebration and get-togethers, and what goes better with festive season than raising a nice, glass of bubbly to toast the occasion.  Provence Marinaside  is helping you get into the spirit of the season with The 12 Days of Bubbles.

Running December 17th to 31st, Provence Marinaside, renowned for having the largest list of bubbles in Vancouver, 35 including champagnes, will be offering a specially selected bottle of champagne at 25 percent discount each day leading up to the biggest and bubbliest night of the year, New Year’s Eve, when all the champagnes in their collection (17 in total) will be 25 percent off.
“If the holiday season and the new year isn’t a good enough reason to celebrate with friends, then this should do it,” says Carlson. “ Treat yourself to a bottle of bubbles, raise a glass, and toast to getting your Christmas shopping done early. If you’re still shopping, then you deserve a break with something tasty to eat and bubbly to go with it.”

The 12 Days of Bubbles culminates in the ‘bonus day’ of New Year’s Eve. As in past years, Provence will be offering an elegant a la carte menu designed by Executive Chef Jean-Francis Quaglia and Chef de Cuisine Sheldon Maloff especially for the evening, along with live music from Harris and DeBray. Reservations for ‘the bubbliest night of the year’ can be secured with a credit card by calling the restaurant.

If a full bottle of bubble is just too much of a good thing, pop into TWB-The Wine Bar , next door to Provence Marinaside, where all bubbly, including non-champagnes and by-the-glass pours, is 25 percent off as the Daily Deal on Saturdays (Sparkling Saturday) and Sundays (Sunday Funday).

Whichever way you raise a glass, enjoy your bubbly celebrations with your friends and family! For the full list of which bubbles are featured each day, visit provencemarinaside.ca/12-days-of-bubbles-2018