Executive Chef & Owner
Jean Francis Quaglia of Provence Marinaside
July and August this year are jam packed with fun and delectable events for all the foodies out there. In particular, local restaurants and venues are showcasing seafood in a variety of menus and al fresco evenings.
So, make sure to add these seafood-themed dates to your summer line-up for more unforgettable Vancouver outings.
Toast to the Coast
For the first time, Ocean Wise’s annual gala event, Toast to the Coast, will be held in the summer, on July 12, 2019 at the Vancouver Aquarium (845 Avison Way). For the thirteenth time, Ocean Wise will be raising money for their sustainability initiatives in a magical soirée involving good food, drink, and the aquarium’s wonders. Due to the summer timing, guests will be able to enjoy their cocktails in the Courtyard and roam around to see the otters in the outdoors.
Small sustainable bites will be provided by top establishments in the city, such as Minami, Diva at the Metropolitan, Black and Blue, and Fanny Bay Oysters.
Drink companies will include Fuggles & Warlock Craftworks, Postmark Brewing, and Whistler Brewing Company.
In addition to the drinking and the feasting, attendees can roam around the aquarium’s many spectacular galleries, bid on silent auction items (e.g. stay for six in a three bedroom luxury villa in Merida, Mexico), buy raffle tickets, and dance to the music of DJ NAT. Tickets are $150 per person and available on-line.
Provence Marinaside’s Lobster Fest
Basque-style roasted lobster
If you adore lobster, Provence Marinaside (1177 Marinaside Crescent) is hosting a Lobster Fest for this entire month. Expect a decadent three course menu ($69 per person; French rosé pairings are $31 or $21 for a petit pour; items also available à la carte), which begins with a choice between chilled lobster salad with avocado, corn, roasted pine nuts, micro sorrel, and pine nut vinaigrette; and lobster bisque with chive crème fraîche.
Mains promise to be amazing, with selections being a whole lobster (steamed, grilled, or Provençal style), served with seasonal veggies and seven grain rice; lobster Thermidor with braised fennel, gem tomato confit, and wilted greens; and a Basque-style roasted lobster with baby bell peppers, Spanish chorizo, and fingerling potatoes – with espelette and cilantro oil.
The last course is a vanilla bean angel food cake with BC blueberries and port wine Chantilly.
Provence, in partnership with Benjamin Bridge wines, is also holding a Lobster Boil Dinner on July 15, 2019 ($165 per person including tax and gratuity). It includes a reception with Benjain Bridge NV brut and oysters and crab and shrimp cakes, followed by the lobster and seafood boil (Benjamin Bridge 2013 Brut and 2018 Cabernet Franc Rosé), a cheese course (Benjamin Bridge Nova 7), and lemon sorbet (with coffee or tea). Tickets are available on-line.
Sea to Sky Seafood Boils
The Sea to Sky Gondola always has tons of events planned for the summer (e.g. Rise + Climb Social Hike, Mountaintop Yoga). They’re also bringing back their popular Thursday night seafood boils (from now until August 29, 2019, 6pm). The seafood boil features mussels, prawns, and snow crab with creamer potatoes and corn on the cob. Other fixins are garlic butter with crispy baguettes, southern macaroni salad, grilled romaine salad, and blueberry crumble with whipped cream. Southern style iced tea is also included. Tickets are $37.50 for passholders and $49.99 for non-passholders (does not include tax or lift ticket), and are available on-line.
Seafood Boils at Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar
The return of Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar’s popular Seafood Boils was highly anticipated. Every Sunday until August 25, 2019, an al fresco Seafood Boil will be held, with Haywire “The Bub” sparkling wine as an opener. The food menu features a baby gem salad; the seafood boil with lobster, jumbo prawns, clams, mussels, Dungeness crab, potatoes, and corn; bacon and jalapeño jack cheese cornbread; and beignets with blueberry compote and lemon balm ice cream. The nights are $68 per person plus tax and gratuity, and are available on-line.
