House of Boateng

The House of Boateng is a is a newish restaurant that my I, my wife, and a friend tried not long ago. Chef Castro and his wife Charlotte are the owners and they have an excellent approach to food, as presented in this special meal inspired by places around Vancouver Island. 

The meal was accompanied by music by the Aerie Trio and composed by group member Diane Berry. Different to other meals where there was a musical accompaniment, it occurred in between the finishing and starting of a course serving. It allowed us to enjoy the music that the upcoming course was to represent and give a chance for the kitchen to freshly prepare the course.

To start we had a variety of breads and butters.

Served with the musical piece for the beaches of Fanny Bay, Denman Island, and Hornby, was island fresh Fanny Bay oysters, Rockefeller Denman Island oysters, and Hornby Island herring. 

Served with the musical piece for the Tidepools, was Port Renfrew crab salad, BC Prawns, mussels, Oxeye daisy leaves, preserved lemon, and green oil.

Served with the musical piece for the rainforest, was East Sooke Park Sooke trout, BC mushrooms, fiddlehead, sea asparagus, Kemp miso orange dressing, sesame seeds, and bonito. 

Here is the staff hard at work between courses.

Served with the musical piece for creeks and streams, was Goldstream Park citrus confit salmon, dill pickled cucumber, salmon roe, and parsnip soup.  

Served with the musical piece for Garry Oak meadow, was Garry Oak Meadows venison striploin, porcini mushrooms, herb gnocchi, and wild blackberry jus.

Served with the musical piece for the Rose Garden, was Government House rose gardens rose water curd, raspberries, strawberry crumble, meringue, and edible petals.

Every dish was a sparkle to the senses. My entire tongue was treated to textures and flavours that I enjoyed. This was a meal to savor and enjoy slowly. I would eat one of their special meals again and again.

For those who wish to hire and/or see the Aerie Trio, or the performers in their larger company,   Augmented Trio, go to their link.