Dine Around The Comox Valley is celebrating its fifth anniversary from Feb. 19 to March 16, 2014, with 18 restaurants offering an extraordinary array of dishes from both regional farms and the ocean.
A popular annual event, Dine Around in the Comox Valley separates itself from other Canadian city culinary events by being able to bring to the plate a fresh-from-field winter harvest. This, combined with local wineries and breweries and diverse restaurants and excellent chefs, has put the Comox Valley region on the maps of food lovers everywhere.
“One can expect to see dishes that incorporate fresh seasonal produce such as root vegetables,” says Marcus Aartsen, owner and chef, Martine’s Bistro. “But Dine Around also showcases a variety of preparation styles of dishes – for example, we’re serving smoked salmon crêpe, bacon wrapped beef tenderloin and white chocolate crème brûlée – plus the enormous talent, experience and passion brought to every plate by the team of people both in the kitchen and at the front of the restaurant.”
In recent years, the Comox Valley has risen in culinary circles as a food destination – thanks in part to the great number of agricultural and aquaculture products produced in the surrounding region.
“The local climate, soils and water make it possible to grow a wide range of agrifood products”, says Gary Rolston, Comox Valley Economic Development & Tourism agricultural development officer. “In 2001, there were 445 farms producing $26.6 million but successful marketing and promotion of the Comox Valley as an agrifood destination has resulted in 34% growth and a significant increase in product diversity. Investors are increasingly recognizing the untapped potential of the agrifood industry in the Comox Valley –case and point with the recent purchase of Beaufort Winery by James Cameron.”
And, with the kick off of this annual celebratory food event, the announcement of the re-opening of Mount Washington Alpine Resort means the fifth anniversary just got even sweeter. Locals and visitors alike now have the opportunity to stretch their legs on the mountain, either through Nordic or alpine skiing, and return to the Comox Valley for a three-course, prix fixe meal, each available for $17, $27, or $37 per person.
“We’ve received over a metre of snow in the last couple of days and the conditions couldn’t be better,” says Brent Curtain, spokesperson for Mount Washington Alpine Resort. “Getting some turns in pre-dinner and playing in our winter wonderland will definitely help build your appetite!”
In addition to the Dine Around The Comox Valley restaurant offerings, a collection of Comox Valley hotels are offering ‘stay-the-night’ rates. The properties are either in walking distance or a short taxi cab ride away, so food lovers can further pamper themselves by taking advantage of special discounts to make it a real ‘night out.’ Accommodation partners include The Travelodge Courtenay ($79 Cdn per night) and the Best Western PLUS: The Westerly Hotel & Convention Centre ($99 Cdn per night).
Dine Around The Comox Valley is a partnership of participating restaurant and accommodation providers, sponsorship from Gordon Food Service, Coastal Black Estate Winery, the Comox Valley Record, the Eagle 97.3FM, and supported by Comox Valley Economic Development and Tourism.
For more information, visit www.comoxvalleydinearound.com, call 1-855-400-2882 or drop into the Vancouver Island Visitor Centre. One can also join the conversation using #DineAroundCV on Facebook or Twitter.
Dine Around The Comox Valley participants include:
Restaurants
- Atlas Café
- Avenue Bistro
- Billy D’s Pub and Bistro
- Bisque
- Blackfin Pub
- Delicados
- Griffin Pub
- Locals
- Martine’s Bistro
- Prime Chophouse and Wine Bar
- Red 21 Gaming Tap and Grill
- The Breakwater at the Kingfisher Oceanside Resort
- Smitty’s restaurant
- The Westerly Family Restaurant
- Timber Room at Crown Isle Resort & Golf Community
- Toscanos
- Union Street Grill and Grotto
- Zocalo Café
Accommodation
- Best Western PLUS: The Westerly Hotel & Convention Centre
- Travelodge Courtenay
About the Comox Valley
Located halfway up Vancouver Island’s east coast, the Comox Valley is well known for its culinary bounty from land and sea. Coupled with arts, music and sporting events, and stunning alpine to ocean resorts and spas, the region is a place of supernatural beauty that offers rich culinary, cultural and outdoor experiences. Comprised of three communities: Comox, Courtenay and Cumberland, and surrounding rural areas of the Comox Valley Regional District, the Destination Marketing Advisory Committee identified in its 2014 plans, an increased focus on creating or expanding destination level events and festivals as an important building block essential for increasing awareness, visitation and economic activity in the region. For more information, visit www.discovercomoxvalley.com
