My second Dine Out dinner was with friends at Frankie's Italian Kitchen. Like Cork & Fin, they also offered a two appetizer and entrée menu.


We were given warm bread with dipping olive oil and basalmic vinegar to start. Yay!

Arancini sicilian risotto balls

For the first appetizer, I chose the risotto balls. They were so yummy; crispy on the outside, warm and gooey on the inside. I wished there were more than just two!

Tomato Caprese Salad

The tomato caprese salad looked really good.

Veal Ravioli

I chose the Veal Ravioli for the second appetizer. They were ok.

Saltspring Mussels

Jumbo Shrimp Scampi

Bistecca Pomodoro

I had the beef but some pieces were cut thin so were more like beef jerky. Haha. The taste was there though! Looking back, I should have planned this dinner better and chosen the mussels instead of the veal because it was like double pasta and I was so full, I couldn't finish the spaghetti!

Marsala Chicken

Marsala chicken, not Chicken Masala. hahaha some of us at the table got confused with this. It's an honest mistake! Though it does make sense because chicken masala is Indian, and Frankie's is an Italian restaurant! Marsala is a wine. XD

For $5 more, we could add Frankie's Signature Tiramisu. I skipped this because I was full.

But there is ALWAYS room for dessert. I had the affogato on the regular menu because it's smallish and I was feeling sleepy from the large meal. Yum.

I was pretty satisfied with this round of Dine Out! Had a nice evening with friends and had all sort of weird discussions. hahah. fun!

My first Dine Out this year was at Cork & Fin in Gastown. This was a place that I had meant to visit in past years but never worked out. This year, I finally went with some coworker friends.

I love the rustic brick interior! We got seated upstairs in the corner where there was the least amount of light so the pictures aren't really good plus I was using my phone camera hahah.

Cork & Fin doesn't have the normal three course menu that other restaurants offer - it is a three savory course dinner; instead of dessert, we get two appetizers!

I started with the Lobster Bisque. It was pretty good - a bit on the salty side but had good flavour.

Photo by Bruce

The boys went with the oysters. They opted for the full dozen so that we could share. I'd get 6, and they each get 9. Worked out as our other friend Michelle, doesn't like them. I stole (with permission) Bruce's pretty photo of the oysters to post here heheh.

For the second appetizer, the majority of us chose the octopus & chorizo. I liked it, especially the octopus.

Bryan chose the smoked ricotta croquetter but was not impressed - it was pretty bland tasting.


For the main course, I was the odd man out this time - I had the wild mushroom cavatelli while everyone had the arctic char. I was told the char was good. Looking back I probably should have ordered that too. The cavatelli looked pretty but didn't have nearly enough wild mushroom in it - there were maybe only two tiny pieces of mushroom...so disappointing.

Overall, the dinner was underwhelming. The dishes were a mixture of hit and misses.  =/

It's not often my family find a restaurant near our neighbourhood that we'd go back over and over again. We got wind of Aotoya from a Japanese friend who goes there often. She said that if you want authentic Japanese food on Victoria Drive, that's the place to go.


It's a family run restaurant, the chef is kindly old man. They aren't known for their sushi but their special teishoku combo, which includes  a main dish you choose, miso soup, rice, and two daily side dishes and pickled radishes.


Simmered Mackerel Teishoku
Grilled Mackerel Teishoku




We went there relatively late so we were the last ones in the restaurant when it was closing. The chef told us not to rush and was very friendly and told us about the history of his restaurant. He asked if we tried the Uni. He says sources them fresh and cracks them open at the restaurant and likes to use the best ingredients. He told us that his restaurant used to be in the West side but rent increased and because he refused to compromise the quality of the ingredients, he was forced to move to the East side. It was pretty interesting to hear his story.

For dessert we had black sesame mochi with red bean inside,



and green tea pudding. They both tasted so yummy!

They have special deals like 20% off or free dessert with $20 order. The price is decent and the food was very good. Looking forward to visiting again.

Friday, January 16, 2015

Dine Out Vancouver Festival
JAN 16 - FEB 1, 2015  
Canada's largest food and drink festival dishes up unlimited ways to enjoy the flavours of the city. Choose from a 17-day calendar of culinary events and experiences, hundreds of restaurants throughout the city and dozens of hotel options to create delicious dining experiences. Choose from $18, $28, $38 menus at various restaurants.

Saturday, January 17, 2015

Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival
January 17 - February 14, 2015
Various Participating Cafes (check website)
The VANCOUVER HOT CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL is back for its fifth year, and this time, even more chocolate makers have come together to spike their hot chocolate drinks with the wildest, most delicious flavours you can imagine!

Dine Out Vancouver Festival
JAN 16 - FEB 1, 2015  
Canada's largest food and drink festival dishes up unlimited ways to enjoy the flavours of the city. Choose from a 17-day calendar of culinary events and experiences, hundreds of restaurants throughout the city and dozens of hotel options to create delicious dining experiences. Choose from $18, $28, $38 menus at various restaurants.

Divers' Weekend
January 17 & 18, 2015 10 a.m - 5 p.m. 
Vancouver Aquarium 
This 16th annual celebration of diving will engage divers and non-divers alike. Featuring compelling diving demonstrations, exhibits and conversations, Divers’ Weekend will inspire visitors to further explore the oceans, exchange ideas and expand their horizons. Seminars, demonstrations, exhibits, and activities. Included with general admission to the Aquarium.  Certified divers receive 50 percent off admission or 10 percent off Aquarium membership with a valid certification card. Membership offer not available online – please purchase in person at membership services.

Non-GMO Show - $15
January 17-18, 2015, 10:00 - 5:00  
Vancouver Convention Center - East (999 Canada Place) 
$15 at the door, or $12 online if purchased in advance. Free for children 10 and under.
The Non-GMO show is dedicated to helping the community discover, sample and save on verified Non-GMO products, while learning from leading experts!

Gluten Free Expo - $15
January 17-18, 2015, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Vancouver Convention Center, East @ 999 Canada Place  
$15 at the door, or $12 online if purchased in advance. Free for children 10 and under.
Gluten Free Expo is Canada’s largest gluten free event. Discover, Sample, and Save on hundred’s of Gluten Free Products while learning from leading experts.

Wreck Beach Clean Up and Social
Saturday, 17 January 2015 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Wreck Beach (Top of Wreck Beach Stairs, Trail 6) Northwest Marine Drive Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2
Beach cleanups are a fun and easy way to get involved and keep your beaches and oceans clean. Help keep our beach cleanups totally zero waste.

New Year Tea Gathering - $12, $10 (member)
Saturday, January 17, 2015 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm (4 sessions available) 
6688 Southoaks Crescent Burnaby BC V5E 4M7
Tea and Sweets included Children under 12 years old : Free (must be accompanied by an adult) No prior knowledge of tea ceremony or Japanese language is required. Attire: No jeans, miniskirt. Please bring a pair of white socks.

SpongeBob SquarePants visits VMM
Saturday January 17, 1.30 - 2.30pm  
Vancouver Maritime Museum 1905 Ogden Avenue in Vanier Park Vancouver, BC V6J 1A3
This weekend, the Vancouver Maritime Museum will be joined by a very special visitor.  For the first time, SpongeBob SquarePants, the world’s favorite sea dwelling invertebrate, comes ashore to our world for his most super-heroic adventure yet, in his new 3D movie, “THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER”, which hits theatre screens on February 6. As part of his campaign to promote the highly anticipated new 3D movie, SpongeBob SquarePants himself will be live at the Vancouver Maritime Museum this Saturday. Families who visit the Vancouver Maritime Museum will have an opportunity to meet the new Superhero SpongeBob and take photos with the famous character. Mini movie posters will also be available, while quantities last.

One Night Stand at the Shop Theatre - $10 
Jan 17, 2015 8:00 PM
195 East 2nd Street Vancouver, BC V5T 1B4
For one night only, the Shop Theatre hosts a hilarious stand up comedy show with comedians seen on Stand Up NBC, Bite TV, XM Radio, Hulu, and Comedy Time TV.  Line up includes Vanessa Woznow, Joey Commisso (Stand up NBC), Damian Johnson, Hans Kim (Tri-City Joke Off Competition Winner), and Ed Hill (Bite TV, XM Radio, Hulu, Comedy Time TV).    Doors open at 7pm and the show starts at 8pm. Tickets are only $10 in advance!

Sunday, January 18, 2015

Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival
January 17 - February 14, 2015
Various Participating Cafes (check website)
The VANCOUVER HOT CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL is back for its fifth year, and this time, even more chocolate makers have come together to spike their hot chocolate drinks with the wildest, most delicious flavours you can imagine!

Dine Out Vancouver Festival
JAN 16 - FEB 1, 2015  
Canada's largest food and drink festival dishes up unlimited ways to enjoy the flavours of the city. Choose from a 17-day calendar of culinary events and experiences, hundreds of restaurants throughout the city and dozens of hotel options to create delicious dining experiences. Choose from $18, $28, $38 menus at various restaurants.

Divers' Weekend
January 17 & 18, 2015 10 a.m - 5 p.m. 
Vancouver Aquarium 
This 16th annual celebration of diving will engage divers and non-divers alike. Featuring compelling diving demonstrations, exhibits and conversations, Divers’ Weekend will inspire visitors to further explore the oceans, exchange ideas and expand their horizons. Seminars, demonstrations, exhibits, and activities. Included with general admission to the Aquarium.  Certified divers receive 50 percent off admission or 10 percent off Aquarium membership with a valid certification card. Membership offer not available online – please purchase in person at membership services.  

Non-GMO Show - $15
January 17-18, 2015, 10:00 - 5:00  
Vancouver Convention Center - East (999 Canada Place) 
$15 at the door, or $12 online if purchased in advance. Free for children 10 and under.
 The Non-GMO show is dedicated to helping the community discover, sample and save on verified Non-GMO products, while learning from leading experts!

Gluten Free Expo - $15
January 17-18, 2015, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Vancouver Convention Center, East @ 999 Canada Place  
$15 at the door, or $12 online if purchased in advance. Free for children 10 and under.
 Gluten Free Expo is Canada’s largest gluten free event. Discover, Sample, and Save on hundred’s of Gluten Free Products while learning from leading experts.

Vancouver Resource Investment Conference
January 18-19, 2015 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
Vancouver Convention Centre West 1055 Canada Place Vancouver, BC, V6C 0C3 Canada 
Pre-register online for free admission or pay $20 at the door.
The Vancouver Resource Investment Conference is the world's largest resource investment conference dedicated on resource exploration and the largest of all annual trade shows held in Vancouver, Canada. Hear from investment thought leaders and wealth influencers. Speak one-on-one with executive members from companies covering every corner of the mineral exploration sector along with metals dealers, oil & gas, renewable energy, media and financial services companies. This is a must-see for investors and stakeholders in the global mining industry.   

A Day for the Birds
Sunday, January 18 Time: 11:00am - 3:00pm
Richmond Nature Park
Drop in and join a tour of this park's wildlife garden and learn how to make a garden habitat for birds. This event takes an ecosystems approach and highlights responsible feeding practices.

 

Farmers Markets:

Fresh, local, organic foods & crafts. 60+ vendors, hot food, music! Rain or Shine!