A long-time WILU tradition, Dine Arounds (Tuesday, May 31, 6:00-8:00 PM) are an opportunity to connect with colleagues and explore local cuisine.
Each Dine Around will be led by a member of the WILU 2016 Conference Committee who will contact you prior to the 31st with your meet up location on UBC campus. We’ll be taking public transit as a group to the venue and your host will stay for dinner. Dine Around participants are responsible for their own transportation costs as well as their meals/drinks etc. Participants will not be escorted back to campus but your host will ensure that everyone knows exactly how to get back to UBC before the evening breaks up. All Dine Around locations have been chosen with ease of transit in mind. Please register as spots are limited.
The Oakwood | Host: Jo-Anne Naslund | FULL
Every evening this funky gastropub reinvents itself from one of the best brunch joints in town to a casual-chic tapas place – focussing on the best of locally sourced west coast cuisine. Prepare to share your selection(s) – there are no entrees at the Oakwood! “All our dishes are intended for sharing and will be served as they are ready.” See a sample of the meu here: http://www.theoakwood.ca/
Zest | Host: Shawnna Parlongo | (FULL)
Winner of Vancouver Magazine’s 2015 Best Restaurants awards in the Best Upscale Japanese Food category and Honourable Mention in the Best Seafood category, Zest offers “modern Japanese cuisine executed with pride, passion and flair based on traditional methods utilizing the finest local ingredients around British Columbia. (It is) the very first Japanese restaurant in Vancouver to implement a refined wine and sake program with a focus on diversification, current trends and food pairing which harmonizes the intricate and delicate flavour of Japanese cuisine” (Homepage). See a sample of the dinner menu here: http://zestjapanese.com/menu/
Bob Likes Thai Food | Host: George Tsiakos | FULL
Don’t be fooled by the quirky name or the bare-bones website – Bob Likes Thai Food makes most “Best Thai Restaurants in Vancouver” lists – on tourism sites like Trip Advisor as well as those compiled by Vancouver foodies. “Bob” may not be a real person, but owner Tai Keattivanichvily “grew up in a northern Thai village and was often by his mother’s side in and out of the kitchen”….(and) insists on cooking from scratch—just as his mother always did” (Da Silva. Georgia Straight). Expect fresh, authentic flavours; varied and innovative dishes; and a lively atmosphere. The menu leans more towards share plates than entrees so come prepared to try a wide array of small dishes with your colleagues!
Guu | Host: Amber Saundry | (FULL)
Guu was the first Izakaya, or Japanese “tapas,” style restaurant to open in Vancouver and now boasts 6 locations – each with a different twist on Izakaya fare. If you’re not familiar with Izakaya dining don’t expect to see sushi on the menu – the majority of what’s on offer will be small share plates of Japanese pub food, such as chicken karaage, grilled meats on skewers, stews, salads, sashimi etc. Guu with Otokomae is in the heart of historic and ultra-hip Gastown, offering the most “contemporary” interpretations of Guu dishes. For a sample menu see: http://guu-izakaya.com/menu-gastown
Steamworks | Host: Erin Fields | Registration (FULL)
This independent brew pub is a favourite with tourists and locals alike. The BC Beer guide concurs: “Very stylish pub and restaurant at the water’s edge in fashionable Gastown district of Vancouver. Beer is as good as the setting.” For a sample menus see: http://steamworks.com/brew-pub
Provence Mediterranean Grill | Host: Irena Trebic | (FULL)
Provence Mediterranean Grill was opened by husband and wife chef team Jean-Francis and Alessandra Quaglia in 1997 and it’s maintained its “neighbourhood gem” status ever since.. Its convenient location right by the 99B bus stop makes it a huge favourite with UBC staff members and local residents alike – but it’s the fresh and simple Provencal-Italian fusion dishes that keep them coming back. The menu features an excellent selection of share plates if you lean towards “trying a bit of everything” as well as a short, but beautifully prepared set of entrees. For a sample menu see: http://www.provencepointgrey.ca/wp/menus/dinner/
Anna Lena | Host: Wendy Traas | (FULL)
One of Trip Advisor’s top rated restaurants in Vancouver and boasting an average 4.5 rating on Yelp – Anna Lena is a favourite with tourists and locals alike. Vancouver chef Mike Robbins competed on season 4 of Top Chef Canada and he opened Anna Lena in 2015 with the purpose of melding a classic French bistro with a modern, Canadian sensibility (Georgia Straight, http://www.straight.com/food/407181/chef-mike-robbinss-annalena-restaurant-opening-kitsilano). A Pescetarian delight – expect to see a menu filled with seafood options as well as a short and intriguing list of desserts. For a sample menu see: http://www.annalena.ca/dinner/
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