Taste the Sunshine at Provence Marinaside’s Tomato Festival

TOMATOES, TOMAHTOES, POMODORO AND TOMATES
ALL TASTE OF SUNSHINE
AT PROVENCE MARINASIDE’S TOMATO FESTIVAL

Some are larger than a hand and come in neon shades of yellow and red, others are striped like crazy zebras while others are tiny multi-coloured gems – regardless of the size or the colour, what all tomatoes share in common is the taste of sunshine. August is peak tomato season in BC – a time of year when there is no such thing as overdosing on these juicy, flavourful fruits. Eaten fresh-picked out-of-hand, chopped into salsas and salads, juiced, roasted or sun-dried – there are almost as many ways to enjoy their flavourful goodness as there are varieties.

For the entire month of August, Provence Marinaside celebrates all things tomato with its annual Tomato Festival – offering a special prix fixe menu that will satisfy even the most addicted tomato-holic. “I love creating the Tomato Menu every year. Tomatoes are the taste of the sun, and remind me of long summer days when I was a child in Provence,” says Provence Marinaside’s Executive Chef/Owner Jean Francis Quaglia. “Heirloom tomatoes have a more intense flavor profile. They could not be more different from the tasteless tomatoes you find at the large grocery stores. We are fortunate to work with producers who supply us with amazing, locally-grown varieties.”

There is also an optional wine pairing for each course which has been thoughtfully selected by Assistant Wine Director Ryan Johnson. “The Languedoc Roussillon is probably France’s oldest wine region, so pairing heirloom tomatoes, which have been seeded for more than 50 years, seems like a perfect fit. Heirloom tomatoes are unique in character and filled with flavour. The sweet-tart balance found in the 150 different heirlooms plays perfectly with the abundance of varietals and styles found in the Languedoc and Roussillon, ranging from vibrant rosés and bubbles, to textural whites, elegant reds, and exotic sweet wines,“ says Johnson about his choice of wine pairings.

This three-course seasonal menu is value-priced at $75 and the wine pairing is $40. Both the individual dishes and the wines are also available à la carte should you so choose.

Heirloom Tomato Menu
Three-Course Menu $75/person
Three-Course Optional Wine Pairing $40/person

First Course
Choose one

Heirloom Tomato and Watermelon Gazpacho
feta cheese, olive crouton

Autour de l’Anne Wonder WomAnne Pet Nat Rosé
cinsault/syrah/grenache
nv Languedoc, France

Frosted Heirloom Tomato Salad
extra virgin olive oil, crispy focaccia anchovy crumbs
mediterranean olives, parsley chimichurri sauce

Antech Blanquette de Limoux Réserve Brut
mauzac/chardonnay/chenin blanc
2018 Limoux, Languedoc-Roussillon, France

Second Course
Choose one

Charcoal Dusted Top Sirloin
tomato tian, smashed fingerling potatoes, heirloom tomato and beef jus

Domaine Rimbert Le Mas au Schiste
syrah/mourvèdre
2020 Saint-Chinian, Languedoc-Roussillon, France

Grilled Halibut
tomato mint tabouleh, cucumber ribbons, heirloom tomato salsa

Res Fortes Roussillon Blanc
macabeau/grenache blanc/grenache gris
2018 Côtes du Roussillon, Roussillon, France

Dessert
Mixed Berry Tartelette
candied tomato

Chateau de Jau Muscat de Rivesaltes
muscat à petit grains / muscat alexandrie
2017 Rivesaltes, Languedoc-Roussillon, France

Whether you are balmy for Black Krims, rave about Red Zebra’s or go crazy for Camparis – you’ll find them all and more on the menu at Provence’s Tomato Festival August 1- 31, 2023 at Provence Marinaside at the foot of Davie St. and across from the Quayside Marina in Yaletown.

Provence Marinaside was recently named by Open Table as one of the Top Outdoor Dining Restaurants in Canada noted for its picturesque location on the False Creek Seawall overlooking the Quayside Marina.

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.

Media release and images provided by Nancy Wong, Culinary Communications. photo credits: NWongPR