Launch party kicks off Dine Around and Stay in Town

Eat like a queen — and sleep on a king-sized bed — for less than you imagine at the Dine Around and Stay in Town Victoria culinary festival, which kicks off with a gala launch event Friday at the Victoria Conference Centre.

More than 60 restaurants, 25 VQA wineries and craft breweries and 12 hotels have teamed up to offer a taste of the city at a discounted rate.

“It is a great opportunity for people to try out new restaurants and for chefs to test new menus,” said Paul Nursey, president and CEO of Tourism Victoria. “It enables chefs to get creative.”

The two-week promotion grew out of a partnership between Tourism Victoria and the Victoria branch of the B.C. Restaurant and Foodservices Association.

Popular eateries throughout the city have created special fixed-price three-course meals for the event, with a choice of $20, $30, $40 and $50 offerings.

The promotion is also a chance for Greater Victoria residents to plan a staycation at a hotel during the slow time of the year in a tourist-driven city.

For two weeks, hoteliers will offer discounted accommodation, with rooms available from $89 to $229 a night.

The only change from previous years — the event has been held for at least 15 years, says Nursey — is that the dates have been brought forward a few weeks, as February has been getting busier.

Friday’s gala launch has also been “amped up,” Nursey said.

He expects 400 to 500 people will attend the event, which will feature food samples from participating restaurants, washed down with B.C.-sourced libations.

Tickets are $68.25 (must be 19 and over).

The event runs 5 to 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Victoria Conference Centre, 720 Douglas St.

The Dine Around and Stay in Town Victoria event runs Jan. 19 to Feb. 4 at more than 60 restaurants and 12 hotels.

For sample menus, a list of participating restaurants or more information, go to tourismvictoria.com/eatdrink/dine-around.