The inaugural Feast of St. Lawrence (#feaststlawrence) began on Friday, August 12th, with Dinner Under the Stars, an exclusive dinner where one hundred guests gathered on Front Street (between Scott and Church Street) for a special al fresco dinner. Rain was in the forecast so a tent was set up.
Tickets to Dinner Under the Stars was $200 per person. A portion of ticket sales was donated to FoodShare and a charitable tax receipt was issued for a portion of the cost.
Dinner Under the Stars began at 6:30pm with passed hors d'oeuvres, and a wine and beer reception.
Steam Whistle, Norman Hardie 2015 Riesling, Cave Spring Brut 'Dolomite', Tawse 2014 Limestone Ridge Sparkling Riesling
Oyster station from Pearl Diver.
I nibbled on these scrumptious hors d'oeuvres while sipping on wine - Norman Hardie Riesling for him, and Tawse Sparkling Riesling for me.
Oysters (Pearl Diver)
Oysters (Pearl Diver)
Pear Vichyssoise with a hint of Stilton (Hot House Restaurant)
House Cured Salmon Gravlax, Mustard Creme Fraiche, Belgium Endive, Radish (Biff's Bistro)
Our sumptuous dinner began at around 7:30pm with a 5-course feast prepared by chefs from some of the top restaurants in the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood including Woods, Barsa Taberna, Omni King Edward Hotel, and The Sultan's Tent. Wine pairings from Niagara's Somewhereness wine consortium was served, and each guest was able to choose one of three wines per course.
APPETIZER
Roasted Beet Salad, Shaved Fennel, Mixed Lettuce and Goat Cheese with Citrus Vinaigrette (Woods)
Charles Baker 2013 'Picone Vineyard' Riesling / Hidden Bench 2014 Bistro Rose / Malivoire 2015 Small Lot Gamay VQA Beamsville Bench
This photo was taken from one end of this remarkably long dining table...you can't even see where it ends!
ENTRE METIER
Grilled Octopus with Fingerling Potatoes, Spicy Chorizo and a Preserved Lemon Vinaigrette (Barsa Taberna)
13th Street 2014 June's Vineyard Chardonnay / Bachelder 2013 Niagara Chardonnay / Flatrock 2013 Pinot Noir
MAIN
King's Al Fesco Beef Wellington with Peppered Horseradish Cream (Omni King Edward Hotel)
Stratus 2011 Stratus Tollgate Voignier / Queylus 2013 Tradition Cabernet Franc / Southbrook 2013 Triomphe Cabernet Sauvignon
Baklava: Phyllo Pastry, Walnut, Pistachio, Honey, Orange Blossom Water, Moroccan Mint Tea (The Sultan's Tent)
Dinner Under the Stars was a fantastic way to launch Toronto's newest food festival. It is a dinner that I'll never forget. Thank you St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood BIA for letting me be a part of such a unique dining experience!
FYI: It didn't end up raining.
*This meal was complimentary. The opinions and views expressed on this post are my own*