Seafood Feasts at Provence in Yaletown
Until April 30th, Provence Marinaside in Yaletown is hosting their 11th annual Poisson d’Avril. In France, ‘Poisson d’Avril’ (April’s Fish) is a one-day affair corresponding to our April Fool’s Day. The good folks at Provence believe you can never have too much of a good thing and have extended the fun to encompass a month-long celebration of all things fishy.
Join them for a three-course prix-fixe menu value priced at $59 with optional wine pairings (Canadian $21/ Old World $26) curated by Provence’s Wine Director, Joshua Carlson.
Poisson d’Avril’s ‘fish forward’ menu offer a ‘school’ of choices – from Steelhead to Branzino, Halibut to Tuna; there is something to please every fish fanatic. Grilled, poached, cured, baked and seared are just some of the many ways Provence will prepare the ‘finny fare.’ Someone in your party not a fish lover? Not to worry – there are plenty of non-fish choices available on Provence’s regular menu.
Which starter will be the bait that tempts your taste buds? Lemon-Cured Steelhead (sorrel mayo, crispy shallots, pickled baby cucumber and radish) or Grilled Duo of Branzino and Ahi Tuna (fresh arugula salad, caponata)? Carlson has paired the Steelhead with Unsworth Vineyards Charme de L’Ile NV Cowichan Valley, British Columbia / Monmousseau l’Essentiel Brut Zéro NV Loire, France and the Grilled Duo with Tantalus Vineyards Riesling Lab 2017 Kelowna, British Columbia / Luis Pato Vinhas Velhas Branco 2017 Bairrada, Portugal.
Your next major decision comes with which Main to reel in. The choices are difficult – how do you choose between these? It’s impossible. This is the point at which you might want to do some negotiating with your table mates and agree on ‘sharezies.’ The more table mates, the more you get to taste.
• Westcoast Niçoise Salad Provençal – grilled Steelhead, green beans, grape tomatoes, Niçoise olives, red and yellow bell peppers, pickled quail egg, red new potatoes, anchovy vinaigrette (T.H. Wines Rosé 2017 Summerland, British Columbia / Domaine Aureillan Rosé 2017 Côtes-de-Provence, France)
• Whole Mediterranean Fish – baked with red onion, Roma tomato, lemon, white wine and olive oil, served with seven grain rice, roasted rainbow carrots and zucchini batons (Road 13 Vineyards ‘Blind Creek Vineyard’ Viognier 2016 Oliver, British Columbia / Michel Gassier ‘Nostre Païs’ Costières de Nîmes Grenache Blanc & Roussanne 2015 Southern Rhône, France)
• Pacific Halibut – warm spring vegetable salad with sherry and grapefruit vinaigrette, salsa verde (Howling Bluff Estate Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2017 Naramata, British Columbia / Domaine Alain Gueneau ‘La Guiberte’ Sancerre 2017 Loire, France)
• Seared Ahi Tuna – crispy shallots, sautéed bell peppers, ‘Forbidden rice,’ warm wild mushroom and espellete vinaigrette (Rust Wine Co. Gamay Noir 2017 Oliver, British Columbia / Jean Loron Rift 69 Beaujolais-Villages 2017 Beaujolais, France)
• Grilled Branzino Filets – artichoke beignets, sautéed baby spinach, saffron poached spring potatoes, saffron beurre monté (Fairview Cellars Grüner Veltliner 2016 Golden Mile, British Columbia / Domäne Wachau Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Terrassen 2016 Wachau, Austria)
Fo a sweet ending Provence’s is serving up their legendary Lemon Tarte and silky Crème Caramel and for those indulging in the optional wine-pairing, Provence will select a BC or Old World wine to complement your choice of dessert.
All photos by Emrys Horton, EPH Photography
Lemon-Cured Steelhead
Salade Nicoise
Lemon Tarte
Provence Marinaside
Yaletown
1177 Marinaside Crescent
Vancouver, BC
604-681-4144
@ProvenceMarinaside
