Monday, January 22, 2007

Camille's Restaurant - Victoria

This is what I had for dinner on Saturday!

Lemon, ginger and prawn bisque - thick, rich delicately flavored with an intriguing heat to it...there was a oil drizzled over which was the source of the heat but I forgot to ask exactly what it was

Warm duck confit salad (baby organic greens, sweet peppers, mandarins, sesame citrus vinaigrette - I LOVE duck. And I love it in tender little slices dressed with citrus and nestled on fresh greens

Rack of venison with a Sambaar spice rub, red wine jus, curried potato and spinach ragout, orange mint and mango relish. - This was by far one of the best pieces of meat that I have had. I hate to get all cliche about it, but it simply melted in the mouth. The spice added a depth of flavour without overwhelming the meat, and the meat was cooked as per the chef's recommendation...rare

Cheese plate - Natural Pastures Comox Camembert, Blue D'Auvergne, Parmigianno Reggiano, dried fruit brioche (balsamic vinegar reduction) - What a nice 'in-between dish', just a few bitefuls of very good cheese. The Blue D'Auvergne was wonderful; creamy and pungent. The flavour just filled the mouth, but didn't demolish the palate in the way that a too heavy blue can do

Burnt honey ice cream served with tulle cookies and fresh fruit - This was an interesting ice cream. It wasn't served 'freezing', so the layers of flavour really had a chance to show off. The honey was predominant, but underneath was a carmel taste (the 'burnt' aspect) I don't love ice cream, but it was a small portion and so unusually flavoured that I ate it all up happily

Each dish was paired with a wine from British Columbia, except for the port with dessert, which was Australian (and it was fabulous!).

What a great way to experience a new restaurant at it's finest.
By selecting the 'tasting menu', you hand over your heart (and paycheck sometimes!) to the chef and let him feed you.
At a great restaurant like Camille's, you're guaranteed to eat well and for a long time. WhatHisFace and I sat at dinner for two and a half hours of relaxed, delicious luxury.
Worth every penny.

One of the other nice things about this restaurant is the fact that they are seasonally inspired; the waiter said that their menu changes as much as once a week, as well.
I really can't wait to see what their spring offerings entail!

(And by spring I shall have saved enough money to go back!)

13 comments:

Spider Girl said...

With you around I don't need to go to the expensive restaurants myself, I shall just taste them vicariously through you.

Seriously though, I could really go for something with a citrus dressing right now!

Fabulously described, dahling!

Scott said...

That sounds like an amazing night. I am a fan of the tasting menu as well.

Dagoth said...

Hi Tai

Sounds like it is worth having to wait till spring before you can afford to go again. I believe it's better to eat out at a great place once every three months than eat out every week at far lesser places...

Lori Stewart Weidert said...

Yum, I'm googling up recipes when I'm done here. The bisque sounds amazing.

Jo said...

Yum. I love duck confit. It's one of my favorite things. It sounds as if you had a wonderful dinner and good company as well.

Josie

Eric said...

I didn't understand a word of that, but I'm sure it tasted great! ;)

Pol* said...

OMG!!!! That sounds fabulous.... I am drooling over here. I LOVE properly done venison, the taste is so unique and full of a depth that just can't be imitated. Is this the location of next year's un-birthday dinner?

kimber said...

ooooooooo.... foodporn....... *slaver*

geewits said...

Were the portions really small? I would have been full after the soup!

blackcrag said...

Do I truly need to start bugging you about becoming a foodie writer again?

"I can't write," you say! BS!

"I don't know how," you say! There's a crapload!

If you don't gp talk to the Times-Colonist,at least touch base with Monday.

Lone Grey Squirrel said...

Why do you torture us so with such vivid, mouth-watering imagery? Why? Why? Why?

Anonymous said...

Sounds awesome. Reminded me to add it to my list of restaurants I want to go to again soon:

Anonymous said...

Tai: If you are seriously interested in contributing to a food writer's web site please email me at: inkspots@telus.net

Thanks
Ramblins