Tonight we were celebrating the holiday season with dinner and a show.
The evening started off at Hotel Vancouver’s Notch 8 restaurant and bar. The space is decorated like a winter wonderland with a white and silver forest at the entry and live music in the lounge.
Our group of 6 grabbed their large share table and settled in with some drinks. They have a few seasonal offerings, but I am a fan of their martini menu so ordered a few to start.
I had my eye on the Smooth as Butter, a martini with brown butter washed vodka and hints of caramel corn. However they were out of the vodka, so I looked to the Royal Martini instead. This was a classic citrus-forward martini with Grey Goose, Noilly Prat Extra Dry, Orange Bitters, and a Lemon Twist.
My second was the Umami-tini, a martini that I am already familiar with. I had it recently, but a month ago it was a darker hue made with black sesame, and today it was clearer with white sesame. Sesame Infused Roku Gin, Dry Vermouth, and Yellow Chartreuse. It delivered on its name as a savoury stiff drink with aromatic black truffle notes.
And to wash my palate clean I ended with the seasonal Last Stop with Citadelle Gin, Amaro Averno, Cynar, Chartreuse, Lime, and Mint Leaves. It was bold in spice, ending with a minty warmth. Nice as a digestive, but not all that complimentary to our dishes below.
If looking for sweeter cocktails the Lychee Royale was a fruity and floral spritz. The Pear and Cardamom Sidecar was sweet and sticky with the characteristics of a cinnamon roll. And the the Bubbles and Berries was basically a fizzy spiked punch with fresh raspberries.
For food we looked to their lounge menu, ordering what was easiest to share, so passing on the two salads and burger. We did however try their French Onion Soup, considering that it is a Notch 8 signature and one of the two menu items that the hotel is famed for. This was a flavourful, warming broth, thickened with caramelized onions, stringy gruyère cheese, and croissant croutons made soggy from its time soaking in the soup. This was all around wonderful and a great chase for all our drinks, like a pickle or broth back.
We also shared a dozen oysters. A fresh selection that was smaller and sweeter, served with fresh horseradish, champagne mignonette, and lemon.
The Burrata was interesting, I have never had it like this with chopped up bits of cucumber, strawberry, tomato, and basil oil. Served with sourdough as a base, it ate both salty and sweet, dense yet refreshing. I could have eaten it all myself.
The Beef Carpaccio was heavier with capers, shallots, egg yolk, smoked horseradish aioli, shaved parmesan, and pickles. I found the crostini necessary given how salty and punchy the raw beef covered in sauce was.
I preferred the Local Handcrafted Charcuterie with its cured meats and sharp cheeses instead. Meat and cheese served with pickled vegetables, olives, grainy mustard, fruits, and baguette slices for a build your own sandwich of sorts. Such a board is always an easy one to share as you pick through what you want to eat, how you want to eat it.
However, when drinking I still gravitate towards the classics like crispy French Fries for easy nibbling and Chicken Wings, as two great finger foods. The latter was coated in a hot honey glaze that you couldn’t but help lick your fingers clean of.
Notch 8
900 W Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 2W6
(604) 662-1900
fairmont-hotel-vancouver.com
With our bellies full and our thirst satiated it was then time for our group to walk to the Orpheum for our show.
I have never been to a Vancouver Symphony Orchestra performance before, and was unaware that they tied any of their concerts to movies. So today was the day that I get my first taste, and the movie would be Elf.
Every holiday the VSO plays classic holiday movies, and where there is a score to be heard the live orchestra takes command instead. Apparently they also do this all year round with other popular movies.
As for the movie at hand, this was my first time watching Elf. I was intoxicated by the whimsy and fun of it, sadly often forgetting that the band was just underneath the projection. I got so caught up with what was on the screen that I failed to pay proper attention and respect to all the talented musicians. This I regret.
Surprisingly to me, I ended up crying at the end of the show, the heartfelt movie healed something within me. I felt the Christmas spirit and understood the joy of the season. Like the Grinch, I felt my heart grow two sizes larger this day.
I wish I discovered this programming sooner in the season to then go and catch their showing of Home Alone and/or Love Actually before the season ended with Elf.
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
843 Seymour St #500, Vancouver, BC V6B 3L4
(604) 876-3434
vancouversymphony.ca
