A Chilliwack restaurant has been recognized for its “outstanding” wine list – for the second year in a row – as a winner in one of the country’s most prestigious wine festivals.
Bravo Restaurant & Lounge on Yale Road was awarded the bronze medal from the Vancouver International Playhouse Wine Festival.
It’s an event that attracts the most ardent oenophiles from around the globe. The 2006 festival featured 186 wineries and 1,320 wines from 15 countries.

Bravo’s creative and ever-changing list of libations merited a bronze according to a panel of industry experts and wine critics, with judges citing the local resto’s “outstanding selection, service and value.”
The Yale Road restaurant and lounge, which has become a local ode to sunny cocktails and West Coast comfort food, is run by Damian Du Plessis and Louie De Jaeger.
Bravo’s offerings edged out many of Vancouver’s finest establishments for this award, such as Brix and Cassis, and it was the only restaurant in the Fraser Valley to receive recognition.
Check out more at www.bravorestaurant.ca, 604.792.7721, or see the complete list of this year’s winners at:
www.playhousewinefest.com 

Something To Wine About (Chilliwack Times)

Bravo for Bravo

That's according to the folks at the world-renowned Vancouver International Playhouse Wine Festival.

Bravo Restaurant and Lounge just picked up a bronze medal for its wine menu at the highly-regarded international event. The award came from a panel of industry experts and wine critics who could only give thumbs up to one of Chilliwack's newest fine dining experiences. And this is the second year in a row that the martini bar has won an award from this prestigious festival. That's not bad, considering it's barely been two years since Bravo first swung open its doors.

"We're pretty happy about it," co-owner Damian du Plessis says. "It's a pretty great recognition to have."

Indeed, judges visit the restaurant and not only enjoy a meal but check every angle of how the meal is made, any prep time, the wine list, the cooking with wine, staff and even the customers. Everything is under the microscope including the decor, service and general ambiance of the place.

"They come out and they see the place and the clientele, they talk to the staff, check out our service," du Plessis adds. "It's pretty in-depth."

He notes that staff is quizzed by the judges about their wine knowledge; for example what wine goes well with that night's main course. The international festival, which just wrapped up, attracts some of the biggest industry names from around the world and is firmly established as Canada's premier wine event. This year's event featured 186 wineries and 1,320 wines from 15 countries.

As they lauded Bravo, the judges cited the Chilliwack establishment for its "outstanding selection, service and value."

Du Plessis says they now offer more than 90 different types of wine, ensuring that just about every customer will find a wine to their satisfaction. And he notes, one of the great things about winning is that Bravo was the only Fraser Valley establishment to win such a prestigious award.

"It pretty well puts us on a par with some of the top restaurants in Vancouver and throughout the Fraser Valley," he says. "It's a pretty good award to win."

published on 05/12/2006

The Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival (VPIWF) Wine List Awards recognize the excellence of British Columbian restaurateurs who show a commitment to wine on their premises and excel in bringing wine consciousness to the public.

As a recipient of a VPIWF Wine List Award, the restaurant's wine list, service and storage have met the high standards of an industry panel of well-respected wine critics and experts.

GOALS

The goal of the competition is to be inclusive and recognize the diversity of wine list and restaurant styles that exist. Our aim is to have guests at restaurants around the province recognize the award as a certificate of achievement. We want diners to feel that the wine selections are well chosen and that the staff are well-trained to advise them in their choices. It’s really about building confidence – rewarding the work of the restaurant team and assuring the consumer.

RECOGNITION

If a restaurant clearly states the philosophy behind their wine program, illustrates their wine and food pairing goals AND succeeds in achieving their mandate, they are eligible for GOLD, SILVER and BRONZE GLASS awards.

AWARD RECIPIENTS FOR 2006 are:

VANCOUVER and area
GOLD

SILVER

BRONZE

• Aurora Bistro
• Bravo Restaurant & Lounge (Chilliwack)
• Haus Uropa Restaurant (Gibsons)
• Fleuri Restaurant - Sutton Place Hotel
• Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House
• Pearl on the Rock (White Rock)
• Tomato Fresh Food Café
• The William Tell Restaurant
• winebar @ fiction

HONOURABLE MENTION

• Brix Restaurant & Wine Bar
• Cassis Bistro *Great Value
• Ch’I *Great Value
• Chambar Restaurant
• Hamilton Street Grill
• Morton's The Steakhouse
• Relish Restaurant & Lounge *Great Value
• Vintropolis Wine Bar & Restaurant

Partners and endorsements:
The Wine List Awards are endorsed by Vancouver Magazine, Vancouver Wine Academy, International Sommelier Guild and the Import Vintners and Spirits Association of British Columbia.