Restaurant 1892 at Vancouver's Terminal City Club is a delightful venue, not open to the general public but an excellent setting for our annual Christmas dinner and also for the award of the BGA Silver Medallions to Jim and Karen Esplen in recognition of their many years of service as Cellar Master and Treasurer respectively. Our evening started with a tasty glass of 2007 Schramsberg Blanc de Noirs and Chef Greg van Poppel's canapés including Steak Tartare crostini with egg yolk emulsion, Parmesan Profiteroles with lobster and truffle mayonnaise, and Northern Divine Caviar on blinis with chives and crème fraiche.
A Gargouillou of Coastal Shellfish with heirloom herbs and leaves, local radish and lemon vinaigrette with a 2010 Château La Garde Blanc was followed by Tête de Cochon with chicken liver and foie gras parfait, young beets, raisin purée and pistachio with a 2007 Grand Cru Chablis Bougros from William Fèvre. Next came a Caravan Spiced Duck Breast and Confit Duck Leg with wilted kale, mushrooms of the season and crispy shallots and a very special 2002 Domaine Georges de Vogüé Premier Cru Chambolle Musigny.
Main course was Roasted Double Lamb Chop with Presse of Collar, caramelised cippolino onions, de Puy lentil ragout and natural jus with 2005 Château Clarke from Bordeaux followed by Fourme d'Ambert cheese and spiced nut bread with a full-bodied 2008 Laughing Jack Greenock Shiraz from Australia's Barossa Valley.
Our sweet finish came to end our evening, a Green Apple Mousse and Tarte Tatin, with crab apple and cranberry semi-freddo with a glass of Sauternes, a 2005 Château Filhot.
We enjoyed a few Christmas carols led by our own choral quartet, Larry and Maggie Burr and Ed and Dorothy Chiasson. Truly a magnificent evening to celebrate the holidays!
Our thanks go to Chef Greg van Poppel and the 1892 team for a wonderful dinner with excellent service, to Jim Esplen for speaking to the wines, to Joan Cross for her splendid accolade and, as always, to Milena Robertson for her artistic menu and photographs during the evening.
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