Ninth Annual Taste of Yaletown Launches to Record Participation and New Focus on Lunch

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Oct. 1, 2013) - The Yaletown Business Improvement Association today announced that the 9^th annual Taste of Yaletown (TOY) will run from October 16 - 27th, 2013, with a record number of 30 participating restaurants. This year, the popular dining event will move away from limited 3-course menus to offer creativity and flexibility to chefs, who can now offer any menu combination at set prices of $25, $35 and $45. Organizers expect to see a diverse and exciting offering, with specific emphasis on local and seasonal ingredients as a result of this change. Additionally, TOY 2013 will also include lunchtime menu offerings alongside the traditional dinner. The addition of lunch will be supported and promoted through a unique, free trolley service to Yaletown for the public.

"Taste of Yaletown has remained one of the most popular dining events in the city for the past 9 years, and we are dedicated to continuing to push the envelope on delivering a unique experience for diners. This year we have introduced a few exciting changes that we are confident will make it even easier and more exciting than ever to attend Taste of Yaletown," states Annette O'Shea, Executive Director of the Yaletown Business Improvement Association. "The fact that we have a record 30 restaurants on board this year is a testament to TOY's continual growth and strength."

Changes to the menus for Taste of Yaletown will see the event move away from the traditional 3-course dinner offering set at $25, $35 and $45 price points. This year, chefs and restaurateurs will have the freedom to serve up any combination of items or courses under the same price points, meaning that the public will receive something truly unique and carefully selected at each restaurant. Menus will not be limited by number of courses and can include beverages pairings inside of the set prices as well.

"Yaletown is home to some of the city's best chefs, many of whom view Taste of Yaletown as a time to showcase their creativity. Removing the limitations of number of courses has opened things up further so that they are free to decide how best to deliver their very best to customers. I suspect we will see a huge range in exciting menus this year - everything from a 7-course tasting to a menu that includes drinks as well as food. The public will have so many new options to discover," explains O'Shea.

Taste of Yaletown will also expand to offer set-price lunch menus in addition to dinner this year. Restaurants are being encouraged to demonstrate creativity for lunch as well and the Yaletown Business Improvement Association has taken a direct approach in promoting the emphasis on lunch by arranging for a public trolley to take customers from other areas of the downtown core, into Yaletown for lunch and then delivering them back to work within the hour. The trolley will run for free throughout TOY and schedules and locations can be found through the TOY website and social media channels.

The list of participating restaurants for TOY 2013:

1. Bistro Sakana
2. Brix Restaurant and Wine Bar
3. Cache Bistro & Lounge
4. Cactus Club Café
5. DD Mau Bahn Mi
6. El Azteca
7. George Ultra Lounge
8. Glowbal Grill
9. Good Wolfe Kitchen and Bar
10. Hamilton Street Grill
11. Hapa Izakaya
12. Honjin Sushi
13. Hooker's Green
14. Hurricane Grill
15. Kibo Restaurnat and Lounge
16. La Pentola della Quercia
17. Milestones Grill + Bar
18. Minami Restaurant
19. The New Oxford
20. The Parlour
21. Paulie's Kitchen
22. Provence Marinaside
23. Raw Canvas
24. Romer's Burger Bar
25. Society
26. Urban Fare
27. Urban Thai Bistro
28. West Oak
29. Yaletown Brewing Company
30. Yaletown L'Antipasto

Please visit http://yaletowninfo.com/events/taste-of-yaletown for menu details from each restaurant.

About Taste of Yaletown: Taste of Yaletown 2013 invites the public to experience the diverse culinary offerings, delectable wines and unique atmosphere of Vancouver's premier dining district. Since 2005, Taste of Yaletown has become known as one of the top dining events in the Vancouver calendar, drawing crowds from all corners of the city to experience the best in dining and drink at an affordable price. A portion of profits from each meal served during Taste of Yaletown is donated to The Greater Vancouver Food Bank. Since the event began nine years ago, Taste of Yaletown has raised over $100,000 in support of the Greater Vancouver Food Bank.