The “A Christmas Cocktail Story Popup”, a collaboration between Rosie’s BBQ and Dalina is back for its second year. Where the modern cafe on the outskirts of Chinatown has been transformed to a winder wonderland. Having been the year before I can confirm that the decor is different for 2023, but there is just as much whimsy and photo ops. This includes a rocking horse and a velvet throne fit for Santa. A full tree trimmed in tinsel and one hung with candy, wrapped presents in towering stacks and many more strung up on the ceiling.
Held in the cafe during after hours, this is a ticketed event. Walk-ins are welcomed, but reservations are recommended. Tickets are $40 per person and includes a welcome drink, fondue, and your choice of one of their seasonal cocktails. Additional food and drink are available a la carte.
We visited opening night and insisted on sitting right at the bar, where all the action is. There you will been Scotty with his beard, beanie, and Hawaiian shirt. He gives you young Santa on vacation, and is half of the fun.
Guests are welcomed with their first cocktail: “Christmas in the City” prepared with vodka, pie spice, lime, pomegranate, and cranberry. Tangy and bright, this is similar to an Cosmo, easy drink and to follow.
After that there are 9 different Christmas themed cocktails to choose from with hot and cold options. I specially liked the number of creamy drink options they had available from a minty Bailey’s coffee to a classic hot buttered rum.
We would get the spiked hot chocolate and eggnog in the same vein. “Baby, it’s Chili Outside” is the former with Mezcal, chili vodka, hot chocolate, marshmallow, and lime. More chocolate than heated spice or smokey spirit. But fun in a Santa cup topped with marshmallows, and crowned with mini candy canes.
The “Blitzen’s Son’s Nog” was Sons of Vancouver Amaretto, Fernet Branca, egg, cream, Winter Syrup, and nutmeg. This was exactly as I expected: baked spices in a creamy yolk beverage, offering pops of warming spirit for a boozy and warming sipper.
Normally you would get a cheese fondue to accompany the above, but tonight my guest had a dairy allergy and we found the chocolate fondue more friendly for her stomach (already coated in a lactaid pill). If you were to order this, there would be a separate add on cost.
I actually would have liked the Cheese Fondue as I am a huge fan of anything cheesy, and the mix in their melt sounded amazing with the likes of Emmenthal Swiss, maraschino liqueur, and wine. Served with local Apples, Grapes, sourdough bread, and local potato for dipping.
The Chocolate Fondue instead was more like dessert with a classic milk chocolate melt to dip apple, lemon cake, and strawberry into. The chocolate kept warm with a single tea light for optimum experience.
We would also get all the other food options as a platter, prepared by Rosie’s Catering Chef. A collection of familiar, homestyle, comfort nibbles.
The Garlic Knots were doughy in texture, and the exact finish you wanted with drinks. Fresh pizza dough, garlic butter and marinara sauce.
The same tangy and sweet honey tomato sauce, we would be use with the Cranberry Meatballs as well. Pork and beef rounds coated in a cranberry chili glaze. A little on the drier side, but nothing the marinara dip couldn’t fix. The kitchen can also do a vegetable ball substitution for those who want a plant-based option.
My favourite was the scratch made Pigs in a Blanket. These reminded me of childhood as we grew up on the from frozen kind.
In short, if you are looking a fun and causal cocktail spot to celebrate the season in, then check out the link below for your ticket to this “Christmas Cocktail Story”.
https://rosieshospitality.ca/christmas-cocktail-story
DALINA Main St.
687 Main Street, Vancouver, BC V6A 2V4
604-428-4364
dalina.ca
