During the Dine Out Vancouver Festival, Hawksworth Restaurant is hosting a Hawksworth Long Table Dinner Series in their private dining space, The York Room. The space is elegant and beautifully appointed with high ceilings and large chandeliers.
The series features a 5 course BC tasting menu paired with three local wines from Roche Wines. The dishes feature local and Ocean Wise ingredients.
We started the evening with a Roche Wines 2017 Pinot Gris. This went well with our first course. The Hokkaido scallops were thinly sliced and alternated with slices of jicama and radish. The vinaigrette added a nice strong punch with its acidity and lemongrass flavour. A delicious way to start the meal.
The next course was more muted in taste. The tamarind overpowered the delicate tuna but when eaten on it’s own the tuna lacked flavour. This was the weakest course for me in the tasting menu. The presentation, however, was beautiful.
The third course was paired with Roche Wines 2017 Chardonnay. The process by which this wine is made is very interesting. Grapes are hand picked in the early morning and whole-bunch pressed. The juice is then settled overnight and then filled in French oak barrels for fermentation with a complete melo-lactic fermentation in the spring.
This dish was quite hearty with the pumpkin and barley risotto. The use of barley meant the risotto had a nice chew to it which paired well with the softer pumpkin.
Our final savoury course of the evening was a duck duo paired with Roche Wines Nuances 2016. This Merlot blend is a 2019 Lieutenant Governor’s Silver Award Winner. It balances the character of vintage, vineyards, and varietals.
I am not a red wine drinker, but I rather enjoyed this wine with my duck. It really changed the flavours of the dish. The foie jus was incredibly flavourful and I wiped my plate clean.
This dessert was a stunning conclusion to a delicious dinner. I thoroughly enjoyed this dessert and I wish it was offered on Hawksworth Restaurant’s regular menu!
The lemon custard wasn’t too sweet and was smooth and creamy. The jasmine granita was an absolute revelation. It was full of jasmine flavour without being too sweet.
The tasting menu was executed well and the service was friendly and efficient. There are still three dates available for this dinner – January 30, 31 and February 1. Tickets are available for $152.44 – the price includes gratuity and service charges.
