VA2007 - Diva at the Met

A Continued Tradition of Excellence

Photos: Bruce Law
Seen Right: Eric Lister, Restaurant Manager and Damon Campbell, Chef.

From their dazzling downtown location, just steps from the Vancouver Art Gallery and world class shopping destinations, Diva at the Met represents some of the best dining Vancouver has to offer. Recipient of countless awards and accolades, Diva is consistently recognized for their meticulous service, extensive wine list and inspired West Coast cuisine.

Diva is the basis for the culinary scene in Vancouver. The Diva kitchen has been the launching pad for such local luminaries as Michael Noble, famed chocolatier Thomas Haas and winner of Canada's Next Great Chef, Laura Sharpe. Faces that have graced this kitchen have represented Canada at the Bocuse d'Or competition and on the Iron Chef; currently, talented restaurant chef Damon Campbell is at the helm, continuing that tradition of excellence.

Menus change with the seasons, with evolving prix fixe and multi-course tasting menus always available. With signature dishes like the truffle gnocchi with forest mushrooms and fluffy lobster emulsion, and smoked Alaskan black cod with lemon tarragon cod cake, it's no wonder they have been named Vancouver's Best Restaurant by Gourmet Magazine. Their award-winning caramelized Stilton cheesecake with rhubarb port compote has become the stuff of legend, ranking amongst the city's best desserts.

The contemporary tiered dining room exudes an austere beauty and understated elegance, enhanced by an open Waldorf-style kitchen. The secluded upper tier affords guests an ambiance of exclusivity, providing the optimum locale for the power lunch or the milestone wedding anniversary. If there's someone you simply must impress, or if they must sign the deal, Diva delivers every time.

Diva's wine list, chosen by manager and sommelier Eric Lister, is consistently ranked as one of the best in town; an impressive collection boasting over 250 labels of rare and hard-to-find vintages from reputable heavy hitters to savvy, budget-friendly gems, with a distinct emphasis on the unique wines of the Okanagan Valley.

Constantly navigating the culinary avant garde mileux, Diva continues to seek new ways to thrill and elate their diners. "We have a knack for finding and attracting emerging up and coming talent," surmises marketing director Perry Schmunk. "There is a tacit understanding in the industry that once you can hold your own at Diva, you've truly arrived. Great chefs see us as a right of passage."

Menu Highlights

Appetizers

Organic Aldergrove Glorious Greens

Port Hardy Side Stripe Shrimp and Scallop Tartare

Dungeness Crab Salad

Spring Pea Soup

Corned Magret Duck Salad

Truffled Lobster Gnocchi

Duo of Foie Gras

Crispy Seared Trout

Main Courses

Five Onion and Ricotta Agnolotti
Forest mushroom and spring vegetable sauté, white truffle oil

Vancouver Island Smoked Black Cod
Braised daikon, hon-shimigi mushroom, carrot ribbons, aromatic dashi broth

Sous Vide Wild BC Pacific Salmon
Spring pea risotto, golden beets, basil coulis

Line Caught Queen Charlotte Island Halibut
Artichoke and tarragon ravioli, shellfish cloud

Butter Poached Half Atlantic Lobster
Warm crème fraiche fingerling potato salad, celery branch froth

"Canadian Prime Beef"
Smoked striploin and braised cheek, sunchoke tomato pave, crispy onion rings, natural jus

Diva Spiced Lamb Loin
Crispy potato and lamb shoulder cannelloni, cardamom scented lamb jus

Organic Free Run Chicken
Chick pea fries, Swiss chard, roasted corn, dijon chicken emulsion

Desserts

The Thomas Haas Signature Chocolate Bar
Bittersweet chocolate fondant, praline crust, "Sparkle" cookie and chocolate sorbet

Lemon and Raspberries
Caramelized lemon meringue, minted Meyer lemon confit, raspberry vanilla gelée, lemon sorbet

Stilton and Rhubarb
Caramelized Stilton cheesecake, rhubarb port compote

Best of the Cellar

White Wines

Joie Riesling 2006
Cedar Creek Platinum Chardonnay
Château D’Yquem 1996
Herder Pinot Gris 2006

Red Wines

Henschke Hill of Grace 1998
Quintessa 1995
Cedar Creek Platinum Meritage 2004
Chateau Haut Brion 83/95
Vega Sicilia Reserva Especial
Marques De Riscal Gran Reserva 1945

Above: Port Hardy side strip shrimp with carbonate citrus fruit

Diva at the Met
Metropolitan Hotel Vancouver,
645 Howe Street, Vancouver, B.C., 604-602-7788
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