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Dine Strathcona: Restaurants, cafes, and breweries raising funds for DTES community with special menu items

This month brings Vancouverites the chance to support local businesses and enjoying a meal or drink out (or to-go) for a worthy cause.
Lindsay William-Ross
Lindsay William-Ross
DineStrathcona_AskForLuigi_2
Ask For Luigi is among the restaurants participating in Dine Strathcona 2020. Photo courtesy Dine Strathcona

This month brings Vancouverites the chance to support local businesses and enjoying a meal or drink out (or to-go) for a worthy cause.

Called Dine Strathcona, the 2020 iteration of what began last year as Dine Railtown has expanded to feature numerous restaurants and cafes in the community while supporting vulnerable individuals in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES).

Taking place Nov. 18 to 30, guests can choose select menu items at participating Strathcona businesses, from which $1 per dish or beverage will be donated to WISH Drop-In Centre.

What is WISH?

For almost 40 years, WISH Drop-In Centre has been a refuge and an essential point of contact for street-based sex workers who have been made vulnerable due to poverty, homelessness, trauma, violence, stigma, and a lack of access to supports and opportunities. It is the largest organization in Canada supporting sex workers and the only drop-in centre in the region supporting them 365 nights a year. Money raised during Dine Strathcona will help fund the critical services and resources WISH provides, including its 24-hour drop-in centre where they serve over 9,000 meals a month, its emergency shelter, Mobile Access Project Van, and WISH’s capacity building programs.

“Small businesses and organizations like the WISH Drop-In Centre are at the heart of this neighbourhood and it’s more critical now than ever to show our support for them,” says Theodora Lamb, Executive Director of the SBIA. “Dine Strathcona allows residents and visitors alike to do just that — make a positive impact in the lives of those who live and work in the district while also enjoying safe dining experiences at the many incredible cafés, restaurants and small businesses that call Strathcona home.”

Dine Strathcona participating restaurants

Taking part in this year's Dine Strathcona are some high-profile neighbourhood favourites and hidden gems. You'll find Ask For Luigi's fried cauliflower and chickpeas dish as well as Railtown Cafe's Winter Kale salad part of the fundraiser event, along with a soulful vegan curry at newcomer Harken, and a roasted cabbage salad with beef and duck at the brand-new Superflux brewery tasting room, among many more options. 

Many of the participating restaurants have take-out and delivery options for those wishing to take part in Dine Strathcona but not do dine-in.

DineStrathcona_Container_CillemaPhotographyContainer Brewing is among the breweries participating in Dine Strathcona this November. Photo courtesy Dine Strathcona
 
This year’s full list of Dine Strathcona participating restaurants, cafes, and breweries and featured dishes is as follows:
  • Ask for Luigi: Fried Cauliflower and Chickpeas  $15
  • Axum Ethiopian Restaurant: Vegetarian Combo  $15
  • Dosanko: Wild Mushroom Doria  $20
  • LanaLou's Restaurant: Cheeseburger & Fries (Veggie Option Available)  $13
  • The Belgard Kitchen: Wagyu Bavette Steak  $26
  • The Garden: Mushroom Bowl  $12
  • VV Tapas Lounge: Warm Cauliflower Dip  $13
  • Harken Coffee: Japanese Curry  $13
  • HoliDrink Cafe: Pegobo Noodle and HoliDrink HoliEH Spicy Ginger  $25
  • Pallet Coffee Roasters: Grilled Cheese + any Regular-sized Beverage  $10
  • Railtown Cafe: The Winter Kale  $12.75
  • The Uncommon Cafe: Green Cheese & Yam Pizza!  $11
  • Container Brewing: Rarebit  $8 (small), $14 (large)
  • Hastings Mill Brewing Company: Chicken Tacos  $10
  • Luppolo Brewing Company: Funghi Pizza  $17
  • Strathcona Beer Company: Margherita Pizza  $17
  • Superflux Beer Company: Roasted Cabbage with Beef and Duck Bolognese  $17