Champagne and oysters, whisky and wagyu, oh my!
Today we were at one of downtown Vancouver’s most luxurious restaurants. The long standing Hawksworth, here for their cocktail hour featuring oysters and bubbles on special.
Every Friday, all day it is $1.50 oysters and 50% off bubbles; enjoyed in their more causal lounge/bar space.
We would share a dozen, six short of the maximum cap of 12 oysters per order. Not to be confused with the west coast oysters on the regular menu, dressed with compressed green apple and yuzu foam. Our oyster special came with a tray of dressings including a garlicky vinaigrette, tangy cocktail sauce, and fresh lemon slice. These were petite oysters that we slurped in one gulp. Naturally sweet, its creamy finish was balanced by the above accoutrements, as per our tastes.
Naturally, we paired this with a glass of sparkling wine. The 50% off is available by the bottle or glass. I found the Blue Mountain brut from the Okanagan Valley light and refreshing. Its citrus undertones marrying well with our seafood start.
Looking to round out our happy hour a little more, we decided to indulge in one of their whisky flights. Categorized by region we went with the Highland Flight, featuring 3 Scottish brands of whisky. Starting from the youngest to the most aged.
The Dalmore 15 year had caramel on the nose that transferred to the tongue, ending on the palate nutty.
The Glenfarclas 17 year was spicy on the nose to start. Thin on the lips it was the clearest in colour with an elegant drinkability to match. Each sip finished clean with a vegetal quality.
The Fettercairn 18 year has a creaminess that lingers on the lips with a bold honey and oaky quality to finish.
For food pairing we had to go just as bold with their Grilled Wagyu Skewer dressed with pickled serrano chilli and toasted sesame. Available in a full sized serving, this is their small bite version.
If I didn’t read it on the menu, I could have easily guess that this was wagyu. The meat was elegantly skewered, woven alongside red and green onion for freshness. The ribbons of meat were so tender and chewy they practically melted. There was so much flavour in the sauce that we needed to have it with our drink. Its thick coating of sweet and salty marinade was balanced out by the spike of the spirt. For once found myself wiping off any excess sauce.
This is a great happy hour option for those who want to lead into a more dressier night. Nothing starts off a girl’s night better than oysters and sparkling.
Hawksworth Restaurant
801 W Georgia St, Vancouver, BC V6C 1P7
(604) 673-7000
hawksworthrestaurant.com
The descriptions of the expertly crafted cocktails and the sophisticated ambiance make it sound like the perfect spot to unwind. The attention to detail in both the drinks and the experience is impressive, and your post has me eager to visit. Thank you for sharing such an elegant and enticing glimpse into cocktail hour at Hawksworth!