Enchanted Evenings at Wild Rice and a New Look for Bistro 101

The new interior at Bistro 101, credit: Karen S. Muller

Wild Rice has teamed up with Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden to offer a an “enchanting” summer deal. Every Friday night from July 8 until September 2 inclusive, enjoy a prix-fixe meal at Wild Rice, followed by a concert at the garden, for a grand total of $46 per person (plus tax and gratuity). The menu for these Enchanted Evenings includes your choice of any two items from the appetizer, main and dessert categories, as well as a beverage (wine, beer or tea).

At a recent preview, I sampled crispy seafood wontons for my starter and a monstrous bowl of house-made Chinese BBQ duck and pork with Shanghai noodles (half of which ended up coming home with me). Other options include curry vegetable potstickers, spring rolls, Buddha’s curry with Maple Hill chicken, organic tofu kung po on rice noodles, ginger panna cotta, key lime pie, and flourless chocolate torte.

As for the concerts, everybody from Jim Byrnes and the Universal Gospel Choir to Silk Road and Van Django is on the musical menu. We got to hear some excerpts from Silk Road’s amazing flamenco-pipa (Chinese lute) fusion, complete with dancing and troubadour vocals. Tickets can be reserved by calling Dr. Sun Yat Sen Garden at 604.622.3207 ext. 209.

Bistro 101 Redone

Those familiar with the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts on Granville Island know that its restaurant, Bistro 101, has long been the stomping ground of its talented brigade of students. The restaurant recently underwent extensive renovations and reopened as Bistro 101 and Bakery 101, with a contemporary and dramatic new look. The three-course pre-fixe menu is still served for both lunch ($18) and dinner ($24), Monday to Thursday, with the West Coast buffet served on Fridays ($20 for lunch; $30 for dinner). Prices in effect until August 31, 2011.

– Anya Levykh