Summer Party Naval Styles at Seven RestoLounge
I must admit that I found the addition of Seven RestoLounge to the downtown Calgary scene a bit of a mystery. Here was another high end lounge / restaurant offering in a city already awash in premium dining options. Timing for its opening couldn’t have been worse with Calgary not being spared by the global economic meltdown. Fast forward to 2010, Seven Restolounge has weathered the storm and is alive and seemingly well. We were invited to join them for their naval themed summer patio party. How could we say no to that?
While the party, sights and company were great, the highlights far and away were the seafood offerings. Seven along with their executive chef Garrett “Rusty” Thienes created a Crab and Chardonnay Shack that greeted party goers with mountains of oysters, spot prawns, shrimp and scallops. I must admit that I am a sucker for oysters and when I see them being shucked right in front of me, I tend to sort of well, lose restraint. The examples being served were from the west coast on Vancouver Island, more specifically Miyagi’s from Denman Island and Nootka Sound. Oysters, like wine are affected by terroir and these Miyagi’s flavour profiles ranged with one showing a cleaner, almost tropical profile and the other being more salty, marine driven. As I was devouring the endless plates put in front of us, I sipped on a glass of fine sauvignon blanc. Honestly though, what I really dreamed about was a glass of premier cru Chablis from William Fevre.
William Fevre Chablis Premier Cru ‘Fourchaume’
Vintage: 2007
Region: Chablis, France
Varietals: Chardonnay
Alcohol: 13%
Price: $37.00
Eyes: Gorgeous clear greenish yellow hue with medium viscosity.
Nose: Bright green apple yielding peach with an undercurrent of mineral, marine air.
Mouth: Lemony citrus up front gliding effortlessly to a lengthy mineral, citrus rind finish. A well balanced wine whose acidity would pair perfectly with fresh seafood.
Along with the oysters, we were presented with a seafood sampler that was out of this world. Envision two inch thick scallops seared to medium rare that were so delicious, I could have eaten the entire platters worth. The spot prawns had an interesting sweet taste but being familiar with shrimps normal consistency and texture, they were a challenge to really enjoy. The snow crab was fantastic with its delicate meat showcasing a sweetness that for a crab lover is irresistible. Another chef Thienes creation on the platter was a Sambuca shrimp, that was rich, creamy and delectable all at once. If you are at all concerned about your cholesterol, you’ll want to avoid it but as a one time splurge, it delivers.
Seven RestoLounge is going through a bit of a renaissance, with the promised delivery of a long overdue website and re-invigorated management team. Our group left the party with a positive impression of the food, service and the experience in general. Our experience dictated that Seven is more than just another similar face in a crowd and to us, it warrants giving it another chance if you weren’t impressed the first time. If the seafood is any indication, it might just surprise you.
- Summer Party Naval Styles at Seven RestoLounge
- by Adrian Bryksa
- Published on June 30th, 2010
- Where:
- Seven RestoLounge
- Website:
- www.sevencalgary.ca
More from Adrian Bryksa:
-
Château Fonbadet
From a vintage perspective, 2003 was a great yet challenging in Bordeaux with intense heat arriving in August. Take 40 + degree Celsius temperatures and combine with a lack of cooling rain and one of the potential outcomes is roasted, thick skinned grapes contributing to flabby wine.
-
Cooper Mountain Vineyards Cooper Hill Pinot Noir
I have been inspired to revisit Pinot Noir as when it is done right, can be heaven in a glass and when done incorrectly, can be a pure disaster. To me it is the thrill of the hunt for that special pinot that is so alluring.
-
Warped Tour 2006
They blew the house down and I do not think there was a disappointed person leaving the speedway after their set. If you are a fan of punk, metal or aggressive music in general, you need to give Rise Against a chance.
-
Heitz Cellars Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
I have heard people decanting Heitz Cellars wines for 6 hours, probably due to the fact that this wine spends 3 years aging between American and French oak.
-
New Years Bubbles – 3 Sparkling Wines Blind
Although most people wait to enjoy sparkling wines for celebrations or parties, I would suggest drinking them at any time.
-
Terre da vino Barolo Poderi Scaronne D.O.C.G.
I recently spotted a lonely bottle of 2005 Amon-Ra for a bargain basement price that I left on the shelf. When I went back to buy it, it was gone and I swore that I would never leave another deal like that on the table.
Other recent features:
-
Sónar 2010 – Barcelona, Spain
The festival attracts a lot of outsiders, but the Mediterranean, Spanish and more specifically Catalan nature of the people makes the festival what it is. Catalan people are passionate and this passion is infectious. The atmosphere is electric in Barcelona as a city and heightened by music and intoxicants at Sónar.
-
Summer Party Naval Styles at Seven RestoLounge
Oysters, like wine are affected by terroir and these Miyagi’s flavor profiles ranged with one showing a cleaner, almost tropical profile and the other being more salty, marine driven. As I was devouring the seemingly endless plates put in front of us, I sipped on a glass of fine sauvignon blanc.
-
R4NT Radio March 2010
R4NT Radio March 2010 um wow it’s been far too long since the last edition edition, featuring: Hector Hernandez, The Infesticons, Blockhead, Gramatik, Emika, Thunderheist, Parov Stelar, Eddy Meets Yannah, Anti-Pop Consortium, The Slew, Lighterthief, Andreya Triana, Parasyte Woman, Mathon, Venetian Snares, and Funki Porcini.
-
O Restaurant & Lounge revisited
Calgary has a diverse set of urban communities, most of which have the ubiquitous strip mall watering hole. In the South West community of Marda Loop, a reinvention of this paradigm has been established.
-
Predictions 2010.. and beyond!
So 2010 eh? Almost but not quite (no year zero they say) another decade? It seems like just yesterday that the world was waiting for Y2K. R4NT started publishing in March 2001, so we’re not quite 10 years old yet, but in internet years we are already a senior citizen.
-
Invictus
No matter what, the reality of Nelson Mandela is something that deserves screen time. Should this film even remotely intrigue the masses to take interest in this figure, the world would likely benefit greatly from it.
