Provence Marinaside Announces Re-Opening of TWB-The Wine Bar

Provence Marinaside Announces
The Re-Opening of TWB-The Wine Bar

Wine lovers have a lot to celebrate next month as TWB – The Wine Bar at Provence Marinaside officially re-opens on May 1st after a three-year pandemic hiatus. Originally launched in April 2013, TWB quickly established itself as the ‘go to’ place for fabulous wines and delicious, casual bites. “We had to close TWB during the pandemic period as it’s a small space and we couldn’t make it work with the distancing restrictions. Now that all that has been lifted, we are looking forward to welcoming people back,” says Provence Marinaside’s Wine Director Joshua Carlson.

Prior to the pandemic, TWB was famed throughout North America for having one of the largest wine selections on the continent. That hasn’t changed, patrons can still expect to find an astounding 260+ wines (including 125 wines-by-the-glass) on offer from every wine-producing region around the globe. “I took advantage of the closure to re-think and re-focus the wine list,” says Carlson. “As we’re a French restaurant I decided our wine list should shine a spotlight on the wines of France, especially those of the south of France, as well as wines produced here in BC. I’m a firm believer in ‘what grows together, goes together.’ “

Before the shut down, TWB was renowned for its strong selection of sparkling wines and Champagnes – both by-the-glass and by-the-bottle. That is still the case. TWB’s selection offers 12 sparkling wines by-the-glass including four champagnes. “Bubbles turn any occasion, whether meeting friends after work or dropping by after the game, into a mini-celebration. They’re also very food friendly and go with everything from oysters to popcorn,” says Carlson. He credits the revolutionary Le Verre de Vin preservation system for making this possible. “The Verre de Vin technology perfectly preserves sparkling wine by replacing Co2 in the neck of the bottle. This allows a sparkling wine to retain its flavor and effervescence up to 21 days after the bottle has opened.”

Wines-by-the glass options range from value-priced selections at $9/gl to indulgences at $43/gl. Additionally, patrons will see the return of the taps – Provence/TWB’s 32 taps will once again be flowing with a selection of wines, beers and ciders.

According to Carlson “wine is both finite and infinite. Finite because each farmer has only a certain amount of hectares planted with vines. Those vines produce so many grapes which in turn produce only so many bottles. Some wines are more abundant than others. Some wines we may only get 12 bottles. It’s infinite because there is always other wine to put on the list. I change the list sometimes once a week. I think it makes things interesting – at least for me, our team, and sometimes our guests.”

Also returning to the food menu are some of TWB’s casual bites such as their fabulous Pomme Frites, Brown Butter Truffle Popcorn bucket, Crispy Calamari, Garlic Parsley Meatballs, BC Cheese Plate, Classic Fresh Oysters on the Half Shell and freshly-baked Warm Baguette with Jim Beam Butter to name only a few of the many crowd-pleasing favourites. For those looking for more substantial fare, Provence Marinaside’s full menu is available for brunch, lunch and dinner. Happy/Tappy Hour returns daily to TWB from 3-5 p.m.

TWB aims at a casual Mediterranean vibe with a view overlooking the False Creek Seawall and Quayside Marina. Whether you choose a sunny patio table, a seat at the wine bar or an intimate interior table, TWB makes for a great place in which to celebrate the victories of everyday living with wonderful wine and something delicious, be it a light snack or a full meal.

TWB-The Wine Bar is located next door to Provence Marinaside at 1167 Marinaside Crescent at the foot of Davie Street in Yaletown.

Provence notes:
Established in February 2002, Provence Marinaside is the ‘bebe’ of Owner/Executive Chef (and Chevalier of France) Jean-Francis Quaglia. Reminiscent of Chef Qualia’s native Marseille, Provence is located at the south end of Yaletown, adjacent to the False Creek Seawall and with patios overlooking the Quayside Marina. Open every day for Brunch, Lunch, Happy Hour and Dinner. Hours are:
Tuesday through Friday: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday and Monday: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
In addition to Dine-In service, Provence Marinaside continues to offer its regular menus for brunch, lunch and dinner as Takeout for personal pick-up or through delivery services Door Dash and Uber Eats.

Wine and Cocktails List , Brunch Menu, Lunch Menu, Happy Hour Menu, Dinner Menu, Dessert Menu

Provence Marinaside is also supporting The Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre with the donation of meals and funds along with a donation option on their should the public also wish to support the organization. Details can be found on Provence Marinaside’s Home Page.

About Chef Jean Francis Quaglia
A native of Marseille, France, Chef Jean-Francis Quaglia comes naturally to the culinary world as his mother was acclaimed Chef Suzanne Quaglia of Marseille’s famed Le Patalain and one of the very first female chefs in France. At age eight, he made his first Tarte au Citron from his mother’s recipe. This same tarte is now featured on Provence’s menu. Following graduation, Chef Quaglia apprenticed at Hôtel Sofitel in Marseille, worked Chef Elie Mazot at Relais et Chateau’s Le Chateau de la Chevre D’Or in Eze and was Chef de Partie Tournant under the direction of his mentor, Chef Dominique LeStanc, at Hôtel Negresco in Nice (2 Michelin stars). Upon arrival in Vancouver he was Sous Chef under Chef Bruno Born at Le Coq D’Or and followed him to the Sheraton Wall Centre Hotel where he became Executive Chef of the hotel’s Indigo Bistro Moderne. He opened his first restaurant, Provence Mediterranean Grill in 1997 in Point Grey and went on to open Provence Marinaside in 2002 and TWB-The Wine Bar next door in 2012 (it is now amalgamated into Provence Marinaside). In August 2021, the government of France honoured Chef Jean-Francis by naming him a Chevalier (Knight) of the Ordre du Merite Agricole – one of France’s highest honours, second only to the Legion of Honour.

Photo credits: (except as noted) Emrys Horton, EPH Photography . Feature image: Photo credit: Philippe Roulston, Philippe Roulston Photography