Thank God it’s January, said no one ever — unless you are a foodie in Vancouver.
Mid-January to mid-February is a food-lover's dream come true, with two spectacular festivals coming to town — the month long Greater Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival and the Dine Out Vancouver festival.
Returning for its 21st edition, the Dine Out festival, taking place from Jan. 20 to Feb. 5, has just released its lineup of 365 restaurants at which you can satisfy your mid-day, evening and late night cravings at top-notch, gram-worthy restaurants, bars and breweries.
The popular annual feast will feature food joints and restaurants across Metro Vancouver offering set menus from $20 to $65 (ideal for any budget).
While no New Westminster gems made the cut for sweet, warm hot chocolate, our neighbours in Burnaby sure have some favourites worth crossing the border for. (We made a guide for unique hot chocolate flavours to experience in Burnaby.) But good news for New West as three of our local favourites made the cut for Dine Out Vancouver.And when you exhaust your New West options or are in the mood for something new, cross over to over 16 participating Burnaby restaurants.
Here's the list of New West gems to visit for your next fancy meal:
The Boathouse Restaurant
At this riverside seafood favourite, enjoy a three-course meal for $65 with some fresh oysters Rockefeller or lobster ravioli while downing all the entree and main with a scrumptious dessert of mocha ice cream pie.
The Quayside restaurant is the destination if you are in the lookout for rich and flavourful seafood in New Westminster.
It has vegetarian and gluten-free options too.
Address: 900 Quayside Dr., New Westminster
Cuisine: Steak and seafood
Cost: $65 (also available for takeout)
El Santo
El Santo, a Mexican restaurant that's "uniquely New West," is a place for you to be this festival if you want to savour unique Mexican eats as you unwind after a long day.
It has two three-course menus — a dinner menu priced $46 with unique items like panza de jabali, a gluten-free pineapple- and maple-glazed boar belly served with seared leek, jicama and leek slaw to start, followed by carne ahumada, also gluten-free, which is a leek ash rubbed wagyu flank steak, red pepper and habanero demi-glace served with roasted cherry tomatoes, confit potato, broccolini and mesquite smoke. To finish the wholesome meal, ask your server for the day's featured helado.
It has an exclusive vegetarian menu featuring pan de elote — skillet cornbread and jalapeño jelly as an appetizer followed by entree chile relleno" — poblano, panela cheese, green rice and salsa ranchera.
Address: 680 Columbia St, New Westminster
Cuisine: Mexican/Latin American
Cost: $38 for vegetarian menu; $46 for the regular dinner menu
Gino's restaurant
This family-owned favourite in Sapperton returns to the Dine Out Vancouver festival with two menus — lunch and dinner, featuring its signature Mediterranean and Italian dishes.
Both menus are three-course — with favourites tzatziki or hummus and pita bread for starters, lasagna with meatballs for entree (or care for a small special pizza?), followed by chocolate tuxedo cake for dessert — priced at $25.
Address: 431 E. Columbia St., New Westminster
Cuisine: Greek/Italian
Cost: $25
