We returned to Vancouver's award-winning La Terrazza Ristorante after an absence of nine years for our annual Christmas dinner event and were not disappointed. Our dinner was delightful and we enjoyed a few Christmas carols led by our own choral quartet, Larry and Maggie Burr and Ed and Dorothy Chiasson. The evening was also an opportunity for awards and Milena and Jim Robertson were presented with the IW&FS BGA Silver and Gold IW&FS awards respectively by Honorary IW&FS President Sid Cross—a great honour.
We commenced our evening with a glass of Champagne de Venoge Cordon Bleu Brut Select and a tasty Wild Tombo Tuna Cone then were seated for our first course following a traditional Italian Christmas Eve theme of fish and shellfish with a three-tier Seafood Tower of Marinated Prawns, Scallops, Fruits de Mer, Oysters and Crab accompanied by a 2010 E. Guigal Condrieu La Doriane and a 2007 Domaine William Fèvre Chablis Grand Cru Bougros. An excellent start followed by Garganelle with a Red Wine, Wild Mushroom and Veal Stock, a heap of Black Truffles and Parmigiano Reggiano paired with a 2001 Virna do Borgono Barolo Cannubi Boschis Riserva.
Our main course was Agnello, a Roasted Rack of Lamb with Red Wine Reduction and a 48 hour Veal Jus and a Polenta Fritter accompanied by 2007 Domaine du Vieux Lazaret Châteauneuf-Du-Pape followed by a Fromagie selection and a 2004 Corte Giara Amarone della Valpolicella. Finally, our dessert was the signature La Creazione White Chocolate Mascarpone Cheesecake Wrapped in Phyllo Pastry and a 2005 Château Filhot Sauternes, a delicious ending to a great dinner.
Our thanks go to Chef Gennaro Iorio and his team, to Cellar Master Jim Esplen for his selection of superb wines, to our Choral Quartet, to member Dr. Bob Rothwell for his accolade and to Milena Robertson for her photography and artistic expertise. Best Wishes to all for the upcoming New Year!
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