Vancouver's best-kept restaurant secrets

Directly from the Provence Restaurants Press Release:

PROVENCE PATIOS + SPOT PRAWNS = HEAVEN

(Vancouver, BC) - Spot Prawn season officially opened on Saturday, May 5th. For six weeks, Lower Mainlanders revel in the juicy sweetness of these local ‘gems of the sea.’ Whether you prefer yours steamed or grilled or poached, everyone can agree there is nothing more heavenly than enjoying spot prawns and a glass of rosé on a patio.

Both locations of Provence Restaurants (Mediterranean Grill in Point Grey and Marinaside in Yaletown) have patios and are featuring special (and different) three-course spot prawn menus (priced at $48) for the season.

Mediterranean Grill’s (P1) menu features such treats as Spot Prawn Salad, simply prepared Steamed Spot Prawns, a version of surf ‘n turf with AAA Beef Tenderloin and Flambéed Spot Prawns.

Over at Marinaside (P2), the Yaletown location, Chef Jean-Francis Quaglia has cooked up a menu that highlights the Spot Prawn in such dishes as Poached BC Spot Prawns with Yellow Tomato Gazpacho, Spot Prawn Duo (grilled and Provençal style) and Lois Lake Steelhead with Spot Prawns.

While both menus include a choice of dessert from the regular menu, we feel there’s only one dessert that is the perfect complement to a Spot Prawn feast – Provence’s famed Lemon Tarte.

So the big decision comes down to which menu and which patio. As reflected in the menus, each location of Provence has its own distinct personality – elegant P1’s patio in Point Grey overlooks a bustling neighbourhood ‘high street’ and is festooned with gorgeous hanging baskets while trendy P2’s patio in Yaletown overlooks the False Creek seawall.

The two locations even have a friendly Spot Prawn competition going on (see video link below). “It’s a bit of fun and a wonderful way to encourage our patrons to try the other location,” says Provence co-owner and P1 Chef, Alessandra Quaglia. “Ever since we opened P2, we’ve had a friendly rivalry between the two kitchens,” concurs her husband and P2 Chef, Jean-Francis Quaglia, “our patrons like it.” So make the most of the next six weeks and try the Spot Prawn menus at both Provence locations because once the season is over, you’ll have to wait another year for this version of Heaven.