9 Vancouver food events this week, February 13 to 19

If you are among the many Vancouverites hungry for some fun ways to get out and eating this coming week here are nine Vancouver food events happening from February 13 to 19, 2017.

1. Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival

Taking place now through February 14, 2017, the Hot Chocolate Festival once again makes for a delectable countdown to the sweetest day of the year, Valentine’s Day, when a lot of us are definitely thinking about chocolate. These are your last days to head to the cafes, sweet shops, and restaurants around Vancouver serving up special cocoa-y creations. Boasting an impressive 29 participating restaurants and cafes (called “chocstars” for the event), there will be an incredible 61 flavours of the warming wintery chocolatey drink to check out this time around.

When: Now through Tuesday, February 14
Where: Check out details including participating locations here

2. BETA5 Pop-Up

Valentine’s Day Chocolates (Photo courtesy BETA5)

BETA5 Chocolates is making it easier to get a hold of their gorgeous artisan chocolates and cream puffs thanks to a pop-up shop that’s running through February 14. The sweets-maker is setting up shop in digs featuring a cool mural installation from a local artist, and fun treats like signature chocolate bar collabs with The Juice Truck and Matchstick Coffee. Of course they’ll have cream puffs and their Valentine’s Day collection of goodies.

When: Now through February 14
Where: 3345 Cambie Street, Vancouver

3. Unsung Heroes Menu at Blue Water Cafe

This year the Blue Water Cafe’s Executive Chef, Frank Pabst, will celebrate the 13th anniversary of his sustainable seafood festival. Unsung Heroes is a month-long event that brings awareness to local and unique seafoods. Guests in previous years have enjoyed dishes such as red sea urchin trifle, stir-fried jellyfish, and poached periwinkles. Every year, Blue Water Cafe donates 10% of the proceeds from Unsung Heroes to the Ocean Wise program.

When: All of February
Where: Blue Water Cafe 1095 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
Price: For further information or reservations, please contact Blue Water Cafe via phone at 604-688-8078 or email at [email protected]

4. Japan Unlayered: Chef’s Plate Lunches at Fairmont Pacific Rim

Part of the exciting Japan Unlayered events at the Fairmont Pacific Rim, their special culinary offering includes food by Hiromitsu Nozaki, head chef of two Michelin star restaurant Waketokuyama in Tokyo. Under his direction, the hotel’s sushi chef Taka Omi and his culinary brigade will present a limited number of his signature Bento Boxes in The RawBar, over lunch, from January 27 to February 28.

When: Now through February 28, 2017 (Noon to 2 pm)
Where: RawBar at the Fairmont Pacific Rim – 1038 Canada Place, Vancouver

5. Vietnamese Buffet at Mr. Red Cafe – Kitsilano

If you’ve ever imagined a happy, happy place where you can stuff yourself silly with delicious, authentic Vietnamese food, your dreams are about to come true this long weekend, as Vancouver’s Mr. Red Cafe puts on their first-ever buffet feast for two tasty days. It’s happening at Mr. Red Cafe’s Kitsilano location only, on February 13 (Family Day) from 11 am to 9 pm and February 14 (Valentine’s Day) from 5 to 9 pm. You must purchase tickets in advance.

When: Monday, February 13 (11 am to 9 pm) and Tuesday, February 14 (5 to 9 pm)
Where: Mr. Red Cafe, Kitsilano – 2680 West Broadway, Vancouver
Cost: $28 ages 14+; $17 ages 7 to 14; kids 7 and under free. Tickets must be purchased ahead at either Mr. Red Cafe location

6. For the Luv of Rum at The Cascade Room

Photo courtesy The Cascade Room

Sip, taste and learn about Havana Club Rum from Brand Ambassador Donnie Wheeler. Guests will enjoy complimentary rum samples and snacks during the educational — and fun! — tasting. No reservations are required for the tasting. For the rest of the night the rum love will continue to flow via food and drink specials available for purchase, with Yonah Sweetapple, Cascade Room’s Bar Manager, and a guest bar spot with Wheeler, mixing up classic rum cocktails like Mojitos and Hemingway Daiquiris. Pair the drinks with Cuban-inspired dishes from Chef Tim Evans.

When: Tuesday, February 14; tasting is 3 to 4 pm; specials available during regular dinner hours
Where: The Cascade Room – 2616 Main Street, Vancouver

7. Mardi Gras menu at Mamie Taylor’s

Get into the spirit of Mardi Gras right here in Vancouver as Mamie Taylor’s, will let the good times roll with a special, Mardi Gras-themed menu running for two weeks, from Friday, February 17 to Friday, March 3. Beginning at 5 pm daily, the Mardi Gras Fresh Sheet will feature down-home Cajun and Creole delicacies such as Turtle Soup, Jumbalaya, and traditional Gumbo, complemented by classic New Orleans cocktails such as the Vieux Carré, the Sazerac and the Hurricane. Plus King Cake for dessert (if your piece has the hidden surprise–a jade rooster–your slice is free!). No reservations required. (The regular menu is also available, too!)

When: Daily from Friday, February 17 to Friday, March 3 starting at 5 pm
Where: Mamie Taylor’s – 251 East Georgia Street, Vancouver

8. Benny Bonanza at Joe Fortes

This February head to Joe Fortes for brunch and take part in the restaurant’s Benny Bonanza. Three varieties of bennys will be available for only $9.95 each: Classic Eggs Benedict (shaved ham, poached eggs, hollandaise, housemade biscuit), Sausage Eggs Benedict (housemade pork sausage, poached eggs, hollandaise, housemade biscuit) and BLT Benedict (arugula, tomato and bacon jam, poached eggs, hollandise and housemade biscuit).

When: Saturday, February 18 and Sunday, February 19 (runs through Sunday, February 26); available during brunch hours (11 am to 3:30 pm)
Where: Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House, 777 Thurlow Street, Vancouver

9. Food Truck February at the VFM

The 6th annual Food Truck February event is on every weekend in February at the Vancouver Farmers’ Markets Nat Bailey and Hastings Park markets. Hit the markets to fine double the number of food trucks with special dishes, as well as opportunities to win some cool stuff.

When: Every Saturday in February
Where: Nat Bailey Winter Farmers Markets – 4601 Ontario Street, Vancouver

When: Every Sunday in February
Where: Hastings Park Winter Farmers Market – PNE, Renfrew & Hastings