The first thing you notice about Provence Marinaside, after you've been able to pull your gaze away from the Quayside Marina and it's wonderfully eclectic waterfront to actually make your way through the grand entryway, is the long, long row of wine taps. The most wine options, by the glass, in Vancouver for sure. Rumour has it Canada as well. My research to look into comparisons touts it to perhaps have the most in North America; over 140 different wine choices! If you are a wine lover, as I am, you could spend some considerable time at Provence!
Amuse Bouche
To start we indulged in the Grilled Spot Prawns on a bed of arugula and frisée salad, gem tomatoes with a truffle vinaigrette. It was paired masterfully with an Unsworth Allegro 2014 from the Cowichan Valley and the dish was near perfect. The spot prawns were fresh to within minutes, the salad was crisp and the ingredients magnificently fresh. We also ordered the Yellow Tomato Gazpacho with avocado and spot prawns which was paired with the Fairview Cellars Sauvignon Blanc from BC's pristine Okanagan Valley.
Grill Spot Prawns paired with Unsworth Allegro
Yellow Tomato Gazpacho paired with Fairview Cellars Sauvignon Blanc
Our mains arrived and the presentation was incredible! BC Spot Prawn Duo Grilled & Provençal Style with tagliatelle and zucchini ribbons which tossed in extra virgin olive oil. The Provence sommelier chose a Road 13 Stemwinder, again from the Okanagan Valley, to pair with it. The tagliatelle was very fresh, we aren't talking pasta from a box here, it was a near perfect 10/10. Both iterations of the Spot Prawn were amazing and they soon disappeared. I ordered the Halibut & BC Spot Prawns and the dish arrived with beautiful yellow tomatoes and purple potatoes in a preserved lemon vinaigrette. The Le Vieux Pin Rosé from the Black Sage Bench region of the Okanagan Valley was the pairing and it made the halibut melt in my mouth. The fish was perfectly cooked and the spot prawns incredibly fresh. I am beginning to think there isn't a dish served at Provence that isn't near perfect.
BC Spot Prawn Duo Grilled and Provençal Style
Halibut and BC Spot Prawns, paired with Le Vieux Pin Rose
Near bursting, but needing photos of a dessert to complete our mission, our affable waiter talked us into the Lemon Tarte and the Berry and White Chocolate Clafoutis. The lemon tarte, my selection, reminded of my dearly departed Granny's lemon meringue pie made from scratch; truly delicious! The clafoutis was a slightly tart, subtly sweet concoction which is worth the price of admission by itself.
All the while we were seated by the window overlooking one of the most beautiful marinas in Vancouver. The star of the marina is a 115-food Hotei; a luxury yacht that once hosted Prince Charles and Lady Diana. Well heeled Yaletowner (Taletownies) pass by on their way to or from their, no doubt, incredible waterfront condo views, people watching is stupendous! The ambience, without even mentioning the incredible, simply devine, food or extensive wine options, is enough to make Provence a must go! So just go!
Dessert paired with Quails Gate Late Harvest
Berry and White Chocolate Clafoutis
Lemon Tarte
All the while we were seated by the window overlooking one of the most beautiful marinas in Vancouver. The star of the marina is a 115-food Hotei; a luxury yacht that once hosted Prince Charles and Lady Diana. Well heeled Yaletowner (Taletownies) pass by on their way to or from their, no doubt, incredible waterfront condo views, people watching is stupendous! The ambience, without even mentioning the incredible, simply devine, food or extensive wine options, is enough to make Provence a must go! So just go!
Words: Scott Allan
Photos: Jenn Chan