Can’t-miss Events at Dine Out Vancouver 2018

We asked Vancouver’s culinary elite which events they’re attending for this year’s Dine Out festival

The unstoppable culinary juggernaut that is Dine Out Vancouver is all set to take over the city from January 19th to February 4th. Along with the usual three tiers of prix-fixe dining options ($20, $30, and $40), the festival also offers some exciting pop-ups, events and international guest chef dinners. The list of participating restaurants and their menus—along with the all-important ability to make reservations—will be revealed on Thursday, January 11th.

So get ready to make your bookings! Events are on sale now though and we’ve asked some of the city’s key culinary players to tell us which events caught their eye…

1. Eric Pateman, Edible Canada

“Dine Out Vancouver is one of the best culinary festivals in the country, and while I am excited to have Edible Canada participating, I am equally as excited to be a participant myself.

“The event I am most looking forward to (and purchased tickets within hours of them going live) is for the World Chef Exchange collaboration dinner between chefs David Gunawan of Farmer’s Apprentice and Chef Trevor Moran from The Catbird Seat in Nashville. My meal at The Catbird Seat was one of the best meals I had in 2017, and to have such a talented and engaging chef coming to Vancouver is awesome! We are so fortunate to have world-class chefs like Trevor coming to bring their influence to the dining scene in Vancouver!”

2. Sabrine Dhaliwal, Uva

“I would go to Fanny Bay Oyster Bar’s Get Shucked Up. I’ve never shucked an oyster before and it can be challenging to tell certain oysters apart. I think it would be a great learning experience and plus oysters and B.C. wine—yum!”

3. Margot Baloro, Forage and Timber

“Dine Out Vancouver supports a vibrant festival atmosphere in restaurants at a time when it would otherwise be quiet. It’s a festival that celebrates growing and supporting our hospitality industry throughout the year, not just at peak times. Tourism Vancouver has done a fantastic job positioning it as a world event.

“Lauren Mote always wows with her Masterclass series during Dine Out Vancouver. These gems tend to sell out quickly because she has a great style of presenting. I think the Bitters Masterclass is at the heart of what she does best. Whether you use bitters to uplift your cocktail game at home or in your kitchen, who better to learn from? Add a dash of supporting local small business and you’re definitely hitting the right notes.”

4. Fiona Grieve, Buckstop and Grotto

“I’d like to go to the Ocean Wise pop-up event at the aquarium. I get that it’s a bit cliché, but sustainability is so important and it’s important to be reminded every single day. Having dinner at the aquarium is never a bad idea, and Ned Bell is a culinary icon in Vancouver now. That man knows how to cook fish!”

5. Inez Cook, Salmon n’ Bannock

“Dine Out is a favourite time to try places I haven’t been to before; it’s always an ‘affordable adventure’ and—with Vancouver’s creative culinary scene—it is always exciting!

“I’ll be snowed under with our own Dine Out Vancouver menus, but if I could go to any event, I would go to the Secret Supper Soiree as I love surprises and discovering Vancouver’s secret culinary world!”

6. Ned Bell, Ocean Wise executive chef, Vancouver Aquarium

“Having just come back from Tokyo—falling in love with the people, the culture and the food—any chance I get to have an authentic and collaborative Japanese experience would be alright with me, so I’d go to the World Chef Exchange with Andrew Carlson and Tokyo’s Fumihiro Matsumoto of Kantera restaurant.”

7. Alex Tung, La Grotta Del Formaggio

“With Dine Out Vancouver going into its 17th year, it’s amazing to see how much the festival has evolved. I remember cooking DOV during those first few years at the Wedgewood Hotel and, today, it has grown into a festival with international chefs and creative events, while still the ultra-popular showcase of the Vancouver dining landscape.

“Over the years, I’ve heard about and experienced so much tasty food coming from Dan Olson and the Railtown Catering team. When I saw the listing for the Railtown After Dark Pop-up, I was pretty intrigued by the smartly, Asian-inflected menu and the intimate long table format. I’m also very interested to see what direction they go with wine pairings for this exclusive menu. This event is definitely one of my top picks on the 2018 Dine Out Vancouver calendar.”

8. Lisa Haley, L’Abattoir

“I love Mamie Taylor’s. Ron is a fantastic host and the Southern cuisine, coupled with the outrageous room, make for a great time. The pig roast speaks to their special and casual approach. Dine Out keeps us hopping in a few weeks that would otherwise be rather dreary in the restaurant world.”

9. Alain Cauel, Pidgin

“Australia’s wines are far more diverse than most people know, and for many years they have shown to have as much diversity in styles of wine as any other country. So I would check out the Australia Day Wine Dinner at Cafe Medina. From classic Pinot Noirs to striking Rieslings and mouthwatering sparkling wines to the most recognizable big gun Shiraz, they have it all. I want it all!”

10. Shira Blustein, The Acorn and The Arbor

“It’s a fact. Blue Monday is upon us and it’s the most depressing time of the year. What better way to cure the winter blues than to go out, have a nice meal with loved ones paired with delicious wines, and get a taste of what Vancouver’s dining scene has to offer!

“Feeling stuck with choice paralysis? The Grand Tasting event is a great introduction to many incredible Vancouver eateries and B.C. wineries, all for a good cause, with proceeds going to BC Hospitality Foundation! And don’t miss out on the opportunity to stuff your face with The Arbor’s BBQ jackfruit steamed buns, one of the offerings for the evening!”