Tomatoes, Tomahtoes, and Tomates: All Tempt the Palate at Provence’s Tomato Festival

The Goods from Provence Marinaside

Vancouver, BC | August is peak tomato season in BC – a time of year when there is no such thing as over-dosing 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 special three-course prix fixe menu ($69) that will satisfy even the most addicted tomato-holic. “The heirloom tomato is the ultimate summer flavor. They are the taste of the sun and remind me of long summer days when I was a child in Provence,” says Provence Marinaside’s Owner / Executive Chef Jean Francis Quaglia.

“Heirloom tomatoes have a more intense flavor profile,” says Chef de Cuisine Mohit Chauhan who worked with Chef Jean Francis to develop the Tomato Festival Menu. “We are fortunate have local producers such as Windset Farms (Delta) or Cropthorne Farm (Westham Island) for instance who supply us with amazing varieties. The heirlooms just taste so much better.”

There is also an optional wine pairing for each course which has been thoughtfully selected by Assistant Wine Director Ryan Johnson. “Grapes and heirloom tomatoes share deep historical roots in Mediterranean agriculture.The red berry (strawberry, raspberry) and citrus undertones in classic Provençal rosé naturally mirror the sweet-tart, complex flavours of fresh summer heirloom tomatoes,” comments Johnson. The optional rose pairing is available for $59.

It doesn’t matter whether you’ve never heard of a Green Zebra, Moneymaker,Campari or Black Krim – you’ll find wonderful heirlooms of every possible description on the menu of Provence’s annual Tomato Festival, August 1 – 31 at Provence Marinaside located at the foot of Davie St. and across from the Quayside Marina in Yaletown.

Whether you choose to sit in the air-conditioned comfort of the dining room, or out on the patio overlooking the seawall and marina, you’ll be immediately whisked to the south of France and its long, languid summer.

Reservations available either online or by calling the restaurant at (604) 681-4144.