Announcements and Special Menus for Provence's 10th Year

(Vancouver, BC) – On December 17, 1997 Jean-Francis and Alessandra Quaglia gave birth. After the usual nine-month gestation, the Quaglias presented their brand new baby, Provence Mediterranean Grill, to the Vancouver restaurant scene. Nine years and two months later Provence Mediterranean Grill has grown up to be one of the city’s brightest culinary stars with a younger sibling as well as a thriving take-out department.

In celebration of Provence Restaurants’ tenth birthday, the Quaglias have planned 10 months of festive activities leading up to the big birthday in December. Starting on March 1st, Provence Mediterranean Grill will be offering a two-course lunch for only $10. While there are no free lunches these days, $10 for two courses comes pretty close. Lunch patrons will have the choice of starting with either Soup of the Day or two selections from the Antipasti Case followed by either a Warm Goat Cheese Salad or Antipasti de Mare (Mediterranean steamer with prawns, scallops, clams and mussels).

For each of the 10 months from March through December the restaurant will feature Le Menu Favori de Provence, a monthly-changing three-course table d’hôte highlighting some of the favourite dishes over the ten years. "There are some items, like the bouillabaisse or the roasted chicken that have never come off the menu," says Chef and co-owner Jean-Francis Quaglia, "whereas others, like Alessandra’s chocolate cake were on at the beginning and have re-appeared from time to time." Priced at $33.00, the March menu offers for a first course either Grilled Tiger Prawns (with mixed romaine and radicchio, sun-dried tomato vinaigrette) or two selections of Antipasti. For the mains there is a choice of either Grilled Salmon Niçoise or Grilled New York Steak (with caramelized onions and balsamic vinegar demi-glace). To finish, the March menu features a favourite from one of the first menus – Pear and Raspberry Crostata.

In 1997, the Quaglias had another birth, that of their youngest son Remi. In his honour, every child born in 1997 coming to Provence Mediterranean Grill will receive a free dessert with proof of age. "We’ve always been a place that welcomes families, "says Chef and co-owner Alessandra Quaglia. "It’s important to us to include children in our celebration."

"We had no idea how well we’d do," continues Alessandra. "People were so welcoming of our home-style approach and French family cooking. Now, all those initial patrons have become more than ‘regulars’, they’re part of the Provence family. We have several who have been with us right from the start." Each month Provence Mediterranean Grill will be honouring a ‘founding’ patron - look for tent cards with bios along with other memorabilia from the first year. Founding patrons will also receive a gift from the restaurant – a special ‘thank you’ card entitling them to 10 percent off their food bills for the next ten months. "We would not have thrived had it not been for their loyalty, this is just our way of thanking them for all their support," says Alessandra.

Another equally important member of the Provence Family is the staff. Amazingly, in this age of high staff turnover, Provence has ten staff who have been with the Quaglias since the beginning. "We have the best staff," says Alessandra, "it has been so rewarding to watch them develop. They really are our extended family."

Prior to the big birthday party in December, the Quaglias will cap their months of celebration with the launch of their first cookbook. Tentatively entitled New World Provence – Modern French Cooking for Family and Friends, the book is being published by Arsenal Pulp Press and scheduled for release in time for the Fall book season.

"We are so thankful to everyone who has helped us live our dream and supported us along the way. We hope that they have as much fun celebrating over the next ten months as we plan to." -- Nancy Wong

Provence Mediterranean Grill
4473 W.10th Avenue,
Vancouver
604-222-1980
www.provencevancouver.com