Christmas is a festive time of year and a time to enjoy the finest of food and wine. Our Vancouver members returned to the Four Seasons Chartwell room that so many of us recall from many years ago, still a very traditional venue. Our menu has been designed by the new Executive Chef Weimar Gomez and we have anticipated fine cuisine. Our evening started with tasty canapes, Green Asparagus with Potato Chiboust, a Salmon Gravlax with Smoked Potato and Sour Cream, Albacore Tuna Tartare with Avocado and Soy Vinaigrette and a Soft Brioche with Mascarpone and Truffle Jus together with Veuve Clicquot Brut champagne. But before dinner started, following our usual introductions—and congratulations to members Vincent and Zelie Tan on their 40th wedding anniversary—we had the pleasure of awarding anniversary certificates for 40+ years of membership in the Vancouver Branch to Sid and Joan Cross, Ed and Dorothy Chiasson and Bob Rothwell, and certificates of 30+ years of membership to Dick and Val Bradshaw, Sholto and Shirley Hebenton, David and Alice Spurrell and Nick and Lesley Wright. Congratulations to all!
Our first course was Yew Lobster Bisque with Crispy Leeks, Fresh Croutons and Housemade Lobster Oil deliciously paired with 2010 Secret de Grand Bateau Bordeaux Blanc followed by Pan Roasted Sea Scallops with Morel Mushrooms, Yellow Wine Sauce and Green Peas "à la Francaise" with a 2012 Chablis Premier Cru Mont de Milieu Billaud-Simon.
For our red wine courses, a 2003 Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Rioja Reserva was paired with Mahi Mahi with Crispy Prosciutto and Basil Oil, and a 2005 Chateau Rozier St. Emilion was matched with Roasted AAA Beef Tenderloin with Salsify, Carrots, Beetroot and Blueberries. Finally, a delicious Clementine and Chocolate Sacher Sponge Cake with Grand Marnier Clementine Jam and Clementine Ganache was enjoyed with a rare 2010 Cantina Zaccagnini Clematis Passito dessert wine from Italy.
Our thanks for the evening go to Four Seasons' Lisa Ng, to CellarMaster Kim Mead who selected and spoke to the wines for the evening, and to Photographer and Historian Milena Robertson.
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