Get your food on at Taste of Yaletown 2017

Festival is an opportunity to finally try out that new (or old favourite) restaurant

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1 / 1 Whole roasted cauliflower at Fayuca in Yaletown. Photo Sandra Thomas

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Until a recent visit to Xoxolat (pronounced sho-sho-la) on Homer Street I was not a whiskey fan.

That was until Xoxolat owner Hodie Rondeau demonstrated how well the liquor pairs with chocolate and made me a believer. You could argue adding chocolate to anything would make it taste better, but I have my doubts it would pair as well with sardines or kimchi.

But the joy of events such as the Taste of Yaletown festival is that food lovers have an opportunity to try different dishes at prices that won’t break the bank, which is how I found myself drinking whiskey and eating chocolate at Xoxolat during the media preview for the event, which runs now through Oct. 27.

Other stops we made that night included Fayuca, specializing in the foods of the Pacific Northwest from Mexico to B.C., and the Flying Pig, where not everything (sadly) comes with a side of bacon.

Instead, the Flying Pig specializes in locally sourced, fresh ingredients, which sometimes comes with pork, like the melt-in-your-mouth split pea soup we devoured during our media tour.

Now in its 13th year, the festival showcases special menus, tasting plates and pairings created by some of the best chefs in the city for the fixed price of $25, $35 or $45 per person.

This year 26 restaurants are taking part, including regular participants Brix and Mortar, the Keg Steakhouse and Bar, Bistro Sakana, Hurricane Grill and WildTale Coastal Grill.

To date, the Yaletown Business Improvement Association has raised more than $115,000 for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank through donations raised during the festival.

For menu details visit yaletowninfo.com.

Here’s the complete list of restaurants taking part in Taste of Yaletown 2017:

Banter Room