VanEats has once again released a dining package, this time for Prestons in the Coast Coal Harbour. For a mere $21 the restaurant has put together a menu that delivers a lot of bang for your buck – you will not leave hungry. Purchase now on VanEats and use from February 29 to April 29, 2012.
Included is
- Dungeness Crab Cake, panko breaded, tomato dressing, micro herb salad, fried capers
- Prestons Pulled Pork Poutine, crispy french fries, Quebec cheese curds, Rickards Red Gravy
- Chicken Karaage, garlic sake marinated chicken, flash fried, served with spicy sambal lime aioli and miso cabbage slaw
A choice of:
- 1/2 Rack of Baby Back Ribs, sweet hoisin & ginger glazed pork ribs, roasted fingerling potatoes, crunchy coleslaw
- BC Halibut Wrapped in Double Smoked Bacon, served with creamed leeks, quinoa, honey shallot j’us
And Maple and Double Smoked Bacon Creme Brulee, served with julienne slices of pickled granny smith apple
The first three dishes come in martini glasses side by side, a festive way to serve the trio. My favourite of the three was hands down the Chicken Karaage, made with tender white meat marinated garlic sake marinated chicken, breaded and then deep fried and served with spicy sambal lime aioli and miso cabbage slaw. The chicken was tender and the seasoning in the breading had just the right amount of spice. The miso cabbage slaw had a bit of a kick, and the veggies paired well with the chicken. Think gourmet KFC.
The Pulled Pork Poutine was a dish of crispy french fries, Quebec cheese curds, and a flavourful Rickards Red Gravy. Of course this is an indulgent dish, but chef managed to present the poutine without much greasy residue.
The Dungeness Crab Cake was panko breaded and served with a punchy tomato dressing with micro herbs and fried capers. I found the crust took over the delicate crab inside the cake and the fried flavour therefore was a the forefront with the crab being less apparent. I really do prefer my crab cakes pan fried.
Choices for mains included the 1/2 Rack of Ribs, but I went with the BC Halibut wrapped in double smoked bacon, with creamed leek, quinoa, a healthy serving of vegetables and a honey shallot j’us. The fish was tender and the bacon added depth to the dish; veggies were still slightly crunchy and the leak and quinoa pilaf had a pleasant creamy texture, a good companion to the other components of the meal. I tried the ribs and found that the hoisin and ginger glaze was far too sweet, so if you are not a fan of sugary sauces, stick with the fish.
With the menu the dessert was a Maple and Double Smoked Bacon Creme Brulee, served with julienne slices of pickled granny smith apple. While the bacon trend seems to be one that won’t quit, and I’ve enjoyed many a bacon-infiltrated chocolate cookie, ice cream and other bacon accented desserts, but this was one that didn’t work. The smokey flavour was far too predominant and completely overwhelmed any other aspects of the dish, such as the delicate creaminess of the custard. The server was on the ball though, and it’s worth mentioning she had been all night, and offered immediately to substitute the Macha Cream Brulee with mini- donuts, which we we more than pleased to finish the meal with.
For $21 this is an amazing deal and although I did not rave about all the dishes the majority are ones I would happily return and pay full price for.
Check out VanEats for purchase info and do it quickly as these passes disappear quickly.
