Whenever I鈥檓 at a loss for what to gift friends on their birthdays, I turn to the 鈥榚xperience option鈥�. Of course, my experiential gifts most always involve food. My absolute favourite not-in-a-box present for a loved one, is a progressive dinner.
What鈥檚 a progressive dinner? It鈥檚 a food-filled soiree that begins at 鈥淩estaurant A鈥� for a cocktail and appetizer. A short walk away, you hit 鈥淩estaurant B鈥� where you鈥檒l hunker down for cocktail聽#2聽(or perhaps a good bottle of wine) and a scrumptious entree or more small plates to share. The last stop is 鈥淩estaurant C鈥� where, of course, you鈥檒l grab a spoon and dig into something rich for dessert with an after-dinner drink or a pick-me-up latte. In the end, you鈥檝e given the gift of an adventurous and celebratory evening鈥our friend will feel loved.
Here are three progressive dinner maps for you to try out in聽. And trust me, each of these sips and bites have been chosen聽for one reason: you won鈥檛 forget them.
Strathcona Village Progressive Dinner Map #1
Stop A:聽
What to Drink: Clover Club Refashioned聽
This gin-based, original creation by Shaun Layton 鈥� a top 麻豆传媒映画bartender 鈥� is frothy with egg white, slightly citrusy, kissed with mint and far too easy to drink.
What To Eat: BBQ Octopus聽(pictured)
This could be the best octopus dish you鈥檝e had. Crispy jalapeno rings, crunchy bread crumbs fried in fat, generous dollops of red pepper sauce, and ultra-tender morsels of octopus elevate this small-plate to the next level.
Stop B:聽
What to Drink: Dark and Stormy聽(pictured)
At Calabash, Vancouver鈥檚 premier Caribbean restaurant, cocktails are given as much love as the food. The ginger beer in this famous Dark and Stormy is made in-house, the rum is always Bermudan (a requirement for authenticity) and a handful of coconut-kissed coconut ribbons are a most alluring garnish.
What To Eat: Jerk Chicken
Any dish inspired by a chef鈥檚 grandmother has my vote of confidence. Marinated for a minimum of 12-hours in a blend of brown sugar, fruit juice, allspice, thyme, hot peppers and cinnamon, this sweet, sumptuous, mildly-spicy creation is 聽and was indeed inspired by Chef Cullin David鈥檚 Guyanese grandma.
Stop C:聽
What to Drink: Pressed Apple Flip
Open until 1am on weekends, this is a great spot to close things down. Cocktails here are wild and crazy 鈥� and if you鈥檙e in the mood for double dessert, try the heavy and wonderful Apple Flip with calvados, pisco, port, vanilla, apple juice and a whole egg.
What To Eat: Cobbler
Good things come to those who wait 鈥� in this case, 15 minutes for the boozy rhubarb pear cobbler (which is made a la minute) served with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Strathcona Village Progressive Dinner Map #2
Stop A:聽
What to Drink: Bubble Tea聽(pictured)
Though highly-fun-and-creative bartender Buck Friend has moved on from this absolute gem of a restaurant, his fantastic cocktails remain. Try the Bubble Tea with gin, blue curacao, rhubarb bitters and hibiscus bubbles.
What To Eat: Two Way Eggplant
Chef Curtis Luk has very recently taken over Bambudda鈥檚 kitchen reigns 鈥� meaning the food will undoubtedly remain exciting. Their sesame eggplant entree with irresistible crispy rice noodles and seasonal veg is one of the聽many聽modern Chinese plates to try at this stylish and charming corner joint.
Stop B:聽
What To Drink: Chino Margarita
Trust that all Bao Bei cocktails are made with care, but this one is extra special: tangerine-peel infused Reposado Tequila, ginger, lime, egg white and a chili-salt-sugar rim. Boom!
What To Eat: Beef Tartare and Shao Bing
鈥nd as many more small plates as you can handle. This is modern Chinese cooking at its best, and as a flexitarian, I can comfortably recommend these two meaty dishes as proteins here are sourced ethically and locally. The lean tenderloin tartare, served with a buttery quail egg and seasoned taro chips, is the best I鈥檝e ever had.
Stop C:聽
What to Drink: Avocado Gimlet
If you鈥檙e questioning the use of avocado in a cocktail鈥on鈥檛. Shaun Layton, the mastermind behind this outrageously good liquid creation is one to be trusted, especially when he goes out on a limb. The rosemary and olive infused gin-based Avocado Gimlet is served ice cold, slightly thick with a hint of fresh lime juice.
What To Eat: Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin pie in October feels so聽谤颈驳丑迟,听doesn鈥檛 it? With pumpkin seed streusel and candied sugar pumpkin, this version is a fancier, lighter take on a classic.
Strathcona Village Progressive Dinner Map #3
Stop A:聽
What to Drink:聽Torres Gran Coronas Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Pened猫s
Because a bold red is a must while eating Spanish tapas鈥�
What To Eat: Atun Crudo
You know how most of the tuna tartares out there are 鈥減retty darn good鈥�? This one is even better. Wedges of juicy orange and ripe avocado spring to life with hits of chili, lime and olive oil. Served with crusty crostinis, this super-fresh dish is one you鈥檒l go back for.
Stop B:聽
What to Drink: Glass of聽Clos Cibonne 鈥�13 Tibouren, Cotes De Provence, France
For best results, pair every single bite of your entree with a sip of this big French red. It goes down easy.
What To Eat: Steak Diane聽(pictured)
A staple on 尝鈥橝产补迟迟辞颈谤鈥檚 menu for good reason: it鈥檚 not only one of the most beautifully presented steak dishes in the city, it鈥檚 one of the tastiest, served with pommes dauphine (crisp potato puffs), charred onions and marrow butter.
Stop C:聽
What to Drink: Giant Cedars
Go out on a limb with this cedar scented craft cocktail infused with sherry, Buffalo Trace Bourbon and Amaro. You can also finish your night downstairs at Blacktail鈥檚 cocktail bar,聽.
What to Eat: Chocolate Smores
A unique twist on an already fun dessert that鈥檚 perfectly-portioned with chocolate mousse, meringue and graham crumbs.
As you鈥檝e probably noticed, I鈥檝e included many a reco for 尝鈥橝产补迟迟辞颈谤 in these maps. This is due to the simple fact that they provide a truly world-class experience, whether we鈥檙e talking food or drink. Undoubtedly, they鈥檙e one of聽聽best restaurants.
For more information on living in this up-and-coming, restaurant-centric neighbourhood, visit聽聽to register or head to 945 East Hastings in person for details.
It鈥檚 time for our FINAL CONTEST 鈥� A $100 gift certificate to 尝鈥橝产补迟迟辞颈谤 is up for grabs.
To enter...
1. Post an image of either Gastown, Railtown or Chinatown (the 鈥榟oods the makeup聽) to Instagram (or tag an old shot).
2. Tell me why you love this area. Bonus points for passion, humour or creativity!
3. In your caption, include hashtag: #StrathconaVillage.
Good luck! I鈥檒l announce the winner on the morning of Friday, October 24th on Instagram.
[SPONSORED POST]
