Today we were in Chilliwack to check out their annual food festival. Much like how Vancouver has Dine Out Vancouver, this is Chilliwack’s version. Select businesses are participating by offering speciality menus and discounts, such as Fortitude Wine Bar. They are located in the new Distrinct 1881, Chilliwack’s own take on a modern village right in the heart of their downtown. New yet old.
Dine Chilliwack runs from April 11-27th, 2025 and Fortitude has a three course $45 per person menu that you can enjoy with any of their wines or speciality cocktails. The space has a 50’s charm with a gilded gold and royal blue velvet motif. It transports.
We started with some drinks. The White Cranberry Cosmopolitan is a mix of Taynton Bay Vodka, Triple Sec, Lime, and White Cranberry Juice. Refreshing and tart it went well with the clean flavours of the food below.
Trophy Wife was aptly named given the gold leaf garnish. Hurdy Gurdy Gin, Crème de Cacao, Lemon, and Vegan Foamer. It smelled like chocolate, but tasted like lemon. Just as beguiling, it is a lot leaner on the lips than expected given the chocolate aroma. This was less complimentary to the food and felt like a good digestive instead.
The first course has you choosing between salads. We passed on the Strawberry Spinach and went with the Spring Salad with Mixed Salad Greens, Cherry Tomato, Blueberries, Cucumber, Slivered Almonds, and Balsamic Vinegrette. Each comes with the option for add ons like Lemon Chicken, Prawns, BBQ’d Steak, Prawns, and or/feta. I highly recommend excerising this as without it the appetizers and entrees felt minimal, where a depth of flavour is needed from any of the above. Although bewarned at $5-$10 more the cost dramatically increases and the bill is more than the orginally advertised $45.
The steak we added on was definitely the highlight and without it, it was just a bowl of greens. Well seasoned with barbecue rub, fully cooked and a little dry with chewy patches. It was nice, but steep at $10.
The Mojito Tabbouleh was the only salad without leaves, so it got my vote (not a fan of the texture of wilted greens). A quinoa salad with Salted Lime, Mint, Cucumber, wnd Tomato. I added four prawns for $9, which made each bite less bland, but there was not enough to have with all the salad. Definitely a lighter and healthier option. Minty and refreshing it faintly reminded me of a mojito.
For entrees the most filling option is the “Springhetti”. Spaghettini, Pesto, Lemon, Cherry Tomatoes, Sage, and Burrata. Once again it needed substance from protein and we went with the $7 Lemon Chicken add on. The Burrata was thick and globby, it added a creamy texture to the light pesto sauce that covered the thin strands of firm noodles. I could have used more salt and pepper for punch. But at this point realized that their menu is intended to be on the lighter side. The side of foccacia was also a nice touch, a little bready and cakey, it did definitely change the pace of the plate.
The other options were between either a Sweet Chilli Lime Chicken Flatbread or a Mushroom Flatbread.
At this point I was looking for less carbs weighing in the fact that my recent allergic hive reaction could be a result of an unknown gluten-allergy; so went for the Zucchini Florentine, not knowing what a “florentine” is. To this we took the servers recommedation of the feta add-on for $5, saying it is a must. I would agree, it added much needed salt. Roasted Zuchinni, Spinach Quinoa, Almond Crust, Marinara, and House Pesto. I found it could have also used some shrimp, taking some above to help here. I regretted ordering this much quinoa in one meal, it felt monotonous. This ate more like a salad with firm vegetable and hearty nuts, dressed like the pasta above. It was healthy, but left me wanting carbs, and something more filling for an entree.
For dessert I really enjoyed the Panna Cotta with Bubbly Jelly. A Sweetened Cream at its base, topped with Prosecco Infused Jelly, and finished with a sliced strawberry. The jelly wasn’t very complimentary to the panna cotta. It overpowers with how tart and effervescent it is. It absolutely reminded me of sparkling wine and stood on its own. I finished that for the texture and fizz before tackling the sweeter cream-based panna cotta. This was a nice light option that felt aligned with the two courses before.
My guest had the Nut Bar and despite thinking it was a lot, was able to finish it with ease. Like a healthy and fresh made granola bar. Coconut Cream, Berries, Dates, Nuts, Dark Chocolate, and Ganache. Soft like a baked cake, but chewy with the nuts. The cream topping made it more like a dessert than an in-between meal snack.
The other option would have been Grilled Peaches, Maple Glaze, Candied Walnuts, and Vanilla Ice Cream. This would have been my second choice.
In short, if you are vegetarian and/or looking for a health conscious meal, Fortitude is a solid option. I personally prefer more richer plates, so I would return for wine and their regular menu instead.
Fortitude Wine Bar
45922 Thunderbird Ln #103, Chilliwack, BC V2P OJ6
(604) 795-4060
fortitudewinebar.com
