“We’ve always served our dishes family-style,” says Wild Rice owner Andrew Wong. “The plates come out of the kitchen as they are prepared and placed on the table for everyone to share. Creating a ‘social dining experience’ is a logical extension,” says Mr. Wong of the new Communal Dinners coming to Wild Rice’s downtown Vancouver location.
Starting in April, the restaurant will serve a themed, prix fixe menu on the second Monday of every month. “We noticed the popularity of our platter dinners that we created for Valentine’s and Chinese New Year. There are other restaurants in the hood that have done well with the communal table concept, so we thought we’d give it a try.”
The first Social Dinner takes place on Monday, April 9th and is an OceanWise dinner of sustainable fish and seafood. The banquette tables will be re-arranged to create two large tables each seating 10 people and dishes will be served traditional Chinese style on large platters which will be passed down the table for all to share. The price for April’s dinner is $45 and includes a welcome cocktail at 6:30 p.m. with the actual dinner starting at 7 p.m.
Heather Giles, Restaurant Chef for the downtown Vancouver location has created a very tempting menu that starts with Steamed Manilla Clams in a white wine and lemongrass broth. The second course features BC Sidestripe Shrimp napped with silky cauliflower puree and crispy ginger. Herb-encrusted Sablefish on a bed of crispy polenta and accompanied by traditional gai lan is next up and the dinner concludes with Rosemary Shortcake with blueberry compote and maple candied salmon.
As is standard with all communal dinners of this sort, there are no substitutions to the menu.
As seating is limited to only 20, reservations are required and can be made by calling the restaurant at 604-642-2882.
Monthly menus for future communal dinners will be posted to Wild Rice’s facebook page and web site.
“It’s a very social way to dine, whether you come already as a group, or come on your own and meet new friends at the table. It’s the way Chinese have been eating for centuries in teahouses and restaurants. We hope our guests enjoy it.”
Wild Rice Vancouver: 117 W. Pender Street at Abbott on the edge of old Chinatown, 604-642-2882
Wild Rice New Westminster: 122-810 Quayside Drive in the River Market, 778-397-0028
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