New Tasting Menu Bursts with Flavour at The Courtney Room

Chef Brian Tesolin unveils new spring dishes with wine pairings from near and far

Inspired by the kitchen team’s deep partnerships with Vancouver Island farmers, The Courtney Room’s new spring tasting menu features fresh flavours from land and sea.

Driven by the best seasonal produce, delivered to The Courtney Room’s kitchen daily by the teams at Square Root Organics, Saanich Organics and Littlest Acres, the spring tasting menu will evolve as new ingredients ripen and spring progresses into summer.

“Our team is so excited that spring has sprung and by the abundance of produce that’s starting to become available from Vancouver Island farms,” says Renee Lauzon, restaurant manager at The Courtney Room. “Chef Brian Tesolin and his team’s collaborative relationship with farms in the area ensure the highest quality ingredients are allowed to shine as guests journey through our multi-course tasting menu experience.”

The seven-course menu ($110 per guest), served either in the elegant upstairs dining room or in the comfortable surrounds of the bistro, starts with Pacific Swimming Scallop Crudo with Ile Sauvage whipped beer and truffle pearl, and Yuzu Custard, Northern Divine Caviar and Crispy Quinoa. Next, a dry-aged Kampachi Mosaic with a Kosho vinaigrette and kimchi pearls followed by Charcoal Sablefish Collar with blossom dashi, sorrel leaves and hazelnut crumble.

Two main courses follow with dishes featuring Dry-Aged Yarrow Meadows Duck Breast with quice, pickled shiitake and wild blueberry and a Sunchoke Crusted Peace Country Lamb Press with caramelized cauliflower puree, buttered sunchoke and pine mushroom marmite. For dessert, locally-foraged Pineapple Weed Custard, strawberry sorbet and Meyer lemon meringue complete’s a delicious journey of Vancouver Island spring flavours.

Guests choosing to pair their meal with wines have the chance to sample a stellar range, carefully chosen by the restaurant’s passionate and knowledgeable sommelier team, including wines from acclaimed winemaking regions from around the world and from local vineyards right here on Vancouver Island.

“We love to shine a spotlight on small, family run vineyards, producing wines that represent a time and place and a narrative that the team is excited to tell,” says The Courtney Room’s Wine Director, Colin Davidson. Wines featured as part of the Spring Tasting Menu will also be offered by the glass as part of the restaurant’s wine program.

Reservations are highly encouraged. To view menus and make a reservation, visit www.thecourtneyroom.com.

About The Courtney Room
Old world meets new at The Courtney Room in Victoria, B.C., voted #10 in the 2018 Canada’s Best New Restaurant Awards, included in Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants 2019 and a finalist for Vancouver Magazine’s Restaurant Awards 2020. An extension of The Magnolia Hotel & Spa’s award-winning boutique hotel experience, The Courtney Room is a modern dining space where locals and visitors alike can enjoy genuine hospitality and a menu that honours both land and sea, showcasing Pacific Northwest ingredients with classic cooking techniques. Gather at the bar for fresh-shucked oysters, unwind with friends over sharing plates in the lower brasserie, or savour an elevated experience in the upstairs dining room with impeccably prepared local seafood, steak and fine wine. www.thecourtneyroom.com

Media release and images provided by Marisa Cuglietta, Hawksworth Communications. Image credits: The Courtney Room; Dasha Armstrong