Ready or Not, Provence Marinaside To Throw Open Its Doors

Six weeks after closing for a ‘facelift’, Provence Marinaside will be soon ready for its close-up and has planned a two-day party to celebrate. “We’re tired of having our doors closed,” say owners /chefs Jean-Francis and Alessandra Quaglia, “so we are going to open them on April 2^nd whether or not the room is completely finished.” However, the Quaglias are confident that the room should be ready for its debut as work has been progressing ahead of schedule. Have a look at Episode 3 in the reno video series.

The ‘new’ Provence Marinaside promises to elicit ‘oohs’ and ‘ahs’ from guests. Focal point of the new space is the Wine Wall. Reaching almost the full length and height of the west wall, the Wine Wall features 32 wine taps, refrigerated compartments and its own dedicated Winetender. “I completely re-vamped the wine list and with these new taps plus our innovative Coravin wine preservation system our new wine list will present more than 100 wines by the glass. We believe this is the largest selection in Vancouver,” says Sommelier Rachelle Goudreau. The Wine Wall is not the only change – look for an intimate banquette along the south wall and the large windows over-looking the False Creek Marina will now open to the patio. Another focal point is The Chef’s Table, a special round table for eight sitting in the middle of the room highlighted under a custom-designed chandelier.

Everything from the entrance bar to the washrooms has received a major renovation. The only thing that hasn’t changed is Provence’s menu featuring such favourites as Rack of Lamb, Bouillabaisse, Shellfish Platters, Crab and Lobster Bamboo Risotto and Goat Cheese Salad.

Provence Marinaside will be celebrating the new look on April 2^nd and 3^rd with ‘pop in’ receptions, followed by special advance-ticket-only dinner and concert events. From 4 to 6 p.m. both nights, the public are invited to a ‘Pop in Preview’ – drop by for a glass of prosecco and view the new look.

From 7 p.m. onwards, the restaurant will be serving a special prix fixe Provence Favourites Dinner Package that includes a live concert followed by dancing. Seated long-table/family-style, guests will enjoy a three-course meal (Amuse Bouche, Goat Cheese Salad, Beef Tenderloin and Prawns Provençale Duo, White Chocolate Clafoutis) and performance by Gerardo Contino y Los Habaneros followed by a DJ and dancing.

If you want to do the night up right, The Chef’s Table is available for a special price of $1000 which includes dinner for eight, a Magnum of Champagne along with the concert and dancing. The Chef’s Table is prime, centre-stage seating for the concert. There is only one Chef’s Table available per evening.

If you can’t make dinner, Provence will be offering a very limited number of concert /dancing only tickets at $25.

Tickets for the Dinner Packages, Chef’s Table and Concert Only must be purchased in advance through Eventbrite

Chef Alessandra, an avid salsa dancer, has ‘imported’ for the two-night celebration, direct from New York City, Cuban music virtuoso Gerardo Contino and his fiery ensemble Los Habaneros. Many will recall that Mr. Contino was in Vancouver for two sold-out performances in April 2014. The Havana-born, and now New York resident, Gerardo Contino is famed for his Latin salsa. He has headlined at major Jazz and Latin Festivals in European capitals and regularly tours throughout Latin America and Europe. This former lead singer of the Cuban mega group NG La Banda is a party onstage – improvising, involving the audience while inspiring everyone to participate in hip-shaking, joyful dancing. It is impossible to sit, or stand, still when Gerardo and his group take the stage.

Come dressed to impress or in your hard hat and work boots as Provence Marinaside throws open its doors ready or not!