One of Vancouver's newer neighbourhood restaurants, Cacao, is the new home to Chef Jefferson Alvarez, who we remember from past visits to restaurants Fraiche in West Vancouver and Secret Location in Gastown. We enjoyed a flavourful Latin American themed dinner tastefully presented in Chef Jefferson's special style in his new, intimate bistro, starting with a glass of sparkling Mancura Brut Rosé from Chile's Casablanca Valley.
Chef presented a pair of snacks as we sat down, a seared foie gras and a crispy sturgeon skin before our first course of Tomato with House Made Cheese paired with 2015 Colomé Torontés from Argentina's Calchaqui Valley. We then enjoyed an Albacore Ceviche with Avocado and Cancha Corn with a 2014 Catena Zapata 'Catena Alta' Chardonnay from Mendoza in Argentina followed by Sturgeon with Achiote and Green Plantain paired with 2005 Bodegas Beronia Reserva Rioja from Spain.
Finally, we were treated to a flavourful and tender Roasted Bison with a Root Trio and Wild Berry Jus together with a 2001 Château Belgrave Haut-Médoc from Bordeaux and finishing with a delicious specialty dessert from Chef Marcela Ramirez, a Chocolate Cajeta Cake with Cacao Nibs and a glass of Gonzalez-Byass Noé Pedro Ximenez Muy Viejo Sherry from Spain. It was a splendid and enjoyable evening!
Our thanks go to Chef Jefferson Alvarez and his magnificent team, to Cellarmaster Kim Meade for her selection and presentation of the wines and to Photographer and Historian Milena Robertson.
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