Big Night 2013 takes over Jewel Ballroom this Friday
Ten restaurants and eleven wineries collaborate for one night to bring the ultimate tasting experience. The top chefs in the city will be personally serving up dishes that were created to match wines from the 2013 International Wine Competition.
It's the perfect opportunity to get a taste of some of the restaurants you've been dying to try, while also revisiting your favorite restaurant's food without having to make a reservation. There is an almost even split of returning restaurants from Big Night 2012, and those that are new to the event this year.
To get an idea of how your night may unfold check out my recap from last year's event.
WHAT: Vancouver Magazine's Big Night 2013
WHERE: The Jewel Ballroom (on 8th Ave off Granville)
WHEN: Friday, February 8th, 2013 (7PM - 9PM)
Tickets: $99 +tax
To buy tickets check out VanMag.com's event page.
A quick look at the dishes that are being served and you'll notice that many of these aren't tapas running on the restaurant's current menu. From tongue and cheek terrine to a mini pulled pork on brioche, chefs will cater to the uber adventurous while also to those who prefer items a tad more familiar.
PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS + DISHES/WINE PAIRINGS
Hawksworth
Serving: Dungeness crab, dashi custrad, cashew, yuzu
Wine pairing: Devil's Lair Margaret River Chardonnay 2009
Hy's
Serving: Modern steak tartare
Wine pairing: Painted Rock Estate Syrah 2009
Blue Water Café + Raw Bar
Serving: Pacific octopus and Berkshire pork belly with pickled persimmon and smoked sunchoke chestnut puree
Wine pairing: Evans & Tate Metricup Road Chardonnay 2009
Sawmill mussels from Blue Water Cafe (Big Night 2012)
Cactus Club Café
Serving: Braised lamb shoulder and caramelized onion ravioli, creamed spinach, oven dried tomato, truffle lamb jus
Wine pairing: Castello di Gabbiano Chianti Classico 2008
La Quercia
Serving: Tongue and cheek terrine, red pepper and almond pesto, saffron sauce
Wine pairing: Castello di Gabbiano Chianti Classico Riserva 2008
Venison tartare (Big Night 2012)
Thierry
Serving: Pineapple and spice galette, caramel macarons
Wine pairing: Mission Hill Family Estate Riesling Icewine 2011
Memphis Blues
Serving: Mini pulled pork brioche with coleslaw and Carolina mustard sauce
Wine pairing: Lanson Black Label Brut Champagne
Vij's
Serving: South Indian style coconut vegetables on basmati rice
Wine pairing: Marqués de Cáceres Rosado 2011
Hanging out with Vikram Vij after gobbling up his goat curry (Big Night 2012)
Tojo's
Serving: Smoked sablefish croquette
Wine pairing: González Byass Nutty Solera Oloroso
Pied-à-Terre
Serving: Pithivier of Apple, Cheddar, and Smoked Ham and Rabbit
Wine pairing: La Chablisienne Chablis La Pierrelée 2010
Pied-a-Terre's Chef Audrey explains his dish (Big Night 2012)