An early snowfall treated Vancouver to a brief "Winter Wonderland" and our theme dinner of "Christmas in Vienna " seemed particularly appropriate this year. The Pan Pacific Hotel provided stellar service and superb cuisine under the direction of Austrian-born Chef Ernst Dorfler, and our members enjoyed a wonderful evening of Austrian and Viennese delights accompanied by Viennese Christmas melodies. Following a reception with Chef's selection of Hors d'Oeuvres and Perrier Jouët Grand Brut Champagne - yes, Austrians drink Champagne too! - we started with a roasted leek and potato soup with cream and a 2000 Gunderloch Nackenheim Rothenberg Riesling Spätlese, then "Schlutzkrapfen", an Austrian spinach and ricotta ravioli, and a 2003 Weingut Bernhard Ott Grüner Veltliner Am Berg, a crisp wine to contrast with the rich butter sauce of the ravioli. Next came a boneless quail wrapped in pancetta and Swiss chard with a 2001 Antonin Rodet Domaine de la Ferté Givry followed by a very tender roasted loin of fallow deer with red wine poached pear, plum jam and chestnuts and a 1993 Domaine Rothschild Pauillac. Dessert was the famous Sacher Torte with a delicious 2002 Alois Kracher Nummer 3 Welschriesling Trockenbeerenauslese followed by Viennese coffee, Linzer cookies and Vanillekipferln. Chef spoke of his childhood memories of Austria and we felt that we had experienced an exceptional evening of wonderful food, friendship and wines - an outstanding start to the Christmas season! Merry Christmas to all!