With Dine Out Vancouver officially over, another culinary festival will launch this week to showcase restaurants, cafés and breweries in Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody.
A total of 90 eateries have signed up to take part in the Taste of the Tri-Cities 2025, a month-long business drive aimed at promoting food spots during their slow season.
Organized by Tri-Local — a group made up of the three municipalities, the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce, BIAs in Austin Heights and Port Coquitlam, Global BC, Daily Hive and the Tri-City News — the festival that’s presented by Sysco “is our largest and has the most diverse lineup ever,” said Chloe Wan, director of strategy for the local chamber during an interview on Feb. 12.
Wan noted Asian restaurants, serving dishes from Japan, Korea, China, Vietnam and India, are in the spotlight for this year’s fest, which saw its kickoff Feb. 11 at the John B Pub.
Wan attributes a strong marketing push last year through media and food bloggers as the reason why many restaurateurs are returning to the fest that runs from Feb. 15 to March 15 and offers special meals and deals.
There are also giveaways during the campaign via the Tri-Local and chamber websites and social media pages.
For Laurie Horvath, owner of The One Sixty Café and Bar in Port Moody, she’s got a set three-course option for patrons at $44 that includes the eatery’s most famous dishes: a bruschetta starter and wild mushroom ravioli as an entree; the dessert is a New York cheesecake or a crème brûlée.
This is Horvath’s second time participating in the Taste of the Tri-Cities.
“It’s a great opportunity for us and the people in the community to try something different locally,” she said.
Horvath said her award-winning restaurant on Murray Street, by Electronic Avenue, has free parking in the back and is open to all ages (it has a kids menu and non-alcoholic beverages for children).
Wan said she’s visited many restaurants listed in this year’s Taste of the Tri-Cities and spoken with owners and managers about their businesses — some of which have struggled with labour shortages and rising food costs.
“Any way we can help them and give them a bit of visibility for our month-long festival is a good thing,” she said.
'Taste' restaurants
Here are the participants in the 2025 Taste of the Tri-Cities (click on the hyperlink to see what they’re offering):
Coquitlam
• Golden Parrots Pub & Restaurant
• M cafe
• Obanhmi
• Pasta Polo and Brick Oven Pizza
Port Coquitlam
• Dosa n chaat khazana Restaurant
• Kosho Sushi Japanese Restaurant
Port Moody
• Browns Socialhouse - Newport Village
• Float30
• Vashti Rose Artisan Vegan And Dairy Classic Ice Cream
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