As it is the holiday season, it is also time to indulge in the Festival of Lights menu to coincide with The Festival of Lights at VanDusen Gardens.

Chef Matthew Phillip has put together a great menu for this years festival which is on bow through to the end of December and we had a chance to explore and enjoy a delicious dinner as well as take in the garden lights afterwards.

The Crab & Shrimp Cakes and the Shaughnessy Winter Salad were perfect for sharing to start off our dinner.

For our mains we had the delicious Organic Steelhead with rainbow swiss chard, winter vegetables, pesto fingerling potato, grand fir vin blanc; we also had the tender Roasted Lamb Shank.

For dessert, our favourite was the Sticky toffee pudding over the Apple galette and it all went well with some warm Mulled wine.

The Festival of Lights can be enjoyed before or after dinner. I loved walking around the garden on a snowy night seeing all the festive lights, whether its snowing or not, make a trip to see the Festival of Lights as well as enjoy lunch or dinner in the restaurant before it all ends.

Shaughnessy Restaurant is located at 5251 Oak Street in Vancouver. Make an advance reservation online.

By: Richard Wolak