Dine Out Vacouver features 19 days and 182 restaurants

Salt Tasting Room in Gastown. Photo by Sue Frause.

Vancouver's hot winter restaurant promotion is now open for reservations. Dine Out Vancouver 2008 runs for 19 days, Jan. 16 to Feb. 3, 2008. A list of the 182 restaurants is now available at tourismvancouver.com.

I tried to log on the first day, and traffic was so high, I couldn't get in. It seems to be fine now. Meals are priced at $15, $25 or $35 CAD for a three-course prix fixe menu. Taxes, tips and alcohol are extra.

New this year are the Best Bite Awards, selected by diners who want to say Encore! in the categories of best course, best service, best food and wine parings and best overall menu.

Diners who vote will be entered into a contest that includes a grand prize of two tickets to anywhere in North America courtesy of Air Canada. Votes may be made online or by text messaging "DOV" to 247365.

A number of hotels are offering special packages that include one night's accommodation for two, a Dine Out Vancouver dinner for two in the hotel's dining room and other amenities. Rates begin at $129/night.

Among the participating hotels are the Wedgewood Hotel & Spa, The Listel Hotel, Comfort Inn Downtown, The Sutton Place Hotel and the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver and Fairmont Waterfront. Hotel packages may be booked online.