Chef Hidekazu Tojo of Tojo’s Restaurant
On February 8th I attended Big Night, I have attended many over the past few years and this is always an event that I look forward too– this is Vancouver Magazine’s Big Night! This was a celebration of the top restaurants from Vancouver Magazine’s 23rd Annual restaurant awards and award-winning wines from the 9th Annual Wine Awards and each restaurant was paired with one of the wines!
This year the event was held in a new venue, the Jewel Ballroom played host to the evening festivities and it was much easier to roam the room than in previous years. Each of the restaurants was positioned around the room noting their dishes and each were paired with their wine partner.
Dungeness Crab, dashi custard, cashew, yuzu from Hawksworth Restaurant
Braised lamb shoulder and caramelized onion ravioli by Cactus Club Cafe
Pineapple and Spice Galette, & Caramel Macarons from Thierry Chocolate
From the dishes and wines that I sampled, here are my list of favourites.
1) Sablefish Mini Croquettes from Tojo’s Restaurant
2) Braised lamb shoulder and caramelized onion ravioli from Cactus Club Café
3) Dungeness Crab, dashi custard, cashew, yuzu from Hawksworth Restaurant
4) Pineapple and Spice Galette, & Caramel Macarons from Thierry Chocolate
They paired Best-in-Category wines from their Wine Awards with winning restaurants from their 2012 Restaurant Awards for a delectable evening of food and wine hosted at the Jewel Ballroom.
By: Richard Wolak