Photo Credit: Leila Photography
February 16th marks the start of the Year of the Dog, with those born in dog years supposedly characterized by loyalty and honesty. Chinese New Year is a time of joy, celebration, and, of course, good eating.
Fortuitously coinciding with this festive period are the 10th annual Chinese Restaurant Awards. Public voting for the Diners’ Choice Awards has just begun and will run until March 4, 2018.
Metro Vancouver has an incredibly vibrant and diverse Chinese dining landscape that continues to expand and evolve every year. It’s arguably the best in North America. Started in 2008, the Awards began with the aim of getting more diners aware of Chinese food options in the city, and of fostering cross-cultural culinary exchange. They are now the longest running Chinese culinary awards in the world.
The Chinese Restaurant Awards consists of three parts: Critics’ Choice Signature Dish Awards (with 10 top dishes selected this year by Alexandra Gill, Lee Man, and Brendon Matthews), Social Media Choice Awards (judged by foodie social media experts); and the Diners’ Choice Awards.
This year, there are 21 categories, with restaurant choices based on nominations submitted by the public. They include Best Peking Duck, Best Shanghainese Restaurant, Best Hot Pot Restaurant, Best Congee and Noodle Restaurant, and Best BBQ Shop. New categories have been added this year, such as Best Sichuan Mouthwatering Chicken and Best Spring Rolls. Voting is open from now until March 4, 2018, done either on-line or on WeChat. Winners for the Diners’ Choice Awards will be announced March 5, 2018.
Prizes include dining experiences in Hong Kong and Vancouver, a round trip flight to Hong Kong from Vancouver, and a dinner for 10 people at Vancouver’s “Best New Restaurant.”
With voting on and Chinese New Year fast approaching, now is the perfect opportunity to sample the many culinary delights of Vancouver’s Chinese culinary scene.
For example, Kirin Restaurant (102-1172 Alberni St; 201-555 West 12th Ave; 200-7900 Westminster Highway), a longtime fixture of Vancouver’s Chinese establishments, is offering two sumptuous special Chinese New Year dinner menus, both featuring auspicious dishes for the Year of the Dog. For example, one menu ($868 per table for 10 people) includes braised dried oysters, pork tongue, and lettuce; a whole steamed live rock cod; lobster and crab in consommé with ginger and green onion; and long life braised e-fu noodles with scallions.
The newly opened 1886 (39 Smithe Street) in Parq Vancouver will host a Lunar New Year Lunch Buffet on February 15, 16, and 17, 2018 from 11:30am to 2:30pm ($58 per person plus tax and gratuity, 19+ required).
Items to feast on include a variety of dim sum, noodle and rice stations, pastries, sushi, salads, and carving and bbq stations. They’re also featuring a New Year’s Dinner Menu February 15-18, 2018 from 5pm to closing ($138 per person plus tax and gratuity, 19+ required). The six course menu begins with a cold plate of marinated sliced beef shank, crispy pork belly, marinated jelly fish, pickled cucumber, bean curd sheet with assorted sauteed mushrooms; followed by braised shredded fish maw with con poy soup; steamed fresh whole rock fish; braised sea moss, golden oysters, and con poy; crispy chicken; and pea leaves with bamboo pith. Add-ons include Nova Scotia lobster e-fu noodles ($88).
With the Year of the Dog coming and the Chinese Restaurant Awards in full swing, you have every excuse to let your palates explore the culinary delights that Vancouver’s Chinese restaurants and food establishments are showcasing!
