Ten years and one month to the day it first opened its doors, Wild Rice is holding a very special evening to celebrate its 10th anniversary on Friday, September 23rd. “A lot has changed in the past 10 years,” says owner Andrew Wong. “Ten years ago, Wild Rice was basically the only restaurant in the hood. Now there are several in the immediate vicinity, Gastown and Chinatown have undergone tremendous revitalization and the area is thriving.” Ten years ago, no one had ever heard of ‘modern Chinese cuisine’ – now, partially thanks to Mr. Wong and his vision – to create a socially-conscious restaurant serving local cuisine with influences from his Chinese heritage; the whole world knows about Vancouver’s Chinese cuisine (r)evolution.In 2010, Wild Rice was included in the Condé Nast article that trumpeted “Vancouver has the best Chinese food in the world.” In the media frenzy prior to the Olympics, one international journalist wrote of Wild Rice, “It’s where Chinatown meets Manhattan. The menu is as visionary as the new Chinese…except for one dish in Beijing, this is the best Chinese dish I have ever had.”
“I’ve been very fortunate over the years,” says Mr. Wong, “to have worked with three amazing executive chefs who shared my vision and helped bring it to life. Stu Irving (now of Cobre) opened the restaurant with me and set the tone. He was followed by Ryan Mah (now of the not-yet-opened Chinois in Yaletown) and currently Todd Bright, who, in addition to being Executive Chef for Wild Rice, has joined me as a partner in our second location in New Westminster. All embraced my idea of modernity informed by tradition while bringing something of themselves to the restaurant. The menu still includes dishes originally created by Stu and Ryan.”
The September 23rd Celebration features two separate components – a Back to the Future Dinner, followed by a separate Cocktail and Canapés Party. From 6 to 8:30 p.m., feast your palate on the five-course Back to the Future Dinner. Three of the courses are created and presented by each one of the three Executive Chefs (past and present) plus two additional courses – one by Heather Giles, Restaurant Chef (Wild Rice downtown) and dessert by Pastry Chef Caroline Levy (soon-to-open second location in New Westminster). Savour dishes such as Braised Pork Belly with Crispy Rice Cakes and Alaskan Char with Jicama Wraps, Braised Bitter Melon and House-made XO Sauce (see full menu in attachment). Andrew Wong has designed a special wine flight to accompany the meal including such stellar cellar finds as Tinhorn Creek Chardonnay, Meyer Gewürztraminer and Rollingdale Pinot Noir.
Price is $60 for the dinner alone with an additional $15 if you choose to add the special wine pairing. Prices are exclusive of tax and gratuity. Guests will also receive a special memento of the occasion.
From 8:30 to 9:30 the tables and chairs are cleared as restaurant transforms into party central for part two of the evening – Cocktails and Canapés Party. Starting at 9:30 and going ‘til late, mix and mingle with Wild Rice regulars, area neighbours and industry colleagues. The price of $5, which is being donated to the charity Growing Chefs, includes two drink tickets plus passed canapés and entertainment – great value and all to a good cause.
Another highlight of the evening includes an on-going screening of the Opening Soon episode featuring Wild Rice in the lead-up to it’s opening night in 2001.
Reservations for both the Back to the Future Dinner and the Cocktails and Canapés Party can be made by calling the restaurant at 604-642-2882. For updates on Wild Rice visit the web site at www.wildricevancouver.com or ‘like’ us on Facebook.
Wild Rice Modern Chinese, 117 West Pender Street on the edge of old Chinatown, 604-642-2882 www.wildricevancouver.com
