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July 13, 2007
Elegant dining on the water
Steveston's newest restaurant serves up a variety of fish and
fowl.
LEANNE JACOBSEN
Reflections Gastronomie
#104-3900 Bayview St.,
Richmond. 604-241-3005.
The newest culinary addition to the Steveston area of Richmond is
Reflections Gastronomie. Located on the waterfront in the heart
of Steveston, this European bistro-style restaurant focuses on fresh
local and, where possible, organic ingredients, prepared with a
concentration on flavor and health.
The bustling Steveston waterfront is showcased from both levels
through floor-to-ceiling windows. The decor is minimalist but comfortable
and the patios are large. The restaurant is open for breakfast,
lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. The menu is varied, with
a special nod to Sunday brunch which, at $40 per person, is a little
pricey. However, it includes not only the traditional cold plate
buffet fare, but omelette and crêpe stations and fresh Belgian
waffles.
High tea, which is served on Saturdays at 2 p.m., features three
tiers of afternoon delights, including petit fours, honey coffee
cake, fresh baked scones with Devon cream and jams and finger sandwiches
with cheese, figs and prosciutto, chicken foie gras and glazed shallots
($30).
Owners Marat and Ella Dreyshner have taken their slogan, "The
Art of Good Food," and delivered it on several levels, including
presentation, flavor and innovation. My guest and I both started
with appetizers and here, the presentation was superb. I had the
Swiss-style salmon carpaccio topped with watercress ($12). Colorful,
with a hint of citrus in the finishing sauce, it was ample for two
and we ended up sharing it. We also shared the orange brandy asparagus,
which was perfectly steamed and complimented by the fruity sauce
($6). I ordered the catch of the day, a generously portioned steelhead
trout, which arrived cooked to perfection and served with grilled
vegetables and dollar potatoes ($16). Staying with the fish theme,
my guest ordered the pesto marinated wild salmon, wrapped in a phyllo
pastry crust and accompanied by organic greens ($12). We finished
with dessert: a taste each of the exquisitely flavored saffron creme
brûlé ($8) and the bread pudding with home-made vanilla
ice cream ($6).
There are a variety of salads available, including a poached pear
with fig balsamic reduction, blue cheese, roasted beets and endive
in a Champagne vinaigrette ($12) and a signature Caesar salad, prepared
at your table for a minimum of four people ($12 per person). Another
specialty is the thin crust Italian pizza, in a choice of cheese,
mushroom, bocconcini and basil or shrimp, tomato and garlic ($14).
The menu does not change too substantially at dinner, athough the
prices do. There is additionally a rack of lamb chasseur stuffed
with feta and roasted garlic and finished with a rich brown mushroom
sauce ($38), cocoa and red wine braised short ribs ($35), Cornish
game hen with green grapes, accompanied by peach preserve and balsamic
in a red wine reduction ($26), a bouillabaisse ($30) and a fresh
wild game entrée that changes weekly (market price). The
wine list is a little sparse, but does feature several decent British
Columbia wines by the bottle and the glass.
Reflecting back upon our lunch, I would give this a 3.5 out of 5
on the Nosh Metre.
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