VALENTINE MENU SPEAKS THE LANGUAGE OF LOVE
The French know a thing or two about romance. They also know a lot about good food and how it plays a major role in successful wooing so who better to create a voluptuous Valentine’s dinner than Chef Jean-Francis Quaglia of Provence Marinaside in Yaletown?
Chef Jean-Francis and his brigade of romantics (chefs) have designed a special, one-night-only, six-course Dîner d’Amoureux pour Deux that is sure to capture the heart of your beloved. “L’amour est toujours partagé and this menu is mainly seafood – light with some dishes to share,” comments Chef Quaglia.
Priced at $135 per person the dinner begins with three exquisite seafood starters – Truite à Tête D’Acier Poêlée et Crabe Bleu, Trio de Fruits de Mer Froid pour Deux and Feuilleté de St Jacques. This is followed a refreshing palate cleanser – Granité de Vin Brut et Orange Sanguine (sparkling wine and blood orange). Guests then have a difficult choice between two sumptuous main courses – Daurade Royale aux Truffes or Filet de Boeuf Sauce Rossini. The meal ends on a sweet note – Desserts Partagés en Amoureux – a plate of desserts shared in love.
Of course any French dinner must include wine. The job of pairing a dinner such as this with the right wines is a project eagerly embraced by Wine Director Joshua Carlson. “I concentrated on French wines, mainly from Provence and the Languedoc, for this romantic ‘dîner pour deux’ as they perfectly enhance the flavours in each dish. Of course, guests don’t have to order the pairing, it’s completely optional. They may wish instead to celebrate with a favourite wine or bubbles. Our extensive wine list offers more than 260 wines, including 36 champagnes/sparkling wines (12 of which are available by the glass).” The optional wine pairing is available for $65 per person.
Dîner d’Amoureux pour Deux
TRUITE À TÊTE D’ACIER POÊLÉE ET CRABE BLEU
seared steelhead and blue crab saffron foam
Mas de Daumas Gassac Rosé Frizant
cabernet sauvignon/mourvèdre/pinot noir +
2022 Languedoc, France
TRIO DE FRUITS DE MER FROID POUR DEUX
orange-marinated albacore tuna crudo with pine nuts
lobster salad, belgian endive, lobster bisque mayonnaise
kusshi oysters with pear vinegar mignonette
Domaine des Sarrins Blanc de Rolle
rolle (vermentino)
2019 Côtes de Provence, Provence, France
FEUILLETÉ DE ST JACQUES
scallops in puff pastry
salmon roe, leek tombée, green onion emulsion
Domaine Ott Château de Selle Rosé
grenache/cinsault/syrah/mourvèdre
2022 Côtes de Provence, Provence, France
GRANITÉ DE VIN BRUT ET ORANGE SANGUINE
sparkling wine and blood orange granite
DAURADE ROYALE AUX TRUFFES
royal sea bream with truffles
truffled celeriac and potato pave, celeriac purée
Comte Abbaducci Il Faustine Vielle Vignes
sciaccarellu/niellucciu
2021 Ajaccio, Corsica, France
or
FILET DE BOEUF SAUCE ROSSINI
beef fillet with rossini sauce
root vegetable confit, pommes dauphine
Château Roubine Lion & Dragon
grenache/cabernet sauvignon
2019 Côtes de Provence, Provence, France
DESSERTS PARTAGÉS EN AMOUREUX
passion fruit tiramisu, house made macarons, Thomas Haas chocolates
Domaine Paul Meunier-Centernach Vin Doux Naturel
grenache
2015 Saint Arnac, Occitane, France
Celebrate your ‘someone special’ with Provence’s Valentine’s Dinner – available one night only on February 14. This will be the only menu served at Provence Marinaside that night. The restaurant requests that guests respect this is an adults-only event. Reservations are essential and must be secured with a credit card by calling Provence at 604-681-4144 or online.
Provence notes:
Established in February 2002, Provence Marinaside is the ‘bebe’ of Owner/Executive Chef (and Chevalier of France) Jean-Francis Quaglia. Reminiscent of Chef Qualia’s native Marseille, Provence is located at the south end of Yaletown, adjacent to the False Creek Seawall and with patios overlooking the Quayside Marina. Open every day for Brunch, Lunch, Happy Hour and Dinner. Hours are:
Tuesday through Friday: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday and Monday: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.In addition to Dine-In service, Provence Marinaside continues to offer its regular menus for brunch, lunch and dinner as Takeout for personal pick-up or through delivery services Door Dash and Uber Eats.
Wine and Cocktails List , Brunch Menu, Lunch Menu, Happy Hour Menu, Dinner Menu, Dessert Menu
Provence Marinaside is also supporting The Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre with the donation of meals and funds along with a donation option on their should the public also wish to support the organization. Details can be found on Provence Marinaside’s Home Page.
About Chef Jean Francis Quaglia
A native of Marseille, France, Chef Jean-Francis Quaglia comes naturally to the culinary world as his mother was acclaimed Chef Suzanne Quaglia of Marseille’s famed Le Patalain and one of the very first female chefs in France. At age eight, he made his first Tarte au Citron from his mother’s recipe. This same tarte is now featured on Provence’s menu. Following graduation, Chef Quaglia apprenticed at Hôtel Sofitel in Marseille, worked Chef Elie Mazot at Relais et Chateau’s Le Chateau de la Chevre D’Or in Eze and was Chef de Partie Tournant under the direction of his mentor, Chef Dominique LeStanc, at Hôtel Negresco in Nice (2 Michelin stars). Upon arrival in Vancouver he was Sous Chef under Chef Bruno Born at Le Coq D’Or and followed him to the Sheraton Wall Centre Hotel where he became Executive Chef of the hotel’s Indigo Bistro Moderne. He opened his first restaurant, Provence Mediterranean Grill in 1997 in Point Grey and went on to open Provence Marinaside in 2002 and TWB-The Wine Bar next door in 2012 (it is now amalgamated into Provence Marinaside). In August 2021, the government of France honoured Chef Jean-Francis by naming him a Chevalier (Knight) of the Ordre du Merite Agricole – one of France’s highest honours, second only to the Legion of Honour.
Media release provided by Nancy Wong, Culinary Communications. Photo credit: Nancy Wong PR
