March 3-10, 2024
In its third year, Vancouver Cocktail Week will be a toast to the art of the cocktail, and so much more. It will be a destination event that celebrates the vibrant culture of food and drink in a city that is a hub of cocktail creativity, its multi-award-winning bartenders ambassadors for all that makes this such an exciting culinary community. This event will give those talented bartenders the showcase they deserve—and serve up delicious fun for consumers, too.
VCW 2024 presented by The Alchemist Magazine will celebrate the city’s cocktail culture with eight days of events designed to appeal to industry, consumers, visitors and media alike.
Amaro Lucano x Bar Corso: Four-Course Tasting Menu
Enjoy all the bright, intense flavours of Italy at this four-course, cocktail-paired dinner from chef Luke Boswell. It begins with burrata and peperoni cruschi dressing, paired with a Lambrusco Spritz; then meanders through lasagne e cicciari, paired with the smoky, whisky-based Gregorio Vittorio cocktail. Next, it’s braised lamb served with full-bodied red Aglianico wine, and a grand finish of Bar Corso’s own Espresso Martini and Lucano Caffe sorbet.
TASTING MENU
1st Course:
• Lambrusco spritz, lucano amaro, lambrusco, soda water
Already a big Lambrusco fan this cocktail really hit the spot. Light but also retaining the richness of the wine. I can see me drinking this cocktail any time of the year. Bring on the patio and sunshine!
• Burrata With Peperoni Cruschi dressing, kate and matera bread
Does it get any better than a soft, gooey, and delicious serving of Burrata? I don’t think so, so good, and the added drizzle of high quality olive oil takes this dish over the top. Hey, I didn’t even think I liked kale. Not sure how they do it but the kale was actually delicious and went very nicely with the bountiful richness of the Burrata. A hit!
2nd Course:
• Gregorio vittorio, woodfoord, amaro lucano cafe, drambuie, laphroaig
Half the enjoyment of this deliciously tasty cocktail was watching the creation! Check out the video below to see how this all came about.
• Lasagne e cicciari (Lasagne, chick pea, garlic & caciocavallo)
This is not your mother’s lasagne, sorry mom, this is a version with al dente noodles surrounded with flavour. Chick peas, some fried, adding an interesting and tasty crunch to the dish, fresh tomatoes, oh so tasty.
3rd Course:
• Venosa, Basilicata, Aglianico 2019
Be still my heart, for me this was the highlight of the evening. Discovering a new wine that is exceptional in and of itself, as well as the perfect pairing. Click here to see my full review of the wine on MyVanCity.ca
• Agnello alla contadina (Braised lamb, potato & rapini)
This was a special treat! Nothing more tasty than a braised lamb shank, perfectly cooked. So flavourful, tender and delicious. Job well done on this one, and paired so well with the intensity of the wine.
4th Course:
• Espresso martini
I wouldn’t want to play favourites with the cocktails but…can you beat an Espresso Martini? Pretty hard to beat this one, trust me you will love it too!
• Mostacciolo Chocolate Biscuit, Dark Cahocolate glaze and Sea Salt
• Sorbetto lucano cafe espresso & chocolate sorbet
Espresso and chocolate together? Yes, please! What an ending to a great evening. Every dish was delicious, exactingly prepared to perfection. The cocktails, masterpieces.
Click here to watch the creative process of the Gregorio Vittorio cocktail.
I would be remiss if I failed to tell you about all the “extras” available and what made this four course tasting menu a not to be missed experience for Vancouver Cocktail Week.
In addition to the fabulous dishes above we enjoyed first, hubby’s favourite starter, Oysters on the Half Shell.
Followed by an outstanding wagyu beef tartar.
”INDULGE IN THE FLAVOUR’S OF ITALY, ONE TAPA AT A TIME”
Executive Chef, Luke Boswell, has skillfully fine-tuned a menu that highlights how wonderfully complex the simplest of Italian ingredients can be: Italian tapas at its best!
The ultimate test has already been passed though, with generations of Italians who live in the nearby Italian communities having already perched at our bar to test our knowledge of wine and taste our food, and we are proud to claim we are “as good as Nonna makes it.”
Menu is frequent to change regularly, based on availability of fresh and local ingredients.
Bar Corso
1566 Commercial Drive
Three seatings: 6, 6:30, 7 pm
Book a table with OpenTable – reservations
Dinner was a delight! The low-key bar atmosphere is so welcoming. Drop by and stay awhile. You will be glad you did. The food was just so good, beautifully presented. Chef Luke deserves accolades! The cocktails were delicious and fun to try. Something for everyone here!
My notes (in italics). I received the four course menu, amuse bouche, wine and cocktails complimentary for two people to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own. The team did a great job, everything was just right. A grauity was left for the staff. With thanks to Vancouver Cocktail Week for this opportunity to experience Amara Lucano x Bar Corso four course tasting menu.
Click here to find out all the other great happenings for Vancouver Cocktail Week.
