Provence’s Tomato Festival Celebrates the Taste of Sunshine
Ahhh tomatoes – the ultimate summer food – ripe, juicy and brimming with sunshine goodness. With more than 10,000 varieties, tomatoes are a passion for many people, including Provence Marinaside Owner/Executive Chef Jean-Francis Quaglia. “Heirloom tomatoes have such an intense essence, there isn’t any ingredient that says ‘summer’ to me more,” says the Provence-born and raised chef. “Each type is different in its own special way, and all are bursting with flavour. We are fortunate to have local producers supplying us with so many amazing heirloom varieties. My brigade and I are like ‘kids in a candy store’ when it comes to creating dishes and designing the Tomato Fest menu.”
Starting August 1st, Provence Marinaside will once again be offering its very popular Tomato Fest Menu featuring three courses for $75. Diners will have a hard time choosing between the two options for Appetizers and two options for Mains while Dessert is a delicate Lavender Pannacotta. Lavender and tomatoes complement one another as they both grow abundantly in the same soil/climate conditions.
Wine Director Joshua Carlson, an adherent to the philosophy that “what grows together, goes together,” has thoughtfully chosen French wine pairings drawn mainly from Provence to complement the dishes. “While pairing wine to food, one must consider the weight of the food, its acidity, temperature, and texture. To me tomatoes are an indication of summer – bright, juicy, and high in acid. Acidic foods make wine less acidic. So, a dry, tart rosé will pop and be fruitier when matched with tomatoes. There is nothing more Provençal than a glass of rosé on a terrace. Unless, perhaps, a match of pétanque with a Mauresque in hand while cigale chant all around. Each of the rosés chosen are meant to bring out the most of the tomato dish. Some are bright and fresh, some are more gastronomic – but I assure you, each pairing will provide a true sensory experience,” comments Carlson. The optional three-course wine pairing is available for $50.
If three courses seem like too much both dishes and wines are also available individually.
Moneymaker, Copia, Red Fig, Black Sea Man, Green Zebra – they may have odd names but there is nothing odd about sunshine-infused flavour of heirloom tomatoes. You’ll find them all on the menu at Provence’s Tomato Festival August 1- 31, 2024 at Provence Marinaside – located at the foot of Davie St. and across from the Quayside Marina in Yaletown.
Whether you choose to sit in the air-conditioned comfort of the dining room, or out on the patio overlooking the seawall and marina, you’ll be immediately whisked to the south of France and its long, languid summer.
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 DowntownEastside 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 and images provided by Nancy Wong, Culinary Communications. photo credit: N. Wong
