In the chill of winter, Vancouver transforms into a cozy haven during the month-long Greater Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival, dedicated to the rich and indulgent delight of hot chocolate. Back for another exciting festival and last year’s success with the showstopping “Raincouver”, Vancouver’s Honolulu Coffee is thrilled to be a part of the popular annual event’s 14th installment, which runs January, 13 to February 14, 2024. 
Honolulu Coffee consistently presents some of the most unforgettable hot chocolate creations for the festival, and 2024 is no exception. The café’s imaginative drinks for this year’s Hot Chocolate Festival are sure to create a lasting impression while helping make cherished memories for all who indulge in the delightful world of cocoa and creativity.

Here are Honolulu Coffee’s playful drinks, both available during the 2024 Greater Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival:

• Snow-Coco – $12. The finest 70% dark chocolate blended with steamed oat milk, creating a creamy canvas for the artistry to come. A drizzle of Macadamia nut and coconut syrup adds an exotic twist, while two marshmallow snowmen create a winter wonderland in your cup. Every sip is a sweet escape to a snowy, cocoa-filled dream. Note: The beverage is plant-based, however the marshmallow snowmen contain gelatin and are not vegan.
• Calli-Coco  – $14. A fun hot chocolate with INK-spiration! The base is a heavenly blend of 28% white chocolate and perfectly steamed milk. On the side: a glass of jet-black enchantment, a concoction of activated charcoal power, sesame paste and the fragrant touch of Earl Grey. With the provided brush pen, the canvas is yours to paint. To add a touch of your artistic experience, this set include a delicate fortune cookie, offering not just a drink but a journey of self-expression and discovery. Note: The brush pen is sanitized, single-use, and complimentary.

As an exciting bonus, this year Honolulu Coffee has something even sweeter to go with your cup of hot chocolate: The chance to win a $100 Honolulu Coffee gift card! Every customer who orders the Calli-Coco can enter to win by sharing their brush pen canvas artwork on Instagram. Each week during the four-week run of the Hot Chocolate Festival, the Honolulu Coffee team will choose the inspired art from one creative hot chocolate fan to receive a $100 gift card to the cafe. To enter, follow @honolulucoffeeyvr on Instagram, use the #myCalliCoco hashtag, post your drink and tag Honolulu Coffee.“The Greater Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival is one of our favourite times of year,” said Ming Yang, owner of all three Honolulu Coffee locations in Vancouver. “We are so proud of our two incredible hot chocolates this year that push the boundaries of flavour and presentation. We can’t wait for our guests to come in and enjoy what we’ve created!”

For the latest about Honolulu Coffee Vancouver, go to honolulucoffeeyvr.com

Global tea drink brand SWEET7 will bring its beloved lineup of signature teas, fruit drinks and soft serve creations to a new corner of the world when it officially opens its first North American location in the heart of Downtown Vancouver at 1696 Robson Street on Friday, January 19.

To celebrate the grand opening and welcome locals and visitors alike to its first overseas store, SWEET7 Robson Street will offer SWEET7’s mango pamelo sago series, signature mango series and soft-serve series for 50% off Friday, January 19 through Sunday, January 21.

While new to North America, SWEET7 has long been a favourite of beverage aficionados the world over since it debuted in China in 2006. Today, SWEET7’s signature products are enjoyed by millions at more than 1,500 stories in 135+ cities.

Guests can customize drinks by selecting from an array of fresh, seasonal toppings and choosing the sweetness and temperature of each drink on the menu, which includes:

• Mango Pomelo Sago Drinks in Signature, Cheesy, Coconut, and Mango Pomelo Sago with Soft Serve ice cream varieties;
• Signature Mango Drinks in Green Tea with Jelly, Mango Yogurt, Coconut Milk with Mango and Mochi Balls, Mango & Passionfruit Slush, Mango Sago with Coconut Milk, and Mango Milkshake varieties;
• Milk Tea in Jasmine, Oreo Cheesecake, Fresh Taro Milk Tea with Mochi Balls, Fresh Taro with Milk, Signature Milk Tea with Pearls, Strawberry Matcha, Bubur Cha Cha, and Brown Sugar Pearl varieties (1L Jumbo Bubble Tea sizes also available);
• ·Fruit Tea flavours including Fresh Lemonade, Grape Iced Tea, Passionfruit Green Tea with Pearls & Coconut Jelly; Signature Iced Lemon Green Tea, and Strawberry Iced Tea (1L Jumbo Fruit Tea sizes also available);
• A menu of Slush flavours featuring Super Strawberry or Grape with Jelly, Matcha Cheesy Smoothie, Avocado Milkshake, and Brown Sugar Pearl Smoothie;
• Lattes in Rose Black Tea, Matcha, or Signature Roasted Oolong varieties;
• Soft Serve Ice Cream flavours including Signature Vanilla/Coconut Cone, Mango Pomelo Sago Sundae, and Brown Sugar Pearl Sundae.

SWEET7 uses locally sourced ingredients and time-honoured brewing techniques to create each handcrafted beverage and eschews the use of artificial colours or flavours, which allows the fresh fruit and pure ingredients to shine through in every sip. The menu also features plant-based options for those with dietary or health concerns.

“We take pride in showcasing local ingredients as well as sourcing the best mangoes and other fruit rarely seen in Canada from around the world,” says the store manager. “We are both very excited to open our doors and introduce locals and visitors alike to the range of flavours that have made SWEET7 such a favourite around the world.”

The Robson Street location offers seating for 20 guests to enjoy its beverages in store or order for pickup via an easy-to-use website portal or to-go from third-party delivery platforms.

For more information or to receive the latest news from SWEET7, visit sweet7.ca

CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice, the prominent global bubble tea brand from Taiwan has just had a soft opening at its latest outlet on the Tsawwassen First Nation Land in Delta during the first weekend of December 2023.  Situated in Tsawwassen Mills, at 5000 Canoe Pass Way, Tsawwassen, near Gate 6 of the shopping mall, this marks the seventh store under the management of CoCo Tea YVR Group and the nineteenth in Greater Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.

For CoCo tea enthusiasts in the Delta area, the convenience of enjoying delicious bubble tea is within minutes, eliminating the need to travel to Surrey or Richmond.

“Tsawwassen Mills is such a great premium shopping destination. Shoppers can find value and variety for fashion and urban living at this bustling mall, ” says Yi, who oversees six other CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice locations in Richmond and Surrey under the CoCo Tea YVR group,  “and we are so honoured to be part of one of the busiest malls in the Lower Mainland and serving the delta communities.”

CoCo Tea YVR locations:
Blundell Centre: 140-8100 No.2 Rd, Richmond, BC
Continental Shopping Centre: 2116-3779 Sexsmith, Richmond, BC
Richmond Oval (coming soon): 115 – 6699 River Road, Richmond, BC
Guildford Town Centre:  2655-10355 152th Ave, Surrey, BC
Central City:  512-10153 King George Blvd, Surrey, BC
South Surrey: 910-15355 24 Ave, Surrey, BC
Tsawwassen Mills (soft opening): Gate 6 – 5000 Canoe Pass Way, Tsawwassen, BC

SEGA and Igloo announced their newest collaboration for the popular Sonic the Hedgehog cooler products. The latest collection includes coolers and drinkware designed with custom Sonic graphics inspired by the iconic Japanese shimbun (newspaper) stylings. The collection also features a minimal color palette with pops of yellow and blue.

See below for more details on the Sonic the Hedgehog Shimbun product line:

Sonic the Hedgehog Shimbun Playmate Elite – $49.99

• Holds up to 30 cans 
• Iconic tent-top design 
• Push-button lid 

Sonic the Hedgehog Shimbun 16 Oz Can – $19.99

• Durable stainless steel 
• Advanced hot and cold retention 
• Removable lid

Sonic the Hedgehog Shimbun Compact Cooler Bag – $29.99

• Holds up to 9 cans 
• Insulated liner keeps contents cool 
• Custom Sonic print

The Sonic the Hedgehog Shimbun collection is available for purchase today at https://www.igloocoolers.com/collections/sonic-the-hedgehog. 

Nestled in the heart of Yoho National Park and big fans of the winter season, Truffle Pigs Bistro & Lodge delivers the perfect blend of culinary excellence, outdoor adventures, and unforgettable events. The locals favourite is the most wonderful place to experience the magic of the Canadian Rockies during the snowy months. 

Go Hog Wild at Truffle Pigs Bistro

Truffle Pigs Bistro was recently named Avenue’s Best Restaurant in the magazine’s Best of the Mountains 2023 category. This recognition is a testament to the exceptional culinary experience awaiting guests seeking the finest dining in the mountains.

The popular bistro is a family favourite known for consistently delicious cuisine. Chef Everett Cooper’s culinary artistry meets fresh local ingredients resulting in a vibrant celebration of top notch Canadian and international dishes. Winter menu highlights include: fried avocado and crab, slow and low lamb shank, monster mac, and only C.A.B. in town steak sandwich. 

View the full menu here. 

Make a dining reservation. 

Jennifer Coffman, the visionary behind Truffle Pigs Bistro & Lodge, takes pride in curating a 100% BC Wine list. By exclusively featuring BC wines, Truffle Pigs invites guests to enjoy the taste of the province’s burgeoning wine culture. The list showcases Jennifer’s dedication to the unique and exceptional flavours that British Columbia’s wine country has to offer.

 It’s been one delicious year since Sushi MAHANA opened its doors in North Vancouver and established itself as a culinary destination for its unique Kyushu-style sushi, which emphasizes harmonious combinations of ingredients. To celebrate, the restaurant is hosting an exclusive First Anniversary Sake Pairing Dinner on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, showcasing premium sake alongside its signature omakase sushi service.
 
“It has been an incredible year and a privilege to share with our valued guests the authentic Japanese culinary culture through MAHANA’s artistry of omakase sushi. We are immensely grateful for the support we’ve received from the community,” said Sushi MAHANA owner, Yuki Aida. “Our first anniversary is not just a celebration of time but a testament to our commitment to pushing culinary boundaries. As we look to the future, we are excited to continue crafting unforgettable dining experiences and further enriching culinary excellence.”
 
Created by Head Chef Hiroshi Hoshiko and Sous Chefs Rika “Ghinn” Ginnaga and Bryce Morris, MAHANA’s menu features carefully selected local and imported ingredients and a refined presentation for an exceptional chef’s choice omakase experience that changes with the seasons.
 
At the anniversary dinner, just 16 lucky guests will see it taken to new heights with a luxurious menu of winter delicacies like flash-cooked oysters, dipped in sweet soy sauce scented with watermelon radish and crispy apple for a bright, umami-forward start. Nigiri courses highlight the sweetness and richness of winter seafood, including kan birame (winter Japanese flounder), akagai (ark shell), and chu-toro (medium fatty tuna).
 
As the evening unfolds, Sake Samurai Patrick Ellis — President of Blue Note Saké, connoisseur of the art of sake and one of only 70 esteemed Sake Samurai promoting sake culture worldwide  — will expertly guide guests on a journey through the intricate world of premium sake, introducing them to rare gems from small breweries paired perfectly with the sushi courses.
 
This once-in-a-lifetime event, featuring the finest elements of authentic Japanese omakase matched artfully with the world of high-end sake, will be offered at two exclusive seatings on one night only.
 
RESERVATIONS
Sushi MAHANA’s First Anniversary Sake Pairing Dinner is $350 per person, plus tax and gratuity, and only 16 seats are available for this very special evening on January 17 during two seatings at 5:30 and 8:00 p.m. To secure your seat, book through the restaurant’s website at sushimahana.com.
 

Take your taste buds around the world at Dine Out Vancouver Festival’s most anticipated culinary event. The eighth annual Vancouver World Chef Exchange will bring award-winning chefs from global culinary hubs to a selection of MICHELIN recognized restaurants in Vancouver for a series of four collaborative dinners, featuring flavours from London, Ho Chi Minh City, and Oakland. Since its inception in 2016, more than 30 chefs from around the world have come to Vancouver for these exquisite collaborations.

This year during each event, the pairings will feature two MICHELIN recognized teams, from Bibs through to Stars, who will join forces to produce an incredible multi-course dinner at the Vancouver-based chef’s restaurant, taking inspiration from their respective restaurants’ most popular dishes; their own cultural influences and favourite fare, and local, seasonal ingredients.

The spirit of the Vancouver World Chef Exchange is one of collaboration and community building: sharing ideas and experiences, as well as developing relationships between Vancouver and international chefs and the destinations that have influenced their cooking.

Tickets for the Vancouver World Chef Exchange are now available for purchase. Be sure to book them quickly as seats are limited.

Dine Out Vancouver Festival 2024 Vancouver World Chef Exchange Pairings:

London’s Chef Jan Ostle and Vancouver’s Chef Matt Gostelow
Where: The Acorn
When: January 23 at 5:30 PM, 6:00 PM, 8:00 PM and 8:30 PM
Details: Join The Acorn’s Executive Chef Matt Gostelow and owner Shira Blustein in welcoming Chef & Owner of MICHELIN Green Starred Wilson’s Restaurant in London, UK, Jan Ostle, for a unique fusion of culinary talents and a celebration of sustainable gastronomy. This special event features a multi-course family-style tasting menu collaboratively crafted by Chef Matt Gostelow, the Acorn Kitchen team, and Chef Jan Ostle. There will also be thoughtful beverage pairings provided by Acorn Sommelier Shea Cunningham, promising an unforgettable evening for food enthusiasts and those passionate about the limitless possibilities of farm-to-plate vegetable-forward cuisine. Learn more here.

Ho Chi Minh City’s Chef Curtis Demyon and Vancouver’s Chef Warren Chow
Where: Wildlight Kitchen + Bar
When: February 1 at 6:00 PM
Details: MICHELIN Guide Young Chef Award recipient, Executive Chef Warren Chow of MICHELIN Guide-Recommended Wildlight Kitchen + Bar, looks forward to welcoming Chef Curtis Demyon of MICHELIN Guide-Recommended Elgin Saigon, in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. A veteran of the Vancouver food scene, Curtis returns home to join Warren for this one-of-a-kind culinary experience which will combine their passions for utilizing local ingredients and fusing global flavours, all rooted in the training and experience that each has drawn from French and Western cooking. We are thrilled to pair these two talented young chefs who helm restaurants that both earned Recommended status in their respective cities’ 2023 MICHELIN Guides. Learn more here.

Oakland’s Chef Andres Giraldo Florez and Vancouver’s Chef Chanthy Yen
Where: Bacaro
When: February 2 at 5:30 PM and 8:30 PM
Details: Join ‘MICHELIN Guide-Recommended Bacaro’s Executive Chef Chanthy Yen in welcoming Chef Andres Giraldo Florez of ‘MICHELIN Guide-Bib Gourmand’ Snail Bar in Oakland, California for this exclusive collaboration. Savour a one night only culinary affair with an exclusively curated 8-course dinner showcasing a fusion of locally sourced ingredients, uniquely bold flavours and a pairing of dynamic wines. The seamless blend of styles will highlight the best of old world Venice and the vibrant spirit of Oakland. Learn more here.

London’s Chef Angela Hartnett and Vancouver’s Chef Andrea Carlson
Where: Burdock & Co
When: February 4, with select seating times available from 5:30 PM until late
Details: MICHELIN Guide One Star Burdock & Co. Executive Chef and Owner Andrea Carlson looks forward to welcoming Chef and Owner of MICHELIN Guide One Star Murano Restaurant in London, UK, Angela Hartnett, for a memorable night of dining as part of this year’s Vancouver World Chef Exchange. We are thrilled to be closing the series with this female MICHELIN Star duo which began back in April when Chef Andrea and Chef Angela collaborated on an exclusive dinner in London. Learn more here.

For more information, including ticket prices, visit dineoutvancouver.com/events.

Support for the Vancouver World Chef Exchange is provided by partners Air Canada and the Westin Bayshore, Vancouver. As official airline, Air Canada is offering a 15% discount for all base fares on the first 1,000 bookings made on flights from the United States to Vancouver and from within Canada to Vancouver for travel between January 15^th 2024 to February 15^th 2024. See dineoutvancouver.com/about/fly-with-air-canada/ for more details.

Dine Out Vancouver Festival runs from January 17 to February 4, 2024. Visit dineoutvancouver.com for more information. Diners can follow @DineOutVanFest on Instagram and Twitter and @DineOutVanFestival on Facebook for culinary inspiration. Follow along on #DOVF.

McDonald’s Canada has introduced new Happy Meal toys for this Winter – Crash Team Rumble. This will delight kids and gaming enthusiasts alike.

The iconic video game character, Crash Bandicoot, has made its way into the Happy Meal. Kids can now anticipate discovering Crash Team Rumble toys as part of their Happy Meal experience, accompanied with an additional digital game.

Happy Meals come with your choice of apples or fries, yogurt, and a drink.

• 4 piece McNuggets
• Snack wrap with Crispy Chicken
• Snack wrap with grilled chicken
• Cheeseburger
• Hamburger
• Hotcakes (breakfast)

Happy collecting!

Brunch lovers can bid bienvenue to a new dining experience that brings the celebrated aspects of French bistro culture and cuisine to West Van’s Ambleside neighbourhood when Meréon opens its doors at 1479 Clyde Ave. in early 2024.

The brainchild of owner and North Shore resident Ophelia Arida, Meréon promises to immerse locals and visitors alike in the iconic café culture found throughout France in a 52-seat space that will be open for brunch 5 days a week, Wednesday to Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Merèon menu will marry time-honoured French recipes and classic techniques with West Coast ingredients delivered fresh daily to the culinary team in dishes like a trio of iconic Croque sandwiches (Monsieur, Madame, Forestière), Quiche du Jour, Eggs en Cocotte, French Onion Soup, Signature Socca, West Coast Niçoise Salad, Duck Confit Cassoulet, Steak Frites, and more.

The menu was envisioned by Emmanuel Joinville, the chef/owner and driving force behind the beloved Gastown Bar à Vin Jules Bistro, which has been a staple of the city’s dining scene since it first opened in 2007. Joinville began his career in 1981 in his hometown of Dijon, France as an apprentice at Chef Rene Villard’s Michelin 3-Starred restaurant Chateau Bourgogne and went on to become an acclaimed chef and restaurateur in his own right prior to emigrating to Vancouver with his family in 2000.

Ophelia took her inspiration for the name of the restaurant from ‘Mère’, the French language word for ‘mother’ and an honorary title bestowed upon female cooks in France and particularly the city of Lyon that dates to the 18^th Century. The moniker is a nod to multiple women who helped Lyon stake its claim as the gastronomic centre of France, chief among them Mère Brazier, who is regarded as “the mother of modern French cooking.”

The seeds for the new restaurant were sown long ago during Ophelia’s many travels to France, when she developed an abiding love affair with the culture, cuisine and the simple joy found by bringing people together to the table to share a drink, a hearty meal, and make lasting memories.

“Those trips helped me develop my passion to host and showcase the sort of hospitality and home-spun cuisine for which French culture is so well known,” says Ophelia. “It’s a place that’s nostalgic, welcoming and evocative where guests can gather around the table and enjoy a little joie de vivre with friends, family and loved ones.”

For more information and to stay up to date on the latest developments prior to the official opening of Meréon, go to https://www.mereon.ca

Introducing your new favourite festive delight with a Canadian twist – the % Arabica Maple Latte!  In celebration of % Arabica’s presence in the Canadian market for over a year, they have unveiled a global limited-edition drink inspired by Canada’s abundant sugar maple trees, available now.

% Arabica is not just a coffee brand; it’s a lifestyle that embraces design and life’s simple pleasures. The delightful blend of the natural sweetness of maple syrup with our classic % Arabica bean blend will be sure to make a lasting impression. 

This addition to the menu is a limited-time offer, coinciding with the expansion into Canada with key locations at Yorkdale Shopping Centre and Union Station. This Canadian-inspired creation is the perfect drink to sip on during holiday shopping or winter commutes – it’s a celebration of what makes our country special. 

CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice kickstarts this festive season by inviting everyone to indulge in the luxurious taste of our EXCLUSIVE Red Velvet Milk Tea and Red Velvet Chocolate Slush!

While the Red Velvet Milk Tea is a luscious fusion of milk tea with a red velvet twist, topped with whipped cream and drizzled with chocolate sauce, the Red Velvet Chocolate Slush is a decadent blend of rich, frosty chocolate slush, blended with the delightful essence of red velvet. 

Both beverages are exclusively offered in a Medium Size, providing the ideal portion for a winter bubble tea break, and they are priced at just $5.75 each.

CoCo Tea YVR locations:
Blundell Centre: 140-8100 No.2 Rd, Richmond, BC
Continental Shopping Centre: 2116-3779 Sexsmith, Richmond, BC
Richmond Oval (coming soon): 115 – 6699 River Road, Richmond, BC
Guildford Town Centre:  2655-10355 152th Ave, Surrey, BC
Central City:  512-10153 King George Blvd, Surrey, BC
South Surrey: 910-15355 24 Ave, Surrey, BC
Tsawwassen Mills (soft opening): Gate 6 – 5000 Canoe Pass Way, Tsawwassen, BC

Gibson’s Finest Canadian Whisky, an award-winning local whisky not only serves as a delightful addition to holiday celebrations but also makes for that perfect eleventh-hour gift for friends and family. With a range of 4 variants, Gibson’s Finest ensures there is a gift to suit every Canadian. 

While Canadian whiskies only need to be aged for three years. Gibson’s Finest® is aged for well over three years to achieve its refined flavour and distinct character.

Gibson’s Finest Rare 12 Year Old Canadian Whisky

For those who appreciate age, character and flavour.

Gibson’s Finest® Rare 12 Year Old is one of the few whiskies possessing a guarantee of ageing so you can always be sure you are enjoying a smooth, exceptional 12 year old Canadian whisky. Gibson’s Finest® Rare 12 Year Old is a truly remarkable Canadian whisky that is renowned for its sophisticated character, extraordinary smoothness and outstanding flavour. 

Gibson’s Finest Sterling Canadian Whisky

For those who love entertaining and hosting.

Master blenders use a unique blend of aged whiskies to create the harmonious, well-balanced Gibson’s Finest® Sterling. Masterfully distilled, tenderly aged and blended to perfection resulting in a unique smooth taste. Gibson’s Finest® Sterling offers consumers a superior quality whisky that appeals to both entry level drinkers as well as everyday connoisseurs. 

Gibson’s Finest Bold 8 Year Old Canadian Whisky

For those who appreciate boldness. 

Gibson’s Finest® Bold is a smooth, full bodied whisky that dares to be different. Aged for 8 years and 92 Proof, Gibson’s Finest® Bold shines brightest when mixed with cola. 

Gibson’s Finest® Venerable 18 Year Old Canadian Whisky

For those who are the discerning connoisseurs. 

Gibson’s Finest® Venerable 18 Year Old is an elegant and sophisticated blend of rare 18 Year Old Canadian whiskies that is offered in limited edition. It is sweetly aromatic and rich in character. **Limited availability in Ontario and Quebec.  

Get crabby this holiday with Cambie Village’s Potluck Hawker Eatery (3424 Cambie Street) as the Southeast Asian restaurant welcomes the return of its special holiday crab feast – Potluck’s Crabmas Bundle. Available for a limited time, the popular take-out menu features guest favourites by chef-owner Justin Cheung, and is bundled with classic offerings such as the mee goreng, nasi goreng, brussels sprouts, and sambal eggplant. Pre-orders are available now online for pick-up every Friday and Saturday in December.

“This year, we decided to bring back our popular crab dinners, especially because guests have been asking when we would have them again,” explains Cheung. “We first introduced our famous crab meals back in 2020 for take-out only, and since then, we’ve had it on our menu in variation iterations. Although the crab is the star offering, we definitely recommend guests to add-on more dishes for an even bigger Southeast Asian feast.”

Potluck’s Crabmas Bundle is $188 (plus tax and gratuity) and serves four to six people. The meal also includes a litre of Thai Milk Tea for the whole family to enjoy and share. Guests can now pre-order via Tock or on its website. The festive dishes include:

Chicken Fried Crab
whole BC Dungeness crab

Crispy Chicken Wings
a pound of OG spice wings

Trio of Gravies
chili cranberry, black pepper and egg yolk

Mee Goreng
egg noodle wok fried with free-run chicken, vegetables, egg and curry powder

Nasi Goreng
jasmine rice wok fried with Chinese sausage, gailan, egg, rempah and kecap manis (sweet soy sauce)

Brussels Sprouts
caramelized with fish sauce caramel, pork floss and sesame

Sambal Eggplant
wok braised with house chili garlic sauce and Thai basil

For those looking to dine-in, Potluck is offering its popular Krabby Patty sliders again until the end of December, paired with the same trio of gravies; chili cranberry, black pepper and egg yolk. To secure a dine-in seat, guests can book through Tock here.

“We love to celebrate the holidays with our guests, whether it’s dining-in or taking Potluck home. It means the world to us when the community choose to celebrate and gather around our food,” adds Cheung.

Potluck’s Crabmas Bundle is available every every Friday and Saturday in December (December 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30) for pick-up between 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pre-orders are now open.

For more information, please visit www.potluckyvr.ca.

Elevate your festive feast with a show-stopping sweet finish, just a click away. Chef Elena Krasnova’s stunning Bûche de Noël is back in three extraordinary flavour combinations: Jolly Raspberry Chocolate, Blissful Black Forest, and the buzzworthy Caramel Pecan Coffee. Each creation adds a uniquely delicious touch to your holiday table. Mon Paris Yule Logs are available for pre-order at the pastry shop or online at monparis.ca, with the option to pick up on December 23rd or 24th.

Mon Paris Bûches de Noël (serves eight) 

• Jolly Raspberry Chocolate, $45: Chocolate mousse and tangy raspberry compote with chocolate biscuit. 
• Blissful Black Forest, $45: Sour-cherry confit and dark chocolate biscuit with vanilla mousse. 
• Caramel Pecan Coffee, $55: Chocolate pecan crunch, coffee crème brûlée, and caramel biscuit with caramel mousse. 

Visit Mon Paris Pâtisserie (4396 Beresford St., Burnaby) in person or online at monparis.ca to explore the entire 2023 Holiday Collection, including yule logs, seasonal treats, cookies, special occasion cakes, pastries, and Belgian chocolate bonbons. Orders can be placed in advance online, in-store, or by phone at 604-564-5665.

Dine Out Vancouver Festival, Canada’s largest food and drink celebration, returns with more restaurants than ever before! This season, diners can enjoy 19 days of feasting fun from January 17 to February 4, 2024. Dine Out Vancouver Festival is a great opportunity for visitors and locals alike to celebrate Vancouver’s world-renowned culinary scene and show their support and love for local eateries.

Returning for its highly anticipated 22^nd year, diners can look forward to a tasty lineup of special menus from local chefs, unique culinary experiences, and a full schedule of delicious events. This year has the largest number of participating restaurants to date with more than 380 restaurants from the North Shore to downtown, through Richmond and beyond dishing up menus in fixed price points ranging from $20 to $65 per person. The festival will also feature special ticketed dining events, including a west coast to east coast dining collaboration with Portage Restaurant by L’Abattoir, an art dinner series by the Vancouver Art Gallery featuring a three-course menu and guided exhibition tour, and returning classic, Chinatown Dumpling Masterclass by Historical Chinatown Tours, as well as exclusive Downtown Vancouver hotel offers. Participating Downtown Vancouver hotels will be offering diners who book an overnight stay a $75 gift card per night (up to a maximum of three nights) during Dine Out dates.

Foodies can also look forward to the return of the Vancouver World Chef Exchange, where talented international chefs team up with local chefs to create unique collaborative dinners at a selection of Michelin recognized restaurants, along with Street Food City, Vancouver’s original food truck festival, which will be celebrating its 12^th annual year.

More details on the World Chef Exchange will be available soon.

Key Dine Out Vancouver Festival Dates:

December 4, 2023 – Event tickets go on sale at dineoutvancouver.com/events
January 9, 2024 – Reservations open and menus available at dineoutvancouver.com
January 17, 2024 – Dine Out Vancouver Festival begins – dig in!
January 20 – 28, 2024 – Street Food City 

Mark your calendars now and check dineoutvancouver.com for more information.

Merrymakers and revelers can flip the calendar to 2024 in fine style by indulging in New Year’s Eve services at the Sequoia Company of Restaurants four iconic local restaurants — Teahouse in Stanley Park, Seasons in the Park, Cardero’s and The Sandbar— on Sunday, December 31 starting at 5 P.M.

Seasons in The Park is ringing in the New Year with a three-course set menu for $99 per person plus tax and gratuity that begins with a Dungeness Crab Cake as an amuse-bouche; an appetizer choice of Crab & Shrimp Stuffed Mushrooms, Beef Carpaccio or Roasted Beets & Burrata; an entrée selection of either a 7oz Steak & Lobster Tail, Seafood Trio (grilled arctic char, pan-seared scallops, garlic prawns) or Rack of Lamb and Wild Mushrooms; and a dessert-course choice of Chocolate Lava Cake or New York Cheesecake.

Guests can also raise a glass to 2024 with friends and family at Teahouse in Stanley Park, where a prix-fixe menu will take centre stage and feature a three-course festive feast for the senses that includes Crab Arancini with tomato béarnaise as an amuse and a choice of appetizer (Lobster Bisque, Grilled Endive Salad or Teahouse Stuffed Mushrooms); entrée (Surf & Turf, Crab-Crusted Chilean Sea Bass or Charbroiled Rack of Lamb); and dessert (Torta Milano, Saffron Glazed Pear Tart or Chocolate Bourbon Cake) for $99 per person plus tax and gratuity.

The Sandbar will help guests count down the minutes to midnight and enjoy a celebratory à-la-carte menu that includes starters such as a Dynamite Sushi Cone for Two ($19), Truffle Mushroom Soup ($15) and Beef Carpaccio ($23); entrée courses comprising Lobster Paella ($55), Steak Oscar ($57) and Ratatouille Galette ($31); and sweet finishing notes for dessert that include Pavlova with fresh berries ($13) and Tiramisu ($13).

Meanwhile, Sequoia’s Coal Harbour destination Cardero’s will showcase a standout fresh sheet of à-la-carte fare and signature favourites with starters such as Lobster Bisque ($21) and Teahouse Stuffed Mushrooms ($18); entrées including Slow-Roasted Prime Rib ($45) and Seafood Risotto($48) and a final-course feature of Torta Milano ($13) in addition to its already decadent lineup of desserts.

Reservations for New Year’s Eve dinner services at all four Sequoia Company of Restaurants establishments can be made online by visiting vancouverdine.com.

Since opening its first location in 1984 at the base of North Vancouver’s Lonsdale Avenue, The Greek by Anatoli has been serving up the Lower Mainland’s favourite Greek cuisine to multiple generations of families and friends.

Beginning with Yaletown in 2016 and Gastown in 2018, the second generation of family ownership has been expanding The Greek with new locations which have become favourite spots for celebratory dinners, delicious lunches, and the best Happy Hours around.

The Greek is thrilled to announce the opening of its fourth restaurant in the heart of Mount Pleasant at 382 West Broadway, just steps from the Broadway-City Hall Canada Line Station. The Greek Broadway’s 50 seat dining room softly opened in early December and has already been delighting the neighbourhood with a full menu of traditional and modern Mediterranean dishes made with care from family recipes.

Bathed with daytime natural light from a giant skylight, the inviting room warms up in the evening with golden light and comfortable banquette seating. The room proudly shows its heritage with retro Greek memorabilia and a wall mural to complete the mood.

With the proximity to City Hall and the light industrial neighbourhood of False Creek South, The Greek on Broadway will offer daily grab and go lunch specials perfect for short lunch breaks and lunch to-go for the office. The location’s extensive kitchen facilities mean expanded capacity for catering group lunches and events.

“We’ve been looking at opportunities to bring our restaurant to new neighbourhoods,” said The Greek’s Iani Makris, “and we jumped at this location when it became available. We believe the Broadway Skytrain will be transformational for this part of Vancouver, and we’re excited to be here to watch it grow and make sure it’s well-fed!”

The Greek Broadway is open 7 days a week for lunch, happy hour, and dinner. Full dine-in, take-out, and delivery menus can be found at thegreekbyanatoli.com.