Tag Archives: great food

Terrafina At Hester Creek, Oliver, B.C.

How often is perfection of dining out the highlight of the evening ? Trust me, not often BUT last night Chef Natasha and her staff pulled it off.

They were clever enough to open up just for Valentine’s and were sold out. The menu was incredible.  When reservations were made for this night out, payment up front was pretty cool. I was taking my best beau out and I didn’t have to take any money with me. Great strategy on their part. This way, cancellations are rare.

 

The first course, Don and I both chose the Smoked Haida Gwaii Scallops with sauteed spinach, pancetta with a balsamic glaze. This was paired with their 2012 Chardonnay. We were drooling. This was magnificent.

The smoke flavour was so subtle and the pancetta was perfect here. Absolutely wonderful.

The second course we chose differently but, as always, tasted each others pick.

Don chose the proscuitto wrapped trout on top of a clam, mussel and corn chowder, with herb oil. The presentation was perfect. The flavour of the trout was wonderful.

I chose (the very best of the night,  I might add) pan roasted beef tenderloin, roasted squash and potato mousseline (like silk), sauteed asparagus, pan jus, bearnaise. This was paired with their 2011 Reserve Merlot. OMG….unbelievable perfection…..in taste, texture, and presentation.

Dessert was a picture…Tiramisu teaser, espresso and ladyfinger scented panna cotta, tiramisu macaroons (so light, they could fly), coffee cramel. This was paired with their 2012 Late Harvest Pinot Blanc.

Not that they served enough wine with their dinner, I also ordered, and was not sorry I did, Desert Hills Ambassador port.

This was an evening that was special, delicious and perfect in every way. Thank you Chef Natasha and your staff and thank you to the best husband a lucky girl like me just simply adores. WOW!

1 Comment

Filed under What's New?

Bratislava and Budapest, Hungary

We drove through the wine area of South Moravia into Slovakia where we stopped in Bratislava for lunch. We stopped at a creperie and I have never seen such presentation of food in such a little nothing bistro.

I ordered a black and white crepe (dark chocolate with crushed nuts and white chocolate with strawberry). They were folded into long pie shapes and then a piece left out in the middle of the two crepes with very thinly sliced apples.

Lucille ordered a mascarpone and fresh fruit crepe. This came like a parcel tied with an orange strip. We all tasted each others lunch and thought it was wonderful.

Don ordered a crepe that was filled with tomatoes, basil, and cheese. It came with a salad. Hah! We had the better lunch. I always say that. One thing: service is totally unreal. Slow doesn’t even cover it.

Never mind,  we get on the bus and drive for a couple of hours to arrive in Budapest. We were told the hotel was stunning. We are staying in the Corinthia Hotel. That is an under-statement. It is beautiful. Insight has really gone the extra 9 yards to find the best, offer the best at a fair price (honest) and follow through every step of the way.

Tonight we meet at 7:30 p.m. to go for dinner cruise on the Danube to enjoy a fabulous Buffet and the famous Hungarian wine. When we get back, I will let you in on it. By the way, the Danube is longer than the Rhine River.

****If you didn’t pay attention to History lessons in school, please rush out and sign up for an Insight tour. It is so informative and interesting.

It is almost 10 p.m. and we have just returned from most delightful river cruise with a Hungarian buffet dinner. The city lights up like you can’t believe and we go up and down both sides and everyone’s cameras are on double time.

Up tomorrow for a bit of a walking/bus tour. Good night…..

Leave a Comment

Filed under Hotels, Restaurant blog, What's New?