#ChewingforCharity Campaign

Have you ever thought of helping someone in need while dining out and enjoying delicious dishes in restaurants? We now have a suggestion for you.

Recently, Tangoo Marketing started a Give Warmth Campaign, where 4 participating restaurants crafted special and comforting dishes. From now on until January 19, for each campaign dish sold, the participating restaurant will donate towards A Better Life Foundation to help people who are in need.

I was invited to these restaurants to try their dishes, including Robba Da Matti, Eight 1/2 Restaurant Lounge, and La Mezcaleria. And here are the three campaign dishes:

Pasta Saporita – Robba Da Matti

Pappardelle | Pancetta | Porcini Mushrooms | Sun-dried Tomatoes | Gorgonzola Cream Sauce

Pappardelle is freshly made in house, and it finishes off with some Parmesan cheese. YUM! If you have not been to this authentic Italian restaurant in Yaletown, you are missing out. The heated patio is very warm, as the restaurant provides red blankets. I personally do not like the patio as much, but this is one exception!

Mussel Hearts – Eight 1/2 Restaurant Lounge

Salt Spring Island Mussels | Curry Bisque | House Naan

Eight 1/2 is a local, cozy lounge. I always pass by this restaurant, but the front door gives me a “fine-dining” feeling. Well, I guess I am wrong! The dishes are very reasonably priced, and it is very spacious. So it is highly recommended to come after work for a drink or two. This campaign dish is gorgeous. They use Salt Spring Island mussels, which are super fresh and HUGE! To add some heat, a curry bisque is used as a base, along with some house naan. Although I found the naan is too salty for me, some of my friends like it a lot.

Orange Blossom Crème Brûlée Ice Cream – La Mezcaleria (Gastown & Commercial)

Orange Blossom Crème Brûlée Ice Cream | Roasted Pumpkin Seed Wafer

This is our last stop, and it is a unique flavor ice cream with a pumpkin seed wafer. I love eating the ice cream with the wafer because I found it is too sweet on its own. My friends all said they can taste the orange blossom, but sadly I cannot taste any! Overall, I like how unique a simple ice cream can get – time to try something new!