C Restaurant is one of the most successful restaurants in Vancouver. It is located at 2-1600 Howe Street, and you can make a reservation online or calling 604.681.1164. This is an interview with their director of Sales and Marketing, Curtis Wong.

Q: How was the business in 2008?

A: This is always a subjective question…I am new to the company in a newly created role so I have no hands on experience within this company to reflect previous years.

From pure observation, I am sure you can imagine the economy has made things very challenging. Further, as a weather driven restaurant, summer was quite brief this year making business more important to secure.

With a focus on corporate groups, C did well, but in all answers…all things considered, there were definitely need periods.

Q: What was your most frequently ordered dish in 2008?

A: This is really a question for Chef…

The Octopus bacon wrapped scallops are always popular, but our Chef de Cuisine recently won a contest for his Clam Chowder and it has been doing quite well.

Q: Are you planning to take part in the “Dine Out Vancouver 2009” event? If yes, please give us a scoop of your special menu for the event?

A: Yes we are…maybe not special menu, but I can say that if you would like to join us a week before for a preview, we will be honouring it at last year’s prices.

Q: Any special plan for 2009?

A: Uncertain of the specifics of this question and my answer may not be the perspective you are looking for…but marketing wise, we will focus on our online presence.

C will continue to push the envelope on cutting edge seafood.

Q: What is your recommendation?! From your menu, of course!

A: Chef’s clam chowder…it’s still cold out and it is tasty and comfort food.

There is an online petition going on in here. They are requesting that the Vancouver restaurants and food service providers eliminate polystyrene and similar petroleum-based food service ware from their facility, and instead, use materials that are reusable, recyclable, and/or compostable or biodegradable.

If you are interested, you can sign the petition here.

Tourism Vancouver’s Dine Out Vancouver 2009 will take place from Wednesday, January 14 to Sunday, February 1. Nearly 200 restaurants are taking part in the upcoming event, offering up great value for three-course dinners at $18, $28 or $38 (not including taxes, alcohol and gratuity). BC VQA wine pairings will also be offered, giving you the opportunity to familiarize with the wines of British Columbia.

You can start making reservations for the event on Monday, January 5. The list of participating restaurants, including their menus, will become available online on that day, at www.tourismvancouver.com. Reservations can be made online through the site, and early reservation is highly encouraged!

And finally, you can take part in the second annual Best Bite awards, which allows you to vote for your favorite Dine Out Vancouver experience online.

You can sign up for their email list here, or join the facebook group at here.