Fall for apples! Feature menu shows off our favourite harvest fruit

Chef Quang Dang creates special dishes highlighting apples available October and November
www.divamet.com

September 20, 2010; Vancouver, B.C. – As the weather turns cooler and we wave good-bye to peaches and tomatoes at the markets, thoughts turn to the fall harvest and, naturally, apples. To celebrate the harvest, Diva at the Met’s chef, Quang Dang has created a special fall feature menu using the apple as the common note in dishes that incorporate the bounty of the season.

“The Cascadian region is known for the beautiful apples that we produce,” said Chef Dang. “It seems only natural to showcase them while they're in season. They can be crisp and refreshing, or tender and comforting, depending on how you use them, and they're a perfect complement to anything from seafood through to roasted meats. And, of course, they shine in desserts.”

Chef Dang gets his apples from Apple Luscious Organic Orchard on Salt Spring Island, and throughout the fall, he will use their Winekist – a red-fleshed variety, and their Pink Ladies in the restaurant. He will also be attending the Salt Spring Island Organic Apple Festival in early October to source further varieties from the 350+ different types of apples grown on the island.

Throughout October and November, the following special apple dishes will be available:

Apple & Belgian endive salad
toasted almonds, organic rye croutons, Farmhouse castle blue cheese dressing
Suggested wine pairing: Kettle Valley Sauvignon Blanc, 2008, Okanagan, BC

Apple cider braised pork cheeks
caramel poached crab apples, white bean croquette, whole grain mustard jus
Suggested wine pairing: Cloudline Pinot Gris, 2008, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA

Maple glazed Vancouver Island scallops
thyme roasted apple & celeriac puree, apple gel
Suggested wine pairing: Kendall Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay, 2007, California, USA

Apple & pecan brioche bread pudding
spiced apple cream tarts, house made apple cider
Suggested wine pairing: Mount Boucherie Late Harvest Chardonnay, 2004, Okanagan, BC

Restaurant manager Brian Matassa has taken each of the apple dishes and created a distinctive wine pairing for them. In keeping with the Cascadian approach, all wines are from the region, and perfectly highlight the nuances of each dish. “Apples are a lot of fun to pair with wine,” said Matassa. “For instance, the Kettle Valley Sauvignon Blanc first appears fruit forward and sweet, but finishes with typical varietal grassy notes and good acidity, which makes it perfect for matching with the toasted almonds and blue cheese in Chef Dang's apple and Belgian endive salad.”

Along with the special apple dishes available throughout October and November, Chef Dang has rolled out his new menus bearing the unmistakable hallmark of his Cascadian cuisine. The style combines the fresh spirit of the Cascadian region with the multicultural and indigenous influences that have shaped the region's history and applies them to the enviable coastal bounty of ingredients that the area produces.

Metropolitan Hotels operates four luxury properties: Metropolitan Toronto, the Soho Metropolitan, the Grande Rockies Resort and the Metropolitan Vancouver. With more than 920 rooms, Metropolitan Hotels is committed to providing luxury accommodation for business and leisure travellers seeking an independent choice. A member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Metropolitan strives to provide superior service with distinctive accommodations. Award-winning restaurants at Metropolitan Hotels include Hemispheres and Lai Wah Heen (Metropolitan Toronto), Senses (SoHo Metropolitan), Diva at the Met (Metropolitan Vancouver) and Lai Toh Heen (mid-town Toronto).

Think pink! Diva showcases rosé on both menu and wine list

Chef Quang Dang introduces special feature items for August and September
www.divamet.com

July 29, 2010; Vancouver, B.C. - As the temperature rises in the city, rosé wine is undoubtedly the perfect summer sipper: an impeccable choice for a post-work drink on the patio, but just as at-ease being paired with a wide range of seasonal dishes. As Diva at the Met Chef Quang Dang hits the farmers' markets each week, rosé has provided the inspiration for a range of Cascadian dishes showcasing the best locally-sourced ingredients.

Throughout both August and September, Diva at the Met will highlight the allure of rosé with four specially created dishes and an expanded list of rosé wines available by the glass. "The food-friendly, clean and fresh style of the wine is a great match for the clean and fresh style of Cascadian cuisine," said Chef Dang. "It's also the ideal accompaniment to ingredients that peak during this time of year, including blackberries, hazelnuts and red currants, and it can pair well with everything from seafood to game. To me, rosé is the perfect wine to toast summer with."

Throughout August and September, the following special rosé dishes will be available:

Fresh shucked Vancouver Island scallops and clams
rosé marinated cucumbers, extra virgin olive oil
Suggested wine pairing: Segura Viudas Brut Rose N/V, Penedes, Spain

Blackberry and hazelnut bread salad
farmhouse fresh goat cheese, watercress
Suggested wine pairing: Miguel Torres De Casta, Rosado, 2009, Catalunya, Spain

Grilled Fraser Valley quail
caramelized onion and bacon tartlet, red currant vinaigrette
Suggested wine pairing: LaStella, LaStellina Rosato, 2009, Golden Mile, Okanagan, BC

Pan roasted ling cod
ragout of chorizo, spot prawns and fennel bouillabase reduction
Suggested wine pairing: JoieFarm Rosé, 2009, Naramata, Okanagan, BC

In addition to the wines suggested to pair with each of the dishes, another couple of rosés will be available by the glass. Any of the rosés available by the glass can be chosen to make a flight of three different three-ounce tasters, perfect for those wishing to contrast and compare different styles.

Along with the special rosé dishes available throughout August and September, Chef Dang has also launched new lounge, lunch and dinner menus bearing the unmistakable hallmark of his Cascadian cuisine. The style combines the fresh spirit of the Cascadian region with the multicultural and indigenous influences that have shaped the region's history and applies them to the enviable coastal bounty of ingredients that the area produces.

Metropolitan Hotels operates four luxury properties: Metropolitan Toronto, the Soho Metropolitan, the Grande Rockies Resort and the Metropolitan Vancouver. With more than 920 rooms, Metropolitan Hotels is committed to providing luxury accommodation for business and leisure travellers seeking an independent choice. A member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Metropolitan strives to provide superior service with distinctive accommodations. Award-winning restaurants at Metropolitan Hotels include Hemispheres and Lai Wah Heen (Metropolitan Toronto), Senses (SoHo Metropolitan), Diva at the Met (Metropolitan Vancouver) and Lai Toh Heen (mid-town Toronto).

Chef Quang Dang puts his stamp on new "Diva at the Met" menus

New dishes carry the clean, fresh style of the chef's "Cascadian" cuisine
www.divamet.com

July 14, 2010; Vancouver, BC: New lounge, lunch and dinner menus at Diva at the Met bear the unmistakable hallmark of Chef Quang Dang's unique "Cascadian" style of cuisine. The three menus showcase his light, fresh and clean approach to the quality seasonal ingredients available in the region.

Chef Dang took over the position of Executive Chef at the Metropolitan Hotel Vancouver in April and immediately set about defining the direction of the acclaimed restaurant. "My cuisine combines the fresh spirit of the Cascadian region with the multicultural and indigenous influences that have shaped our history, and applies them to the enviable coastal bounty of ingredients that the area produces."

Sample dishes on the new menus include:

Milk poached smoked black cod
whole grain mustard spaetzle, fine herb vinaigrette

Dungeness crab salad
shaved fennel, gala apples and spring rhubarb

Cinnamon smoked duck breast
sunchokes, fava beans and Okanagan cherry jus

The Cascadian region stretches from Northern California up to Alaska, and unites multiple areas with a similar attitude to food. An advocate of sustainability and champion of Cascadian cuisine, Chef Dang is himself the epitome of the diverse flavours and techniques he employs in the kitchen. With family roots stretching back to both Vietnam and Scotland, he draws inspiration from his own background as well as his professional experience in some of Vancouver's most acclaimed restaurants to create unique food that represents the area.

Along with the new menus, each month Chef Dang will create a selection of special dishes showcasing a particular ingredient or theme. July's feature dishes celebrate local organic heirloom tomatoes with a collection of four items available at both lunch and dinner. In August the restaurant will showcase rosé wines with both menu items from Chef Dang and a special rosé flight of wine available.

Metropolitan Hotels operates four luxury properties: Metropolitan Toronto, the Soho Metropolitan, the Grande Rockies Resort and the Metropolitan Vancouver. With more than 920 rooms, Metropolitan Hotels is committed to providing luxury accommodation for business and leisure travellers seeking an independent choice. A member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Metropolitan strives to provide superior service with distinctive accommodations. Award-winning restaurants at Metropolitan Hotels include Hemispheres and Lai Wah Heen (Metropolitan Toronto), Senses (SoHo Metropolitan), Diva at the Met (Metropolitan Vancouver) and Lai Toh Heen (mid-town Toronto).