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Dine out Vancouver continues to grow

’Tis the season (already!) for Dine Out Vancouver, which has morphed considerably from that initial romp through elemental menus back in 2002. The 2015 edition includes some 276 restaurants and is the largest event of its kind in the country.
Pawsey Jan. 18

’Tis the season (already!) for Dine Out Vancouver, which has morphed considerably from that initial romp through elemental menus back in 2002.

The 2015 edition includes some 276 restaurants and is the largest event of its kind in the country. It’s a banner showcase for our food and wine culture, which now draws people year round.

The former discount dinner-fest has blossomed into a metro-wide celebration that reflects a level of diversity and sophistication that we sometimes take for granted.

There’s another aspect of Dine Out that has blossomed. Beyond the plate, it’s also now very much about what’s in the glass.
It’s amazing to see just how our wine culture has grown in just a couple of decades. There was a time when you’d be hard pressed to find any B.C. wines on a restaurant list. No more.

A showcase for local food and wine pairings, Dine Out is seeing more committed restaurants offer the option of VQA wines by the glass. A few that caught my eye for their creative and well-thought-out suggestions include: Arms Reach Bistro, Feast Neighbourhood Table, Fishworks, The Lobby at the Pinnacle, The Village Table and Zen.

If you’re still discovering food and wine pairing (well, who really ever stops?), Dine Out offers a great chance to expand your horizons and check out some pairings you maybe wouldn’t have thought about.

Nor is it only about grapes. For serious hopheads, Postmark Brewing and Belgard Kitchen’s Jan. 20 Tankfarm dinner is not to be missed. I was lucky enough to sample these inspired tastes the other night, a collaboration between brewmaster Craig Noble and chef Reuben Major.

The $55 dinner (with four 10-ounce beers and a brewery tour) was served long-table style, right in the barrel room. Grab a ticket if you still can, if only to taste the extraordinary Postmark Porter paired with chocolate and espresso budino, sponge toffee and creme fraiche. If this dinner sells out (and it surely will) I truly hope they repeat it.

For more malty madness, hop on the bus (oh, you will need a reservation) to take in the Craft Beer and Artisan Food Tour of Vancouver (presented by Vancouver Brewery Tours).

Here’s a full-on tour that takes in two top craft breweries (Strange Fellows Brewing and Bomber Brewing) and three award-winning artisan food stops.

For serious-sipping spirit lovers, consider the Craft Distillery Tour (presented by Off the Eaten Track) on Jan 22, 24, 29, 31 (5-7:30 p.m.), which includes tours and tastes at Odd Society Spirits, Liberty Distillery and Yaletown Distillery.

The fact that this tour is now on the Dine Out roster is further testament to just how fast the local craft distillery scene and spirits culture is growing. If you’ve yet to visit any, here’s a great chance to do so and leave the driving to somebody else!

Find full details dineoutvancouver.com, but move quickly as they’re all selling fast.

Belly’s Budget Best
Bleasdale Mulberry Tree Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

All too often, Aussie Cabernet Sauvignon gets lost in the tidal wave that’s Australian Shiraz. But times are changing in Oz. And while Shiraz will likely never go out of style, folks are beginning to notice that winemakers Down Under do make pretty good other stuff.

Case in point, this nicely balanced chocolate, blackberry and plummy-toned drop that’s wrapped in just the right amount of oak, with respectable chalky tannins and a good close. Think anything braised. A definite deal, at BCLS $16.99 (90 points).

Tim Pawsey writes about wine for numerous publications and online as the Hired Belly at hiredbelly.com. Contact: info@hiredbelly.com.