In Praise of the Tasting Menu

Tasting menus are popping up more frequently lately. Thank goodness!! I suppose it's because I have a really fickle palate, but I enjoy having a variety of flavours and courses in a meal. I am always intrigued by how chefs combine and coordinate different flavours and textures within the menu while maintaining each course's and ingredient's uniqueness and integrity. Possibly the best tasting menus in the city are offered at Lumiere (see my recent review). The entire meal is well planned and orchestrated and each course is meticulously prepared and presented.

Another restaurant that offers a great tasting menu is Pastis. Although not as intricate as Lumiere's offerings, the 5 course Pastis menu is more bisto style and still bountiful.

Compared to other major North American cities, the tasting menus offered by many Vancouver restaurants are a deal. Similar multi-course meals in New York or San Francisco, for example, would cost the same amount or more in US dollars!

In Vancouver, we do have the luxury of fine dining at reasonable prices!