Dine Out! Is it really that time of year again already?
Indeed, it is. Tourism Vancouver’s Dine Out Festival returns January 18 to Feb 3. In the beginning the two week event (which first took flight 17 years ago) was little more than a discount loss leader. It was conceived as a way to blow away the post holiday, pre-tax time Doldrums. And it worked from the very start, driving much needed business to restaurants that used to lay people off once the busy holiday season was over. Now all that has changed. Today’s well rounded, all encompassing food festival has since soared beyond all expectations.
With over 300 resto’s and counting, Dine Out has blossomed into a Lower Mainland-wide food, wine and all round culinary bonanza. It’s a fitting celebration for a dining scene that many of us take for granted. These days Dine Out invites you to indulge in everything from secret supper destinations to bites at swanky hotels, foodie tours and plenty more. More on those shortly. But you can check it all out here.
Real Dine Out Bargains
Not surprising, perhaps, over 17 years the three course price levels have crept up. The bulk of this year’s menus check in at the $35 and $45 level. But the essence of that original, budget festival remains. Consider these Dine Out bargains—that really do add up to a, well, delicious deal. They may not be fancy. They’re not, in fact. But they do offer a chance for a quick bite at a pretty decent price. And they might even have you running back for more, once Dine Out is done—which is the whole idea.
I’ll have plenty more to come on this year’s more elevated Dine Out offerings. But, for now, these budget bites (mainly lunches) are a reminder of what Dine Out used to be all about. And, evidently, in some ways, still is.
As always, please don’t forget to tip.
Lin
OK. Total admission of bias here. But I first had Lin’s dumplings probably a couple of decades ago and have loved them ever since. Too bad they’re not on the menu (dinner). But it’s a wicked deal. So much so that you can afford to order them on the side— $5.50. Or maybe you can use your Aeroplan points ;-)… Worth a try.
https://www.dineoutvancouver.com/listings/lin-chinese-cuisine/50586/
Torafuku lunch
If you’ve never been to Torafuku, the question is: Why not? Here’s your chance. Lunch is the Real Deal. But dinner ($25) is also well worth it. Some of the most fun and best conceived modern Asian fare in town. Done.
https://www.dineoutvancouver.com/listings/torafuku/40785/
Popina Canteen (all day)
Popina proprietors and chefs, l-r: Hamid Salimian, Joël Watanabe, Angus An and Robert Belcham
Burger or sandwich plus fries (yam or shoestring) and dessert at Popina for $15? Plus, we’re not talking the golden arches here. Seriously good, grass fed beef, thank you. Oh, and when sunny there’s a million dollar view thrown in. (Bring your woollies!)
What’s not to like? And dinner’s the same. (O.K., except it’s dark…). More on Popina here.
https://www.dineoutvancouver.com/listings/popina-canteen/50392/
Brewhall dinner
https://www.dineoutvancouver.com/listings/brewhall/49954/
Fancy burgers, good fries and mini donuts for dessert. It’s a darn good (dinner) deal. But be warned: you will want at least a pint of something. This is a very cool, restored heritage space in the old Opsal Steel factory. See you there.
Chutney Villa Dinner
Good flavours, lots of food for a song. Plus extra points for the best BC wine pairing: A glass of R&B beer!
https://www.dineoutvancouver.com/listings/chutney-villa/20345/
Masa
https://www.dineoutvancouver.com/listings/masa-japanese-restaurant/40839/
Here’s another nice dinner deal. A great little no-nonsense spot (open late) at the corner of Broadway and Hemlock. And they even throw in a bowl of miso soup.
Yup. You counted right. That’s six. It’s a Dine Out kind of thing.
P.S. If you really want to get into the Dine Out spirit, grab yourself a couple of tix to the Grand Tasting! It’s a no holds barred extravaganza on Thursday, Jan 17, in partnership with the Wines of British Columbia—with proceeds benefitting the BC Hospitality Foundation.
Next up: the $25 deals…
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