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You are here: Home / Archives for Featured Posts

Jingle Bao Vancouver: Rainbow Soup Dumplings [Review]

November 25, 2019 by foodgressing Leave a Comment

Newly opened on Denman is Jingle Bao, a dumpling house offering soup dumplings, noodle soups and snacks.

jingle bao vancouver rainbow soup dumplings

The restaurant takes over the space at 774 Denman St formerly occupied by Rad on Denman (a hot pot place) and Ritual (a restaurant once famous for being the first certified living wage restaurant in Vancouver).

Since my family and I love soup dumplings, we decided to give Jingle Bao a try as it is also conveniently located in our neighbourhood.


Jingle Bao Menu

The signature item at Jingle Bao is their Rainbow Soup Dumplings (spinach, mushroom, shrimp, spicy Szechuan flavour, and original pork).

Other dumpling offerings include traditional xiao long bao (pork soup dumpling), Crispy Snowflake Pork Dumplings, Crystal Shrimp Dumplings, and Vegetable Dumplings.

They also offer dim sum staples like Pork Sui Mai and Shrimp Ha Gow as well as snacks like Chilled Garlic Green Beans, Salt and Pepper Chicken and Crispy Fish Fillets.

jingle bao vancouver rainbow soup dumplings

FYI, their current offering is smaller than what they have posted on their website. 


House-Made Dumplings

The dumplings are made in-house and guests can observe the process through the open window to the counter.

jingle bao vancouver rainbow soup dumplings
jingle bao vancouver rainbow soup dumplings

Here is a bit of footage that I took when I was there:

View this post on Instagram

I checked out the newly opened #JingleBao @westendbia – a dumpling house serving soup dumplings, noodles and snacks. – They serve rainbow soup dumplings with different fillings (spinach, mushroom, shrimp, spicy Szechuan flavour, and original). – You can observe the dumpling making process right at the front counter. It was fun to see the different coloured dumpling wraps. #NotSponsored – #igvideo #video #vancouver #yvr #instagramvideo #videograms #vid #vancouverisawesome #vancity #weamaze #dumpling #videooftheday #dessert #dimsum #instavideo #asianfood #foodgressing #xiaolongbao#vancouverfoodie #yvreats #xlb#bestvideooftheday #foodbeast #feedyoursoull #eater #eeeeeats #buzzfeast #f52grams

A post shared by Areta | Food & Travel Blogger (@foodgressing) on Nov 23, 2019 at 4:32pm PST


What We Tried

We ordered the following from Jingle Bao:

  • Traditional Pork Soup Dumplings (5 for $5.95)
  • Rainbow Soup Dumplings (5 for $6.95)
  • Shrimp Ha Gow (4 for $7.95)
  • Crispy Snowflake Pork Dumplings (6 for $8.95)
  • Crystal Shrimp Dumplings (4 for $7.95)
jingle bao vancouver rainbow soup dumplings
jingle bao vancouver rainbow soup dumplings

The Pork Soup Dumplings (original xiao long bao) didn’t disappoint being nicely aromatic with a hot, rich broth and thin wrappers.

The Rainbow Soup Dumplings with different fillings (spinach, mushroom, shrimp, spicy Szechuan flavour, and original) were also good in general.  The mushroom filling had the strongest flavor while the shrimp filling had the weakest.

jingle bao vancouver rainbow soup dumplings

The Crystal Shrimp Dumplings were also tasty and not just a dish pretty in pink for the novelty factor.

jingle bao vancouver rainbow soup dumplings
jingle bao vancouver rainbow soup dumplings

We also really enjoyed the Crispy Snowflake Pork Dumplings which had a tasty pork filling and was nicely crispy on the edges but not overly greasy.

jingle bao vancouver rainbow soup dumplings

The Rainbow Soup Dumplings did take a bit of time to be made while all the other dishes were delivered to us much more quickly. I initially ordered three rounds of Rainbow Soup Dumplings but they only delivered one to us after a half hour.

It was slow to receive those dumplings considering we were the first customers in the restaurant for the day.  I had to cancel the two other orders as we needed to head out.

jingle bao vancouver rainbow soup dumplings

The ha gow were OK with nicely, thin, translucent wrappers and bouncy, shrimp fillings. However, they were on the expensive being $2 per piece and I can’t say it was worth it.

The original Pork Soup Dumplings ($1.20 each) and Rainbow Soup Dumplings ($1.40) were more worth it in terms of taste and value.

jingle bao vancouver rainbow soup dumplings

Service/Operations

Service felt a bit scattered as there was only one server. At one point, one of the staff in the kitchen decided to help the front of the house.

My table was also pretty wobbly so I decided to fix it myself by putting some tissue underneath.

jingle bao vancouver rainbow soup dumplings

Hours of Operation

The hours of operation posted on Google and on their website aren’t quite accurate.  They currently open at 11:30 am and close somewhere around 9 pm according to staff.


Overall Impression of Jingle Bao

All in all, I’d be interested to return.  The food and prices were reasonable but the food was slow to come out.  I saw a lot of tables which seemed to be idling due to the long wait.  They will need to have a faster table turnover if they want to make it on Denman. Rating: 4/5

jingle bao vancouver rainbow soup dumplings

Jingle Bao
774 Denman St, Vancouver, BC
jinglebao.com

Jingle Bao Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Filed Under: Featured Posts, Just Opened, Restaurant Review, Robson Street/West End, What's New

Chef’s Table at Nightingale: Best Seat to Watch Kitchen Action

November 23, 2019 by foodgressing Leave a Comment

If you want to check out all the kitchen action at Nightingale, the Chef’s Table is the place to be. These tables for 2 are located on the second floor and directly across the open kitchen.

Chef's Table at Nightingale: Best Seat to Watch Kitchen Action Vancouver

After attending a media event, David (pickydiners.com) and I decided to grab a bite to eat at Nightingale. We initially wanted the bar but it was full so they offered us the Chef’s Table upstairs.

Chef's Table at Nightingale: Best Seat to Watch Kitchen Action Vancouver

The Chef’s Tables are typically reserved for walk-ins but you can request them in your reservation as well.

I loved the experience of watching the culinary team work as they rolled out the dishes. We picked the dishes for our meal based on what we saw was coming out. So, if you’re indecisive, these seats are a great way to help you pick what you want to eat!


What We Tried

David enjoyed a Nightingale martini (botanist gin, green & white tea vermouth, islay & elderflower spritz).

Chef's Table at Nightingale: Best Seat to Watch Kitchen Action Vancouver

We went with the kale and shaved fennel salad with ricotta salata, bread crumbs and ‘green goddess’ dressing. It’s a warm dish with bright flavours and a sharp dressing.

Chef's Table at Nightingale: Best Seat to Watch Kitchen Action Vancouver

The grilled hanger steak was outstanding. Served medium, it was a juicy, tender cut with melted gorgonzola butter, red onion agrodolce and shaved horseradish.

Chef's Table at Nightingale: Best Seat to Watch Kitchen Action Vancouver

Check out the video on how it was prepared:

View this post on Instagram

Grilled hanger steak with melted blue cheese butter and shaved horseradish. A must try @nightingalerest! – #igvideo #video #vancouver #yvr #instagramvideo #videograms #vid #vancouverisawesome #vancity #videooftheday #dessert #dimsum #instavideo #asianfood #foodgressing #vancouverfoodie #yvreats #almond #bestvideooftheday #foodbeast #feedyoursoull #infatuation #eatfamous #eater #eeeeeats #buzzfeast #f52grams

A post shared by Areta | Food & Travel Blogger (@foodgressing) on Nov 21, 2019 at 6:21pm PST

The buttermilk fried chicken with spiced maple syrup seemed like a popular dish as there seemed to be many orders. I’d love to order it next time.

Chef's Table at Nightingale: Best Seat to Watch Kitchen Action Vancouver

Overall Impression

It was also really nice to talk to the sous-chef at Nightingale about some of the dishes on the menu. Overall, it was a fun night of seeing the Nightingale culinary team in action while getting to know the menu better by seeing a lot of the dishes being offered.

Filed Under: Featured Posts

Notch8 New Dinner Menu by Restaurant Executive Chef Dennis Peckham

November 22, 2019 by foodgressing Leave a Comment

Notch8 Restaurant at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver has just launched a new dinner menu, created by restaurant Executive Chef Dennis Peckham, with a more family-style format. 

Notch 8 WEekend Brunch Buffet Fairmont Vancouver

Notch 9 Dinner Menu

The menu is divided into small plates (like carpaccio, oysters, gnocchi, mussels and more) and large plates (like salmon, wagyu, ravioli, whole chicken and so forth).

There are also 3 Hotel Vancouver Classics (French Onion Soup, 8 oz Slow Roasted Prime Rib and the Feature Pie of the Month) for a 3-Course prix-fixe dinner.

Guests can also enjoy enhancements to their dishes including whole roasted Tokyo turnips, truffle parmesan fries, roasted vine tomato and more.

Notch8 New Dinner Menu by Restaurant Executive Chef Dennis Peckham

I had the opportunity to visit Notch8 for a tasting of their dinner menu. Here’s a look at the dishes I tried.

Small Plates

NOTCH8 SIGNATURE BREAD

Stout, comte cheese, garlic butter, mustard seed

The Notch8 signature pull-apart cheesy bread is a must-try but you need to restrain yourself from eating the whole thing because it is so good! Leave room for more of the deliciousness to come.

CARPACCIO

Bison, Jersey Blue Cheese, Mizuna, Hazelnuts

The bison carpaccio with blue cheese and hazelnuts had a melt-in-your-mouth texture and a unique combination of piquant and nutty flavours. The crunchy hazelnuts also added a fun textural contrast.

Notch8 New Dinner Menu by Restaurant Executive Chef Dennis Peckham

Celeriac

Granny Smith Apple, Kohlrabi, Bacon Vinaigrette, Tarragon

A bright and refreshing salad with tart, acidic, yet subtly sweet flavours.

Notch8 New Dinner Menu by Restaurant Executive Chef Dennis Peckham

GNOCCHI

Chive, Potato, Roasted Squash, Sage, Pine Nut

Chef Dennis Peckham rolls out the gnocchi himself and you’ll love the soft, pillowy textures combined with the fall flavours of roasted squash, sage and pine nuts.

Notch8 New Dinner Menu by Restaurant Executive Chef Dennis Peckham

Large Plates

WAGYU

Broccolini, Braised Red Onion, Arugula, Garlic Frites, Lemon Aioli

What a luscious, tender, juicy cut! This Wagyu was truly a standout.

Notch8 New Dinner Menu by Restaurant Executive Chef Dennis Peckham

LAMB

Chickpeas, Pistachio, Mint, Yogurt, and Pomegranate

Notch8 New Dinner Menu by Restaurant Executive Chef Dennis Peckham

DUCK

Roasted Duck Breast, Pickled Black Currant, Beets, Red Cabbage

Notch8 New Dinner Menu by Restaurant Executive Chef Dennis Peckham

SABLEFISH

Roasted Pumpkin, Pickled Mustard Seeds, Squid Ink Tuille, Black Garlic Puree

The squid ink tuille was a unique element to this buttery, tender sablefish.

Notch8 New Dinner Menu by Restaurant Executive Chef Dennis Peckham

Dessert

To finish off a fantastic meal, there was a warm chocolate banana pudding with malt flavoured ice cream.

There was also a decadent dessert cup holding chocolate brownies, meringues, and chocolate sauce melted over top white chocolate.

Notch8 New Dinner Menu by Restaurant Executive Chef Dennis Peckham

For more information and reservations, visit www.notch8-dining.com

Notch8 Restaurant & Bar
900 W Georgia St, Vancouver, BC
www.notch8-dining.com

Filed Under: Fairmont, Featured Posts, What's New

Holiday Gift Guide 2019: Food, Drinks, Cooking

November 20, 2019 by foodgressing Leave a Comment

I’ve got some ideas on how you can treat your loved ones this holiday season. Check out my holiday gift guide below.


What’s In This Guide

  • Wellness
  • Cooking
  • Wine
  • Pampers
  • Stocking Stuffers
  • Sweets & Treats
  • Where to Dine Out for Christmas 2019

Wellness

Local Vancouver Blume has announced the launch of a brand new latte blend for the upcoming holiday season: a vegan hot chocolate with mushroom adaptogens.

Reishi Hot Cocoa is created to aid with digestion, relaxation, and focus — perfect for the busiest time of the year! During the holidays, stress can catch up to us as we attend multiple events, dinners, and have to find the best gift for everyone on our lists.

Adaptogenic plants, like mushrooms, can help improve our resistance to stress and normalize our body and mind’s functions. Blume blends harness the power of organic, plant-based superfoods that have a wide variety of health benefits.


Cooking

T-Fal Acti-Cook & Stir

While this may be a gift idea, The T-Fal Acti-Cook & Stir might just be the tool we all need around the holidays.

The Acti-Cook & Stir allows you to cook a variety of everyday meals perfectly and more conveniently – no monitoring, no manual stirring, and does not require multiple appliances to get the job done.

T-fal Thermospot Frying Pan

Many Canadians determine when the pan is perfectly pre-heated just by guessing. With the T-fal Thermospot Frying Pan, you can take the guesswork out of cooking because the T-fal Thermospot (the circle in the middle of the frying pan) will turn solid red when the pan is exactly at the right temperature to start cooking.

This would make a great gift to help someone become more confident in cooking with less wory about sticky messes and burnt spots.


Wine

Celebrate with Haywire’s Pink Bub which has notes of strawberry tart, tangy lemon, and bright, fresh pure red apple.

Credit: Leila Kwok

Stocking Stuffers

For the first time this year, Fable Diner will be selling a selection of the restaurant’s signature Hot Sauces. Available in 140 ml. bottles for $8 each, the spicy condiments come in three house-made flavours that are sure to tantalize the taste buds: 

  • 45% More Kapow: Fable Diner’s signature hot sauce made with habanero peppers for a classic spicy flavour;
  • Wax On Hot Sauce: infused with Hungarian wax peppers for a fresh citrus flavour and a clean heat;
  • Dang That’s hot: true to its name, this seriously spicy sauce brings the heat in a big way. 

On the sweet side, Fable Diner will also be selling jars of Fresh Fruit Jam for $7 per 250 ml. container. Available in four fruity flavours – Apple, Peach, Blueberry Bay Leaf and Strawberry – the tasty made-from-scratch preserves make the perfect topping for toast, waffles, pancakes or any dish that would benefit from a sweet finish. All retail items are available for purchase at the diner throughout the month of December, while supplies last.


Sweets & Treats

Temper Pastry in West Vancouver is offering an original decorative Advent Calendar that reveals unique chocolate confections behind each door, and Temper’s signature sugar-dusted Christmas Stollen – a classic German fruitcake made with orange, marzipan and almonds – available in both small and large sizes.


Pamper

Disclosure: The links below are affiliate links, which means I receive a commission if you click a link and make a purchase. While clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, they will help us keep this site up. Thanks for the support!

If you haven’t heard of WaySpa before, they are Canada’s largest spa and wellness marketplace with over 2,000 partner spas.  WaySpa is a particularly nice gift item where the recipient can choose the spa that he or she wants to visit. Scandinave Spa Whistler and CHI at Shangri-La are some of the Wayspa partners.

You can also enjoy 18% off Wayspa Gift using this link until December 20, 2019.


Where to Dine Out for Christmas 2019

Christmas is the time to eat, drink and be merry!  Here is a list of restaurants in Metro Vancouver that are offering special Christmas meals (brunch, dinner, buffets) this year.

Christmas Brunch, Lunch and Dinner in Metro Vancouver 2019

Filed Under: Featured Posts, Gift Guide, What's New

Vancouver New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day Brunch 2019/2020

November 17, 2019 by foodgressing Leave a Comment

It’s time to welcome the New Year!  Here is a list of restaurants in Vancouver that are offering special New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day 2019/2020 menus (like brunch, lunch, dinner, and buffets).

Here are restaurants in Vancouver that are offering special New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day 2019/2020 menus (brunch, lunch, dinner, and buffets).

I have not included images as this list is designed for you to obtain quick information on what is being offered and compare the options.

Please check with the business for the most up-to-date and accurate information on dates, times, prices and menu offerings.

This list is updated as information becomes available.  If you are a restaurant and want to be added, please contact me at foodgressing@gmail.com.

All contents of this post are copyright secured by Digiprove with verifiable time-stamped evidence of the content.

If you are looking at this post on mobile, rotate your phone sideways to see the entire table.


What’s On This Page

  • New Year’s Eve Dinner and Galas in Metro Vancouver 2019
  • New Year’s Day Brunch in Metro Vancouver 2020
  • New Year’s Day Dinner in Metro Vancouver 2020
  • Holiday Cocktails
  • New Year’s Events and Festivals in Metro Vancouver

New Year’s Eve Dinner and Galas in Metro Vancouver 2019

RestaurantTypePrice*DescriptionDate/TimeCity
MIXT Lobby Lounge @ Sheraton Vancouver Guildford HotelDinner Buffet$75Your ticket includes dinner buffet, party favours, free parking and a champagne toast at the stroke of midnight.DetailsDec 31Surrey
The Observatory @ Grouse MountainDinner & Dance$125 (1st seating 6-course)
$150 (2nd seating 8-course)
1st seating is a 6-Course Dinner. 2nd seating is an 8-Course Dinner. Includes Skyride Access & sparkling wine upon arrival. DetailsDec 31: 1st seating 5 pm - 6 pm; 2nd seating 8 pm - 9 pmNorth Vancouver
Bacchus @ Wedgewood HotelPrix-Fixe Dinner$1594-Course dinner with live entertainment. DetailsDec 31: 5:30 pm - 12:30 amVancouver
Diva @ The Metropolitan HotelPrix-Fixe Dinner$905-Course dinner. DetailsDec 31: 5 pm onwardsVancouver
C | Prime @ Century Plaza HotelPrix-Fixe Dinner$754-Course dinner. DetailsDec 31Vancouver
Yew @ Four Seasons VancouverPrix-Fixe Dinner$100 (Adult - 1st Seating)
$50 (Child 12 and under - 1st Seating)
$160 (2nd Seating)
1st Seating: During the first seating a complimentary glass of bubbles will be provided to guests 19 years of age and older. Children will be treated to a hot cocoa poured table side to enjoy in the restaurant or to go wherever the evening is taking you.

2nd Seating: Wine and dine away the last moments of 2019 and ring in 2020 with stellar music and delicious fare.

Details
Dec 31: 1st Seating 5 pm - 7 pm; 2nd Seating 9 pm - 11 pmVancouver
Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster BarPrix-Fixe Dinner$125 (1st Seating)
$198 (2nd Seating)
1st Seating: 3- course dinner menu featuring succulent lobster and melt-in-your-mouth wagyu and complemented by live jazz courtesy of the Jennifer Scott Trio in our warm and inviting dining room. Details

2nd Seating: 4-course dinner menu featuring succulent lobster and melt-in-your-mouth wagyu, accompanied by the soul, funk and R&B stylings of The Adam Thomas entertainment in our warm and inviting dining room. Then ring in the new year with a complimentary glass of bubbles when the clock strikes midnight. Details
Dec 31: 1st Seating 5 pm; 2nd Seating 8 pmVancouver
Oceans 999 @ Pan Pacific HotelDinner Buffet$129 (Adult)
$125 (Senior)
$40 (Child 6 - 12)
Dinner buffet featuring live music by Cole Petrone Duo & Siobhan Walsh Quartet. DetailsDec 31: 7:30 pmVancouver
The Lobby Restaurant @ Pinnacle Hotel at the PierDinner & Dance$53New Year's Eve 3-Course menu with live entertainment and dancing. Details

Dec 31: 5 pm onwardsNorth Vancouver
Globe@ Fairmont Vancouver AirportDinner Buffet$136Toast to 2019 with live music entertainment and a decadent buffet dinner featuring seafood bar, carvery stations, Globe signature dishes and a delectable selection of house-made desserts. DetailsDec 31: 5:30 pm - 9:30 pmRichmond
H2 Rotisserie & BarPrix-Fixe Dinner$50Live music, Chef Brody “Bopper” Paine’s irresistible Table d’hôte menu, glass of sparkling included. DetailsDec 31: 5 pm - 8 pmVancouver
Pat Quinn's Restaurant & BarPrix-Fixe Menu$57 (Adult)
$28.50 (Child under 12)
DetailsDec 31Delta
The AcornPrix-Fixe DinnerVegan and gluten free options will be available for all courses. Guests at the stroke of midnight will get to enjoy a complimentary toast to ring in the new year!MenusOct 7 & 8Vancouver
Water Street CafeDinner & Dance$1198-course dinner. Black & White Tie affair with live music, dancing, party favours, toast of sparkling, and midnight snack. DetailsDec 31Vancouver
CarderosSpecial FeaturesCardero's will crank up the party vibes with a feature sheet of dinner specials, a live DJ, dancing, party favours for all diners, and a photo-worthy balloon drop at midnight to welcome 2020 in celebratory fashion. Please note, Cardero's New Year's Eve dinner service is available on a first come, first served basis.Dec 31Vancouver
SandbarSpecial FeaturesExecutive Chef Wesley Dennis will mark the turning of the calendar with a special New Year's Eve feature sheet showcasing a variety of delectable seafood selections. As the night goes on, diners will be invited to ring in 2020 on the dance floor with a live DJ spinning tunes until the clock strikes midnight. Please note, Sandbar's New Year's Eve dinner service is available on a first come, first served basis.Dec 31Vancouver
Sylvia HotelPrix-Fixe Dinner$754-Course dinner. DetailsDec 31Vancouver
HawksworthDinner and a festive lounge party$98 (1st seating)
$199 (2nd seating)
$40 (NYE lounge party)
Prix-fixe dinner and a festive lounge party to celebrate. The first dinner seating is available from 5:00 pm – 7: 00 pm, and second from 8:00 pm – 9:45 pm. The lounge party will commence at 9:30 pm, with complimentary canapes and party favors to ring in the new year. Tickets are required for each, with second seated dinner bookings including access to the lounge party at no additional cost. To purchase tickets, please contact our Reception Team at 604-673-7000 or info@hawksworthrestaurant.com.

Details
Dec 31: 1st seating (5 pm - 7 pm); 2nd seating (8 pm - 9:45 pm); lounge party (9:30 pm - late)Vancouver
La TerrazzaPrix-Fixe Dinner$126DetailsDec 31Vancouver
WildebeestPrix-Fixe Dinner$954-Course dinner featuring seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients in such dishes as sweetcorn tortellino, sablefish with Salt Spring Island mussels, game pithivier with braised lamb, bison & foie gras, and apricot Paris-Brest with praline. An eclectic array of Old- and New-World wine pairings hand selected by Wine Director Christina Hartigan also available for an additional $35 per person. DetailsDec 31: 5 pm onwardsVancouver
Fable DinerPrix-Fixe Dinner$353-Course dinner featuring a glass of Prosecco to start followed by a variety of savoury selections such as seared duck breast with winter root vegetables, ling cod with celeriac and mustard puree, and a vegetarian option.Dec 31: 4 pm - 8 pmVancouver
Burdock and CoPrix-Fixe Dinner$79 (1st seating)
$119 (2nd seating)
Burdock & Co will offer seatings for quick fun or leisurely decadence. Revelers with post-dinner plans can book an early meal at either 6:00 p.m. or 6:30 p.m., and graze on light fare before continuing their journey ($79 per person, plus tax and gratuity). Merrymakers keen to settle in for a night of feasting can book the second seating at 8:30 p.m. or 9:00 p.m., where a grand culinary adventure awaits ($119 per person, plus tax and gratuity). Details
Dec 31: 6 pm (1st seating) & 8:30 pm (2nd seating)Vancouver
PourhouseParty$60Open for regular service until 9 p.m. the party will kick off at 10 p.m showcasing a DJ, a selection of canapés, a photo booth and bubbles to toast at midnight. Tickets to the event are $60 per person and can be purchased at www.pourhousevancouver.com or by phone at (604) 568-7022.Dec 31: 9 pm onwardsVancouver
Victor @ Parq VancouverGala$150 (regular)
$125 (vegetarian)
The Victor sets the bar for New Year’s Eve with two Chef-curated menus. There is something for everyone with a $150 land & sea inspired menu, and a $125 vegetarian menu. Then, at 9pm, Karla Sax will fill the night with contemporary saxophone and innovative jazz music. DetailsDec 31: 5 pm & 8 pmVancouver
Honey Salt @ Parq VancouverGala$1003-Course gala menu featuring Hokkaido Scallop & Risotto, Snake River Farm Beef Carpaccio, Ora King Salmon, Blue Dot Beef Tenderloin, and Valrhona Chocolate Mousse to finish. DetailsDec 31Vancouver
Showcase @ Vancouver MarriottPrix-Fixe Dinner$68 (Adult)
$30 (Child 6 - 12)
4-Course dinner ideally shared. DetailsDec 31: 5:30 pm onwardsVancouver
Starlight CasinoDinner & Dance$125 (Dinner & Dance)
$15 (Dance)
4-Course dinner, dancing, party favours, balloon drop, midnight toastDec 31Vancouver
D/6 Bar & Lounge @ Parq VancouverPrix-Fixe menu + Carnival Countdown $75 (Taste of Victor)
$75 (Carnival Countdown)
D/6 Bar & Lounge will ring in the New Year in a two-part celebration. From 7 pm - 9:30 pm, guests can enjoy $75 per person* special set Taste of The Victor menu, with menu highlights that include Foie Gras Milk Bread, followed by an Iced Seafood Platter (poached prawns, oysters, steamed & chilled clams, ceviche, tuna poke, and more), Salmon Nigiri, and Avocado Crunch Roll. Dinner will be completed with a choice of Baked Alaska or Cotton Candy & Crème Brulee Donuts for dessert.

The evening will continue with a Carnival Countdown from 10:30pm – late where guests will be dazzled by live entertainment, carnival dancers, a live countdown clock, and a complimentary welcome cocktail. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased here. Ticket does not include Taste of The Victor experience.

Table reservations are available by emailing d6reservations@parqvancouver.com
Dec 31: 7 pm - 9:30 pm (Taste of Victor); 10:30 pm (Carnival Countdown)Vancouver
Pinnacle Harbourfront HotelPrix-Fixe Dinner$723-Course plated dinner. DetailsDec 31: 5 pm onwardsVancouver
Pinnacle Harbourfront HotelNew Year's Eve Family Party$72 (Adult)
$36 (Child)
Guests this year will enjoy a gourmet buffet menu prepared by our Executive Chef, entertainment & activites like face painting, a photo booth, caricaturist and arts & crafts station AND a live DJ and Entertainer to get your family moving and grooving.
Doors and buffet open at 6PM. Countdown is at 9PM. Please note seating is limited, so get your tickets in advance! Details
Dec 31: 6 pm - 10 pmVancouver
Pier 7 Restaurant @ The Pier HotelPrix-Fixe Dinner$893-Course dinner. DetailsDec 31: 5 pm onwards. Set menu 7 pm onwardsNorth Vancouver
Mozza Restaurant & Lounge @ Radisson Hotel Vancouver AirportDinner Buffet$66 (Adult)
$40 (Seniors)
$22.50 (Child 6 - 10)
DetailsDec 31Richmond
The French TablePrix-Fixe Dinner$953-Course dinner. DetailsDec 31: 5 pm (1st Seating); 8 pm (2nd Seating)Vancouver
Bells and WhistlesParty$20 - $25Beginning at 9 p.m., guests can enjoy Bells and Whistles’ signature versions of classic Americana roadside fare and selection of local craft beer — as well as Happy Hour specials throughout the night — while local DJs spin the best throwback hip hop before toasting the arrival of 2020 with a glass of bubbly at midnight. Tickets are available for $20 in advance at bellsandwhistlesyvr.ca/new-years-eve or $25 at the door on the night of.Dec 31: 9 pm onwardsVancouver
Papi’s Seafood and Oyster BarSpecial CocktailsVenetian NYE
Ask “A” how he rang in the New Years growing up…
Chilled Prosseco, Aperol, Lillet, Lemon Spirit

Laughing Wild
Take a look at the park and try not to smile, Ring it in with a friend…
Aquavit, Cocci Americano, Creme d’ Violette, Lemon, Golden Sparkl
Vancouver

New Year’s Day Brunch in Metro Vancouver 2020

RestaurantTypePrice*DescriptionDate/TimeCity
Oceans 999 @ Pan Pacific HotelBrunch Buffet$95 (Adult)
$91 (Senior)
$48 (Child 6 - 12)
Brunch buffet featuring live music by the Goby Catt Trio. DetailsJan 1: 10:30 am - 2:30 pmVancouver
Hilton MetrotownBrunch Buffet$50 (Adult)
$25 (Child 6 - 12)
Christmas Day Brunch Buffet and Dinner Buffet in Crystal BallroomHeld in Crystal Ballroom. DetailsA La Carte Dinner at Reflect Social Dining. DetailsJan 1: 10:30 am - 3 pmBurnaby
H2 Rotisserie & BarBrunch Buffet$75 (Adult)
$35 (Child 6-12)
Chef-manned carving stations, house-crafted desserts, table-side cocktails and live music. DetailsJan 1: 12 pm - 3 pmVancouver
Sylvia HotelPrix-Fixe Brunch$34BrunchJan 1 (10 am - 2 pm)Vancouver
Victor @ Parq VancouverBrunch Buffet$79 (Adult)
$29 (Child under 12)
On New Year’s Day, guests of The Victor will start 2020 off with a New Year’s Day Brunch Buffet, available 10am-2pm. Buffet items will include sushi, favourites from the Raw Bar, a selection of traditional brunch items, complimentary candy table, and more. Guests can also upgrade their experience to include a drink from the build-your-own-Caesar-bar or tableside Mule Cart.
Details
Jan 1: 10 am - 2 pmVancouver
Juke Fried ChickenSpecial FeaturesJuke throws its fourth-annual ‘Cluck Your Resolutions’ brunch. Hosted from noon to 3 p.m., the event will showcase a DJ spinning tunes and a menu of southern-fried brunch specials including half-price chicken and waffles all day as well as Mimosas, Juke Caesars and signature cocktails from Juke’s new bar manager Sabrine Dhaliwal. Seating is available on a first come, first served basis. Large party reservations may be available, contact the restaurant directly at info@jukefriedchicken.com to enquire.
Jan 1: 12 pm - 3 pmVancouver
Mozza Restaurant & Lounge @ Radisson Hotel Vancouver AirportBrunch Buffet$57 (Adult)
$42 (Seniors)
$22.50 (Child 6 - 10)
DetailsJan 1Richmond

New Year’s Day Dinner in Metro Vancouver 2020

RestaurantTypePrice*DescriptionDate/TimeCity
Mozza Restaurant & Lounge @ Radisson Hotel Vancouver AirportDinner Buffet$46 (Adult)
$40 (Seniors)
$22.50 (Child 6 - 10)
DetailsJan 1Richmond

Holiday Cocktails

Restaurants/bars in Metro Vancouver serving special holiday cocktails.

RestaurantTypePrice*DescriptionDate/TimeCity
Fable DinerEggnog milkshakes in both boozy and virgin varietiesFable Diner's Yuletide-themed Eggnog Shake is made with eggnog and vanilla ice cream from Birchwood Dairy, topped with nutmeg-infused whipped cream. Guests who want to feel extra merry will have the option to spike their milkshake with dark rum and local Sunshine liqueur.Dec 1 - 31Vancouver
Uva Wine & Cocktail BarSpecial CocktailBar Manager, Wyeth Maiers has created a delicious holiday cocktail just in time for the cooler weather: Creme de Vie (lemon heart spiced rum, heavy cream, holiday syrup, bruleed ladyfinger)Vancouver
Papi’s Seafood and Oyster BarSpecial CocktailsHouse Mulled Wine: Red Wine Blend, Apple Cider, Cloves, Star Anise, Orange Essence

A “Kerry” Christmas Tradition: Islay Single Malt, Earl Grey, Cranberry, Charred Rosemary
Vancouver
Colony BarsEggnog$7$7 eggnogs throughout the month of December with 50% of all eggnog proceeds being donated to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank. This annual initiative helps provide food and related assistance to those in need during the holiday season.

Customers have the option of spiking their holiday eggnog with Bacardi Rum or Evan Williams Bourbon, with a dairy-free eggnog option also available for $7. The holiday nog will be available at all Colony locations (Kitsilano, Main Street, Northwoods and Entertainment District).
DecemberVancouver (Kitsilano, Main Street, Entertainment District); North Vancouver (Northwoods)
The Charles BarEggnog$7$7 eggnogs throughout the month of December with 50% of all eggnog proceeds being donated to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank. This annual initiative helps provide food and related assistance to those in need during the holiday season.

Customers have the option of spiking their holiday eggnog with Bacardi Rum or Evan Williams Bourbon, with a dairy-free eggnog option also available for $7.
DecemberVancouver

New Year’s Events & Festivals in Metro Vancouver

EventDescriptionDateLocation
Grouse MountainFamily New Year's Eve. From 5:00 pm onwards, celebrate the kick-off of 2020 with entertainment and fun for all ages. Glide on an 8,000-square foot mountaintop Skate Pond, take a sled down the Sliding Zone and be awed by the magical outdoor Light Walk around Blue Grouse Lake. Enjoy incredible performances throughout the night as well as a special 9:00 pm countdown for our littlest revelers that will be sure to light up the sky with a boom. DetailsDec 31: 5 pm onwardsNorth Vancouver
Glow GardensIndoor Christmas festival featuring playgrounds and interactive features that will entertain the kids for hours, while the adults kick back at our licensed bar and enjoy some seasonal beverages, delicious food, and live music. Glow’s illuminated sculptures are the perfect backdrop for selfies and holiday family photos.Nov 21 - Jan 5Harbour Convention Centre, Vancouver
Lights of LafargeFree lights displayStarting Nov 30Lafarge Lake, Town Centre Park, Coquitlam
Vandusen Festival of LightsLights displayNov 30 - Dec 24, Dec 26 - Jan 5VanDusen Botanical Garden, Vancouver
Peak of Christmas at Grouse MountainExperience the magic of Christmas at Vancouver's North Pole. As the snow falls and the lights twinkle around you, explore all that Grouse Mountain has to offer this holiday season. Santa and his reindeer are waiting for you to come up and visit, and if you're lucky you might see the elves who have been hard at work transforming the mountaintop into a Christmas wonderland.Nov 22 - Jan 5Grouse Mountain, North Vancouver
Christmas at Canada PlaceExperience the nostalgic tradition of the Woodward’s Windows, Canada’s North light display including “Chrismoose,” our 15-foot tall moose light sculpture, the iconic Sails of Light, and the festive Avenue of Trees.Dec 6 - Jan 1Canadian Trail (west promenade) and North Point of Canada Place, Vancouver
Canyon Lights @ Capilano Suspension Bridgee-capture the feeling of wonder and excitement of the holiday season and be amazed by the hundreds of thousands of lights throughout the park. The suspension bridge, Treetops Adventure, Cliffwalk, the rainforest and canyon are transformed into a world of festive lights and visual enchantment.Nov 22 - Jan 26North Vancouver
Aurora Winter FestivalThis holiday season, Hastings Park/PNE will be transformed into a magical winter wonderland. Experience Canada’s Largest Winter Festival. Escape to a hidden village with a beautiful skating rink, a tube park, massive light displays, a Christmas Market, amusement rides, food gardens, magical characters, and plenty of other exciting activities.Nov 22 - Jan 5PNE, Vancouver

Filed Under: Featured Posts, Vancouver Restaurant Lists, What's New

Ready-To-Eat Smoked Ribs by Montana’s in Groceries

November 14, 2019 by foodgressing 5 Comments

I love mouthwatering fall-off-the-bone, BBQ pork back ribs and Montana’s now has made it easier for me to enjoy them at home with the launch of their fully-cooked and ready-to-eat smoked BBQ ribs now available in grocery stores.

Ready-To-Eat Smoked Ribs by Montana’s BBQ & Bar in Groceries

Disclosure: This is post is in collaboration with Montana’s.

I recently had the opportunity to try Montana’s first-ever retail BBQ pork back ribs. Here’s a look at my experience.


Find them in the refrigerated section

Montana’s BBQ pork back ribs are found in the refrigerated section (not frozen) of the grocery store. They come in 650g packs and retail between $12.99 and $14.99 depending on the store.

Ready-To-Eat Smoked Ribs by Montana’s BBQ & Bar in Groceries

Pre-Cooked Sous-Vide

The ribs are pre-cooked for a couple of hours sous-vide so all you need to do is heat in for 25 minutes in the oven or even less on the grill.


How I Prepared the Ribs

I opted to use a conventional oven where I simply needed to empty the bag containing the ribs and sauce onto parchment paper over a baking sheet. I baked the ribs for roughly 25 minutes and basted the ribs with sauce halfway during the heating.

Ready-To-Eat Smoked Ribs by Montana’s BBQ & Bar in Groceries
Ready-To-Eat Smoked Ribs by Montana’s BBQ & Bar in Groceries
Ready-To-Eat Smoked Ribs by Montana’s BBQ & Bar in Groceries

Taste Test

And voila, it was done! No cutlery required as the ribs were fall-off-the-bone, tender, and juicy.

Ready-To-Eat Smoked Ribs by Montana’s BBQ & Bar in Groceries

It was great to enjoy the flavour of the ribs marinated in Montana’s signature Texas-style BBQ sauce with a smoky taste and hint of spices.

Ready-To-Eat Smoked Ribs by Montana’s BBQ & Bar in Groceries
Ready-To-Eat Smoked Ribs by Montana’s BBQ & Bar in Groceries

Overall Impression of Montana’s Ready-To-Eat Ribs

Montana’s ribs are ideal for a quick and convenient meal or as a snack while at-home sports-watching. I enjoyed the melt-in-your-mouth taste and smoky and subtly spicy flavour. The retail price was fair for the quality of the product. I would definitely recommend giving Montana’s retail pork back ribs a try.


List of Groceries that Carry Montana’s Ribs

For a list of retailers, please visit: www.montanas.ca/readytoeatribs.


Giveaway

Enter to win 5 vouchers to try Montana’s Ready-To-Eat Smoked Ribs. Open to Canadians (except Quebec). Giveway closes Friday, November 22, 2019 11:59 am PST.

View this post on Instagram

[GIVEAWAY] I love a mouthwatering fall-off-the-bone, BBQ pork back ribs and now @montanasbbq has made it easier for me to enjoy them at home with the launch of their fully-cooked and ready-to-eat smoked BBQ ribs now available in grocery stores. I’m giving one winner 5 vouchers to enjoy Montana’s Smoked BBQ Ribs (value $75). Here’s how to enter: – 1️⃣ @montanasbbq @foodgressing 2️⃣ Like this post and tag a friend for 1 entry (unlimited entries but no duplicates, one comment per line) 3️⃣ Reshare this post on your Instastories for 3x entries (limit once daily) 4️⃣ Regram this post with hashtag #montanasribsinsupermarket for 5x entries (limit once daily) – Giveaway ends on Friday, November 22 2019 11:59 am PST. Open to Canadians (except Quebec). Full post and more pics: foodgressing.com/montanas-ready-to-eat-ribs – #vancouver #igerstoronto #igersvancouver #yvreats #vancouverfood #vancouverfoodie #explorecanada #blogto #lovetoronto #torontoigers #explorebc #calgary #edmonton #foodgressing #alberta #torontofood #yeg #gastropost #explorealberta #foodbeast #yvr #victoria #saskatoon #montreal #halifax #ottawafoodies

A post shared by Areta | Food & Travel Blogger (@foodgressing) on Nov 15, 2019 at 6:56pm PST

Filed Under: Featured Posts, What's New

Visit to Catoro Cafe Vancouver: Cat Forest & Bubble Tea [Review]

November 4, 2019 by foodgressing Leave a Comment

Catoro Cafe opened up this past summer at 666 East Broadway offering guests an opportunity to mingle with rescue cats while enjoying some bubble tea.

catoro cafe vancouver cat forest and bubble tea

Disclosure: I visited Catoro Cafe as media where my admission was complimentary.


The vision of Catoro Cafe

The vision behind the cafe is to not only help rescue cats find homes but also to allow visitors to gain psychological benefits and stress-relief by spending time with animals.

catoro cafe vancouver

Cat Therapy & Rescue Society

The rescue cats come from the Cat Therapy & Rescue Society, a charity which takes in and adopts about cats as well as supports cats with medical needs.

catoro cafe vancouver
catoro cafe vancouver

Admission Information

Admission to the Cat Forest is for either 15, 30, 50 or 65 minutes. You can make a reservation online or drop in (certain availabilities).

The weekday rate is $6 for 15 min, $8 for 30 minutes or $20 for 2 hours. Every extra 15 minutes is $2.50 and every extra hour is $9.

On the weekends, there are 15 minutes and 30 minutes time slots (priced as above) but also 50 minutes for $12 and 65 minutes for $14.

catoro cafe vancouver

Pre-Session Orientation

When you are checked in by a host, you will be given a brief orientation, change into slippers provided by the venue and sanitize your hands.

catoro cafe vancouver
catoro cafe vancouver

Cat Forest Experience

The Cat Forest felt very zen and you are welcome to engage with the cats providing that they are in the mood to do so. Some cats may want to be close to you, while some might not. There are plenty of toys which you can use to play with the cats.


Bubble Tea Cafe

On the cafe side, you will find a bubble tea menu divided into Signature Series, Brown Sugar Series, Fruit Tea, Punch Series, Sparkling Series with Crystal Jelly, Ca Phe Vancouver and so forth. Topping choices include Pearls, Coconut Jelly, Mango Stars, and Crystal Jelly.

catoro cafe vancouver

No outside food/drinks are allowed in the cat room. You may bring only the food and drinks purchased in the onsite cafe which are in disposable and safe containers.

I had the Foggy Cat while my friend had the Brown Sugar Pearl Milk. They were delicious and the pearls were particularly soft and chewy.

catoro cafe vancouver

Adopting, Rescuing & Volunteering

While you’re there, you just might connect with a cat that you want to adopt (fees apply). However, they are also looking for volunteers and individuals who could foster.

catoro cafe vancouver

Overall Impression of Catoro Cafe

I had a nice time visiting Catoro Cafe which felt like a nice escape from the fast pace of daily life. I thought the venue was very clean and the hosts were gracious and knowledgeable.

The idea of a time limit might does make me feel a bit pressured, but the hosts were very respectful in letting you know that time is almost up. 30 minutes went by quickly so I think 45 – 60 minutes would have been nice.

The bubble teas were very delicious by the way and the pearls were exceptionally soft and chewy. I’d be interested to return in the future.


Catoro Cafe
666 East Broadway St, Vancouver
catorocafe.com

Filed Under: Featured Posts, What's New

Jenjudan Vancouver: Brown Sugar Pearl Milk on Robson Street 珍煮丹

October 28, 2019 by foodgressing Leave a Comment

The brown sugar pearl milk craze continues as another famous Taiwanese brand arrives in Metro Vancouver.

Jenjudan Vancouver: Brown Sugar Pearl Milk on Robson Street

Founded in 1999, Jenjudan 珍煮丹 originated from Taipei’s Shilin Night Market and is best known for their brown sugar pearl milk drinks – a blend of fresh milk, brown sugar syrup and tapioca pearls.

Jenjudan slow cooks the brown sugar at 120 to 160 Celsius until they are a fine grain size. Tapioca pearls are then stir-fried in brown sugar for an added charcoal flavour.


Jenjudan Metro Vancouver Locations

The brand has four new outposts in Metro Vancouver: one at 1210 Robson Street (West End), 290 Robson Street (Stadium District), one at 3490 Kingsway (coming soon) and at 125-5999 Cooney Road in Richmond (coming soon).

The brand also has international locations in China, Singapore, Macau, and Hong Kong.


Jenjudan at 1210 Robson Street

The Jenjudan location at 1210 Robson Street takes over the space formerly occupied by L’Eclair de Genie. I visited the shop on the first day of opening and it was busy.

Jenjudan Vancouver: Brown Sugar Pearl Milk on Robson Street

Customers can observe the brown sugar pearls being cooked and scooped into cups at the counter. It was fun watching the gooey, sticky pearls scooped up and placed into the cup.

The space features some seating area along the side. The back area appears to be reserved as a working space for staff.

Jenjudan Vancouver: Brown Sugar Pearl Milk on Robson Street

I thought the staff did really well in terms of taking orders, explaining the menu and creating the drinks in a timely manner despite it being just the first day of operations.


Jenjudan Robson Menu

Jenjudan’s menu is divided into different series: Brown Sugar Milk, Brown Sugar Tea Latte, Fresh Fruit Tea, Original Taiwanese Flavours, Latte Macchiato, Lemonade, Specials and Single Origin Teas. The drinks range from $5 – $7.

From November to March, they also have a Winter Special offer of Brown Sugar Longan Ginger Tea and Brown Sugar Longan Ginger Latte.

Choices for toppings include Black Pearls, Grass Jelly, Nata de Coco, Pudding and Red Bean.

Drinks can be customizable for sweetness and sugar level.

Jenjudan Vancouver: Brown Sugar Pearl Milk on Robson Street
Jenjudan Vancouver: Brown Sugar Pearl Milk on Robson Street

Top 12 Jenjudan 珍煮丹 Drinks [General]

Here are the top Jenjudan drinks that have been posted on the exterior of the shop. However, it seems this is just a general list because not all are available at the 1210 Robson location. Scroll below to see the list of signature drinks that ARE on the Robson menu.

  1. Brown Sugar Boba Thai Milk Tea
  2. Brown Sugar Boba Milk
  3. Chocolate Boba with Latte
  4. Grandma’s Brown Sugar Plum Tea
  5. Red Bean Brown Sugar Milk
  6. Brown Sugar Winter Melon Lemon Tea
  7. Grass Jelly Brown Sugar Milk
  8. Green Tea with Passion Fruit & Boba & Coco Jelly
  9. Jasmine Green Tea with Cream
  10. Lemon Celadon Tea
  11. Honey Chrysanthenum Tea
  12. Uji Matcha with Red Bean
Jenjudan Vancouver: Brown Sugar Pearl Milk on Robson Street 珍煮丹
Jenjudan Vancouver: Brown Sugar Pearl Milk on Robson Street 珍煮丹

Jenjudan Vancouver Robson Signature Drinks

Here is a list of signature drinks that are identified on the Robson Street location menu:

  1. Brown Sugar Pearl Milk
  2. Passionfruit Green Tea with Nata de Coco & Black Pearls
  3. Celadon Green Tea Latte
  4. Brown Sugar Pearl Lemonade
  5. Thai Brown Sugar Pearl Milk Tea
  6. Brown Sugar Earl Grey

What I Tried

I went with a few of their signature drinks: Brown Sugar Pearl Milk, Thai Brown Sugar Pearl Milk Tea, Grass Jelly Brown Sugar Milk, Red Bean Brown Sugar Milk and Passionfruit Green Tea with Nata de Coco & Black Pearls.

Jenjudan Vancouver: Brown Sugar Pearl Milk on Robson Street

For brown sugar pearl milk drinks, they seemed less rich, strong and full-flavoured than other places I have tried. That isn’t bad if you prefer something less intense. The pearls were on point being soft and chewy.

Jenjudan Vancouver: Brown Sugar Pearl Milk on Robson Street

I enjoyed the Thai Brown Sugar Pearl Milk Tea the most which is a surprise to me as traditional Thai milk teas are usually overly sweet for me. This one was more mellow and much more drinkable.

Jenjudan Vancouver: Brown Sugar Pearl Milk on Robson Street

The Nata de Coco toppings were also nicely soft and chewy.

Jenjudan Vancouver: Brown Sugar Pearl Milk on Robson Street

The red bean toppings were tender, well-cooked and had the right amount of sweetness.

Jenjudan Vancouver: Brown Sugar Pearl Milk on Robson Street

The grass jelly had a nice, smooth and bouncy texture and did not have a strong herbal taste.

Jenjudan Vancouver: Brown Sugar Pearl Milk on Robson Street

Here’s a look at my bill for reference:


Overall Impression

The drinks were all pretty good if you prefer bubble tea that is not overly rich and more mellow. I’d be interested to go back and try more of their drinks. Rating: 4/5


Jenjudan BC
1210 Robson Street, Vancouver
290 Robson Street, Vancouver
3490 Kingsway, Vancouver (coming soon)
125-5999 Cooney Road, Richmond (coming soon)
www.instagram.com/jenjudan_canada/


This post was originally published in July 2019 and updated October 2019.

Related post:

Where to Get Brown Sugar Pearl Milk in Metro Vancouver | 溫哥華黑糖珍珠鮮奶
Jenjudan Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Filed Under: Featured Posts

First Table Vancouver: How it Works, 50% Discount, Promo Code

October 26, 2019 by foodgressing Leave a Comment

If you love good food but also a good deal, then you might be excited to learn about First Table.

First Table Vancouver: How it Works, 50% Discount, Promo Code

First Table is a restaurant platform that is launching soon in Vancouver and it offers 50% restaurant meals at specific off-peak times. It currently operates in other countries including the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.

The concept of First Table is for a restaurant to offer a table that is usually empty in order attract new diners to try their venue. The tables are very limited and are always at off-peak times.

Furthermore, some people might not enjoy eating at an empty restaurant. So, the idea of First Table is so get the first table of the meal service filled in advance and possibly attract more diners to come in afterwards with their presence.

50% is definitely a sweet dining deal but there are a lot of terms and conditions, so here’s what you need to know before you make a booking.


What’s on this page

  • Booking Fee
  • Party Size
  • 50% Discount Terms
  • Minimum Spend
  • Reservation Availability
  • Late Policy
  • Cancellation Policy
  • Booking Same Restaurant
  • Promo Code
  • First Table Vancouver Participating Restaurants
First Table Vancouver: How it Works, 50% Discount, Promo Code

You need to pay a booking fee

First, you need to pay a $10 booking fee to secure the discount at the participating restaurant. That fee does not get deducted from your restaurant bill. The booking fee is per table.

You can only book for a party of 2, 3 or 4 people.

Sorry, no solo diners and no more than 4 people. Children of all ages are included in the party count.

The discount is for dine-in FOOD only

The discount is for dine-in food and not drinks and alcohol. You should not over-order and take leftovers.

Some restaurants may have certain menu items that are unavailable for the First Table offer. These will be noted under ‘special conditions’ when you’re making your booking and will be included on your booking confirmation.

What is the minimum spend?

There is no minimum spend.

There are limited reservations available

The restaurant will list the time and day that their first table is available for on First Table. Restaurant availability shows seven days in advance and is added just after midnight each night.

What happens if I’m late for my reservation?

If you are more than 15 minutes late, the deal is off.

What is the cancellation policy?

Cancel within 60 minutes of making the reservation: You can 100% credit to your account. No cash refunds

Cancel any day before the date of your reservation: You can 50%. If they cannot find anyone else to book your spot, you will get the rest of the 50%.

Cancel on the day of the reservation: No credit. However, if they cannot find someone else to book your spot, you get 100% credit.

Can I book the same restaurant twice?

Yes, you can but not twice in a row.

First Table Promo Code

Get $5 free credit with this promo code aretaw.

First Table Vancouver Restaurants

ARC Restaurant at the Fairmont Waterfront
Anatoli Souvlaki
Ancora Ambleside
Ancora False Creek
Cibo Trattoria
Cuchillo 
Fable Diner
Hendricks Resto-Lounge
La Mezcaleria Gastown
La Pentola
La Terrazza
Mamie Taylor’s
Nicli Antica Pizzeria
Nonna’s Table
Nuba 
Papi’s Seafood and Oyster Bar
Saigon Xua
Silk Dinner Lounge and Restaurant
Sprezzatura
The Cascade Room
The Greek by Anatoli – Yaletown
The Greek by Anatoli – Gastown

There are a lot of terms and conditions above but it’s because First Table aims to create a balanced win-win situation between both diners and the restaurants.

First Table Vancouver looks to be an interesting way for foodies to discover new restaurants and get a deal. I’m interested to try the platform and will update this post with a review about my experience.

Filed Under: Deals, Featured Posts, What's New

Uber and Lyft Vancouver Driver Requirements, Costs and Is it Worth It

October 24, 2019 by foodgressing Leave a Comment

Both ride-hailing giants Uber and Lyft are expected to launch in Vancouver by the end of the year.  However, the requirements and processes are a bit more complicated than in other cities where ride-hailing exists. Here’s a guide on how to become an Uber Vancouver or Lyft Vancouver driver.

Uber Vancouver Lyft Driver Requirements, Costs and Is it Worth It

What’s on this page

  • Ride-hailing Start Date
  • What Do You Need to Drive for Uber or Lyft in Vancouver?
  • How to Get a Class 4 Driver’s License
  • What are the Vehicle Requirements?
  • How to get a Commercial Vehicle Inspection
  • Insurance
  • Background Check
  • Vancouver Congestion Surcharge
  • Startup Costs to Become a Ride-Sharing Driver
  • WARNING about New Driver Signup Promotions
  • Do I Pay Taxes on my Earnings as a Driver?
  • Is It Worth It to Become an Uber Vancouver or Lyft Vancouver Driver?
  • Helpful Links

Ride-hailing Start Date

Uber and Lyft are expected to launch in Vancouver in late 2019.


What do you need to start driving for Uber in Vancouver?

Here are the basics to becoming a ride-hailing driver: be 21+ years old, Class 4 or better driver’s licence, have an Uber account, have a cellphone with data service, and have a vehicle that meets the requirements.

What license do I need?

BC has different types of licences with the most common being Class 5. You can drive for Uber or Lyft with Class 1, 2, or 4 (restricted or unrestricted) licenses. Class 5 is not accepted.

Class 1, 2 and 4 are all commercial licences but with different restrictions. Class 1 enables you to drive semi-trailer trucks and more; Class 2 allows you to drive buses and more.

People who hold Class 4 are typically taxi drivers, community shuttle drivers, and ambulance drivers.  BC requires all ride-hailing drivers to have a minimum of Class 4. 

What most people would need to drive for Uber is a Class 4 (restricted). See more below.

Class 4 driver’s licence

There are two different Class 4 driver licenses: restricted and unrestricted. 

The unrestricted is limited to vehicles with 10 passenger capacity (driver included) like taxis and limousines, whereas the unrestricted C4DL can drive vehicles like buses with 25 passenger capacity.

The Class 4 (restricted) is what most people would need to drive for Uber or Lyft.

The main reasons provided by the government for the Class 4 requirement was that they want to ensure greater safety for passengers as some additional driver’s training is needed.

Furthermore, the government wants to equalize the playing field between the taxi industry and ride-hailing.  Because of that all ride-hailing drivers will be treated the same way as taxi drivers under the law.


How to get a Class 4 Driver’s License

To get your Class 4 licence, you’ll need to get a learner’s licence (by passing a knowledge test) before taking your road test for a full-privilege licence. ICBC listed all the requirements here.

Commercial Learner’s License

To get your learner’s licence you’ll need to pass a knowledge test and meet medical standards. The test has 35 questions and you’ll need to score a minimum of 28 correct responses to pass.

To prepare for the test, you will need to review the Driving Commercial Vehicles guide. This manual covers all commercial licenses in BC which means not all sections are applicable for Class 4.

No appointment is needed to take knowledge tests. The cost for taking these tests is $15.

You are not allowed to attempt the knowledge test multiple times on the same day. If you don’t pass, the waiting period to retake a Class 4 knowledge test is 7 days.

The test is not available at every Driver’s Licensing office, so please call ahead to confirm.

After passing the knowledge test, you will receive a learner’s license.  At this point, you are allowed to operate as a vehicle in the Class 4 capacity only if you have a full Class 4 Driver’s license holder as a supervisor next to you. You are still not ready to drive for any ride-hailing companies yet.  

Full-privilege commercial license

To obtain the full Class 4 driver’s license, you must have a Class 4 pre-trip vehicle inspection and pass the road test.  The road test is like every other road test where you are asked to demonstrate all or subset of the knowledge required.

You should bring the vehicle that is most familiar to you to ensure the best chance of passing.  The fee for the road test is $40. Call to book your commercial road test.

If you don’t pass, the waiting period to retake the pre-trip inspection and road test is 14 days.

What is new to many of us are the additional safety checks we must perform as a commercial driver.  Therefore, you should take every opportunity to practice these new skills, build a routine to a point where you no longer have to think about them.  This will ensure your success during the road test.

Driver’s Medical Examination

To improve safety for passengers, ICBC also requires a medical examination for the initial application of a commercial license, as well as on every renewal at 5 years.

The medical exam can be completed at your own doctor or a walk-in clinic.  The cost of the medical exam is variable so call around if you want to save some money.

For example, my doctor charges $200 for the exam. You also need to pay ICBC $28 to process the medical exam results.

ICBC will issue you the full license when all of the above are satisfied.  The fee for a license that lasts 5 years is $75.

For many of us who is looking to drive for ride-hailing, we are simply driving the vehicle we drive on a daily bases.  So there is nothing new in terms of road rules, familiarity with the vehicle, and actual driving.

Professional Driving School

There are driving schools to help train you for Class 4. The training is optional.

As an example, Fraser Valley Driving School is offering training packages for Class 4 (restricted) between $235 – $329.

Vancouver Lyft Driver Requirements, Costs and Is it Worth It

What are the Vehicle requirements?

Your vehicle must meet the requirements to drive with Uber in Vancouver:

  • 4-door vehicle with at least 5 seats
  • Vehicle year must be 9 years or newer
  • Good condition with no cosmetic damage
  • No commercial branding
  • Not salvaged or rebuilt vehicles
  • Pass a vehicle inspection
  • Be registered in BC
  • Have insurance that lists your name

Vehicle Options

Uber X: The most popular options for riders.

Uber XL: Seat more passengers, earn higher fares. Most SUVs qualify to drive with Uber XL.


How to get a commercial vehicle inspection?

Your vehicle must pass a commercial vehicle inspection at a certified vehicle inspection facility and receive a Commercial Vehicle Inspection Report.

Uber partners get a discounted rate of $80 + tax for vehicle inspections at Canadian Tire, their preferred inspection provider.


Insurance

ICBC has recently defined the fee structure for insuring ride-hailing vehicles.  Instead of charging each driver, ICBC will collect from ride-hailing companies on a per-km basis.

ICBC will sell a blanket insurance certificate to the ride-hailing company like Uber and Lyft, not individual drivers, which provides the Basic insurance during ride-hailing use.

This blanket Basic coverage is mandatory for ride-hailing companies and provides coverage for Accident Benefits and up to $1,000,000 third party liability.

You and your passengers will be covered by the ride-hailing company’s Basic insurance when you have accepted a trip via the app, when you are en route to pickup or transporting.

You will need to declare to ICBC on your next insurance renewal that you are participating in ride-hailing.

See here for more information from ICBC.


Background Check

When you apply for Uber, they will do a background check for you likely with a third-party.

For Lyft, you need to get visit the Vancouver Police Department, your local RCMP detachment, or police agency. Bring two forms of govt. ID, one with a photo. Be sure your request includes a vulnerable sector check. The fee is $75.


Vancouver Congestion Surcharge

In anticipation of increased traffic from ride-hailing, the City of Vancouver has approved a congestion surcharge called “Congestion and Curbside Management Permit, CCMP.” 

The CCMP applies only to ride-hailing companies, not taxis.  The charge is $0.30 per pick and drop off in the designated area, zero-emission vehicles get a discounted rate of $0.15 per pick and drop off .

The area affected mainly covers Downtown, Broadway corridor between Clark Dr. and Burrard street.  See the map below for details.

On top of the per use fees, City of Vancouver is also charging $100 annual licensing fee for each vehicle.  No other cities in the GVRD as yet announed any annual licensing fee as of October 2019.


Startup Costs to Become a Ride-Sharing Driver

Below is a table that looks at the example costs of becoming a ride-sharing driver. The variable costs include the Driver’s Medical Examination as that depends on how much you charge, whether you need to submit a criminal records check (Uber does it for you, Lyft needs you to do it yourself), and whether you need Class 4 professional driving school.

ItemCost
Class 4 Driver's Licence Knowledge Test$15
Class 4 Driver's License Road Test$40
Class 4 Full License$75
Driver's Medical Examination (depends on your doctor)$200
Driver's Medical Examination Processing Fee$28
Commercial Vehicle Inspection$80
Vancouver Congestion Surcharge$100
Background Records Check (Lyft only)$75
Class 4 Driving School (depends on which driving school)$200 - $350
TOTAL$538 - $963

At the low end of costs, say you drive for Uber and don’t need driving school, then it would be around $500. At the higher end of costs, if you drive for Lyft and needed that background check plus driving school, then it would be over $900.


Hidden Costs

Depreciation: As you increase the mileage on your car, you are also depreciating its value (ie, lower resale value).

Car scheduled maintenance: Car maintenance schedule is usually based on either time or mileage.  People who drive very little usually will reach the time before the mileage cap.  For these participants, driving for Uber actually help you make the most out of your maintenance cost. However, if you normally rack up tons of mileage, then you can expect more frequent visits to the shop and added maintenance costs.  Extra tire wear should be added for to your costs as well.

Car care: Uber requires you to keep up a clean appearance of your car, whether you care about it or not.  That means extra car washes and detailing.

Infractions on the road: Whether a ride-hailing driver or not, the driver is responsible for traffic infractions. 


WARNING about New Driver Signup Earnings Guarantee Promotions

Uber and Lyft currently have promotional offers for new drivers but you need to read all the terms and conditions to understand!

Promotions vary as there are some are publicized via social media or on the company’s website. You might also receive direct offers via e-mail if you are already signed up with the company.

Guaranteed Earnings versus Bonus

The kind of incentives being offered by ride-hailing companies include guaranteed earnings and bonuses.

For Uber Vancouver, I saw a promotion on the website which guarantees new drivers $800 as long as you have 100 unique rider trips within 180 days.

Uber Vancouver Lyft Driver Requirements, Costs and Is it Worth It

What does guarantee exactly mean? Well, say you made $700 only on those 100 trips within 180 days, then Uber will give you $100 bonus top you up to $800.

If you made $850, for example, on those 100 trips in 180 days, you get no bonus because you earned more than the $800 guaranteed.

Other private offers are available directly via emails from Uber.  The offer I received, for example, promises $500 bonus on top of my earnings for the first 30 trips before Jan 31, 2020.  This offer is basically designed to cover initial costs involved in qualifying as an Uber driver.

Uber Vancouver Lyft Driver Requirements, Costs and Is it Worth It

For Lyft, it says you get “a $500 bonus” if you apply with code by Jan. 9, 2020, complete your first ride within 180 days of your application date, and complete 70 rides within 30 days of your first ride. The terms and conditions are a bit unclear but I can see it being similar to Uber’s bonus offer mentioned above.

Lyft Vancouver Requirements, Costs and Is it Worth It

Do I pay taxes on my earnings as a driver?

Uber drivers are considered contractors rather than employees (in most cases) which means you need to declare your earnings and pay taxes.


Is it worth it to become an Uber Vancouver or Lyft Vancouver Driver?

If you already have a commercial driver’s license Class 1, 2, or 4)…

Then the cost and effort needed to get a Class 4 is longer in the equation. Your startup investment is a lot less compared to those who don’t have a Class 4. Whether you drive a lot or little, you can recover your money/time investment more easily.

If you have a Class 5 or 7 driver’s licence and want to dabble as a driver for a side-gig…

It would be harder to recoup your initial investment when you only drive occasionally.  Fewer trips may also mean you may not qualify for any of the promotional offers.

If you have a Class 5 or 7 driver’s licence and want to drive full-time or close to it…

By taking on more trips, you could recover some of your initial investment through promotional offers (again your mileage will vary) more quickly than those take on driving more as a side-gig.

You will also likely learn the system and figure out the best times time where you can make money more efficiently and thus recover your investment quicker.


Helpful Links

  • https://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/types-licences/Pages/Get-your-commercial-driver-licence.aspx
  • https://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/re-exam/Pages/Drivers-medical-exam.aspx
  • https://www.uber.com/en-CA/drive/vancouver/
  • https://www.lyft.com/drive-with-lyft/v/vancouver

Filed Under: Featured Posts, Lyft, Ride hailing, Uber, What's New

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