Dine Out Vancouver 2014: Film Feast at Shangri-La, Raw Canvas, and La Pentola in photos

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      Over 250 restuarants across the Lower Mainland are offering prix fixe menus at $18, $28, and $38 during the 2014 Dine Out Vancouver Festival. There are also more than 30 food-related events taking place from January 17 to February 2. With so many choices, it can be difficult to narrow down a reservation (and if you need help weeding through the restaurants, we offer some guidance here).

      On January 7, I attended a media preview of what's being offered at Dine Out Vancouver this year. I was part of the group visiting places deemed good picks for a Dine Out Vancouver date night. Have a look at what's on offer. (For ideas for a Dine Out Vancouver evening with friends, check out this blog post.) 

      Film Feast at the Shangri-La Hotel

      New to this year’s Dine Out Vancouver events is a food-lover’s take on dinner and a movie. Film Feast, presented by the Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver (1128 West Georgia) and MARKET by Jean-Georges, offers attendees a private screening of the 2011 film Jiro Dreams of Sushi, followed by a four-course dinner inspired by the film.

      Jiro Dreams of Sushi is a documentary by American filmmaker David Gelb. It follows Jiro Ono, an 85-year-old sushi master and the owner of Tokyo’s three Michelin-star restaurant Sukiyabashi Jiro in his quest for sushi perfection. The film will be shown in the Shangri-La’s 40-seat private movie theatre and guests can enjoy a signature cocktail—the plum sake cosmopolitan—and miso-togarashi-flavoured popcorn during the 80-minute screening. Afterwards, ticketholders will be guided to a seated dinner at MARKET, where chef de cuisine Montgomery Lau has prepared four artfully plated courses inspired by Japanese flavours.

      Film Feast’s initial two dates (January 22 and 28) sold out quickly; however, the Shangri-La has added a third date—January 29—and tickets, which are $58 per person, are still available.

      Here are some sample dishes from what will be offered on all three dates of Film Feast. The opening photo (above) is the cedar cold-smoked katsuo sashimi with kasu dressing, popcorn rice, and dashi pearls.

      Michelle da Silva

      During the film screening, guests can enjoy plum-sake cosmopolitan cocktails and miso-togarashi popcorn.

      Michelle da Silva

      The first course created by chef Montgomery Lau features scallop, sea urchin, and salmon sashimi on house-made nori rice crackers.

      Michelle da Silva

      Braised clams with a sweet soy glaze, crispy rice, carrots, daikon, shitake, and burdock root are almost too beautiful to eat—almost.

      Raw Canvas

      For those interested in more than just a sit-down dinner experience, Raw Canvas (1046 Hamilton Street) offers Dine Out Vancouver attendees a chance to flex their creative muscles. At the Yaletown restaurant, lounge, and art studio, guests can paint a canvas while enjoying beverages and the tapas-style menu.

      During Dine Out, Raw Canvas will offer a $38 menu that includes a choice between three charcuterie plates, a small canvas with access to the studio’s art supplies, and dessert, which is a slice of New York cheesecake served with raspberry coulis.

      Below are sample dishes of two of the three charcuterie plates.

      Michelle da Silva

      At Raw Canvas, guests purchase a blank canvas and are given access to an art easel, acrylic paints, paint brushes, art smocks, and the guidance of a resident artist.

      Michelle da Silva

      The meat plate includes pepper salami, chorizo, a terrine, pickles, olives, and apricots.

      Michelle da Silva

      The cheese plate includes three types of cheese accompanied by a pear-rosemary purée, Dijon mustard, and figs.

      La Pentola della Quercia

      Perhaps a classic date-night option for some people is a romantic meal at an Italian restaurant. La Pentola della Quercia (350 Davie Street), which is located at the Opus Hotel, is offering a $38 three-course dinner and lunch menu during Dine Out Vancouver.

      The dinner menu created by chef Lucais Syme, offers diners a choice between three appetizers, three entrées, and two desserts, with vegetarian and gluten-free options available.

      Here are some sample dishes from what will be offered at La Pentola during Dine Out Vancouver.

      Michelle da Silva

      House-cured wild pacific salmon with herb crème fraiche is one of three appetizer options.

      Michelle da Silva

      A crisp and airy parmesan soufflé served with aged balsamic and zucchini crudo is the vegetarian appetizer.

      Michelle da Silva

      Roasted sablefish tops the seafood and shellfish cioppino, one of three entrée options.

      Michelle da Silva

      A creamy mushroom risotto will please vegetarians as one of the entrée options at La Pentola during Dine Out.

      Michelle da Silva

      The chocolate mousse with beets and poppy-seed purée is a memorable dessert. For diners who prefer to end the meal with something tart, La Pentola is also featuring a lemon cream dessert during Dine Out.

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