News & Reviews

Thank transplanted Vancouverites Damian du Plessis and Louie De Jaeger for this unlikely oasis. Beyond the undistinguished door lies a most un-Chilliwack-like room, designed by Wade King and reminiscent of Parkside. Hefty, well-priced cocktails (the Fellini, at $8.95, is a knockout, though the Tequila Mockingbird wins on name alone) and an unexpectedly deep wine list ensure good libations. The menu makes selection a happy problem. As a starter, wild mushroom ravioli with gorgonzola cream superbly avoids the too-rich trap. For mains, lamb osso buco and pan-seared duck breast are bounteous bargains, both served with local, seasonal veggies on the side. Warm pineapple upside down cake with house-made coconut rum ice cream seals the deal.

by Jessica Murdy – Chilliwack Progress – Novenber 17, 2007

Rose Siemens of Whatcom Wines accepts the 2007 Excellence in Dining award on behalf of Bravo Restaurant & Lounge. (presented by the Fort Wine Co.)

When the Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce set out to expand its popular Business Excellence Awards, they knew it would be a hit with their members.
But they were blown away by the response from the community as a whole. In total, 168 businesses were nominated for 23 available awards.

It was the best, and the biggest celebration of local business yet, says Todd Harvey, Chamber president.

“This was a huge event and we’re extremely pleased,” he says. The annual awards are handed out a gala reception each year. The event sold out this year, with 350 people in attendance.

All the numbers are up from previous years, Harvey says. It’s a sign that Chilliwack’s economy is growing, as well as confidence in the Chamber.

New awards were added, a successful attempt to applaud even more businesses for their individualized areas of expertise.

“In previous years, the judging was extremely difficult,” he says. “But this year, with the new categories, we were able to recognize excellence in more areas.”

He says judging each year is an extremely difficult process with some very tight competitions.

“It’s a lot of hard work on the judging side, but it’s well worth it,” he says. “Recognizing excellence in business is one of the most important functions of the Chamber … it’s a celebration of the achievements of local business and that’s something that the Chamber takes to heart.”

Membership in the Chamber has grown in previous years, making it even more desirable to increase the number and the diversity of the awards. In addition to the Chamber awards, the City of Chilliwack also sponsored three new Green Awards.

Those awards went to businesses who are effectively implementing environmentally-friendly programs.

The 2007 Business Excellence Awards were also handed out in a new location, due to the increase in membership. The Tzeachten Hall provided a larger venue, and both Chuck Strahl and Clint Hames were on hand to emcee the event.

“They are very enthusiastic and both did a very good job,” Harvey says. “Not every city is lucky enough to have both the MP and the mayor would come out to a Chamber function like this.”

Chilliwack’s Chamber of Commerce is quickly becoming one of the strongest in the province, Harvey says. And new members are welcome at any time.

by Linda Wegner ~ Business Fraser Valley, 2007

There’s not much better phrase to use in congratulating a restaurant that has just won it’s third International Playhouse Wine Festival award, especially when that restaurant has only been in existence for three years.

According to Damian du Plessis, co-owner of the Bravo Restaurant, it’s because they’ve introduced choices not formerly available outside the Greater Vancouver area.

“They recognized what we are doing in the context of the industry – offering quality and variety that hadn’t been offered. Now we get all sorts of calls from wine representatives who weren’t paying any attention to this area before,” du Plessis says.

Prior to launching Bravo Restaurant, Damian du Plessis and his partner, Louie De Jaeger, spent several years planning how they could plant a “big city” restaurant in the traditionally conservative area of B.C.’s Fraser Valley.

“After we moved out here about eight years ago, I was still commuting to Vancouver every day. That gets old pretty quick and the drive gets worse every year so we were looking around for an opportunity to do something in the Valley. When we opened three years ago, the timing was perfect,” he says.

Contributing to the perfect timing were factors such as the changing demographics of the Fraser Valley, the need for a niche-market restaurant to serve a growing population sector that is “going eastward rather than westward” for entertainment, and the men’s combined experience in the restaurant business.

Obviously the combination, plus a solid background in choosing quality wines, has earned them both a prestigious and a unique place in Chilliwack’s list of places to eat.

“It’s an adult place and it was tricky to produce a nice ambience while maintaining a friendly and interactive atmosphere – something like going to a friend’s house but to the home of a friend who has a really nice house,” du Plessis says.

According to du Plessis, having the “really nice house” located outside the City of Vancouver does have its own set of challenges.

“Certain products are harder to get, compared to being near sources such as Granville Island market. That has forced us to do a lot of sourcing and legwork ourselves in order to get what we want. Oysters and fresh seafood would be an example, they’re not quite as accessible,” he says.

In addition to the extra work involved in locating the premium products they are looking for, du Plessis cited the difficulty sometimes faced in trying to find the staff they require.

“Staffing in general is tough in the industry and when you’re in an area that doesn’t have quite the history of fine dining, the labour pool isn’t quite as available,” he adds.

Challenges aside, it’s the appreciation they receive from clientele that they most appreciate.

“We already have an amazingly loyal group of clientele. That really helps when you’re tired and wonder why you’re doing this. It’s the way people really do appreciate our being here and what we’re doing.”

For more information, visit their website at: www.bravorestaurant.ca