We needed a holiday. Instead of waiting for one of our travel contest entries to pay off, we went for instant getaway gratification: Dinner at the hottest hotel in town. (We just have to visualize ourselves as guests.)
Voya is the chic new restaurant at the newly opened Loden Hotel. On arrival, mixologist Jay Jones welcomed us with a cocktail worthy of a world traveller: The Constantine ($12). A mix of Herradura reposado tequila and fresh tomato juice, it was the perfect companion for a roam around the Gatsby-esque chandelier-lit room.
Becoming instant devotees to Chef Marc-Andre Choquette’s (former Executive Chef at Lumiere) West coast fusion plates, we adventurously tasted the sesame crusted frogs legs ($15). The BBQ brushed bits were so crisp and delicious, we were pumped to go even more exotic. The pick: BBQ eel and fatty duck liver ($18) served on a small plate with pickled shimeji mushroom and Bosc pears.
We ended the meal at a culinary crossroads: Do we curl up to the lemon curd ($11) with homemade marshmallows or cave in to the marjani chocolate dome ($12) with mandarin sorbet?
We decided to try both. After all, aren’t all roads meant to be travelled?
Voya at the Loden Hotel
www.voyarestaurant.com
1177 Melville St.
604-639-VOYA
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