In celebration of their 30th anniversary, the Water Street Cafe offered a special “Bring Back The Classics” menu featuring some favourite dishes that have been offered.  I had the opportunity to try out a few items from this anniversary menu.  Here’s a look at my experience.

Disclosure:  I was invited for a media tasting.  All food and drinks were complimentary.  Opinions are my own.

To start, there were the pan-fried and Ocean Wise Fanny Bay Oysters ($16) with sundried tomato and cilantro gremolata in a smoked paprika chipotle cream sauce.  The oysters were plump, juicy and complemented by a heavenly delicious cream sauce.  Unfortunately, this item is currently not on the regular menu but I certainly hope they bring it back.

We also enjoyed a refreshing Burrata Caprese ($15.50) featuring burrata, heirloom and roma tomato, basil, salsa verde, white balsamic glaze, sun-dried tomato pesto, chive oil, and himalayan pink salt.  The tomatoes were particularly juicy and flavourful.

The Prawn and Papaya Salad ($19) was a light entree with garlic prawns, green papaya, carrot, cucumber, red onion, bean sprout, crispy shallot, crushed peanut, and cilantro chili lime dressing.  A more Asian inspired dish with tender and perfectly cooked prawns.

We also enjoyed the Fettuccine With Smoked Chicken And Sundried Tomato ($25).  The chicken had a maple wood smoked chicken flavour which went well with the sundried tomato pesto.

Be sure to visit check out the Water Street Cafe to find out about their latest menus and events.

Water St. Cafe in Gastown Assumes New Ownership

Water Street Cafe Now Offers Happy Hour

The Teahouse first opened its doors to Vancouver diners in 1978 and in the 40 years since then it has cemented its place as one of the city’s iconic dining destinations.  The restaurant offers West Coast inspired cuisine in a beautiful setting located within Stanley Park and with an unparalleled view of the Burrard Inlet.

The Teahouse is excited to celebrate its 40th anniversary and four decades of hospitality history with a special three-course prix fixe menu available now until December 10.  This special menu priced at $40 per person features classic dishes from the original menu.

I was invited to a media event where I was able to enjoy my own selection of dishes for the three-course menu.  I was also able to photograph other dishes available on the menu.

To Start

Teahouse Stuffed Mushrooms: Crab, shrimp, cream cheese

This starter was a perfect meld of Ocean Wise seafood with melted, creamy cheese.

Duck Pâté: Cognac, pork, herbs, butter, cream, egg, lemon

Main Course

Fisherman’s Soup: Scallops, fish, shrimp, fennel, pernod broth

Steak au Poivre: 6oz New York Striploin, fresh cracked peppercorns, cognac, cream

I went with the steak for the main and it was absolutely perfect.  Medium, juicy, tender and incredibly delicious.  Many other attendees also raved about this entree.

Chicken Veronique: Chicken breast, grapes, white wine, brown bigarade sauce

Dessert

Crème Caramel: Vanilla custard, caramel sauce

Chocolate Mousse: Dark chocolate, candied pecan brittle

Baked Alaska: Meringue, strawberry ice cream, chocolate cake

A time-honoured classic, the baked Alaska was made with strawberry ice cream, chocolate cake, and covered in a sweet delicate meringue.   The perfect finish to a delicious meal.

I really enjoyed my choices for the three-course dinner and would recommend them.  Overall, the food was delicious and the menu is a great value for $40.  Bring your family and friends to indulge in this menu before it ends on December 10.

Vancouver Christmas Market, the city’s signature yuletide celebration, is now on until December 24, 2018 with extended hours from 11:30 am to 9:30 pm.  This year’s market features more than 80 huts stuffed with sweets, treats, and treasures, coupled with an increased lineup of large-scale activities and live entertainment.

Attracting a record number of more than 220,000 visitors last season, the market remains one of Vancouver’s beloved holiday events in which to savour the abundance of authentic German-inspired sights, sounds, and flavours.  I was invited to a media preview.  Here are a few highlights.

WunderBAR

Guests will also delight in gathering in the market’s sleek new WunderBAR, an 840 square foot space offering an exclusive VIP experience in a gorgeous, heated wintry setting.  This brand new addition to the market has room for 40 people, providing visitors with the perfect place to host corporate events or Christmas parties with family or friends.

Guests will be able to book hour-long tastings to indulge in Christmas cocktails or a mug of hot Feuerzangenbowle (spiced mulled wine) prepared by the market’s merry mixologists, and snack on a fine assortment of charcuterie or delicious German desserts in a twinkling winter oasis.

Mr. Hotcakes

Cheese Me Raclette 

Cheese Me Raclette  features items all served with freshly melted cheese scraped from the wheel.

Mr. Pretzels

Mr. Pretzels is a pioneering brand of aromatic soft pretzels baked in a broad variety of flavours.  Originating in Puerto Rico in 1994, their delicious hand-rolled soft pretzels are sold in over 300 stores in close to 20 countries in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, the Caribbean and North America.

Their pretzel dough is made with whole wheat, low in fat and contains no preservatives.  They are also prepared on the spot, hand-rolled in front of their guests for optimal freshness and taste.

Taste the Wild

West Coast Wild Foods is one of Canada’s leading wild mushroom companies.  They focus exclusively on nature’s most exquisite wild foods, bringing wild mushrooms such as Chanterelle, Morel, Porcini, Pine and many others directly from the forests of North America.  They will have a full selection of fresh as well as dried mushrooms on hand every day, and will also feature Candy Cap Mushroom Macaroons, local pickled fiddleheads, fresh truffle, Chaga Tea/Coffee Blend, and Wild Berry Jams.

They will also sell a variety of Untamed Feast products such as Creamy Wild Mushroom Soup, Porcini Risotto, Thai Morel Coconut Rice, Smoked Chanterelle Arroz, and the famous Wild Mushroom Gravy/Sauce mix.

Tickets Information

Tickets: Adult $12, Seniors $11, Youth Age 7-12 $5, Children Age 0-6, FREE.

Purchase online to enjoy an abundance of savings including discounted pricing.  A Fast Pass is an upgrade available exclusively online that can be added on to a regular entry ticket for $5 per person.  This offers guests the option to enter through an express line at the entrance and the carousel. A Fast Pass also includes a 2018 Season Pass and can be used throughout the entire season!

Pink Pearl Chinese Restaurant, a storied restaurant in Vancouver’s Eastside, has joined the ranks of other sustainable seafood restaurants as it becomes an Ocean Wise partner.  The restaurant has taken a major step in its sustainability journey by removing shark fin soup – a Chinese delicacy – from its menu and highlighting the bounty of sustainable seafood options in classic, Cantonese cuisine.  I was invited to a media dinner where we celebrated the momentous occasion by enjoying Pink Pearl Restaurant’s Ocean Wise seafood dishes.

Steamed Black Cod in Preserved Vegetables

Basa Fillet with Garlic and Roasted Pork Hot Pot

Pan Fried Clams in Black Bean Sauce

Oysters with Ginger and Green Onion Sizzling Plate

Dungeness Crab with Spicy Dry Garlic