What to do in Vancouver this week of January 2017

Is it just me or does it seem like the new year really starts in the second week of January? Last week wasn’t bad, it’s not like I ate a dozen donuts in one seating, I actually had some great gal pal time  and even planned my pre-wedding week away. I did try a new restaurant, and explored new cocktails and food, and even went for a couple runs. I just don’t feel I buckled down like I need to for 2017 business-wise I suppose. So, since my business is telling you what to do (or something like that), let’s get this week going with a few great events I’m giving the thumbs up to in and around Vancouver. Wishing you motivation and success this week! Please do the same for me?

Best Sommelier of BC Competition

Monday January 9 at Rogers Arena (200 Level, Captain’s Lounge, enter via Gate 10, 800 Griffiths Way, Vancouver),  at 1:00 pm you can catch the top three finalist competing in the practical exam that will determine the Best Sommelier of BC. There will be test on Sparkling wine service, Red wine decanting, Food and wine pairing, Menu correction and a Blind tasting of cocktails, red and white wines. It’s open to the public by donation. Later that night, the Winning announcement for BC’s Best Sommelier in 2017 will be announced at a sold out event at CIBO. I’m heading down to catch some of the action.

Theater of Life at Vancity Theatre

MON JAN 9 – 7:00PM (Gala Launch part of Vancouver Italian Film Festival)
FRI JAN 13 – 6:30PM • SAT JAN 14 – 3:45PM
SUN JAN 15 – 5:45PM • MON JAN 16 – 6:45PM • THU JAN 19 – 6:15PM INFO + TICKETS | Website & Trailer

In an extraordinary soup kitchen in Milan, two vastly different worlds come together in a unique social experiment. Theater of Life captures the remarkable relationship forged between the finest haute cuisine chefs in the world, led by chief instigator Massimo Bottura, and the city’s most disadvantaged groups: refugees, recovering drug addicts, former sex workers, and a host of others with no place else to go. Monday Jan 9th Gala Launch Event: Doors from 6:30 pm. Reception – 6:45-7:45 featuring dishes prepared by chefs David Gunawan (Royal Dinette); Brian Luptak (The Acorn) and Robert Clarke (The Arbour). (Pay bar) 7:50pm Screening followed by Skype Q&A with Filmmaker Peter Svatek.

Psychonaut World Premier

January 10th, 2017 at the Cinematheque Theatre in Vancouver, BC you can catch Psychonaut, a sci-fi indie feature shot exclusively in the Vancouver area. Psychonaut is a psychedelic sci-fi indie feature about mind travel. It follows one man’s journey on a path of spiritual awakening through science and technology. Scientists who have been pushed into underground research facilities following government intervention, continue to work on discovering the inner workings of the human mind. But when a secret disc containing sensitive research is stolen, it’s a race against time to recover the disc before worlds collide, causing catastrophic consequences.

The soundtrack is provided exclusively by psychedelic band DRUGZNDREAMZ Watch the trailer here: https://vimeo.com/176829943 To purchase tickets to the exclusive world premiere of Psychonaut, click here

Wild Rice DINE IN JAN 3 – FEB 12

Dine out Vancouver starts Jan 20 (book here quickly!), but you can already get some deals around town. Take a ride out to New West for a change and try the two course meal for $25, or for an additional $5, you can choose the dessert of your choice.

BOOK FOR Dine Out Vancouver

The good seats go fast so get booking for Dine Out Vancouver, Canada’s largest annual celebration of food and drink. This year there is 17 days of culinary events, prix fixe menus at 270-plus restaurants (at $20, $30 or $40 price points), as well as “Dine and Stay” packages and special hotel rates  January 20 to February 5. dineoutvancouver.com @DineOutVanFest #dovf

In addition to prix fixe dinners at more than 270 restaurants in and around Vancouver (many with suggested BC VQA wine pairings), food lovers can select from a roster of more than 40 events that include an Oceanwise Pop-up at the Vancouver Aquarium (sustainable, locally sourced menu paired with an interactive under-the-sea experience); a Robbie Burns Celebration (Scottish-themed feast at YEW Seafood + Bar along with a whisky masterclass led by award-winning bartender Lauren Mote and a special visiting guest who’s making waves in the spirits world); an Asian-inspired Lunar New Year feast at Heritage Asian Eatery (10-course, family style meal celebrating the Year of the Rooster); and more. Returning favourites include the Vancouver World Chef Exchange (welcoming star chefs from London, New York, San Francisco, Mexico City and Galway); a series of brunch crawls showcasing the most palate-pleasing haunts in Vancouver’s distinctive neighbourhoods; and others. And you won’t want to miss made-for-a-crowd experiences like the music-packed Tasters Tapas & Talent; a cozy Winter Beer Hall; Craft Beer & Tacos (a fan favourite pairing!) and more.

Campagnolo ROMA  will be pairing up with Odd Society

Delicious food and cocktails? YUM! Wednesday, January 11 Chef Jesse McMillan will be serving up six courses based on the hearty, rustic winter cuisine of Rome while cocktail pairings
will be designed using spirits from Odd Society.

Oyster – oaked mignionette
…
Winter Squash Salad – pumpkin seed vinaigrette, scamorza
…
Charred Cabbage – bollito misto, brassica brodo, sourdough bread
…
Squab – grilled radicchio, anchovy, squab jus
…
Goat’s Milk Custard – brown butter, peach, lovage
…
Baked Apple – pie crust, smoked anglaise

Tickets are $90 inclusive of food, beverage, and service and can be purchased by visiting http://romacollab.eventbrite.ca or by phoning the restaurant at 604.569.0456