Category: Wine

The Chilliwack Times—Published: Friday, March 07, 2008

Chilliwack’s Bravo Restaurant and Lounge has brought home it’s fourth award in as many years of business from one of the biggest wine events in the world.

The Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival is widely regarded as the best consumer wine show on the continent. This year’s event featured 180 selected wineries from 17 countries.

Bravo owner Louie De Jaeger received the honour at the gala industry luncheon held at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Vancouver.

“This is good for the big picture for Chilliwack and everyone can benefit,” De Jaeger told the Times. “It means they notice us out here. Not just us, there is the Circle Farm Tour, Farmhouse Natural Cheeses; lots of reasons to come out.”

As the recipient of a bronze award, Bravo’s wine list, service and storage have met the high standards of an industry panel of well-respected wine critics and experts. The Chilliwack restaurant has now distinguished itself as one of the few restaurants in the province to be on the winners list for four years in a row. The Wine List Awards are endorsed by the Vancouver Wine Academy and the International Sommelier Guild.

Jennifer Feinberg — The Chilliwack Progress

The boys at Bravo never bother to laminate their award-winning wine list. “The reason why we don’t is because the wine list is constantly evolving,” said Bravo co-owner Damian du Plessis.

Bravo Restaurant & Lounge on Yale Road East has been recognized again this spring by the Vancouver International Playhouse Wine Festival, picking up a bronze for the third year in a row. The local establishment was recognized alongside Vancouver institutions like the William Tell Bistro and The Cannery Seafood House.

Chilliwack Downtown BIA executive director Kathy Funk said they’re “busting at the seams” with pride about the local recognition.

“We’re just really proud to have such a gem like Bravo located in our growing downtown core,” she said. “The owners have done a wonderful job of keeping a high-quality approach to their menu and wine list.”

Bravo is one of the area’s “best-kept secrets,” she added, but the secret is starting to get out.

“We always strive to make our list unique,” offered co-owner Louie De Jaeger. “It is ever-changing because the vintages are ever-changing and can literally vary greatly from year to year.”

He points to their successful introduction of wine flights last year, consisting of three two-ounce pours which allow the customer to explore different and exciting taste sensations. De Jaeger said he’s also having fun exploring new labels from the red-hot wine countries like Spain and Argentina of late.

Last week’s festival in Vancouver was the 29th annual event, featuring 180 wineries and 1,570 wines from 17 countries. Here’s what the judges had to say about Bravo this year:

“Year after year the Wine List Awards judges have been inpressed by Bravo Restaurant’s ingenuity and ability to provide impressive selections at good value in Chilliwack.”

“It’s obvious that an admirable amount of time and effort goes into making this list ~ and into making Bravo a serious wine destination.”

Funk agreed and said she envisions out-of-towners coming to Chilliwack just to check out their wine offerings, and the infused martinis.

One aspect that may give the resto operators an edge is their enthusiastic approach to wine pairing, she said.

“They really take the time to couple the wines with the food they offer, and the wine list suits the menu,” she said.

“That’s one of the things they do well. Customers appreciate the fact that they know their products well and can guide them. It’s an art that both of the owners have.”

Du Plessis and De Jaeger pledge to continue experimenting with new wines, vintages and regions to match a range of palates and price points. They said they also make a point of supporting the burgeoning BC wine industry.

So how do they actually select the superlative wines that end up on their wine list?

“With so many great producers out there, it’s hard,” Du Plessis admitted. “We just evolve along with them to keep up, and we listen to the feedback we get from our customers.”

Bravo has acquired a reputation for introducing new wineries, hard-to-find vintages and rare varietals to Chilliwack. One recent example is an Austrian white wine by Rabl Vineyards called Gruner Veltliner, distinguished by a hint of white pepper which goes nicely with savoury dishes.

“The pepper notes make it go well with some of the harder-to-pair tastes like asparagus for example,” said Du Plessis. To his knowledge, no one in the Fraser Valley if offering it to customers.

Luckily most of Bravo’s growing clientele are willing to experiment.

“In all my years in the business, I’ve noticed that customers are getting more sophisticated all the time, yet they’re still very open-minded and willing to try new things. They’re always looking for something new and interesting to taste and that keeps it fun.”

jfeinberg@theprogress.com

(Chilliwack Times—published on 05/12/2006)

Bravo for Bravo

That’s according to the folks at the world-renowned Vancouver International Playhouse Wine Festival.

Bravo Restaurant and Lounge just picked up a bronze medal for its wine menu at the highly-regarded international event. The award came from a panel of industry experts and wine critics who could only give thumbs up to one of Chilliwack’s newest fine dining experiences. And this is the second year in a row that the martini bar has won an award from this prestigious festival. That’s not bad, considering it’s barely been two years since Bravo first swung open its doors.

“We’re pretty happy about it,” co-owner Damian du Plessis says. “It’s a pretty great recognition to have.”

Indeed, judges visit the restaurant and not only enjoy a meal but check every angle of how the meal is made, any prep time, the wine list, the cooking with wine, staff and even the customers. Everything is under the microscope including the decor, service and general ambiance of the place.

“They come out and they see the place and the clientele, they talk to the staff, check out our service,” du Plessis adds. “It’s pretty in-depth.”

He notes that staff is quizzed by the judges about their wine knowledge; for example what wine goes well with that night’s main course. The international festival, which just wrapped up, attracts some of the biggest industry names from around the world and is firmly established as Canada’s premier wine event. This year’s event featured 186 wineries and 1,320 wines from 15 countries.

As they lauded Bravo, the judges cited the Chilliwack establishment for its “outstanding selection, service and value.”

Du Plessis says they now offer more than 90 different types of wine, ensuring that just about every customer will find a wine to their satisfaction. And he notes, one of the great things about winning is that Bravo was the only Fraser Valley establishment to win such a prestigious award.

“It pretty well puts us on a par with some of the top restaurants in Vancouver and throughout the Fraser Valley,” he says. “It’s a pretty good award to win.”

By Jennifer Feinberg | The Chilliwack Progress—May 09 2006

A Chilliwack restaurant has been recognized for its “outstanding” wine list – for the second year in a row – as a winner in one of the country’s most prestigious wine festivals.

Bravo Restaurant & Lounge on Yale Road was awarded the bronze medal from the Vancouver International Playhouse Wine Festival.

It’s an event that attracts the most ardent oenophiles from around the globe. The 2006 festival featured 186 wineries and 1,320 wines from 15 countries.

Bravo’s creative and ever-changing list of libations merited a bronze according to a panel of industry experts and wine critics, with judges citing the local resto’s “outstanding selection, service and value.”

The Yale Road restaurant and lounge, which has become a local ode to sunny cocktails and West Coast comfort food, is run by Damian Du Plessis and Louie De Jaeger.
Bravo’s offerings edged out many of Vancouver’s finest establishments for this award, such as Brix and Cassis, and it was the only restaurant in the Fraser Valley to receive recognition.

Check out more at www.bravorestaurant.ca, 604.792.7721, or see the complete list of this year’s winners at: www.playhousewinefest.com

 

By Jennifer Feinberg, Chilliwack Progress — Apr 19 2005

The people behind Bravo Restaurant and Lounge have made a point of incorporating some exciting yet reasonably priced wines into their eclectic wine list.

Someone must be paying attention, since the effort has netted them a 2005 Green Glass award for great value from a Vancouver-based wine festival.

“It’s perhaps because we’re first and foremost wine lovers, not wine experts,” says Bravo owner Damian du Plessis, “and there’s a difference.”

Their goal from the start has been to provide a varied menu of West Coast comfort food, complemented with a high-quality yet accessible wine list.

“Our tastes tend to be pretty similar to that of our average clientele, and our selection reflects that. It’s also why we support people who love good wine,” he says. “We feel it’s important to make wine accessible to people, to take away the intimidation factor and make it less pretentious.”

Since opening last summer on Yale Road, just east of Five Corners, Bravo management has slowly introduced a few lesser-known wines to the Chilliwack community, ranging from Wishing Tree Shiraz from eastern Australia, to Township 7 from Langley.
It’s the first time a Chilliwack establishment has ever won an award from the Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival, Mr. du Plessis says.

The 2005 wine list competition lists the Yale Road business as one of seven western restaurateurs recognized in the Green Glass category for providing an enjoyable and affordable food-and-wine experience for their customers.

“As the diversity of wine list styles continues to broaden, this competition pays tribute to the skill, creativity and effort that go into producing a wine list that complements the unique menu and concept, and a wine program that supports it,” reads the preamble to the list of 2005 wine festival winners.

For the guys at Bravo, half the fun is trying and choosing new wines for their regular customers who are big fans of the grape.

“What I think is really interesting is then pairing those wines with the various items on our constantly shifting menu,” Mr. du Plessis says.

Increasingly, people are looking for good B.C. wines and the West Coast winemakers are starting to gear their wines to suit tastes and trends, he says.

“The tannins of some B.C. reds are getting smoother, and the whites are getting some weight to them,” he notes. “The Fraser Valley is really on the cusp of gaining some positive acknowledgment.”

Take the Township 7 red as an example, says Bravo partner Louie De Jaeger.
He says it’s a charming little wine that highlights some new interest and activity in Fraser Valley wineries.

“It was one of our customer who said we should try it,” he remembers. “We really liked the cabernet sauvignon. It really had to be something that went wonderfully with our menu and it fit the bill.”
The development of Bravo’s ever-changing wine list will continue, the owners promise.

2005 Wine List Competition

The 2005 Wine List Competition represents the next stage in recognizing and celebrating excellence. As the diversity of wine list styles continues to broaden, this competition pays tribute to the skill, creativity and effort that go into producing a wine list that complement the unique menu and concept and a wine program that supports it. This enhancement encourages the interaction between judges and properties. Through their application, visits and discussions restaurateurs are encouraged to share their philosophies and their initiatives that ensure a more enjoyable food and wine experience for their customers. This new process strives for an even playing field, for more fair recognition and to encourage the development of wine culture.

We are pleased to announce the following awards for 2005 and thank all the entrants for continuing to raise the wine bar.

GOLD GLASS AWARD

All Seasons Café (Nelson)
Araxi Restaurant & Seafood Bar (Whistler)
Arbutus Grille & Wine Bar (Brentwood Bay)
Bearfoot Bistro (Whistler)
Blue Water Café
C Restaurant
Cin Cin Ristorante & Bar
Cioppino’s Mediterranean Grill & Enoteca
Diva at the Met
Divino Wine & Cheese Bistro (Calgary)
Earls Restaurant
La Terrazza Restaurant & Lounge
Le Gavroche
Raincity Grill
Sooke Harbour House (Sooke)
The Dining Room at the Aerie Resort (Malahat)
The Fish House in Stanley Park
West Restaurant

SILVER GLASS AWARD

Aqua Riva Restaurant
Cobblestone Wine Bar at the Naramata Heritage Inn & Spa (Naramata)
CRU
Feenie’s
Hermitage Restaurant
Il Terrazzo Ristorante (Victoria)
La Masia Restaurant (Surrey)
Lizard Creek Lodge (Fernie)
Provence Marinaside
Rimrock Café (Whistler)
The Ranche (Calgary)
The Wildflower at The Fairmont Chateau Whistler (Whistler)
Vij’s curry art

BRONZE GLASS AWARD

Bin 941
Canoe Brew Pub (Victoria)
Crowne Plaza Hotel Georgia
Hamilton Street Grill
Hastings House Country Estate (Salt Spring Island)
Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House
The Cannery Seafood Restaurant
The Five Sails Restaurant at the Pan Pacific Hotel

BEST FIRST TIME ENTRY

Pearl on the Rock (Whiterock)
winebar @ fiction

GREEN GLASS AWARD ( GREAT VALUE )

Bravo Restaurant & Lounge (Chilliwack)
Canadian Mountain Holidays (Banff)
Cassis Bistro
Ch’i Restaurant
Ridge Bistro (Maple Ridge)
Vintropolis Wine Bar & Bistro
Wild Rice Modern Chinese Cuisine

HONORABLE MENTION

A Kettle of Fish
Chambar Belgian Restaurant
Doc 503 (Sidney)
Fleuri Restaurant at the Sutton Place Hotel
Island Lake Resort Group (Fernie)
Lift Restaurant & Bar
Provence Bistro at Niakwa (Winnipeg)
Spinnakers Brewpub & Guest House (Victoria)
The Keg
Tomato Fresh Food Café
Umami
Vista 18 (Victoria)