Weekly Planner: January 13

Left: A truffle demonstration and a tea seminar alongside a six course tasting menu paired with Silk Road teas and Spinnaker’s tea-infused ales. Right: Winter Wassail at Sea Cider (photo courtesy of Sea Cider)

Now that we’ve recovered from Christmas (can you believe it’s mid-January already?), time to start thinking about getting out again – here are some interesting food and drink events happening in the next week.

Sunday January 15^th 3 – 5 PM. Royal Tipple and Tea at Spinnakers Gastro Pub – A truffle demonstration and a tea seminar alongside a six course tasting menu paired with Silk Road teas and Spinnaker’s tea-infused ales. Tickets $45 from Silk Road Teas or Spinnakers Website

Sunday January 15^th 11 AM – 4 PM Winter Wassail at Sea Cider – Come celebrate the apple harvest and set good luck for the new year with this winter festivity. There will be a complimentary warm Silk Road cider cocktail on arrival or non-alcoholic mulled cider. Beverage stations will be serving more ciders, coffee, tea and there will be delicious winter-inspired food. Tours will be hosted every hour starting at noon, highlighting the history of cider as well as entertainment throughout the day by Island Thyme Morris Dancers and Quicksbottom Morris Dancers. The Blessing of the Orchard & Community Wish Tree will be at 2 PM. Website

Starting Wednesday January 18^th check out Clive’s Whiskey Week at Clive’s Classic Lounge in the Chateau Victoria with whiskey seminars, feature nights and tastings right through Whiskey Weekend. Website

Monday January16th 7 PM – Robbie Burns Dinner and Whiskey Tasting hosted by Companions of the Quaich. The evening features a traditional Robbie Burns dinner and four special whiskies in celebration of Scotland’s national poet. Graeme Macaloney, a native Scot, will introduce the whiskies and address the haggis. Smart-casual Highland Dress or tartan attire welcome. At Haro’s Restaurant at the Sidney Pier Hotel. Website

And if you’re can’t get enough Robbie Burns, starting January 15^th Spinnaker’s Gastro Pub is celebrating with a Robbie Burns Fortnight – two weeks of Scottish dinner features and Scotch Ales. Website

Heads Up – If you are heading over to Vancouver in the next few weeks, it’s Dine Out Vancouver time – your chance to enjoy specially created three-course dinners at some of Vancouver’s finest restaurants…all for a special price: $18, $28 or $38. Dine Out Academy (culinary classes and tours) and hotel features are available as well. January 20th – February 5^th

Website